| Though I accept the results, I was disappointed by the outcome of the presidential election. I also know some reading this report have a different perspective than mine. They are elated by the outcome of the Presidential election, believing the leadership of President Trump will resolve very real challenges in their lives and that of others they believe have been left behind in our economy.
The Oregonian editorialized Sunday that it is already apparent how many ways the objectives of the Trump Administration will collide head-on with the values that a majority of Oregonians espouse. Trump’s election raises questions over possible cuts to federal Medicaid funding, mass deportations, punishing tariffs on goods produced overseas, rollbacks from climate and clean energy goals and changes that restrict access to abortion medication, among many other concerns.
The next four years are likely to present some deeply difficult challenges for which there’s no easy answer. Oregon’s best response will be a unified one.
Leaders of both parties should embrace that sentiment and work together to identify top priorities in advance of the legislative session next year and commit to leaving behind divisive bills meant for political posturing. If nothing else registers from the national election, Oregon leaders should hear the call to deliver what everyday people need – economic relief amid a rising cost of living.
In my mind, that continues to mean more living wage jobs, more affordable housing, childcare that parents can find, trust, and pay for, and health care for our families and older neighbors.
Last week I spoke to the Community College Association of Oregon. Many were surprised when I shared that Oregon’s budget currently spends more on physical and mental health, than on education, roads, and public safety combined.
When we return to Salem in the new year, our challenge will be how to pay for our most pressing needs. How do we improve our schools, provide health services to those in need, ensure public safety, and face the rising cost of wildfire and natural disasters? And how do we balance our budget when predicting the health of our state economy and the tax revenues our budget depends on is harder and harder to forecast? |
