Issues
Mike's Values
Housing
Building a city everyone can afford to live in
America is in a housing crisis. There are simply too few homes available at an affordable price, and housing remains the single largest expense facing families today. Like many other cities around the country, Des Moines must be a leader in affordable housing.
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What does this mean?
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First, we need a city councilor who will work with the community to define what affordability means, with the long-term goal of creating a city in which no one has to spend more than 30 percent of their income just to keep a roof over their head.
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As an architect and planner, Mike is uniquely qualified to help oversee the expansion of our housing availability. He will continue to champion long-term solutions like zoning reform, local ownership, sustainable development, and infill housing to meet the needs of our city today. This means diversifying the types of housing Des Moines offers as well. True housing affordability meets all types of households.
Homelessness
No one should be left out in the cold
Mike believes the single most pressing issue facing Des Moines today is homelessness.
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Every Des Moines resident deserves a safe and stable place to call home. And as a beacon of prosperity in our state, Des Moines has a duty to the people who live here. Action taken by the city thus far has not done enough to help our friends and neighbors.
As a councilor, Mike voted against a city ordinance that authorized Des Moines to issue fines for residents sleeping in public. Penalizing someone who cannot afford housing doesn't make our city better, safer, or stronger.
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Instead, Mike believes in a forward-thinking, proactive approach to ensuring housing access to all. With his work on the comprehensive city plan to address homelessness, Mike understands the complexity of the issues while continuing to advocate for clear action steps. These include establishing the first permanent warming and cooling shelter for folks experiencing immediate need and increasing the availability of long-term supportive housing to break the cycle of housing insecurity. This work will be done in partnership with local nonprofits to provide continuous services.
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In addition, Mike is collaborating with the Polk County Attorney's office to remove barriers in the criminal justice system for those experiencing homelessness when appropriate.
Public Transportation
Making car alternatives fast and reliable
Des Moines is the fastest-growing metro area in the Midwest. Over the course of the next generation, hundreds of thousands of new neighbors will call the Des Moines area home. If we are going to avoid big city traffic, noise, and pollution, we need great public transportation.
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Mike will work to ensure DART buses are fast and reliable. As six in ten DART riders use the services to travel to work, public transportation also serves as an economic engine for our city. While the challenges facing DART must be addressed head-on, they also present an opportunity to optimize services for residents.
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As a councilor for all of Des Moines, Mike believes the best way to keep DART successful is by prioritizing ridership increases. This will be done first through increasing bus frequency and reliability. Folks will have to wait less time for each bus. With faster bus service, Des Moines can confidently rezone areas served by DART to improve transportation access for every income level.
Public Schools
Supporting our youngest residents
With some of the best public schools in the State of Iowa, education must always be a priority for the City of Des Moines. Mike believes in our public schools and recognizes the tireless efforts of teachers and staff in providing our kids with the best education.
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Unfortunately, Des Moines Public Schools are also facing relentless disinvestment from the Iowa Legislature. Mike believes this is wrong and that the City of Des Moines must be a leader in education. This is why, if re-elected, Mike will continue to find areas of partnership between the City and DMPS. Programs such as providing DART transportation services to DMPS students and universal free half-day preschool have helped set our children up for success.
If our community is to continue to prosper, we need a councilor who seeks to expand the City's partnership with our public schools.
Fiscal Sustainability
Making people a priority
No community can operate without a budget, and the City of Des Moines is currently facing serious budget constraints. Yet at the same time, the City must keep its promises to its residents and continue to deliver essential services. As a councilor and small business owner, Mike recognizes the difficult balance of delivering for people while on a fixed budget.
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In short, the City must do more with less. Mike has a plan to get it done - without raising costs for working families. Under the current tax structure, Des Moines has some of the most generous abatement rates in the State of Iowa. This is not fiscally sustainable. When faced with difficult budget choices, Des Moines must ensure that profitable corporations are paying their fair share. In reducing abatement rates, Des Moines can effectively raise city funds to provide crucial programs and services.
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If re-elected, Mike plans to provide a long-term funding solution to the current budget crisis. In addition, he plans to direct funds to re-establish a sustainability office to oversee Des Moines' energy transition in a cost-effective way.
