Earl Blumenauer: “in Oregon the economic pain of unemployment and state budget deficits is not an abstraction. The nation's highest…”

“in Oregon the economic pain of unemployment and state budget deficits is not an abstraction. The nation's highest unemployment rate of 7.6 percent is compounded by failure of the federal government to meet its commitments for hometown security, healthcare and education. Not only is the rate of unemployment high, many are experiencing long-term unemployment. Nationally, nearly 2 million workers have been out of work for at least 6 months, the highest level in 20 years. Oregonians are clear about their priorities: (a) Education--We must fully fund IDEA and the President's own signature education bill. (b) Healthcare--Oregon's budget crisis is forcing reductions, cuts and closures to critical programs for our seniors, disadvantaged, and poor. We must fund these basic services. (c) Spending on Crumbling Bridges--Infrastructure investments put people to work tomorrow, improve economic efficiency and better our communities. Replacing Oregon's bridges will cost over $4 billion and would provide 190,000 jobs and $25 billion in economic activity. (d) Hometown Security--My constituents are concerned about security from terrorism and health threats such as SARS. We should invest in projects and programs that will make our communities safer and healthier. (e) Unemployment Benefits--We need to extend the unemployment benefits due to expire. We should reject the Enron-style accounting used in this tax bill, which distorts the true costs and intent of the tax cut package.”