LanitaDuke.com
PLATFORM
LIST OF ISSUES
Why are you running?
Why are you running? I am running to give a voice to the voiceless in local politics, help families and individuals who can’t afford to live in the city avoid sliding into homelessness, and give hope to the hopeless by awarding city contracts to local business who hire and support our neighbors.
Better Representation in City Hall
We need a new voice for Portland. The current four-person, one Mayor Portland City Council composition and structure doesn’t adequately meet the needs of a growing, diverse, and expanding Portland. We need more geographic diversity to address the economic, educational, social and housing issues of our changing population.
Housing
Keep people who have homes, in their homes and rentals. Portland has the highest rent increases in the country. I will mandate no new construction without a minimum percentage of affordable units. As well as, offer small property owners incentives and rebates to create sustainable rent in the city of Portland.
Economy
Award City Contracts to Local Businesses.
I will commission the City of Portland Procurement office to determine what amount of dollars are spent on out –of-town contractors. My goal is to will keep City of Portland dollars to benefit local businesses, artists, and sole proprietors. The results are more dollars, more jobs and more economic impact in the community.
Education
My goal is to close the acheievement gap in the Portland Public Schools. African American and Latino students perform about one to two grade levels below white and Asian students. The discrepancy of the structure and philosophy of classroom education in the city's public schools is to blame. Let's combat classroom complacency by engaging the students, and teach our kids to love learning.