Albany Democrat-Herald - Dudley Pitches Jobs Plan

News Article

By Steve Lathrop

Chris Dudley revealed his 20-point plan for creating jobs in the private sector during a stop in Albany on Wednesday at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.

Speaking to more than 300 at the season's first Albany Area Chamber of Commerce forum luncheon, the Republican candidate for governor said his plan had three goals: restoring private sector confidence, reforming education and declaring all of state government open for business.

"We have to reform the budget and control spending," Dudley said. "Making a comeback is not insurmountable or ungovernable."

A top priority in the plan is reducing the state capital gains tax from 11 percent to 3 percent.

"The reduction would provide a much needed jolt to jumpstart the economy," Dudley said.

His plan also would give small and growing businesses an option to defer the majority of their income or excise taxes for two years. To encourage hiring, the plan would provide cities with half the additional state income tax revenues from any new businesses they recruit.

"For businesses that hire people currently on unemployment, we would provide tax credits for each person brought back into the workforce," Dudley said.

The candidate said he would make use of state forest lands to create jobs. His plan calls for investing in water infrastructure and expansion of forest biomass as a renewable energy source.

Dudley said he believes education reform is vital to economic improvement.

"It's a top priority," he said. "We have to demand that education policy is put ahead of education politics."

His plan includes tax incentives for teachers willing to teach in low-

performing areas and an opportunity for teachers to be rewarded for performance. He also wants to develop a scholarship program for top students and those most in need.

"I would work with the 2011 legislature to take the first steps to improve access to higher education," Dudley said. "I believe if we unleash our colleges and universities from outdated rules we can strengthen their role in job creation and innovation."

Dudley said that the state needs to bring life into state government and open its doors to the world.

"I want to hire and appoint a new generation of Oregonians into state government. I'd like to see people with diverse and balanced backgrounds be involved without regard to partisan politics," he said.

His entire plan is available on his website at www.ChrisDudley.com.

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