$175 million = 102 new jobs

May 04, 2009

Senate Republican Office
Oregon State Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2009
CONTACT: Michael Gay, 503) 986-1955, (503) 781-8559

$175 million = 102 new jobs
Republicans continue to push for real job creation as unemployment rate grows

Salem, OR – For the second time in a month, the $175 million borrow-and-spend Go Oregon stimulus plan has failed to meet minimum requirements. A report released Friday revealed that of the 547 projects funded in the stimulus plan, only 174 have been started despite a deadline of April 1st.

Leadership promised the creation of “3,000 jobs statewide”, but only 102 jobs have been created and 648 retained. Meanwhile 255,000 Oregonians continue to wonder where they are going to find a lasting job.

“These paltry numbers pale in comparison to the massive amounts of Oregonians who are unemployed today,” said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). “The number who can’t find work continues to climb, and the only thing Governor Kulongoski and Legislative leaders can do is borrow more money. Our kids will still be paying off the debt we incurred to create these 102 jobs twenty years from now. Oregonians are expecting real answers to the second highest unemployment rates in the nation. Instead of answers, all they are getting from Oregon’s Democrat leaders are guesses.”

Over a month ago the House and Senate Republicans presented a 10 point plan to create jobs across the state, including many proposals that don’t require massive borrowing or increased government spending. Republicans have been highlighting lasting job creation as the number one priority of the Legislature and the only way out of the recession. Their proposals include plans to encourage businesses and homeowners to invest in capital improvement projects through the Main Street Incentive Program and provide matching funds to leverage federal money and improve facilities at local airports through the Flight Plan for Local Jobs.

“Democrats just don’t realize that more government spending is not the way to create the private sector jobs we need to escape this recession,” said Senator Chris Telfer (R-Bend). “Oregonians continue to look for work and a means to pay the bills, and Republicans are offering plans that deliver the jobs Oregonians need.”

A report released by the Department of Administrative Services after business hours on Friday revealed that of 547 projects funded in the $175 million borrow-and-spend stimulus bill, only 174 have started, despite a promise from Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) that they would be underway by April 1. House Speaker Dave Hunt (D-Gladstone) said that “Every single one of these projects will begin by April.” The plan spent $1.7 million per job created.

“Democrats ran their stimulus package out at warp speed early in session without bothering to work with members of all parties,” said Ferrioli. “They spent in haste, but Oregonians are still jobless.”

Republicans offered up numerous compromise stimulus proposals to Courtney in January. Their proposals focused on putting money back into Oregonians’ pockets and creating long-term, lasting jobs. Courtney ignored the opportunity craft a bi-partisan stimulus proposals in favor of the $175 million borrow-and-spend plan which gave Oregon just 102 new jobs to date.
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