Multnomah County Commissioner
In July 2023 Brim-Edwards opposed a plan by the county health department to distribute tin foil and straws to fentanyl users,stating "there is no compelling evidence that it is comparable to safe needle exchanges or that the county currently has capacity to connect individuals to treatment who want it". [6] The plan was suspended by chair Jessica Vega Pederson three days after it was first reported. [7]
In September 2023 Brim-Edwards criticized a decision to replace the county's former sobering center,which closed in 2020,with a stabilization center intended for longer-term treatment. [8] Unlike the previous center,which accepted drop offs from first responders and was often described as a "drunk tank",the replacement would provide 30–60 days of transitional housing and stabilization treatment for patients leaving other sobering programs. [8] Brim-Edwards emphasized the need for a new crisis treatment center,arguing that the original sobering center had seen over 5,000 patients during its final year in 2019. [8]
On May 21,2024,Brim-Edwards won reelection with 76% of the vote. [9] She was sworn in for a full 4-year term in January 2025. [10]
In September 2024,Brim-Edwards brought forward an amendment that would index Multnomah County's Preschool for All program tax to inflation. In June 2025,Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called on Multnomah County leaders to change tax structure,fearing that it was pushing high-income earners out of Multnomah County. Around the same time,several state senators —including Senator Kate Lieber,Senator Kathleen Taylor and Senator Mark Meek —sought to pass an amendment to Oregon Senate Bill 106 that would have sunsetted the Preschool for All program,although the amendment was not passed. [11] In August,the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners held public meetings related to Preschool for All and Brim-Edwards' indexing proposal. During these meetings,a coalition known as Friends of Preschool for All urged lawmakers to vote against the proposal,emphasizing that it would stop the program from reaching universal coverage by 2030. On August 21,Brim-Edwards tabled a motion to postpone her proposal until more information about the potential impact of indexing could be gathered. A majority of the commission voted with her. [12]
