State of Oregon Archives: on Budget & Economy

Bob Niemeyer: Cut the size of government and jobs will follow

Q: How would you ensure that everyone who wants a job can find one?

Niemeyer: Cut the size of government and jobs will follow. Stop government activities that are not government responsibilities and jobs will follow. End regulations that are not based on law enforcement and jobs will follow. Businesses exist for the purpose of making money. Making money is why we work. Making money for your employer really is the only way to be able to get health care, housing, or even food. You want jobs, get rid of the minimum wage, lower taxes on businesses if not eliminate them, and stop to over regulation of every aspect of business. The people need to relearn that their value to business is based on how much money your employer can make with their help. Stop giving away money that belongs to our ancestors. Unemployment benefits stop at 13 weeks. No more Federal money. Rebuild Oregon's educational system so our children will have a higher value in the job market.

Source: League of Women Voters Guide to 2016 Oregon Governor race Sep 9, 2016

Bud Pierce: Cut growth in state budget by half

Shrink state work force by not replacing retiring state workers.
Cut growth in state budget by half.
Establish a commission to examine state programs and recommend closing or consolidating program--with up-or-down vote of commission's whole package of findings by legislature.
Zero-based budgeting.
Fix PERS Once and For All.
Eliminate Cadillac healthcare plans for state workers.
Replace Kate Brown's rubberstamp with a Bud Pierce veto pen.

Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com Dec 9, 2015

Bud Pierce: Cut government workforce instead of raising taxes

Bud Pierce says he can continue major state programs without seeking new taxes. "If we can allow the number of state employees to decrease through retirement and attrition," Pierce said in a Portland press conference, "especially from upper- and middle-management, we'll have more money for the actual programs." Pierce says he'd like to cut the workforce by about 3 to 4% a year. Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting on 2022 Oregon Governor race Oct 12, 2016

Casey Kulla: Government should help develop mixed housing stock

Given the flat wages of the post Great Recession world, those barriers are insurmountable without condominiums, duplexes, townhouses, and small detached homes. These units will also increase the variety (and amount) of rental stock. Recent laws have allowed reintroduction of traditional mixed neighborhoods but we need to find ways to get developers to build them. Financing these types of development is difficult for lenders, so we need to find ways government can help with that. Source: 2021 OR Governor campaign website KullaForOregon.com Aug 30, 2021

Christine Drazan: Identify and prosecute waste, fraud and abuse in government

For too long, fraudsters have taken taxpayers for a ride by stealing money from the unemployment program, rental assistance programs, and other government benefits. The state has a duty to protect taxpayer dollars by aggressively investigating and prosecuting instances of fraud and using all legal means to recover stolen money. Fraud of any kind will not be tolerated by my administration. Source: 2022 Oregon Governor campaign website ChristineForOregon.com Mar 3, 2022

Gordon Harold Smith: Stabilize the monster that is devouring Wall Street

The two addressed the Wall Street bailout. "The bill that Gordon Smith voted for last week... it is a blank check. A $700-million blank check to the biggest titans on Wall Street. It doesn't address the core issues," Merkley said.

"Stabilize the monster that is devouring Wall Street... before it gets to your street. That's the kind of action that is called for right now," said Smith.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KGW Oct 10, 2008

Gordon Harold Smith: Supports bailout as BETTER regulation, not MORE regulation

Merkley reiterated his opposition to the $700 billion bailout even after the rebound on Wall Street Monday, saying he wanted to see more oversight over federal regulatory branches. "This bill was poorly done," he said.

Smith said he wasn't for either more or less regulation, but better regulation in general and said he supported the bailout also because it included a four-year reauthorization of the county payments program.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune Oct 14, 2008

Gordon Harold Smith: Supports government help for people facing foreclosure

Merkley hung the blame for the economic crisis on Smith's shoulders. "Do you understand that our children are going to have to pay back the debt you are running up?" he asked. Merkley blamed deregulation supported by Republicans such as Smith.

For his part, Smith argued that Merkley was out of touch in his choice to oppose the recently approved $700 billion bailout package.

