Meet Sandeep Bali, candidate for Portland City Council District 3

Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.

Name: Sandeep Bali

Neighborhood: Laurelhurst

Renter/homeowner: Homeowner

Education: Doctorate of Pharmacy, Pacific University

Occupation: Clinical Pharmacist Specializing in HIV Treatment & Prevention, Mental Health & Addiction Treatment

How long you’ve lived in the city of Portland: 12 years

Age: I am 41 and I will be 42 on September 30th

Pronouns: Dr. Bali

Portland is facing a historic election involving a new voting system and an unusually high number of candidates. Journalists at The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting share a goal of ensuring that Portland voters have the information they need to make informed choices, and we also know candidates’ time is valuable and limited.

That’s why the two news organizations teamed up this cycle to solicit Portland City Council candidates’ perspectives on the big issues in this election. Here’s what they had to say:

Related: What you need to know about voting in Oregon and Southwest Washington

For each of the following questions, we asked candidates to limit their answers to 150 words.

Name two existing city policies or budget items you’d make it a priority to change. Why did you select those and how do you plan to line up at least 7 votes on the council to make them happen? Please avoid broad, sweeping statements and instead provide details.

One of my top priorities is abolishing the arts tax, which unfairly burdens homeowners and landlords. When property taxes rise every voting cycle, tenants feel the impact through increased rent, as landlords pass the cost down. This cycle contributes to gentrification and continuous rent hikes. I’ll work with council members to eliminate this tax and prevent further measures like the proposed parks levy, which would increase housing costs.

Secondly, we need to revitalize Portland by attracting businesses and tourism. Portland’s combined city and federal tax rates drive businesses away. We need to establish a competitively low tax rate to encourage businesses to stay and grow. By creating innovative incentives, we can invite global leaders and innovators into our city. I’ll work with council members to develop initiatives that make Portland a hub for business and innovation.

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What previous accomplishments show that you are the best pick in your district? Please be specific.

One key accomplishment that sets me apart in my district is my successful advocacy for city improvements, especially Portland’s neglected infrastructure. After I advocated for fixing potholes on Cesar Chavez in District 3, PBOT responded immediately, repairing the road the next day. I may be small, but my voice is growing louder, and I’ll continue pushing for results that matter to Portlanders.

Portland is the highest-taxed city in the nation, yet our roads remain in poor condition with countless potholes. Taxpayers deserve results. PBOT has focused heavily on removing cars from roads using taxpayer dollars, but this overlooks the needs of everyday residents.

This approach is especially misguided for elderly patients, individuals with disabilities, and families who rely on cars for work, medical appointments, and daily life. We need to find a common-sense balance between cars and bikes, promoting policies that benefit everyone — not just a select few.

Related: Listen to 'OPB Politics Now'

Portland is on track to permit the fewest number of multifamily units in 15 years and remains thousands of units below what’s needed to meet demand. What steps would you take to dramatically and quickly increase the availability of housing?

To address Portland’s housing crisis, we need bold reforms. Excessive red tape and cumbersome regulations are driving builders to more developer-friendly cities. For instance, Miami’s dynamic building boom, with cranes dotting the skyline, contrasts sharply with Portland’s stagnation. To stimulate development and let builders build, we should streamline the permitting process, eliminate unnecessary fees, and consider rolling back restrictive policies like inclusionary zoning. Additionally, suspending non-essential requirements, such as bike parking and bird-safe windows, will reduce development costs. Expanding our urban growth boundary will also allow for more housing development. Freezing System Development Charges (SDCs) will further incentivize large projects. By implementing these measures, we can attract builders and significantly increase housing availability in Portland.

The next City Council is going to have to make some very difficult decisions regarding what to fund and how. What essential services must the city provide and how should the city sustainably fund them?

