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      Putting Public Safety First

      Putting Public Safety First

      In Clackamas County, public safety isn't just a talking point thrown around to win cheap political points – it's a priority. This commission has remained steadfast in its commitment to end the importation of disastrous policies of Portland Creep. This...

      We can stop tolling permanently!

      Plans are underway to toll the essential freeways we rely on every day in Clackamas County for our transportation needs, but we can stop it! Some people might not know this, but the Portland metropolitan area is already under study...

      Just Say No to Measure 110

      It’s well past time to admit the obvious: Measure 110, which decriminalized extremely dangerous drugs, has been a disaster. Presented to voters as the “Drug Addiction and Recovery Act,” this ill-conceived measure is actively destroying the quality of life for...

      Rights and Responsibilities

      Many of the most important public policy debates these days are the result of fundamental disagreements on what, exactly, rights are. Some people are quickly to declare everything they want to be a “right,” meaning that the rest of society...

      All About the Economy

      This has been a rough year for households all across the United States, Oregon and Clackamas County. Reckless federal spending policies have reduced the value of the dollar and caused the worst inflation in four decades. The results are hitting...

      Managing Tax Dollars the Right Way

      I’ve long maintained that government agencies should manage taxpayer dollars the same way individuals and households manage their finances. As chair of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, I take this fiduciary duty very seriously. I have to live within...

      Upholding the Social Contract

      There are certain expectations that come from living in a free society. The most important is that, as long as you work hard, obey the law and don’t hurt anyone else, you’re generally free to go about your business peacefully....

      Of Results and Intentions

      If it’s true that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then it must not have very many potholes. Time and time again, we find in the public policy arena that decisions are often based on stated intentions....

      Are We Being Ruled or Governed?

      One of the main debates of our time is one that is nothing new. Society has always seemed to be split between people subscribing to two competing political philosophies—some want to be governed and some want others to rule over...

      Truth and Consequences

      Headlines all across the United States have declared for months that our hospitals are completely at capacity. This has been done largely for the sake of shaming people into getting the COVID vaccine. But the reasons for the strain on...