Oregon Senators Talk About Economic Stimulus Plan

By Pete Springer | Feb. 16, 2009 3:29 p.m. | Updated: June 16, 2010 11:59 p.m. | Portland, OR

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Oregon’s two U-S Senators say the economic stimulus bill passed by Congress on Friday is not perfect—but they do believe it will help create and save thousands of jobs in the state.  Pete Springer reports.
Oregon will get at least $1.78 billion dollars from the bill.Some of the money will be used for public works projects like repairing roads and bridges.Senator Ron Wyden says this will put people to work and spark additional spending. Wyden “Private investment has always followed well targeted public investments.”Wyden says another aspect of the bill that will help Oregon is the more than $500 million for fire management and reduction of forest fuels.He says some of that money could be flowing very soon.Wyden: “In a week's time, we can get these projects that are so important to rural Oregon, particularly putting people back to work in the woods, we can get ‘em up quickly.”  Oregon congressman Peter DeFazio voted against the bill because he said the size of the tax cuts included in it squeezed out funding for more infrastructure projects.

© 2009 OPB

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