The next City Council must prioritize essential services and sustainable funding. Public safety is paramount; Portland needs a sufficient number of police officers to ensure accountability and safety. Allocating $11 million to the Portland Street Response is ineffective, as it fails to provide comprehensive citywide accountability. Police officers are crucial for addressing situations involving individuals in distress, ensuring safety in homes and public spaces, and providing protection for all residents. To support these needs, we should redirect funds to the Portland Police or the Portland Police Behavioral Health Unit. Funding for public safety should come from state and local taxes, but we should also aim to revive Portland as a tourist hub, so visitors contribute to the city’s revenue. This approach will help reduce the tax burden on residents while maintaining vital services.

Portlanders have approved many tax measures in the past decade — supporting affordable housing, free preschool programs and green energy initiatives. Are there specific taxes or levies you want eliminated or would choose not to renew? Are there specific taxes or levies you would support creating? Why?

Portlanders have approved numerous taxes for affordable housing, free preschool, and green energy, but we need a closer look at their effectiveness. It’s crucial to assess how much tax revenue has been collected and how it has been spent. Many taxpayers feel frustrated due to a lack of transparency and accountability. Initiatives that began with good intentions must demonstrate real results. For example, what tangible benefits have been achieved with the free preschool program, and how many people are using it? To ensure fairness, all new taxes should be distributed equally among all Portlanders, which would also increase scrutiny on how tax dollars are spent. I also strongly advocate for abolishing the arts tax, which has lost its original purpose and lacks clear accountability. We need to eliminate taxes that deliver low results and focus on those with proven impact.

Do you have any concerns with the changes coming to city elections and city governance? If so, what would you like to see change?

Portland’s recent changes, including the charter experiment and rank-choice voting, have raised significant concerns. Portland is the cauldron of experimentation, and we are seeing the impact of these shifts. The costs of renovating City Hall for 12 council members and implementing rank-choice voting have diverted substantial funds from our budget. Many Portlanders are frustrated and questioning how their votes are being counted and which candidate ultimately receives their vote. The lack of transparency in the rank-choice voting process is alarming, with residents unable to see how their preferences are translated into outcomes. States that adopted rank-choice voting are reconsidering its use due to similar accountability issues. We need to evaluate these changes critically and ensure that Portland’s voting system remains transparent and accountable to all residents.

For the five remaining questions, we asked candidates to answer in 50 words or fewer:

Do you favor arresting and jailing people who camp on public property in Portland who refuse repeated offers of shelter, such as the option to sleep in a city-designated tiny home cluster?

I oppose incarcerating those with mental health and addiction issues. Instead, I support mandatory treatment for individuals who are publicly intoxicated and pose a danger. Safe Rest Villages lack adequate mental health and addiction recovery resources, so I advocate for facilities that provide comprehensive care and long-term solutions.

Would you vote yes on a proposal to fund hundreds more police officers than the City Council has already authorized? Why or why not? How would the city pay for it?

Yes, I support funding more police officers to reach a goal of 1,500. With retirements looming, these positions must be filled by a diverse, dedicated team. Funding should come from state and local taxes, with tourism helping offset costs, so the burden doesn’t fall solely on Portland residents.

Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any changes, would you support?

I do not support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot if it means more taxation on Portlanders. PCEF has collected $587 million with limited results. Instead, I propose using funds to enhance city parks with more trees and fountains, and improve cleanliness and maintenance.

Which would you prioritize: Creation of more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes or improved surfacing of existing degraded driving lanes?

We need balance, but PBOT has overly prioritized bike and bus lanes, aiming for a climate utopia without cars. This is misguided, as most commuters, especially the elderly and disabled, rely on driving. With many lanes underused, fixing potholes and degraded driving lanes should now be the priority.

Have the problems impacting downtown Portland received too much or too little attention from current city leaders? Why?

Current leaders have made well-intentioned policies but overlooked their unintended consequences. Rising rents, declining public safety, stagnant revitalization, and failing educational standards show this. I have a vision to make Portland the jewel of the West Coast by addressing these challenges with effective, results-driven leadership.