Building a Bright Future for Oregon

While these times are certainly challenging, I am optimistic in the ability of Salem lawmakers to work across party lines to tackle our shared problems. I have been a leading proponent of building reserves to prepare the state for future downturns, including my work in 2007 to restructure the state budget to create the state's first general purpose rainy day fund. This kind of sensible fiscal policy is crucial to filling budget gaps created by any fiscal slowdown.
                    
In anticipation of financial problems this year, I have been working alongside my Democratic colleagues to develop a contingency plan for possible budget shortfalls. This "Go Oregon" state stimulus plan looks out for the middle class by funding projects that will improve our state's facilities and put Oregonians back to work. The first piece of "Go Oregon" legislation, the Oregon Jobs Stimulus Plan, will inject about $175 million into crucial maintenance projects across the state. The bill, signed into law on February 5 with bipartisan support in both legislative chambers, will create about 3,000 jobs for Oregonians hardest hit by the economic recession. While economic forecasts show the coming months will present many challenges for Oregon, this legislation is an important first step to recovery.
 
As families across Oregon deal with realities of their tightening budgets, state lawmakers are finding themselves in a similar position - making difficult budget cuts when necessary. To be proactive, the Oregon Legislative Assembly is taking the first step by announcing a freeze on our own salaries. We will take our share of the budget cuts right here in Salem and within my own office, my staff and I will see no salary increases.