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Housing Programs That Work

Housing Programs That Work

Despite what people may think and what they read and hear in the press, we’ve actually had a huge reduction in homelessness in Clackamas County over the last year. And we have the data to prove it. According to the...

It’s official: There will be no tolling on I-5 or I-205 for at least the next couple of years.

Governor Kotek has directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to put a stop to those plans until 2026. At one point, it was considered inevitable. We were told it was a foregone conclusion. But those of us who were against...

It Takes All of Us – A Community-Centric Approach to Solving Homelessness

By Tootie Smith Chair, Clackamas County Commission We all agree communities face the monumental task of addressing homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health across Oregon.  While we did not create this crisis, as elected leaders it is our responsibility to...

The Short End of the Stick

For over 40 years, Clackamas County has lacked the ability to control its own destiny. That’s how long the county and its residents have been subjected to the additional layer of government, bureaucracy, taxation and regulations that have accompanied our...

Is Oregon in Denial?

I love Oregon. My family has called this state home for multiple generations. In fact, I still live not too far from the farm where I grew up with my parents and two siblings. I’m a proud graduate of local...

Putting the Cart Before the Horse

It’s no secret that I’ve been a vocal critic of Metro throughout the multiple decades of my life as an elected public official. Even prior to my stints as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives and Clackamas County...

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...

Holding ourselves accountable. An 18 month check-in.

Long before I ever served in any public office, I believed in holding elected officials accountable for upholding the promises they made while campaigning for their positions. All these years later, I still feel the same way. This is especially...

The Perils of Progressive Policies

As of right now, so-called progressives have been in charge of Portland for decades, the Oregon Legislature for years, the U.S. Senate and Congress and the White House. So what, exactly, do we have to show for it? We are...