Oregon needs more jobs right now and a more stable, prosperous economy for the future. What can we do to kick start Oregon jobs in the current recession and replace our historic “boom and bust” pattern with a 21st Century economy? View my plan at http://www.johnkitzhaber.com/prosperity and then share your ideas.
-
100 votes
state micro-loan fund for small business start-ups
micro-loans have helped many around world to start businesses; rather than depend on banks (ha!) the state provides small loans sufficient to get a new business running (connect borrowers with SBA & other existing services)
-
95 votes
Create more opportunities for cities and the state to buy Local products
From Dawn Charles in Salem:
As far as our economy/Jobs, Oregon State, Counties, and cities need to set the example and buy Oregon products. If the product doesn't exist, then a new company that produces that product needs to open. This will keep Oregon's people working and dollars in our State... more -
79 votes
Create "Green Teams" to retrofit public building, apartments and schools
Instead of continuing to pay massive energy bills, we should create GREEN TEAMS to retrofit existing buildings. It will create jobs- more insulation, new windows, energy-efficient lighting, LEED professionals , save energy in the future, and update the 1970's decor. This would combine electricia... more
-
52 votes
factories for building windmills and solar panels
if we increase production of things that assist the people in becoming more energy efficient and if we make more and less expenisve items to help us become more energy efficient then it will help both the economy and the environment.
-
51 votes
We need to build a family-friendly economy that creates more part-time and flexible work options.
Many parents and caretakers are struggling to take care of their families while also staying connected to the workforce in a meaningful and sustainable way. Our policies are woefully out of touch with the realities faced by today's families.
Therefore, we need to emphasize the creation of mo... more
-
44 votes
Hire unemployed workers in the building trades to weatherize schools and other community buildings
As we work to lower unemployment, we need to create a demand for skilled workers who are idle. For example, there are many unemployed workers in the building trades that need no additional training. They can do commercial insulation and other weatherization work immediately.
The next governor ... more
-
41 votes
Strengthen Universities for a Knowledge-Based Economy
From Jerry Kissler in Portland:
Leading universities are critical to competitiveness in today's knowledge-based economy because they attract the companies that create good jobs and provide the education necessary to get those jobs. Of course, companies do R&D but they tend to underinvest i... more -
35 votes
Invest in Small Business!
This is my biggest complaint about what the democratic party has done nationally, they threw a ton of our money back at broken business models. The conditions that exist today make it advantageous to run a small business. Its easier to ship goods now, internet infrastructure exists now where wo... more
-
30 votes
Slash government spending, then cut taxes.
We don't need more government. We need less. Significantly less. The only way to grow the economy and add jobs is to reduce the size of government, and strip away the cumbersome regulations on business.
-
30 votes
Create a Volunteer Program which provides Affordable Housing to workers
From Maggie Bagon in Salem:
With all of the poverty/ homelessness, foreclosures, rather than having the properties bought up by the wealthy who then rent the houses out for huge prices, have people who are willing to put in seat equity as well as possibly sweat equity by volunteering in some oth... more -
29 votes
taxes
reduce income taxes. We will have the highest in the USA. This will kill jobs long term. Oregon business cannot recruit into this climate. Texas has the most fortune 500 firms in the nation, with no state income tax. oregon has 1!
-
27 votes
Low Cost Heat Pump Manufacturing in Oregon and HVAC Installation Training
New cutting edge advances in heat pump technologies, specifically ductless heat pumps (Approx $1200-$1500 wholesale, $3,000 installed) has skyrocketed them to surpass any other heating and cooling system worldwide making electric resistance and fossil fuels heating systems obsolete. Soon this te... more
-
24 votes
Local Preference for State Purchases
From JNed Dempsey in Portland:
Local Preference for state purchases: This gives local (in-state) vendors preference over out of state vendors regarding state purchase of goods and services. This approach meets sustainability criteria, keeps Oregon money in Oregon, and is a system used in other... more -
24 votes
Oregonians need paid family and medical leave.
Oregon led the nation when it passed some of the first unpaid family and medical leave legislation. It made further gains by expanding FMLA when it created the Oregon Family Leave Act. But we can't stop there. Right now 78% of people who qualified for unpaid family leave through FMLA couldn't ... more
-
24 votes
Grow more food with less water
Support farmers to grow more food with less water; enable Oregon farmers to increase food crop yields using less water, especially where water allotments limit crop production, as in the Klamath River basin. Provide Oregon farmers with a unique biodegradable soil amendment produced in Oregon and... more
-
21 votes
Enforce Our Current Immigration Laws by Attacking the Problem From Both Ends
Specifically, immediately go after this huge problem by cutting off both the supply and the demand ends of this horrendous waste of state resources and free up 1000's of jobs for legal taxpaying non government dependant Oregonians. Actively and aggressively deport illeal aliens and heavily and ag... more
-
20 votes
Create a Job Bank
From David Finch in Bend:
Have a pool of skills and pool of Jobs that need those skills. I call this the "Barn raising" approach: any community project: say they need carpenter support / windows and cleanup. . In the pool (state of oregon doesn't have to run it) but this non profit wo... more -
19 votes
-
16 votes
Dhs reform
What if DHS hired competent workers that burned the back log of paper work? What if the Salem office and the branch offices were on the same page and didnt waste paper, time and resources by duplicating or closing open, active case that then need to be reopened? What if there were stiffer require... more
-
15 votes
Create or collaborate on state-wide Peace Corp & Senior Service Corp
Create, or collaborate with an existing organization, to mobilize our young and retired volunteers to take on projects around the state, such as making energy efficiency improvements to homes and buildings, plant trees, volunteer in adult literacy programs, set up farmers markets, etc. It would p... more