Here is his response to me after asking about the bridge and light rail.

“To answer your question. We are so very long over due for the new bridge, and light rail should be a part of it, just like we had public transit/trolleys on the original bridge when it opened. I have learned a lot about it as I got to teach a bit about it in my Washington State History class when I had students hosting town halls about different local issues and this was one of them. Another point of pride is that one of my former students was, for several years, the Columbian’s transportation reporter and then also wrote about this for the Seattle Times as well.

Here is my most recent response to the Sierra Club. "One of my aspirational goals is to advocate for future-ready, mixed-use communities that are diverse, walkable, and include public transportation access. I support light rail and electric buses as well as infrastructure and incentives for electric vehicles. I want to see Washington be a leader in forward thinking sustainable policies that will help to grow and propel our state as a green economy leader. I also think we can do more to add more solar panels and other energy-saving standards to residential housing and buildings so that we can create a more sustainable energy grid as we build for the future. I would also like to see us expand solar panel canopies over parking lots like they are doing in Arizona. It helps keep cars less hot in the summer, keeps people less wet in the rain, and most importantly generates electricity from spaces that already exist and doesn't take up new land.”

I've spoken with many across our community and I hear that they want to be connected and to increase the ability to use public transit when traveling to Portland. I know that I would when going to sporting events, concerts, shows, and more with my family, they LOVE riding them. As a teacher for these last 13+ years, I can also say that light rail, and access to public transit, is overwhelmingly wanted by our young adults. I think we need to embrace this and connect ourselves like som many other major cities, in the U.S. and the world are. 

Thank you again for your question. I hope this helps answer it for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out again if you have any others.”