Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

The 2009 Legislature faced the most difficult economic climate in generations. In order to help Oregonians through this crisis, I worked with my colleagues to create thousands of jobs through targeted investments in health care, transportation, and capitol construction.

In addition to delivering health insurance to thousands of Oregon children, the landmark health care reform package I helped design will create 3,600 jobs in the health care sector. Further, the 2009 transportation package will create 4,600 jobs every year for the next ten years, putting Oregonians back to work repairing our roads and bridges, relieving congestion, and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian transit. Finally, early on in my first session I was happy to support two job stimulus and investment packages that will stimulate our economy by creating a combined 15,000 jobs and making long term investments in Oregon's future by supplying funds for much needed upgrades of our state's infrastructure.

There is much work that remains to be done. In future sessions, I will support legislation that will attract companies offering living wage jobs to Oregon and work hard to ensure that both my constituents and all Oregonians have the economic opportunities they deserve.

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