Oregon Watchdog: Merkley on Governor’s State of the State Address

Office of the Speaker
Representative Jeff Merkley

March 21, 2008
Contact: Russ Kelley (503) 986-1210

Merkley Statement on the Governor’s State of the State Address

PORTLAND—Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) released this statement today following Governor Kulongoski’s State of the State Address:

“Governor Kulongoski is right to be prudent but optimistic about the short-term future of Oregon’s economy. Nationally, we have seen two recessions in the last seven years thanks to the destructive economic policy of an out-of-touch Presidential administration with misplaced priorities.

“Our state has weathered the subprime market meltdown and the tumbling economy better than most states because of the responsible and restrained spending my colleagues and I insisted on during the last legislative session. We made important investments in public safety, in new green-collar jobs and renewable energy, and in education at all levels, all while putting some extra cash away for a rainy day. Continued investments like those will make Oregon a better place to live, work and raise a family—and ensure the long-term livability of our state.

“I look forward to working with the Governor on his initiatives to make access to affordable health care a reality for all Oregonians, and to grow our transportation infrastructure and strengthen our education enterprise.

“Oregonians expect fiscally responsible leadership. That’s what the Governor has offered today, and it is what the legislature delivered last session. The next legislature will iron out the details, but we’ll all work together to put our economy back on track.”
# # #