The Roadmap for Oregon’s Future

A new direction for Oregon means new leadership, and Democrats will lead by putting people over politics. Our long-term agenda, shared by a majority of Oregonians across party lines, is to establish a world-class educational system for our children and our economy, to guarantee access to quality health care regardless of income, and to maintain a smart and accountable state government that invests in creating good jobs, a healthy environment and works to eliminate wasteful spending. Democrats are committed to open and honest debate on important issues and will produce real results for Oregon families.

Democrats pledge that in 2007 we will set the direction for Oregon’s Future.

First Steps: Our Pledge for 2007

Democrats will move Oregon forward right away by putting kids first.

• Healthy Kids — Health insurance for children is a moral obligation. Democrats will extend health care to every child in Oregon who isn’t otherwise covered by federal or private health plans.
• Strong Schools — Democrats will commit in 2007 to nothing less than a full 175-day school year and smaller class sizes in every district of the state. We will expand access to Head Start and work toward the goal of enrolling all eligible children so they are ready to learn when they enter Kindergarten.

Democrats are committed to specific first steps to bring medical costs under control.

• Affordable Prescription Drugs — We’ll reduce prescription drug costs by allowing individuals and small businesses to benefit from the state’s bulk purchasing power.
• Health Insurance Stability — We will hold the health insurance industry accountable by requiring them to submit all rate increases to a state oversight board and then justify them before they are approved.

Democrats will act quickly to keep our families and our neighborhoods safe from current threats.

• Preventing Internet Predators — We will make it a crime to solicit minors over the Internet, and we’ll work with the Attorney General to provide more tools to help parents keep their kids safe in cyberspace.
• Preventing Identity Theft — We will empower Oregonians to freeze their credit if their identity is stolen so criminals can’t use their victim’s good name to open fraudulent accounts. We will also require companies who store and use that information to report immediately any breach in security so consumers can protect themselves.
• Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights — We will protect the rights and privacy of victims of sexual assault by guaranteeing access to emergency contraceptives.
• Combating the Meth Epidemic — We will hire an additional 100 state troopers to combat the meth epidemic and make our roads and highways safer.

Democrats will create a healthy business environment to attract good jobs and investment to Oregon.

• Biofuels and the Rural Economy — Oregon has the potential to become a national leader in alternative energy innovation. We will create more job opportunities in rural Oregon while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by jumpstarting the alternative and biofuels industry.
• Higher Ed and High Tech Investments — We will step up investments in our universities and community colleges, bringing more biotechnology and high tech firms to Oregon.

Democrats will create a smarter and more accountable state government.

• Cutting Government Waste — We will require the Secretary of State to audit the performance of state agencies, so we know where your tax dollars are being put to good use — and where they’re not. We will also require a regular review of the corporate tax code to find and eliminate waste and loopholes.
• Government Accountability — We’ll close the revolving door that allows legislators to turn public service into personal gain by restricting them from lobbying their former colleagues within two years after they leave office.