Both candidates said they supported government help for those people facing foreclosure.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KATU Oct 9, 2008

Jason Beebe: Give business incentives to grow economy, not higher taxes

To help economies grow, incentives work. Not more government control. I will take this same approach in moving aside and letting businesses thrive. It is a proven economic development approach. Unless we have leadership that is focused on jobs and the economy versus raising taxes and forcing companies to move their money off shore we will not be successful. Source: 2021 OR Senate campaign website BeebeForOregon.com Aug 29, 2021

Jason Beebe: Very simple, we spend too much money

Very simple, we spend too much money. The trillions that Biden is proposing is out of control. The amount of pet projects that gets dumped into this spending bills are atrocious. We can't put all the debt (and associated taxes) on the back of our grandkids. Source: 2021 OR Senate campaign website BeebeForOregon.com Aug 29, 2021

Jason Conger: Supports executive bonuses; opposes federal bailout

"Since being elected, he's been missing in action when it comes to the needs of Oregon families and communities," Conger charged, adding that Merkley has wasted time on "obscure procedural technicalities like filibuster reform."

He also criticized Merkley for supporting the federal bailout--known as the Troubled Assets Relief Program--of the financial industry following the 2008 economic meltdown. He said that the senator was opposed to Wall Street bailouts during the campaign but reversed himself after coming into office--and he charged that Merkley also voted against limits on bonuses for top executives.

Source: Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian Oct 17, 2013

Jeff Merkley: Bailout bill is a $700-million blank check

"Stabilize the monster that is devouring Wall Street... before it gets to your street. That's the kind of action that is called for right now," said Smith.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KGW Oct 10, 2008

Jeff Merkley: Oppose bailout bill; more oversight needed

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate, in Southern Ore. Mail Tribune Oct 14, 2008

Jeff Merkley: Our children have to repay debt from deregulated Wall Street

For his part, Smith argued that Merkley was out of touch in his choice to oppose the recently approved $700 billion bailout package.

Both candidates said they supported government help for those people facing foreclosure.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KATU Oct 9, 2008

Jeff Merkley: Strengthen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Jeff is fighting to fix our broken financial system and make it work for middle-class families and small businesses again. Jeff is passionate about consumer protection and making sure that ordinary families are protected against scams. He led the fight in Oregon to take on the predatory payday lenders. In the U.S. Senate, he's fought to create and strengthen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with the sole mission of looking out for consumers in their everyday financial transactions. Source: Vote-USA.org on 2014 Oregon Senate incumbents Oct 24, 2014

Jim Huffman: Supports balanced budget amendment

Huffman says he differs most fundamentally from Wyden in his view that government should have a limited role in American lives. He opposed federal stimulus spending, and favors extension of federal tax cuts for both the rich and middle class, a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, repeal or major overhaul of the 2009 health care bill and fewer restrictions on economic uses of federal lands. Source: Oregon Live coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate Debate Oct 8, 2010

Jim Huffman: No $2M spending on exotic ant research

When pressed in one question to name a single change he would make to address the nation's climbing debt, Huffman turned to a statement from one of his television ads. He said he wouldn't spend $2 million on exotic ant research as Wyden voted to do. The Oregonian's PolitiFact researchers concluded that statement was false, noted Wyden. "I did not vote for anything that mentioned ants in the bill," he said. Source: OregonLive.com coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate debate Oct 22, 2010

Jo Rae Perkins: Shrink government; cut BLM, USFS, and the Fed

Key Messages:

I will work to shrink the size of the federal government agencies. This should lead to curtailing out of control spending and reduce the over reach of those agencies.
I support term limits, 12 years maximum in Congress. No more career politicians
I support Medical Freedom, am Pro life and Pro 2nd Amendment.
Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

A: Out of control federal agencies that have very little oversight and spend taxpayer dollars like there is no tomorrow. We need to cut the size of the federal government and get back to basics. End the Fed, drastically reduce the size of the BLM, USFS, Dept of Ed just to name a few. Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2020 Oregon Senate race May 20, 2020

Jo Rae Perkins: Stop spending tax dollars on pork project earmarks

In 2017, there were approximately 163 earmarks, aka pork projects, at a cost of $6.8 billion. These expenditures are line-items in an appropriations bill that designates tax dollars for a specific purpose, going around established budgeting procedures. There is no need to reduce our defense spending. There is a need to stop spending tax dollars collected by the federal government for items which are not specifically listed in the Constitution. Items not specifically enumerated are left to the States. Source: Vote Smart Oregon Congressional 2018 NPAT Nov 1, 2018

