Our city’s recovery hinges on the success of our small businesses through entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as the growth of union labor and workforce development. There are important and realistic steps we can take to get East Portland back on track after the very real challenges of the pandemic. We need a City Council that gives Portlanders clear pathways to economic mobility and good paying jobs. This includes supporting East Portland’s small businesses, creating more apprenticeships for young people and career changers to learn trades, and generating living wage jobs with City investments. There is a disconnect when the average Portlander can see the influence of big business interests in City Hall, but that influence is not felt across all businesses equally, particularly the small businesses that have made their home in East Portland. By prioritizing everyday Portlanders and working to decrease the stark wage pay gap, we can ensure that the affordability and livability of our city continues to be a cornerstone for how we grow.