I am against the privatization of public goods and services, but it is particularly an issue in Pullman because of its rural location. Currently, a vast majority of contractors are private and send in proposals to a bid to carry out projects in Pullman, most notably road maintenance projects.

However, in my time learning more about the way private contractors are approved by city council through resolutions, it sounds like many times private contractors overcharge the city to carry out projects. This is a problem because this is less money going towards other things that would help with the community. I will work with our city administrators to figure out how to ensure that public funds are made to good use and are not being thrown to fund overpriced projects carried out by private contractors.

I am also looking into the possibility of more city purchases of privately owned land for public use. There is some movement in the city council to consider buying land from major property managers in Ward 2 for public use which may take the form of a small park. I am looking into the possibility of how we could also purchase private land for a community garden in Ward 2 as well, which can serve as a much-needed community center for the area during the spring and summers.