The People's Advocate: Why I'm Running for Attorney General

Technically, the Attorney General is defined as the state’s chief legal officer, and an important part of the job is to provide impartial legal counsel to other agencies of state government. But I believe it’s far more than that – and I will treat the position as far more than that. To me, Oregon’s Attorney General is the people’s chief legal advocate – the person most responsible for protecting Oregonians’ personal safety, consumer rights, civil liberties, and natural environment.

I will be the People's Advocate by...

• Promoting the personal safety of Oregonians with sensible use of criminal justice.

Oregon needs to be smart on crime, not just tough on crime. Building new prisons to lock up offenders for long mandatory sentences takes resources away from other important public services, like education and health care. That’s why I oppose the new Kevin Mannix initiative, and support reforming Measure 11 to shorten mandatory minimum sentences for assault crimes.

In the Legislature, I showed that it is indeed possible to reduce crime without building new prisons. Most importantly, in 2005 I joined three other legislators to pass, over the opposition of drug companies, the boldest restriction in the country on access to the raw material from which meth is cooked. As a result of this sensible law, home meth labs have been almost entirely shut down in Oregon. As Attorney General, I will press the federal government to implement this solution to meth cooking nationwide. I will also advocate for more resources for drug treatment and for special drug courts to make addicts get clean and stay clean without being imprisoned.

• Protecting the financial security of Oregonians with strong consumer protections.

The Attorney General must protect Oregonians from scams and predatory lending. In the 2007 legislative session I supported the new limit enacted on payday loan interest, shutting down lenders that were charging interest as high as 500 or 600 percent. As AG I will vigorously enforce the new limit and advocate for new restrictions on subprime mortgages. I will also advocate for fairer health care charges so Oregonians who lack health insurance won’t pay more than those with insurance for the same services.

• Protecting workers’ rights with passion and commitment.

Oregon’s laws providing protections for our workers are only as good as their enforcement. As AG, I will aggressively enforce worker protection laws, especially wage and hour rules, workplace safety standards, and prevailing wage acts. I will also defend the right of workers to form a union and protect them from forced indoctrination by heavy-handed employers bent on preventing them from exercising that right.

• Defending the civil rights of Oregonians with vigorous litigation.

The Attorney General must stand up for the civil rights of Oregonians. In the 2007 legislative session, I carried a landmark law on the House floor, extending protection from discrimination to sexual orientation. As AG, I will bring lawsuits to apply this protection. I will fight attempts by the federal officials to impose their views on Oregonians who have voted for the right to compassion in dying and to medical marijuana.

• Safeguarding Oregon's natural beauty and protecting our environmental legacy using responsible, proactive problem solving, increased law enforcement and improved communication with the public

Responsible, Proactive Problem Solving
Oregonians are innovative problem solvers. If something’s not working, we fix it. That’s why I will work hard to find solutions that work when it comes to protecting Oregon’s environment. Whether it’s stronger environmental laws, creating incentives to do the right thing, more education or more communication, I’ll make sure we work responsibly to protect what we all love.

Environmental Law Enforcement
I will vigorously enforce all of our environmental laws, including the required transition to renewable energy and advocate on the public’s behalf to win the resources required to accomplish this critical work.

Measure 49
As co-author of Measure 49, I am committed to making sure the protections of M49 are carried out. I plan to challenge invalid attempts to claim a vested right to develop under Measure 37. The voters overwhelmingly supported M49 and I intend to see that Oregon’s farms, vineyards and beautiful landscape are protected from reckless development and special interests.

Environment protection must be a priority
I will work outside the bureaucracy and appoint expert task forces to take on key environmental issues. The protection of Oregon’s natural places and our air and water quality must be a priority independent of state agency requests. I’ll see to it that the public’s interests are represented and work to leave a greener Oregon for future generations.

Advocacy is in my blood...

In my three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, I have been an advocate for public safety, helping to write and pass the country’s toughest anti-meth laws. I built on my father’s legacy, advocating for the protection of Oregon’s natural spaces from uncontrolled development. And I advocated for civil liberties, defending a woman’s right to choose and ensuring equal rights to all Oregonians.
Like many people who grew up in rural Oregon, I believe actions are more important than talk. Nobody should underestimate my determination or passion. Determination and passion will be the hallmarks of my campaign, and more importantly, they will be the hallmarks of my work as Oregon’s next Attorney General. Nobody will be a stronger advocate for the people of Oregon.