House Dems, Republicans, point fingers over state job losses

State Rep. Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas) Oregon House Republicans blamed Democrats on Tuesday for losing thousands of Oregon jobs in the last three months, and Democrats accused Republicans of trying to frighten and mislead voters into thinking that the Beaver State’s economy is in shambles.

According to numbers from the University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators released by the House Republicans, in May Oregon lost 3,700 jobs. It was the third straight month of job losses for the state for a total of 6,700 jobs lost in the spring. Combined with declining payrolls, the report suggests that Oregon slipped into a recession in March.

The statement also revisited the defeat of a Republican proposal to cut the capital gains tax, a bill that House Republicans point to as being the only pro-growth tax reform offered in the entire 2007 session.

"A cut in capital gains tax rates invites capital markets to return and stay in Oregon's economy-it invites investment and growth in Oregon's good jobs, family-wage incomes and our community schools," Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario) said at the time.

Oregon House Republicans believe such measures could have prevented the recent economic woes in the state. But Democrats jumped to defend their record, saying that they have done the best they could with the economic climate they have, not the economic climate they wish they had.

“It’s true that Oregon is suffering from the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration that have led to the housing crisis, the gas and food price increases and a softening national economy,” House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas) said. “But our fiscal restraint, our creation of the state’s first Rainy Day Account over objections of the House Republicans, and our targeted investments in foundations of Oregon’s economy such as agriculture are helping us withstand this national recession. Our economy is holding steady.”

Geoff Sugarman, spokesman for Rep. Hunt was also quick to point out that while some economic sectors, like construction, have seen significant job loss in the past three months, the overall job growth in the state remains positive thanks to significant gains in other industries like health care, which has employed an additional 1,400 Oregonians over the past three months.

“When you compare where we are compared to the rest of the country, we are in pretty good shape,” Sugarman said.

Hunt also went on to suggest that House Republicans were simply trying to exploit a weakened economy for political purposes.

“This is yet another deceitful ploy by House Republicans to claim that the sky is falling, trying to scare Oregonians into believing things are worse than they are,” he said. “But when Oregonians ask themselves who they trust to put forward real solutions toward bringing new jobs to Oregon… helping send their kids to college… being fiscally responsible… advocating for tax fairness… protecting consumers… and providing affordable health care, we are confident Oregonians are going to say Democrats.”