Education

Our Children are Our Future

I am the son of two public school teachers, and know that our teachers are the most important factor in our educational system.

Oregon students are bright, and are the key to our state’s competitiveness in the 21st century.  I am firmly committed to building their brain power, and will sponsor the educational initiatives necessary to cultivate the skilled scientists and engineers needed to create tomorrow’s innovations. 

I believe in maintaining OR’s Income Tax Kicker Law for average working Oregonians, but not to line the pockets of corporations and the extremely wealthy. I will work to establish a permanent Rainy Day Fund to protect our schools during slow economic times.  In 2005, we gave away $27 million  to out of state corporations which should have stayed in OR for our kids’ education.

College is not the best next step for all high school graduates.  Trade Unions offer excellent training programs and apprenticeships which provide family wage jobs with excellent benefits.  I am working with the high school counselors in my district to bring this vocational information to our students.