 JOBS
The Oregon public wants jobs and as your Representative that
is the only reason I should be in Salem. Jobs, and the lack
thereof is an "emergency" Oregonians understand.
Here are some more thoughts by Sal on recent legislation
that affect jobs.
HB 3608. This is a bill co-sponsoring by Rep. Richardson
this session. It is intended to help create family-wage
paying jobs and benefit the environment by expanding the use
of biomass. The bill establishes a tax credit for the
transportation of woody biomass from forest management
operations to biofuel producers. It also establishes tax
credits for biomass electrical generation, as well as for
the purchase of equipment to collect or process waste
materials. In addition, HB 3608 directs the State Department
of Energy to conduct a study of biomass facility sites in
Oregon. HB 3608 is a good bill—it will help create jobs and
it is good for the environment.
HB 3655. This bill passed the House on February 4th by a
unanimous vote. It authorizes $19 million in additional
unemployment benefits to Oregon workers. According to the
Employment Department, the benefits will provide between two
to six weeks of benefits per recipient. There are
approximately 18,600 unemployed Oregon workers expected to
benefit from this additional funding. With our state’s
unemployment rate hovering around the 11% for the past year,
these benefits will provide needed assistance to many
unemployed Oregonians. There will be no additional fees
assessed to Oregon businesses for this extension of
benefits. They are already included in a previous
unemployment insurance fee increase.
HB 3620. This bill, is known at The Main Street Plan, and
previously was introduced during the 2009 session. It would
encourage homeowners and businesses to invest in
improvements to their property through a tax credit. Under
the proposal, Oregonians would be able to claim 50% of the
costs of their own capital construction projects, and
“green” projects would qualify for a 100% tax credit. The
additional work would benefit contractors, suppliers and
manufacturers immediately, but to avoid a drastic reduction
in tax revenues, the tax credits would be spread over a
period of five years, beginning in the year following
completion of the project. A nonpartisan analysis conducted
in 2009 suggested that the plan would immediately create
over 6,000 jobs across Oregon. HB 3620 creates investments
in homes and businesses that will not only create jobs, but
the capital improvements would also result in higher
assessed values and, eventually, provide additional revenues
to local government through increased property taxes. The
Main Street Plan is truly a win-win proposition for all
concerned. Unfortunately, it has yet to receive a fair
hearing by legislative leadership.
THE ECONOMY
The Economy is Sal’s focus. Our community is
struggling to make ends meet. We need to eliminate
bureaucracy to allow clean industries to bring
living-wage jobs to the people in our district.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Sal advocated and supported funding state police to
keep us safe, and continues to work on a stable
funding source.
Sal also co-sponsored House Bill 2377, which
prohibits driving while talking or texting on a
hand-held cell phone.
HEALTH CARE
Sal believes we need to eliminate bureaucracy and
bring common sense to the health care system, so
that everyone can be insured.
EDUCATION
Kindergarten through college funding is vital, and
we need to get the money
directly to the classroom.
SENIORS
Sal is active on the Medford Senior Center Board,
worked to obtain Senior Center funding, and helped
save Project Independence.
GOVERNMENT
Efficient Government needs to live within its means,
be effective and accountable.
TAX RELIEF
It’s time to have a serious conversation about tax
relief for working families. |
