Oregon received 4.2 billion dollars from the American Recovery Act, President Obama’s stimulus package. The act was enacted to create jobs. The Governors web page states it was used for economic assistance, health care, education, energy assistance, public safety and infrastructure. I believe few if any jobs were CREATED with the 4.2 billion dollars. Again from the Governors website. Latest news on money spent with Recovery Act proceeds. •Tax Credit help to put college in reach. •Pave snow parks •New school lighting project. “This energy efficient project will provide a better learning environment for the students.” •Green retrofits for multifamily housing. •Low income housing. •2 positions at the Food Bank. $ 11,670. •To change light bulbs at a rural school with 70 kids. •$ 25.00 weekly increase in unemployment benefit. •20 additional weeks of benefits. •1 billion to Medicaid. •200 million in food stamps. •8.6 million in heath information technology. Other than the 2 positions at the food bank I cannot see any jobs created. The money was either given to the unemployed or public sector workers already employed or in the case of changing light bulbs, which had to be done by electricians at the prevailing wage rate as stipulated in Oregon Law. You could have given somebody $20,000. To open a business who would hire 10 employees and put more people to work, i.e. create jobs. Oregon State has approximately 200 agencies; cutting some might save some money. Here is a few to start with. •Acquired infections Commission •Athletic Trainers Commission •Black Affairs Commission •Blind Commission •Body Piercing Commission •Hearing Aid Advisory Panel •Denture Technology Panel After receiving 4.2 billion we now have 1 in 5 on food stamps. Highest in nation. 1 in 6 on Medicaid. •1 in 11 unemployed. Oregon is the 4th worst in nation in High School graduations. Graduating rate 68%. Last in all ethnic groups. No state graduates fewer white students on time 70%. Washington State had more demanding graduation requirements than Oregon. There, students had to pass a test showing they could read and write. Graduation rate 70%. Into the 1970’s we had a prosperous timber industry and there were plenty of good paying jobs. Then the liberals and environmentalists took over the state, creating obstacles to any industry that would create jobs. Reasons to stop logging, like the spotted owl, road less areas in the forest to save the environment. Most of the mills have shut down, limited jobs. We had a large fire in 2002 called the Biscuit fire, it burned about 500,000 acres in the mountains of Southern Oregon. Because of roadblocks put up by environmentalist, the timber was never cut and lays or stands rotting. Some say are mills would still be running today, creating jobs and the workers would paying taxes. Its where I live, and it’s a beautiful place, great people, fishing, golf, hunting and close to the coast. But it you move here, bring money or have a good job. You’ll need it. And now we are the first State to have death panels.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 00:37:54 +0000
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