Governor Introduces Emergency Jobs & Training Legislation for Unemployed Oregonians

Press Release

Governor partners with legislators to introduce HB 3500 and put thousands of Oregonians to work this summer

Governor Ted Kulongoski and Rep. David Edwards, joined by Sen. Rod Monroe, Sen. Diane Rosenbaum and Rep. Brad Witt, officially announced legislation that will put thousands of unemployed Oregonians back to work this summer, enroll thousands more in job retraining programs, and that will extend unemployment benefits to get families through the holiday season. If enacted by the legislature, House Bill 3500, also called the Oregon Emergency Jobs and Training Act, will benefit more than 20,000 unemployed Oregonians.

"As I said last month, we have a jobs emergency in Oregon, and this legislation includes a bold action plan that will create jobs now, when we need them, in projects that will benefit our communities," Governor Kulongoski said. "It also helps Oregonians in the long term by preparing them for greater success in the future through training programs and increasing access to post-secondary education."

The Governor announced the emergency jobs program shortly after the state's unemployment rate reached 12 percent. The Governor's goal was to create jobs this summer that help meet real needs of our communities and targets unemployed Oregonians seeking work that pays in the range of $8.40 - $10.00 per hour. Currently, there are 86,000 unemployed individuals with active profiles with the Employment Department that have expressed an interest in being hired for a job that pays within this hourly wage range.

Working with the legislature, the idea expanded to address the short-term needs of unemployed Oregonians by creating jobs and extending unemployment benefits for those whose benefits are expected to expire later this year, as well as create longer-term opportunities by increasing access to job training and post-secondary education.

"The legislature has done a remarkable job this session demonstrating leadership at a time of great economic turmoil. This bill is another example and offers an important step toward economic recovery for the citizens and communities of Oregon," Governor Kulongoski said.

The legislation is funded by redirecting $50 million from the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust fund to support the jobs program. Another $40 million would fund the expansion and extension of unemployment benefits. The fund currently amounts to $1.5 billion and has a dedicated funding source through regular payments by employers through payroll taxes.

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