Why is Oregon #1 in unemployment and

Straydog · 05-14-2003, 06:32 AM

why do costs of State Government keep rising???

Our local editor had an interesting editorial last night.

In it he pointed out that the value of quality of life in Oregon may be our problem.

In a nut shell..... due to it's livabilty. Oregon grew by some 500,000 or 20% in the 1990's. Fortunatley trade with Asia and the Tech markets grew too thus keeping unemployment in check.
Then the boom ended and many people lost thier jobs. In many states, when jobs go away, so do people. They leave for other states looking for work. However in Oregon, due to it's quality of life, people tend to stay here since that is why they moved here in the first place, so unemployment sky rockets.

As for growth of Government, how do you grow a state's population by 20% and not grow it's government and the services it provides?

Once again I remind all of the late, great Tom McCall and his plea to the masses, "Oregon is a nice place to visit but we don't have the jobs to support you. Please come, but please do not stay." Too bad the draw of good climate, beautiful mountains, rivers, beaches and deserts are stronger than the reality that we can't afford all of the people that have moved in and now live in Oregon. (and keep coming, by the way.........)

Thumper · 05-15-2003, 01:06 PM

Everybody promotes growth for the sake of growth. More tech jobs, more police, fire, etc.

You got your growth. Now you get to live with all those new folks who ain't got jobs.

I have never understood growth for the sake of growth. But then again I am old and not very bright.

Firedog · 05-15-2003, 01:31 PM

Thumper I disagree with your Statement that there are More Police and Firefighters. It is the oposite. Most police and Fire Depts in the state have shrunk. Granted Govt. overall has grown but vital services have shrunk.

TheRogue · 05-15-2003, 05:40 PM

There's an article in the Portland Tribune this week which illustrates your point, SD. It said that for 2002, counting the people who have moved into the state, and subtracting the people who have moved out, there was a NET INCREASE of 17,000+ residents. This does not address births/deaths either. Why, with the highest unemployment in the nation, do we have people CONTINUE to flock to this state??

Straydog · 05-15-2003, 08:28 PM

TR,

It is interesting. To hear many you would think it is just a horrible place to be and to do business, yet, as you say, they just keep flocking here.

Thumper,

Please exclude me from your list of 'everybody' that promotes growth for the sake of growth..... 'taint so.

[ 05-15-2003, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Silverado · 05-16-2003, 07:21 AM

You have to look at where we're coming from. I don't think of it as moving to Oregon as much as moving from Calif.

Income tax, property tax, sales tax, and how billions are they short.

FYI I pay my own way.

Kruechief · 05-17-2003, 06:54 PM

Question, "Why is Oregon..."

Answer, Kitzhaber spent money like a drunken prom date.

Now every state, county, municipal and education district feels it is their right to spend it too! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Krue

TheRogue · 05-18-2003, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kruechief:
Question, "Why is Oregon..."

Answer, Kitzhaber spent money like a drunken prom date.

Now every state, county, municipal and education district feels it is their right to spend it too! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Krue

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Love to have that easy of a scapegoat, Krue....but the REPUBLICAN lead legislature is where the budget approvals come from, not the Governor's office. The Govenor can only reccomend a budget.

And did Kitz also not push for a "rainy day" fund, supported by the "kicker" refund??

Nice try!!

TR