“Everyone should give back to their community in some way”
Oregon has been good to me and my family. It has provided me with a public education that allowed me to be successful. It has provided me with professional opportunities that helped me support my family while also helping others. And, it has provided me with a vast array of opportunities to be involved in building my community. As a recent retiree, I have no need for additional financial support nor desire to climb the political ladder. My only desire is to offer my services to represent the people of central Lane and Linn counties as your state senator.
Why Lee Beyer and Why Now?
I have experience that can help chart our way out of these difficult times. I have served on numerous public and private boards and commissions at the local, state, regional and national levels. I have served in both appointed and elected positions - from city councilor, to state legislator, to chief utilities regulator for the State of Oregon. I have developed a reputation for being tough but fair; for listening and being open to all ideas and concerns; and for working collaboratively with others to find reasonable and practical solutions. I bring a non-partisan common sense approach to setting public policy.
Our state is facing very difficult times. We have lost jobs and people are scared and hurting. We need to turn this around and get Oregon moving in the right direction again. I have the experience to help. Prior to being asked by the Governor to serve as Oregon’s chief utility regulator, I worked professionally for over 20 years assisting small businesses in removing barriers to expansion and helping new industries locate in Lane County. During that time, I helped businesses create thousands of new jobs. I know their issues and I know how to get the job done.
Lee Beyer’s Legislative Priorities
My first priority as your state senator will be to focus on bringing jobs back to Oregon. Without profitable businesses and their workers making an income, there just won’t be the tax revenue necessary to support our children’s education or other vital services. I have always believed the best social service is a well-paying job. But increasing revenue alone will not solve all our problems. The state budget, as constructed, is not sustainable. We can’t tax our way out of fiscal problems and we can’t keep doing everything the same way. I will work to bring efficiency and new ways of operating to state government. As someone who has viewed government services from both the public and private sides, and from the legislative and executive side, I bring a unique a perspective to the discussion. We can and must get more efficient and more accountable.
It’s time to realistically prioritize public services. My top priority is education. We owe it to Oregon’s youth to provide them with the knowledge and skills to be successful. But, beyond this social commitment, we must realize our state economy is dependent on this emerging workforce. According to labor economists, most jobs today require at least two years of professional/technical training or a college degree. Without this type of trained workforce, Oregon’s businesses will suffer and our economy will slide backward. We need to look at new ways of meeting this challenge … ways to provide the skills required in a cost effective manner while holding trainers more accountable for outcomes.
As a civilized society, we also need to find ways to care for those among us who can’t care for themselves, such as the elderly and disabled. And we must work to assure everyone has reasonable access to affordable health care. While the national health care legislation will address access over time, it does not address cost control. As member of a hospital board for 10 years, I firmly believe we can do a better job of controlling cost.
Thank you for visiting my website and considering my candidacy. I ask for and appreciate your vote. You can learn more about me by clicking on my biography.
