That future begins today, and the first step is focusing our attention on the priorities that unite everyday Oregonians –like making sure small businesses can prosper, expanding economic opportunity for middle class families, strengthening our schools, and making health care more affordable.

These are the issues that matter to all Oregonians and they are the issues I will continue to prioritize as your State Senator.

My Record:

Creating Jobs and Helping Those Hardest Hit by the Recession

Helped jump-start private sector jobs by making urgently needed repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges and public transit and critical infrastructure.

Extended benefits and reduced taxes for unemployed Oregonians.

Protecting Our Schools

Ensured a full school year and prevented drastic cuts during this recession.

Maintained funding for Oregon Head Start.

Standing Up for Oregon’s Families

Extended health care coverage to over 80,000 uninsured Oregon children

Maintained Oregon Project Independence, which helps seniors continue to live independently in their own homes instead of having to go into expensive nursing homes.

Kept us safer with historic bills battling meth, domestic violence and child abuse.

My Priorities:

Strong Schools for Our Children

I believe we have a moral obligation to invest in a first-rate education system that gives every child in Oregon a full opportunity for success. That is why my top priority remains providing the next generation of Oregonians with the education they will need to lead our State to a prosperous future.

In order to improve our economy, we must make a sustained investment in our community colleges and universities and I believe now is the time to begin turning the tide on that critical issue.

I will continue to fight hard to make sure public schools stay open the entire school year and every Oregonian who wants to go to college can afford to do so. What does that mean in concrete terms?

• Reduced class sizes
  
• Full school years
  
• 100% access to Head Start
  
• Accountability measures that keep resources focused on programs that work
  
• A guarantee that no student is priced out of a college education or vocational training

Strengthening Small Business Opportunities and Creating Jobs

In tough economic times we have make tough choices, but I will continue to put the needs of middle class families and small business owners first. The best way to create and retain good-paying jobs is to push for policies that foster a favorable economic environment, like improving access to capital and investing in job training.

In the coming years, I will continue to work on investing in Oregon’s renewable energy sector and our transportation infrastructure, both of which will bring thousands of good jobs Oregonians.

Affordable Health Care for Our Families

Oregon families should never have to choose between buying medicine for their kids and paying rent or putting food on the table. Guaranteeing health coverage for all Oregon children in 2009 was a critical first step toward protecting our most vulnerable. We also expanded access to health care for 35,000 low-income Oregonians and have been successful in lowering the price of prescription drugs for Oregon seniors. Combined with our innovative work to rein in skyrocketing costs, Oregon is at the forefront of increasing access to affordable health care for all Oregonians.

Share with Friends: