Kitzhaber Unveils Jobs Program; Live Webcast at 11:30 a.m.
Jeff Alworth
It looks like we're heading into meat and potatoes time, when candidates start putting policy proposals behind the lofty language that launched their campaigns. Yesterday, John Kitzhaber rolled out a sprawling package to address Oregon's economic problems--both current and systemic. Good stuff for wonks! It's being pitched as a jobs package, but it's actually quite a bit bigger than that; Kitzhaber's proposes to substantially redefine how Oregon works. He calls it "transformational change":
This transformational change must enhance rather than deplete our natural environment and the quality of life that so characterizes Oregon; and it must reach across urban and rural Oregon, with the goal of increasing the per capita income in each region of our state above the national average. During the years I served in the Oregon Legislature and as Governor, I have gained a set of experiences, perspectives -- and some hard lessons learned -- that can help Oregon make this important transition.
If you have the time, review the plan online (or take a look at his 24-page white paper [pdf]) detailing the goals, strategy, and actions he proposes. The specific programs are fine-grained enough that I can't easily summarize them in a blog post. (It's a pretty classic white paper, in that it includes a basket of possible solutions, some straightforward and easy to implement, others that are more experimental, long-term prospects.) But, in a nutshell, the three major elements are:
- Immediate Job Creation. The six ideas here range from finding capital for businesses and job training to a program of forest thinning to produce "woody biomass."
- Diversify the Economy. Kitzhaber's framework is built around four domains: Oregon to the World, Oregon to Oregon, Home to Oregon, and Oregon Leads. The first three organize strategies around a target sector--foreign trade, an Oregon-based "resilient economic web," and community-based efforts, while the final domain would try to harness Oregon's leadership in environmental innovation as its own export.
- Systemic Change. The final piece would address deficiencies in education (K-12 and higher ed) and reform Oregon's public finance structure.
I encourage you to scan the white paper. The interesting bits are in the details. I was surprised to see Kitzhaber is actively courting business, identifying Nike and Intel by name--not something to which the Maddow set may instantly cotton. On the other hand, you could call it a "green paper," because it's so packed with ideas around sustainability, green tech, and the environment. Lots of food for thought here; have a look and see what grabs you.
At 11:30 a.m. today, Kitzhaber will be making a presentation in Eugene about the plan - broadcast live online right here (and elsewhere). At roughly 12:45 p.m., he'll join the webcast and answer questions posed on his Facebook page or at JohnKitzhaber.com.
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10:28 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
I like that Kitzhaber wants to "transform" Oregon's economy. We need to do that to keep our economy vibrant.
Unfortunately, after briefly looking through his linked online material, I do not see him adopting some of the proposals that are needed. There is a section in his material on "Oregon to the World" about bolstering our trade sector. He's right. This is important. But he largely proposes more emphasis on "clusters." The emphasis on "clusters" may be good, but it is not transformative and it is not enough. There is no mention of strengthening foreign language programs in our K-16 public schools, no mention on focusing that effort on important languages for our trading future (Mandarin, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Russian,Indonesia, etc) and no mention of sending thousands of our high school students to study abroad in those countries critical for our economic future (through something like the proposed Go Global High School Study Abroad Program).
He right on the importance of the trade sector. He's just not offering much that is new, yet.
10:54 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
My first brief glance is not encouraging. He raises the issue of capital, but never really provides a concrete response other than asking the Chinese to invest in Oregon. He just keeps restating the problem and promises to work on it. While it is nice to know that he is aware of the problem, it is misleading to call it a set of proposals for improving capital for small business in Oregon. There are no proposals for that which I could find. As I said this was a brief look and I would be happy to be corrected by someone who can point to a specific proposal.
11:21 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
Dave, while every issue is interconnected - and education and economic development are certainly intertwined - I think the ideas that you're describing, were Kitzhaber to propose them (and I have no idea), would appropriately belong in an education plan, not a jobs plan.
This is the first in a series. So, stay tuned.
11:24 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
Dave and John, I had similar concerns. But it's important to keep in mind that these white papers aren't actually policy proposals per se. It just doesn't make sense to get into the details. Candidates need to lay out broad outlines of the directions they're headed; in order to actually make them into law, they have to work with legislators.
This document is useful in identifying Kitzhaber's approach. For those with concerns about particular items, the next step is to ask him how he plans to implement them. My particular area of interest is higher ed. It's functionally impossible to accomplish large-scale growth without a robust system of public higher ed. In this document, Kitzhaber mentions that his goal is 40-40-20: 40% with a bachelor's degree or higher, 40% with an associate's degree (or equivalent), and 20% with high school degrees. Great! Now, my question is: how will you pay for it? At what level will you support universities? Will you commit to hard targets? How do you feel about Frohnmayer's proposal? How will you make sure Oregon's students are in a position to get these degrees?
I don't expect Kitzhaber to answer these questions in the white paper; but, having made the goal, I do expect him to have an answer. (And, if he or someone on his staff is reading, consider those as my questions.)
11:26 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
Governor Kitzhaber has previously met with business leaders in Southern Oregon and with school board members and educators. He returns today to discuss Oregon's economy at 3:30 pm in Medford. In previous discussions he made clear links regarding skilled and trained workers and K-16.
Thanks for the links Jeff.
11:35 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
FYI, the video is now up and running with Kitzhaber live. Just click play.
