Oregon Public Broadcasting

The labor force in Oregon shrunk by another 7000 jobs last month.  That follows an even larger drop in August.

 One political leader says he has a plan that can put a lot of the newly jobless back to work.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

The Oregon unemployment rate in September stayed about the same, around 6.4 percent. That’s slightly above the national average.

In response to the weakening economy, State Senate President Peter Courtney is proposing a public works package.

He says building new roads, college buildings, and a statewide public safety radio network could create 35,000 jobs.

The Salem Democrat admits it’s a tough market for public borrowing right now.  But he says the state should still be able to raise more than a billion dollars by selling bonds to pay for the public works plan.

Peter Courtney:  “I think we can identify transportation projects, other types of public projects that will allow us to put people back to work through construction, and through construction many other jobs can be created or maintained.”

Senate Republicans criticized the proposal.  Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli says spending cuts are needed to make it through tough economic times.