Tony Morse: Candidate questionnaire for Portland City Council District 4

General Information:

Name : Tony Morse
Age : 43
Profession : Recovery Advocate
Pronouns : he/him/his

Questionnaire:

What is the biggest problem facing the City of Portland as it transitions to a new form of government?

I’m running for Portland City Council because the city of Portland–the city I love and am committed to–has an addiction crisis and we need a recovery champion in City Hall to solve it. Portland’s addiction crisis impacts every part of daily life here, from homelessness and public safety, to community livability and the reputation of our city. Put plainly, widespread public drug use and the proliferation of overdoses prove that the status quo needs to change. Increasing pathways to addiction recovery will help Portland be safe, healthy, and housed.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Portland City Council?

Portland needs a Coordinated Office of Addiction Response to end the failing fragmented
and siloed approach currently in place. We can combine elements from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the state, and behavioral health partners under one roof to leverage resources to coordinate care and support recovery. This is how we reduce public drug use, stop drug overdoses, and open sobering centers with drop-off for first responders.

No one should be forced to live on the streets, and it’s time to expand homeless shelter capacity, and capacity of shelter alternatives. Long-term, we need to build more housing of all kinds. We get to housing affordability with housing abundance.

Portlanders deserve to feel safe in their communities. Period. Prioritizing public safety helps provide everyone with a foundation for prosperity–we need to be committed to Portland being a safe place to live, work, and play. That means ensuring that Portland Police and Portland Fire Fighters get the resources they need to keep Portlanders safe.

In what ways are you qualified to represent the citizens of Portland?

Helping elect pro-choice champions to statewide office in 2022 demonstrates I’m in step with
Portlander’s values, and that the citizens of Portland can trust me on critical issues most important to them.

The drug and addiction crisis has impacted Portland and District 4 hard. I’ve worked with Dr. Maxine Dexter, Democratic nominee for Congress, on the fentanyl crisis, and I’ve helped protect
Oregon kids from fentanyl by helping pass the Fentanyl Education Bill (SB 238).

Portland needs a productive partnership with Multnomah County that helps people get off the streets and into treatment and safe housing. To that end, I helped push Multnomah County to
deliver more recovery housing to fight homelessness and addiction in 2023.

And as a person in long-term recovery with substantial legislative experience, I offer Portlanders
a unique combination of lived experience and professional experience to effectively lead in our
new form of government.

What political figure(s) do you admire?

President Joe Biden has been a stalwart champion for working people throughout our country, and his steadfast support for labor rights was on full display last year when he became the first President in American history to walk a picket line with striking workers. From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, to fighting for fair wages and access to quality healthcare, President Biden has delivered results for working families that will continue to make a positive impact long after his presidency concludes. President Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 election sets an extraordinary example for how to place service and country above self.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a remarkable leader who has helped guide our country through challenging times, and her commitment to improving the lives of all Americans is inspiring. Her devotion to service is underscored by her intelligence, strong work ethic, and her ability to deliver results. As the first woman Speaker of the House, she made history and helped pave the way for impactful progress in America.

Dr. Maxine Dexter, Democratic Nominee for Congress, has done very important work to address the opioid crisis, and in 2023 championed lifesaving legislation as a state Representative in Salem. We are so fortunate that she’ll soon be representing Oregon’s Third Congressional District in Washington, D.C. I’m proud to be endorsed by her.

What changes would you like to see in your district?

We must reduce drug overdoses. Portland recorded 301 drug overdose deaths in 2023,
up from 158 in 2022. As of August 10, 2024, Portland Police has reported 178 suspected
fatal overdoses. Every overdose death is preventable. More supportive addiction services
are critical now that HB 4002 is in effect.

I also support PSU’s proposal to build a new multi-use facility rather than closing Keller
Auditorium for an extended period to renovate it. Business and labor agree it will help
revitalize downtown and protect the hundreds of jobs we’ll lose if we close the Keller.

What do you love about Portland?

Portlanders are resilient, and I love our city’s determination to forge ahead towards better days. Portland is surrounded by natural beauty and offers everyone who visits or lives here an opportunity to connect with nature. Creative energy abounds, and our vibrant restaurant scene offers unparalleled experiences for folks looking to explore what Portland has to offer. I love knowing that Portland’s best days are ahead of us.

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