I am a proud public school graduate and was previously a big supporter of them. I experienced incredible educational value, went to some great schools, and had phenomenal teachers. Back then, the focus was different. After putting my kids in public school, I realized that they were not experiencing the same schools that I grew up in. 

These days, teachers are stressed, and the focus on education has changed. This has caused Oregon to be ranked at the bottom of the list for education. Many high school graduates are barely able to read and write. 

Education is so important! We need to provide better education options for our children and ensure they have every opportunity to be successful in the future. That looks like: 

- Increasing vocational program awareness

- Increasing graduation standards

- Improving access to community college

- School choice

- Supporting school districts and teachers 

My parents came from modest means in India. When they bought their first home, it was a major financial decision that they scrimped and saved to be able to make. When it was my turn to buy a home, my wife and I were fortunate enough to qualify for a first-time homeowners loan. We didn’t have much, but that loan enabled us to enjoy our first home together for over twelve years, raising three boys and developing equity that helped us buy our next home. 

When you own a home, you develop roots in your community! 

Unfortunately, homeownership is declining. The average “starter” home in our district is between $400,000-$500,000. It’s hard for young families to develop roots in the community when home ownership is almost unreachable. I want to see more programs created for people to achieve the American Dream of owning their own homes. That could look like: 

- More first-time homeowner programs 

- Lower property taxes for seniors

- Changes to land-use laws to allow for multi-generational housing opportunities

As an entrepreneur who owns multiple small businesses, I am passionate about our local economy. I know firsthand how crucial the success of local businesses is to the success of individuals, families, and the community as a whole. 

Across the board, many of our local families are struggling to make ends meet. Homeownership is becoming less and less attainable; the cost of groceries, gas, and other daily necessities continues to climb, and it seems like everyone is feeling the squeeze. 

Here’s what change for our local economy looks like:

- Reduced taxes for small businesses

- More entrepreneurship opportunities

- Helping families with the high cost of living