OSBRL endorses the following candidates for the 2008 elections:
Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate
Kate Brown for Oregon Secretary of State
John Kroger for Oregon Attorney General
Ben Westlund for Oregon State Treasurer
Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley has been in the Oregon legislature since 1998. Prior to his service in the Oregon legislature, equipped with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Princeton, Jeff served as Presidential Fellow for critical military issues, an analyst at the Congressional Budgeting Office, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity and the Director of Housing Development at Human Solutions.
Empowering the individuals and small businesses is central to Jeff’s belief in fair access to resources and opportunities for the effective improvement of the Oregonians’ living standards and the Oregon Economy.
During the last session Jeff was instrumental to the passage of the bills accomplishing the following:
These are the bills he worked on that improve the Oregon small business economy:
HB 2002 – Strengthens the health insurance marketplace for Oregon small businesses by expanding the small employer group pool to include businesses with up to 50 employees, and by creating new incentives for businesses to cover more employees and promote wellness programs. Effective June 13, 2007.
HB 2776 – Extends the public works bond exemption for disadvantaged, minority, women or emerging small businesses from one year to four years and exempts them from bond requirements for projects with a contract price less than $100,000.
SB 596 – Permits contracting agency to limit competition for public contract to certified emerging small business enterprises if contract is estimated to cost $100,000 or less and is funded by Emerging Small Business Account.
HB 5035 – Continues Economic Revitalization Teams (ERT) to assist rural Oregon in achieving its economic development goals. Five ERT Regional Coordinators are stationed around the state who are charged with making a difference in how Oregon does economic development. Effective July 1, 2007.
HB 3201 – Seeks to attract and expand Oregon’s film and video industry by offering tax credits to in-state film productions.
As Senator, Jeff will continue his work for the Oregon small business, in D.C. Small Business has long been a quiet force in politics, and not always recognized to the degree that we should be. This is our opportunity to show all Oregonians just how vital small business is to their future – and to strengthen the voice of our memberships across the state.
For more information on Representative Jeff Merkley, please visit www.jeffmerkley.com.
Kate Brown for Oregon Secretary of State
Senator Kate Brown has served in the Oregon Legislature for the last 16 years, the last nine as Democratic and Majority leader. Senator Kate Brown has a reputation for working across party lines. She has taken tough stands when our education or health care systems, economic development programs or environmental protections were put at risk because of partisanship. Now, Senator Brown is taking her proven leadership skills and her record of service to become Oregon's next Secretary of State.
As Chair of the Senate Elections and Rules committee for the last three sessions, Kate Brown now works directly on issues central to the office of the Secretary of State:
Kate is the only candidate in the race experienced with drawing Oregon's district lines. In 2001, Kate drafted the lines for Oregon's Congressional Districts that was later adopted by the courts in its entirety. In 2010, the Oregon Legislature will face re-districting, should they fail, this critical role falls to the Secretary of State.
Oregon needs Kate Brown as its next Secretary of State: Join Kate's team today!
For more information on Kate Brown, please visit www.KateBrownForOregon.com.
John Kroger for Oregon Attorney General
John Kroger represents a change in the approach and the philosophy of the Attorney General office. He stands for proactive enforcement of the State regulations for the greater public good rather than supporting the current traditional Attorney General role in the State as that of a general legal advisor to the various State departments. His major emphasis is in resolving Oregon’s Meth crisis through access to drug treatment and other remedial means as contrasted to jailing mentally ill drug addicts in our prison system. He stands for protecting our environment through enforcement of fines for repeat offenders who pollute our rivers and forests. He stands for protecting our consumers from fraudulent business complaints. John believes in cutting the red tape to speed up business economy growth by relaxing the regulatory burden that the State imposes on small businesses. John represents a welcome change in the State and we welcome him.
For more information on John Kroger, please visit www.johnkroger.com.
Ben Westlund for Oregon State Treasurer
Ben Westlund has been an entrepreneur and business owner, an Oregon legislator and an advocate for responsible budgeting, improving healthcare, investing in education and economic development.
Westlund has served central Oregon in the State Legislature since 1997. He has also served on the executive committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures. A former member and co-chair of Ways and Means, Westlund has worked on funding for health care, transportation and economic development. An outspoken advocate for renewable energy and clean technology, he currently chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor and is a member of the Senate Revenue Committee.
For more information on Ben Westlund, please visit www.westlundfortreasurer.com.