Jo Rae Perkins: End out of control spending, cut bloated federal agencies

National Debt: We will only end out- of-control spending by pushing back on bloated federal agencies. Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com Aug 17, 2020

Jo Rae Perkins: Filed for twice for bankruptcy; lost professional credential

The first items Perkins lists on her website as her qualifications to unseat Sen. Jeff Merkley are her experience as a "financial advisor, budget analyst, debt freedom counselor, and personal banker," yet KOIN has learned she has filed for bankruptcy twice and had her Certified Financial Planner mark revoked by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board. The CFP Board cited the second bankruptcy as a reason it sanctioned Perkins in October of 2010. Source: KOIN CBS-TV-6 on 2020 Oregon Senate race Jul 15, 2020

John Kitzhaber: State recovering from Great Recession, but not every person

We currently measure economic recovery by two things: the number of jobs we are creating and the rate at which our state GDP--the creation of wealth--is growing. By those metrics we are doing very well in Oregon. We have gained back all the jobs we lost during the Great Recession and--as measured by growth of the state GDP--Oregon had the 4th fastest growing state economy in the US in 2012.

But how does that translate to the well-being of our fellow Oregonians--to their ability to meet their basic needs, to feed their children and support their families? The answer is: not very well. It is not that good jobs are not being created; they are--but not fast enough to replace the ones lost during the Great Recession. This is not something new. It has been going on for a long time.

In the midst of this economic "recovery" a growing number of people are now trapped in low-wage and/or part-time jobs on which they cannot possible support a family--and with no hope of getting ahead.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Oregon Legislature Jan 12, 2015

Julian Bell: Invest in urgently needed affordable workforce housing

People need affordable workforce housing now. Under my leadership, the state of Oregon will invest in this urgent task. We will also focus on increased access to mental health for those experiencing homelessness and support the enforcement of our laws to restore order. Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website DrJulianBell.com May 23, 2022

Kate Brown: Fund infrastructure; start-up businesses; and job retraining

Increase state funds for improving the state's transportation system, including major roadways, railways, and airports.
Provide low-interest loans and tax credits for expanding, start-up or relocating businesses.
Increase state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers.
Fund construction of a North-South light rail transportation system for Portland

Source: Oregon Legislative 1996 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996

Kevin Stine: Supports stimulus over market-led recovery

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?

A: Support.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues Jan 1, 2016

Knute Buehler: Boost economy via spending controls and cutting regulations

Buehler declined a request for an interview. In an email he wrote that he is running to "reform Oregon's struggling public schools," improve the state's budget and boost Oregon's middle class. Buehler, who opposed a bill this year that would have scaled back a business tax break that critics said is helping wealthy doctors and lawyers, said his budget strategy would rely on spending controls. To help the economy, he proposed additional career training and "resisting job-killing regulations." Source: The Oregonian Buehler OpEd on 2018 Oregon Governor race Aug 20, 2017

Mark Callahan: Balanced Budget Amendment to the US Constitution

I support legislation for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that government needs to live within its means. As Americans, we must do this each and every day of our lives, out of necessity. No matter what your political stripe or party affiliation, we are all fiscal conservatives, to some extent. We need to focus on keeping our government accountable for spending our money. Gone should be the days of our government spending millions on wasteful projects. Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com Oct 9, 2015

Monica Wehby: Problem is uncertainty in federal regulation & tax climate

This January, Monica headed out on a tour of 100 small businesses in 100 days to listen and hear what is ailing the workforce in Oregon. Dr. Wehby has been hearing the concerns of a variety of business owners and their employees. From ranchers, to loggers, to coffee shop and hair salons owners, she hears the same thing over and over again--that uncertainty about what the federal government is doing in healthcare, in the regulatory fields, and the changing tax climate is forcing small business to hunker down. Government should be encouraging growth, not squeezing small businesses out. As a U.S. Senator, Dr. Wehby will fight for the small businesses of Oregon so that our kids can have good middle class jobs available to them. Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, MonicaForOregon.com, "Issues" Mar 18, 2014

Paul Romero: Cut ALL the pork; steady draw down to save trillions

Q: What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

A: Cut ALL the pork. Eliminate subsidies for commercial businesses who make a profit. A steady draw down would save trillions of dollars. The Federal Government should only be spending money on issues that fall under the perview [sic] of the Constitution, PERIOD. Many Departments will be closed. State sovereignty, those things not specifically delegated to the Federal Government fall to each individual State.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Oregon Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Ron Wyden: No bailout of finance industry, no Wall Street bonuses

Huffman criticized Wyden as a career politicians who has failed to address Oregon's high unemployment rate, revive the timber industry or pass his health care and tax reform bills. "It is no coincidence," Huffman said, "that during the 14 years Sen. Wyden has been in the Senate, unemployment in Oregon has exceeded the national average. And it is no coincidence that the economy has suffered in every corner of the state."

