Jackson County Democrats

“Today’s vote was a difficult one for all the members of the House, Democrats and Republicans alike.  We face an unprecedented global economic crisis that requires every one of us to come together to solve the problems we face.

“Today, we asked Oregon’s most profitable corporations and wealthiest Oregonians to be a part of the solution that helps bring Oregon out of this recession and bring greater long-term stability to out state. “Through the work of Ways and Means Committee, we have already made significant cuts in both the 07-09 and the 09-11 budgets. But we have done so in a way that protects the core services Oregonians require. Without passage of these two bills today, the cuts we would be forced to make would have severed that core and gone far deeper than we believe our constituents would allow.

“It is never easy to vote for tax measures. And I applaud those members who were willing to stand up for Oregon; to stand up for our children, seniors, disabled and vulnerable Oregonians who rely on the services we pay for with tax dollars.

“Now we have a clear path to a balanced budget for 2009-2011. There are still plenty of difficult votes and issues ahead. But with yesterday passage of the expansion of our health care system to cover uninsured children, and today’s passage of these two revenue bills, we can finish our work and know that we are doing right by Oregon.”