Andrea Kennedy-Smith

Paralegal for the State of Oregon in the Child Welfare Profram

Wages / Job Benefits Fair livable wages and safe working conditions, because no one should be made to feel unsafe in their workplace. Infrastructure / Transportation I’ll focus on a transportation system that doesn’t distort traffic patterns but that bolsters economic prosperity in Yamhill County with targeted investment. Government Reform I will work to reduce red tape that makes it difficult to hire union employees for state agencies and instead directs your taxpayer dollars into fly-by-night overpaid non-union consultants who don’t stick around long enough to deliver what taxpayers need. Guns I support reasonable laws that prevent convicted violent criminals from accessing guns. I respect personal freedoms and responsibility when it comes to the Second Amendment. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Community policing should focus on priority violent and property crimes. There is a role for qualified healthcare professionals to support police, such as when responding to a person with a mental health crisis or facing addiction. I will support funding for police and other emergency services. Education There is no reason students should go without basic needs, safety or support. That’s why I would focus on ensuring students have the mental health services they need, dedicated school nurses and counselors and healthy meals. Abortion / Contraception Considering women’s healthcare rights, I feel that women and their doctors are best suited to make decisions that impact their own health and future. Wages / Job Benefits Robust training for businesses trying to maintain safe and healthy workplaces. Government Reform I will support careful review of how technical services are procured and maintained in order to eliminate a pattern of failed state agency databases and projects with high ongoing maintenance fees. Education Expand services such as high dose tutoring, after school programs and summer school to support students who need it. This will close gaps and allow classrooms to function at a higher level by bringing students to high standards together. Healthcare Too much of our hard earned dollars go to insurance companies trying to sidestep actual use of the medical coverage we pay for. Copays, deductibles, and premiums intentionally confuse consumers and the wrong coverage and a single illness can ruin a household’s finances. Economy We need to invest in job training and education, whether that’s four year college degrees, on the job training, or apprenticeship programs. Oregon’s young people should graduate from High School with all the doors open so they can pursue their dreams. For those impacted by a changing economy, I support job training. Healthcare We must offer compassionate and practical services for family members and neighbors struggling with mental illness. We can balance the rights of mentally ill Oregonians with treatment that interrupts mental health crises and preserves the safety of our communities. Education Implement smaller class sizes so teachers have the ability to focus on each student’s needs and growth. Taxes / Budget I’ll make sure we have a tax system that makes corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share while protecting the middle class, and take on the corporate greed that’s ripping off Oregon families by driving up prices. Wages / Job Benefits Meaningful fines to hold businesses accountable for repeat or extremely hazardous working conditions. This will also support honest businesses who do care about their workers. Social Services We need to invest in quality child care so families can work, child care providers earn a living wage that respects the importance of their work, and children have a safe, healthy and educational place to be after school, during the summer and during early childhood. Such investments will close achievement gaps and promote success for future generations. Housing I will focus on improving the supply of workforce housing by reducing onerous land use requirements and giving people more control of their own property. I support partnering with the private sector and being careful and strategic about use of taxpayer dollars for housing. Housing I support modest government funding for housing people with disabilities, veterans and elders. Healthcare Fully funded mental health services for children and adults. When youth have access to mental health services and behavioral support services they can succeed in school and be successful in life.