Calls for “A New Oregon” that aspires to set world standards in education, innovation and environmental stewardship
Portland, OR – Allen Alley, a leading business executive, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ted Kulongoski and 2008 nominee for State Treasurer, announced today his campaign for Oregon Governor. His statement follows:
“The financial storm we currently face obscures the swell of what I believe will be the greatest economic wave since the invention of the automobile – The reinvention of our energy and transportation economy – and this time Oregon is poised to be at the crest of this market wave. We can either ride this once-in-a-century wave or let it break over us and paddle in the backwater of an economic tidal pool.”
“Oregon is a special place made up of individuals who value their community and the environment. Oregonians deserve a world-class education for our children, innovative ideas and investments that create family-wage jobs and policies that promote both environmental conservation and our rural, natural resource-based economy.”
“It’s time for a change. Salem’s current status quo approach to governing is failing to meet the needs of Oregonians who are rightfully demanding improvement and accountability.”
“A new Oregon requires new leadership with a fresh perspective – a perspective developed over decades building innovative businesses and competing in a global economy – and a leader who will use fresh ideas and energy to bring an end to our stagnating government.”
“Oregon’s unemployment rate now stands at 9%, nearly two full points over the national average. Yet, while Oregon’s private sector employment continues to decline and Oregonians face uncertainty in their own financial security, government employment is on the rise without marked increases in services provided families throughout the state.”
“Unabated growth of government in the face of declining private sector employment – and resultant tax dollars – will only lead to even greater economic peril. This is a course we must quickly correct and we need new leadership to do so.”
“True economic growth and prosperity comes from ingenuity, hard work and creating products that are aspirational to consumers all over the world. In this environment, we need to promote small business job growth and our export economy – something I have done for decades – so we can put more money back in Oregon family budgets.”
“Public education is the most important investment we can make, but our education system is simply not keeping pace. We need to prepare our children to not only compete in but lead a global economy and our current government is not living up to that responsibility. We must fund education but money cannot be the only priority; it is our obligation to our children to achieve world leading results.”
“With a quality K-12 education system comes the need to create world-class universities and community colleges. Through the innovation and entrepreneurship Oregon is known for, we can make Oregon a world leader in green technology and design. To truly be a world leader, Oregon needs to act like one. Investing in our university system will keep top Oregon students in Oregon, attract new innovation and spawn commercial opportunities that will help Oregon entrepreneurs build new industries.
We can attain these goals, but it will take leadership willing to bring stark change to a state government that is stuck in first gear. I can bring that leadership and I’m asking Oregonians for their support so we can build a new Oregon together.
