As we emerge from this global recession, Oregon must focus on building a win-win-win economy: prosperous, sustainable and just. We need an economic policy that goes beyond tax breaks or deregulation – beyond competing to be the cheapest date. We should focus on Oregon’s opportunities to be swifter to the top, not swifter to the bottom.  
Some smaller ideas about that bigger thing:

• Future-Worthy Infrastructure. Not just bad investments, giveaways, or the projects of yester-year, but broadband, fast and slow rail, and efficient public buildings.
• Livability. We should compete for talent by being the best place to live.
• Hometeam Focus. Scarce economic development resources should be focused first on our emerging and local businesses (economic “gardening,” not merely “hunting.”)
• Oregon to Oregon. Oregon businesses and families buying Oregon products, in-state supply chains, and Farm-toSchools can help keep dollars in our community.
• Value-Added Agriculture. The family farm need not be limited to nostalgia. Smart agriculture can create opportunity from the farm and the fridge.
• Public Education. Of course.
• Good Government. Yes, better government is better for business. Accessible, publicly interested, accountable, and transparent.

The fundamental question facing our era is how to build an economic system that supports innovation and prosperity while being sustainable and providing meaningful opportunity to the less fortunate.

Transportation is one area in which a move toward the high-road economy is especially necessary. While finding a way to transform Oregon’s transportation infrastructure would be ideal, this would require finding new revenue in a time of economic downturn. I would support such increased revenue for transportation infrastructure under certain conditions. Projects must demonstrate that they deliver the best outcomes (e.g. reduced congestion) for the lowest price. Building new lanes is not always the most cost-effective way to move traffic. Projects should prioritize maintenance of existing infrastructure over capacity expansion. And project planning must take into account the effect on emissions that reduce air quality and contribute to global warming. Any major transportation investment should include the development of the state’s rail, bicycle, and pedestrian network.

These are the principles I keep in mind, especially when considering the Columbia River Crossing, which will likely wind up being the single most-expensive transportation project in my lifetime. I have continued to speak up for a “better bridge.”  The current proposal is simply not good for Portland. We deserve better.

Legislative Accomplishments

Cools Schools – 2011

Using state bonding authority, HB 2960 will allow local school districts to repair and retrofit aging schools to help create jobs while reducing school operating costs and energy consumption.

Buy Oregon – 2011

In 2009, Rep. Brian Clem and I co-sponsored a bill that permits, but does not require, public agencies to spend up to 10 percent more in order to purchase local agricultural products. This year, we collaborated again to pass HB 3000, extending the “Buy Oregon” concept to additional goods and services.

Grow Oregon – 2011

When talking about our economy, we often think of “hunting” big companies to relocate to Oregon. But we now know that most new jobs come from younger, smaller, local companies. Grow Oregon will help those companies find new markets and new customers with sophisticated tools normally available only to larger businesses. HB 2879, which was championed by Rep. Jefferson Smith and establishes the Grow Oregon Council, passed unanimously in both chambers. The jobs created by Grow Oregon will put people back to work and help generate more revenue to fund critical public services. The concept, known as economic gardening, was recently called a “Top 25 Government Innovation” by the Harvard Kennedy School.

Neighborhood Greenways – 2011

HB 3150 allows cities to lower speed limits on residential greenways to reduce the flow of traffic, reduce accidents and promote safe travel. It would improve road safety by encouraging Oregonians to ride their bikes on these residential streets, reducing bike traffic on arterial streets, and generally increasing the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicles.

Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing – 2011

HB 3149 establishes standards for personal car sharing programs, making occasional access to a car a possibility for Oregonians. Currently, Oregon laws are unclear about whether renting ones car is commercial use of a vehicle or not.  Since most personal auto insurance policies do not cover commercial uses of a vehicle, the proposed changes would define the process and ensure that the vehicle is adequately insured at all times. Those who make their car available to a carsharing company would earn money through this transaction and those who use carsharing to get around can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on vehicle ownership costs each year. Car-sharing families also drive demonstrably less than car-owning families — and less driving means less congestion and less pollution.

Buy Oregon – 2009

In recent years, buying local has become an ethos for many Oregonians. Our farmer’s markets have become important community centers in Montavilla, Lents, and throughout Portland. We value locally-owned businesses and support them with our buying power. 

Multnomah County, as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and support local farmers, wanted to give preferential treatment to local agricultural products for its food contracts. State law, however, prevented this. Under the old law, if a Hood River pear cost just a penny more than a pear from New Zealand, the county was required to purchase the New Zealand pear.

Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem) and I co-sponsored HB 2763 in order to allow for some preference for local agriculture in our state contracting code. As long as the price is within 10% of the lowest available price, local governments will be able to purchase homegrown products starting in January. This bill passed both chambers unanimously.