Two-Part Agenda Includes Reforms to Reduce Red Tape, Bureaucracy
House Republicans announced a detailed, two-part policy agenda for the 2012 legislative session. The agenda offers solutions to promote private-sector job creation while limiting government spending, as well as reforms to reduce red tape, improve classroom funding and make health insurance more affordable.
“House Republicans are returning to Salem with an aggressive agenda that empowers the private sector to create jobs and boost our economy,” said House Republican Leader Kevin Cameron (R-Salem). “Our agenda recognizes that without business growth in the state, there won’t be tax revenue to fund the government and its programs. Our solutions will create a better climate for Oregon businesses, while putting more money in the pockets of Oregon families.”
Highlights of the “50,000 Jobs in Five Years” agenda include:
- Providing tax incentives to businesses that hire Oregonians and invest in the state.
- Providing tax relief to Oregon families.
- Leveraging Oregon’s natural resources to help generate new jobs in rural Oregon.
“According to nonpartisan analyses, the plan’s $3.97 billion investment over five years would generate an estimated 50,000 jobs and generate $7.89 billion in personal income growth,” said Deputy Republican Leader Matt Wingard (R-Wilsonville). “The Legislature can pay for this entire plan by simply limiting new government spending to the rate of inflation. We believe Salem can meet this challenge, and put 50,000 Oregonians back to work in the process.”
Highlights of the “Reform Oregon” agenda include:
- Reducing regulations to help businesses grow and create jobs.
- Increase classroom funding through cost-saving PERS reforms.
- Make health insurance more affordable for individuals and families.
“House Republicans are offering solutions to grow Oregon’s economy, but it is not a partisan agenda,” Rep. Cameron said. “We intend to work with Democrats, just as we did in 2011, to pass measures such as these to improve our state’s business climate and generate the private sector jobs many Oregonians need.”
