Jobs and Economy

A healthy economy means good jobs, opportunities to grow a business, and support for community programs. 

Here are four of the ways I get involved:

I’ve worked hard to keep Eugene from being left behind in a digital dustbowl. I promoted the local voter-approved measure that allows (finally, after many years) public-private partnerships to provide high speed internet service for Eugene. This helps Eugene and the state be competitive in an emerging economy, support businesses, and attract talent. Building on this, I’ve pushed to increase broadband infrastructure statewide. High speed internet access, essential infrastructure for the 21st century, is a powerful tool for economic and workforce development. Supporting entrepreneurial activity, I helped establish the Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN).

I’ve helped bring funding to local projects that create good construction jobs in the short term and permanent lasting jobs, like UO’s Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, MidTown Arts Center, and LCC. And funding for projects that make Eugene a desirable place to live, work, and visit, and help local organizations expand with space and staff to serve more people, like Bascom Riverbank path improvements, YMCA, Civic Park (Kidsports), LTD EmX corridor improvements, UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Hayward Field, and McKenzie River Discovery Center.

Red tape can get in the way, and there’s often a way to streamline work and rip off (most of) the red tape.  After establishing a Government Efficiency Task Force, I was appointed to work with a group streamlining permitting processes in a state agency. There’s a lot more we can do to make things easier and faster while preserving Oregon’s clean air and water and protecting neighborhoods.

Individuals can use some help, too, getting their personal budget in order, getting on their feet, maybe starting or growing a business.  I stood up for a concrete way we know helps thousands of Oregonians with education, homeownership, starting a business and other goals: Individual Development Accounts.