Wyden fired back, denouncing Huffman's support for the bailout of the finance industry, bonuses to Wall Street executives, privatization of Social Security and repeal of the new health care reform law. "You stood on the side of Wall Street," Wyden said. "I stood on the side of the Oregon people."

Wyden argued government initiatives, such as stimulus spending, have helped the economy and saved jobs. And tax reform, timber land use compromises and government efforts to foster more green industries promise to give Oregon's economy a boost.

Source: OregonLive.com coverage of 2010 Oregon Senate debate Oct 22, 2010

Winona LaDuke: Replace corporate subsidies with community revitalization

If she's elected vice president, LaDuke says, she would lobby Congress to halt corporate subsidies and give the money to rural and urban communities in need of revitalization. She would encourage public agencies and private companies to work together to explore alternatives to nuclear energy, such as wind and solar power, and would promote recycling and the growing of industrial hemp. Source: (X-ref Environment) The Oregonian, "Activist Fire" Jul 12, 2000

Betsy Johnson: Would veto any budget that did not have bipartisan support

On budget: "Imagine the transformational effect of a governor who would say, 'I'm not going to sign a bill into law, I'm not going to sign a budget into law, I'm not going to make appointments to boards and commissions without bipartisan support,'" said Johnson, 71. Although she is not the Republican nominee, she's said repeatedly that she fully intends to hand veto power to Republican lawmakers. Specifically, she would "veto any major legislation that didn't have bipartisan support." Source: Canby Herald on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race May 24, 2022

David Brock Smith: Shelling out millions to address homelessness hasn't worked

Oregon continues to shell out millions of dollars in their attempt to address the homeless crisis, only for the homeless populations to increase in Portland and across Oregon. Our once beautiful City of Roses continues to be a national headline of despair, with businesses and families shutting down and leaving. We need drug and mental health treatment that works, and I have and will continue to fight for treatment and accountability, as well as an end to permanent street camping. Source: 2026 Oregon Senate website DavidBrockSmithForOregon.com May 6, 2026

Christine Drazan: Can't just be responsive to business during election season

Q: How would you rate Oregon when it comes to its economic competitiveness?

Kotek: I'd give us a B, and we need to be an A. We want very large investments that we want to bring into the state. But we have to be more proactive. We have to say we are open for business.

Drazen: Outside groups have put us between a D and an F. We have to be responsive to stakeholders. We have to be partners with business, and it can't just be during an election season. When these issues come up in the legislative process routinely, businesses come and they testify in front of committees, and they say this isn't commercially viable. They say this is going to make us less competitive. They say we can't afford to do this, and then they say, let us help you do it better. And they're ignored. And we get legislation routinely, our bespoke sales tax, the commercial activities tax. It is absolutely an aggressive approach that's irrational when it comes to how we are taxing businesses in our state.

Source: C-Span transcript of 2026 Oregon Gubernatorial debate Sep 24, 2026

Tina Kotek: We have to be proactive and say we are open for business

Q: How would you rate Oregon when it comes to its economic competitiveness?

Kotek: I'd give us a B, and we need to be an A. We want to have value-based regulatory frameworks in our state, but we have to make sure that people who are in the permit process know when it's going to be done, know that they can be supported, and that's why the Joint permitting council that I've set up is going to make that happen for very large investments that we want to bring into the state. We can look at those tools and do it differently at the state. That's why we need a new Department of Commerce and the Prosperity Council's recommendation to do that makes a lot of sense. We've asked our agencies to do things that are good. But we have to get more creative. We have to be more proactive. We have to say we are open for business, and that's just not our biggest companies.

Drazen: Outside groups have put us between a D and an F. We have to be partners with business, and not just during election season.

Source: C-Span transcript of 2026 Oregon Gubernatorial debate Sep 24, 2026

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