Proudly Serving the Communities of Wilsonville, Sherwood, Bull Mountain, Gaston and Rural Washington County.

January 30, 2009

In This Issue:

Energency Assistance Programs

Oregon Turns 150!

How to follow this session

REP. WINGARD PROPOSES 'MAIN STREET' ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN TO HELP ALL OREGONIANS (Read)

STATEMENT FROM REP. WINGARD ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION (Read)

Help is Available!

Help with Home Re-Financing

Help with Basic Needs and Employment Support

Would you like the chance to WIN $10,000 to help educate your child? Find out more.

HONORARY PAGE PROGRAM

The Honorary Page Program is available for students age 12-18 and offers a one-day experience of the State Capitol.

Honorary Pages get to see the legislative process first hand and shadow State Representatives.

The program runs from Feb. 10 to June 1. Please contact our office if you know a teen who would like to participate.

Welcome to my newsletter! It's my honor to serve you.

As Oregon's unemployment level moves beyond 9.0%, my staff is here to help anyone facing layoff or home foreclosure. Please contact my office if you need assistance accessing unemployment benefits. This week's newsletter also contains information about help with home re-financing. I have also included helpful links to assistance programs for families in need.

Unfortunately, based on recent economic briefings I've received, it appears that 2009 will be a very rough time for Oregon families. Unemployment is expected to rise into the double digits with Oregon's rural areas hit the hardest. As a result of the recession, I anticipate that State revenue for the biennium that begins in July will be down by about 5%.

This will create real hardships for many Oregonians who depend on state services including the elderly, the mentally ill and public schools to name just a few.

During national recessions, Oregon is usually one of the first states in, and one of the last states out. We must break that cycle and jump-start investment activity throughout Oregon.

That's why I'm supporting the "Main Street" economic stimulus program to help all Oregonians. The bill would give a 50-100% tax credit to any homeowner or business who begins an improvement project on their property by September 1, 2009.

On my desk at the Capitol, I keep newspaper clippings of recent layoffs by companies in my district. They are there to remind me of where the money in Salem comes from--your income. I am committed to supporting policies that will get my neighbors back to work as quickly as possible.