Quote of the Day: a lack of legislative imagination

That's the only explanation I can muster from Oregon State Sen. Peter Courtney, who says the Democrats in control of the legislative and executive branches hope to jump-start the state economy by borrowing billions dollars for public works projects. Courtney said:

I don't know how else to deal with the declining job market. I have got to do what I can do to get jobs and get them now.

More than 8 percent of Oregonians are out of work (which is a point and a half above the national rate) and Courtney doesn't know any way to deal with it except for a huge run-up in the state's debtload? And this man is in charge of the state senate?

Surely the Dems can come up with someone with a little more imagination.

Credit where credit is due

Kudos to the Vancouver, Washington fire department union, which decided this week to approve a pay freeze for its members. More than 90 percent of the members voted in favor of the freeze, which comes as the city (like most cities and businesses in the country) is dealing with an expected budget deficit.

Money quote from Fire Capt. Bill Garlington:

People are losing their jobs. The people losing their jobs are the people who are paying our wages.

Exactly.

I'm might quibble a bit, however, with how the Oregonian described Garlington's vote. Yes, his is a one-income household with college tuition bills looming on the horizon, but there are plenty of people in the same boat making a whole lot less than Garlington's near-$100,000 annual salary.

But nonetheless: it's nice to see a union that has a clue about what's appropriate and who's paying the bills.