WHERE’S THE STIMULUS FOR OREGON – 07.03.2009
Submitted by admin on Thu, 2009-07-30 09:29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday July 30, 2009
WHERE’S THE STIMULUS FOR OREGON?
OR GOP Chair calls on Congressman DeFazio to explain
why the Democrats’ “stimulus” bill isn’t stimulating the Oregon economy
Portland, Ore. – Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bob Tiernan today called on Oregon’s Representative in the 4th District, Congressman Peter DeFazio, to explain why Oregon’s economy and unemployment rate have not benefitted from the Democrat’s “stimulus” package.
“Congressman DeFazio is the Senior Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the Chairman of the Highways & Transit Subcommittee, however, it is not translating into jobs or projects that will boost the Oregon economy. Oregon’s economy is in dire straits and at times like these we need representatives who can make a difference on behalf of their constituents,” Chairman Tiernan said.
According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (www.dot.gov), as of July 17, 2009, more than $22.3 billion of taxpayer money had been obligated under the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.” However, only 1.3% of the total appropriated was slated for projects in Oregon.
In addition, Oregon has the third highest unemployment rate in the country at 12.2% for June 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between June 2008 and June 2009, the Oregon unemployment rate has increased by 6.3%, which is the second highest increase over the past year.
“The Oregon economy is struggling. We have the third highest unemployment rate in the country. Oregonians are suffering and need jobs. Rep. DeFazio wants Oregonians to believe he’s a leader on transportation issues in Congress, but Oregon’s share of these funds is barely a penny of every dollar. That’s not leadership, especially for someone who has been in Congress for 20 years. If Rep. DeFazio isn’t going to make a difference on behalf of Oregonians, maybe Oregonians should add him to the unemployment rolls next November,” Chairman Tiernan concluded.
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