11:37 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
Jeff,
My concern is that Kitz has stated that he will be providing specifics. I am still waiting for specifics. Obama had pretty specific proposals on a 100 different issues. I also realize that he isn't the dictator and the legislative process will force compromises, but we got to see more thought from Obama and his team than I see today from John.
When the House Dems get their campaign going they develop a road map of pretty specific legislation and then they try to pass it. Merkley and Isaacs started this and Hunt has continued it. I like that approach. This document doesn't live up to that.
11:50 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
It just doesn't make sense to get into the details. Candidates need to lay out broad outlines of the directions they're headed
...and frankly, 24 pages of material is way more than the bumper-sticker approach most politicians take.
Does anyone expect more than "Jobs good. Taxes bad." from Chris Dudley?
11:52 a.m.
Jan 13, '10
I've been told by the campaign that they're looking here in this comment thread, as well as over on Facebook. So, if you have a specific question for Governor Kitzhaber, post away.
12:06 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
Kari,24 pages of platitudes may not fit on a bumper sticker, but it doesn't provide the specifics that he said his campaign would provide. I am still waiting. My mind is open, but I remain on the sidelines. No candidate from either party has provided a roadmap for the voters. I realize that providing specifics allows the opposition to take shots and so it is risky. At this point I see no one running who has the courage to get out front and be the target. I remain hopeful.
12:26 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
The webcast of the presentation is now over. In about 20 minutes, at 12:45 p.m., the webcast will start again - this time, with Kitzhaber answering your questions directly.
Jan 13, '10
Gov, if you're out there, why is there only one afterthought mention of global warming (under "promote energy efficiency that creates immediate jobs)."
If you are lucky (?) enough to be governor in 2011-2014, you will face the urgent need to drastically reduce the carbon generated by our energy systems, starting with converting the Boardman plant off coal entirely (building at least two of the gas turbines that PGE has proposed to only build one of). You will also have to deal with reduced snowpack and generally rising water temperatures, both of which are big threats to salmon survival and also to the energy grid.
The cost of failing to address climate disruption will swamp everything else you propose -- when we have "100 year fires" every couple years (emitting even more carbon) and when the lack of sustained cold promotes ever more pest infestations, when stream temperature increases cause all our salmon investments to be lost anyway and the oceanic dead zone off our coast hammers our fisheries even more, we will regret deeply our misguided belief that we could negotiate with the laws of physics.
If you want an economic program that addresses the fundamental problems, you have to be willing to think of fundamental changes, not simply doing more of the same with a different spin (which is all I can find in your 24 pager).
A serious plan for Oregon's economy addresses the threats to that economy:
1) The cost of runaway climate disruption;
2) The peak in global oil production;
3) A Rube-Goldberg tax system that puts the burdens on what we want more of (jobs, savings, investments) and puts no burdens on the things we want less of (pollution, use of non-renewable resources, toxic wastes), while then pouring tax money into wasteful and often-misguided subsidies for things being sold as ways to respond to the problems created by pollution etc. In this, we are like the driver who stomps on the brakes and the gas pedal at the same time, overloading and damaging the engine while making no actual progress down the road.
4) An educational and governmental establishment that only gives rhetorical nods to #1, is oblivious to #2, and ignores how we could reform #3 to make significant progress on making Oregonians more secure and better off by addressing #1 and #2 through our tax system, which is the functional DNA of our politics.
12:54 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
OK, Governor Kitzhaber is now up and live, answering your questions. Just hit play.
Jan 13, '10
Drat, missed it. Got a link and a time-mark to the reply? Or a transcript?
Jan 13, '10
Kitzhaber already has my vote. And time if needed. I participated in one of his earlier webcasts. He answered one of my questions I sent in prior to the webcast very thoughtfully and to my satisfaction.
Jan 13, '10
Could somebody provide some instructions on how to replay it -- clicking the links provided only gets one to a screen that says it's over.
2:47 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
George, I'll work on that for you.
3:05 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
John, that is anything but 24 pages of platitudes. nor is it a set of detailed policies to be implemented (that would be a bit arrogant). it does show the direction he wants to move us. he expands more in person, and is willing to consider ideas (if you have have a stake in the decisions to be made, you'll have a role in making those decisions). given that we don't know the fate of 66/67, or who'll be in the Leg next year, or what the economy will be doing, this is an excellent beginning. it shows us the necessary broad outlines and, most importantly, prepares Oregonians to face up to the need for drastic changes. if he can get that message across by election day, that will be a major victory in and of itself.
3:47 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
My favorite part was in the post-speech webcast when Kitzhaber was responding to a question he said was sent in from "a T. A. Barnhart--I don't know if that's Mr. or Ms. Barnhart."
There's just no reward for loyalty these days.
4:08 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
Anyone know why the video wasn't archived?
5:09 p.m.
Jan 13, '10
Argh. Looks like there was a setting that wasn't set in advance - and it wasn't recorded. Sigh. Next time.
Jan 13, '10
Well, I can say one thing for sure: John Kitzhaber knows no more about the economy and capital formation now than he did in 2002.
And if he is our next governor, Oregon will continue to sink in every measure of economic vibrancy.
Jan 13, '10
How long was Kitzhaber governor? Name me one job (besides hiring more state employees) he evere created. He's never even signed a paycheck.
<h2>He knows as much of creating jobs as Ted or Sam Adams.</h2>