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2014 Candidate Questionnaire Thank You for Taking The 2014 Candidate Questionnaire Thank you for taking the time to fill out our questionnaire. SEIU members will use this questionnaire to learn more about your values before making an endorsement. Please answer each question openly and honestly. After reviewing questions we will be scheduling interviews with candidates whose questionnaire, record or viability merit moving to that step in the process. Along with this questionnaire you will also receive a document on SEIU’s vision and values for our state. This will give you an idea of who we represent and some of the issues that we fight for. Please review this as you prepare your questionnaires. Questionnaires need to be returned to Elizabeth Lehr at SEIU local 503, [email protected] or mailed to ATTN: Elizabeth Lehr, 6401 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206. Please return this by February 7, 2014. If you have any questions about the endorsement process, content of this questionnaire or our 2014 policy priorities, please contact Matt Swanson at the SEIU Oregon State Council, 503-881- 4529 or [email protected]. Candidate name: Deborah Kafoury ____________________________________________________________________________ Office sought: Multnomah County Chair I. Your issue priorities and background 1. Please describe why you are running this year and what your top priorities will be should you get elected. A: For the last five years I have served as a Multnomah County commissioner – and while I’ve always volunteered or served publicly in other ways, it is through the work of the county that I believe I can make the most difference in the lives of families. Every child and every family is a member of this community, and their prosperity and well-being defines us all. It is through county services that we are able to help families when they need it and set them up for long-term success. With far too many families still struggling from the recession – and it being harder to make ends meet for many more – the county’s role is more important than ever. I also would like to say that what drives me is intentionality; wanting things to happen isn’t good enough. My commitment to you is that every day I will be intentional in my efforts to make sure that Multnomah County is a place where all families have a roof over their head and a strong foundation under their feet. 2. If elected, what committees would you want to serve on and why? A: Unlike the state legislature or the city, the county chair is in charge of the budget and overseeing the administration of all the departments. In practical terms, this means that the chair has to be even more disciplined in setting priorities. With a job this big, it makes choosing a staff to help you get things done all that more important. It also means that the chair needs to make time to stay in constant contact with every group that has an interest or partners with the county 1 2014 Candidate Questionnaire in the delivery of services. There isn’t one government or one nonprofit that can overcome the challenges we face. Certainly having a productive, positive working relationship with SEIU is incredibility important to me and I hope you will be my partner in this campaign and as chair. 3. Discuss your life experiences and how they have shaped your politics and issue priorities? A: The person who has had the greatest influence on me – both politically and personally – is my mother, Gretchen Kafoury. During my childhood there were times where my mother would invite a family to stay with us because they had no where else to go, or for example, a woman escaping domestic violence. Although she was a single mother, what we did have, we shared with others. Little did I know at that time that her small act was making a big difference in each life she touched. I have also admired her political courage over the years. She was never afraid to speak her mind, or to stand up to the rich and powerful on behalf of those struggling with mental health issues, poverty and homelessness. As you know, I have other experiences in public service, but it truly is through my work at Multnomah County where I feel I’m living out the values I learned from my mother on a daily basis. 4. Who do you look to for guidance on policy matters? A: One of the many things I know from my experience at the county is that there is no way we can do it alone – no government can. As an individual, I also know that I don’t have all the answers either, but I know how to bring people together and find the path forward. It is of growing importance that we look to nonprofits, other governments and businesses to pool our resources and expertise. So this means I will look to you and others who have experience in any given policy area – and that includes help navigating political obstacles. I will say that my experience as a state legislator and the relationships I’ve maintained since that time has paid off. It is through those relationships that I was able to secure funding and commitments related to the replacements of the Sellwood Bridge and the downtown county courthouse. I also have well- established relationships with social services organizations that help us house homeless families, assist survivors of domestic violence and support our seniors. 5. Many state, local and federal contracting standards take into account things like wages, benefits, training, and labor relations. What standards do you think are important to awarding contracts? A: All of the above. The choice before the county, in particular, is supporting good jobs on the front end – or we end up paying on the back end. The county truly is downstream from other forms of government and we should lead by example. When the federal or state governments don’t support our families, we see those families in our clinics and other agencies. I think it’s our job to be a part of the solution, rather than contribute to the problem. We should support jobs that help working Oregonians support themselves and their families. Period. 6. Why do you believe that working people should support your campaign over that of your opponent? 2 2014 Candidate Questionnaire A: I think this race, at the end of the day, is not about me or my opponent. I think it’s about how the county can best move forward following the events of this past summer and focus solely on the very important work it carries out on behalf of all residents and the people served. The fact that I have the support of all the commissioners who have taken a position in this race is the best indication of my ability to lead the county. My years of service demonstrate my commitment to the people and the issues the county represents, beyond any political opportunity. II. Our issue priorities: Along with this questionnaire you received a copy of SEIU’s policy priorities. For the following questions please read and reflect on those policy priorities and discuss them below. 1. What issues are you most excited to work with SEIU members on and why? How do you envision working with SEIU to achieve these common goals? A: First, I would like to address the issue of income inequality. A lot of people talk about this problem – and while many of the causes are much larger than the county and all of us – I am proud to say that the services provided by or in partnership with the county help to fight the consequences of income equality. Moreover, if we don’t reverse this trend, demand for county services will only increase so I recognize the importance and urgency of this issue, not only as someone who believes that working people should have the wages and benefits they need to provides for themselves and their families, but also as a public official who cares about being able to help every family who knocks on our door. Governments, including Multnomah County, should be leaders in reversing this trend – through our contracting, our own employee contracts and by integrating our services so that we help families through a crisis and set them up for long term success. And certainly, ensuring that workers are able to join a union without fear of retribution is equally important. Organized labor is critical to stopping this trend from getting worse and reversing it. Finally, as you know, I was one of the most vocal proponents of paid sick leave. I have offered to help with the most current effort in Eugene and will do so in Salem. In terms of more targeted services, I would have to say that I’m most excited about working with you to help our youngest and oldest constituents. If Multnomah County is designated as an early learning hub by the Early Learning Council, as expected, this is an effort that I will be leading. I am excited about setting up every child for success – and part of that is making sure parents have access to quality, affordable child care. In terms of our seniors, I share your concern that too many of them are at risk of being on a path to poverty. It is unfathomable that our society could allow our citizens to live their later years in poverty after having worked a lifetime. Last year, I fought to keep our city and county funded senior centers open after the City of Portland proposed cutting their funding.
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