News Release

Contact:    Robin Maxey                                                                  January 29, 2009

                   (503) 986-1605   

                   robin.maxey@state.or.us                                                          

Senate Passes Measure to Create 3,000 Jobs

(SALEM) – By identical 20-10 bipartisan votes today, the Oregon Senate approved a pair of measures containing a $176 million package of deferred maintenance and capital construction projects expected to create as many as 3,000 jobs statewide.

The projects, which are slated to begin by April 1, are located in all 36 counties, at all seven state universities and all 17 community colleges. 

“Unemployment in our state is rampaging. These projects are an investment in our infrastructure that will create jobs in every part of the state. Putting Oregonians back to work is the best way to get our economy going again,” said Senate President Peter Courtney, D- Salem/Gervais/Woodburn.

Oregon’s statewide unemployment in December was 9 percent, the sixth highest rate in the nation. The unemployment rate in 15 Oregon counties is greater than 10 percent – topped by the 15.9 percent unemployment rate in Grant County

According to the IMPLAN forecasting model the $176 million in projects will create 1,890 direct jobs and another 1,144 indirect jobs.

Senate Bills 5562 and 338 now move to the House for consideration next week. Lawmakers hope to have the bills on the governor’s desk in time for a scheduled February 10 bond sale.