August GAC Meeting

Your chamber’s Government Affairs Committee was active this August, conducting two different panel interviews of candidates running for state and local elected positions. On August 19, the board of directors voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates?

Senator Larry George
Senator George is the founder and co-owner of a number of successful companies. He started and ran one of the largest political consulting firms in the state of Oregon, and was elected in 2006 to represent Oregon Senate State District 13.

When asked by the chamber to identify his top priorities, Senator George listed three items:

Core-functions budgeting. “The Oregon state budget has grown from $48.1 billion (2007-09) to nearly $60 billion (2009-10) – a 24% increase. Yet, during this time we have made real cuts to K-12 education. We need to fund core functions of state government before we fund pet-programs.”

Re-connect to the federal tax code, especially as it relates to accelerated depreciation for Oregon's growing businesses.

Addressing the role of public employee unions in the political process. “Public employee unions are given about 1.5% out of each employee’s check to conduct organization and political activities. The amounts to $620 average per employee, or over $30 million per year for state employees alone. This does not include teachers, local government employees, or federal employees. This is creating an environment where anyone who opposes new programs, new spending, or maintaining the status quo can be overwhelmed by opposing campaign dollars. This lack of balance and transparency is forcing Oregon to an extreme position that is anti-business and anti-growth.”

Representative Matt Wingard
Representative Wingard is a third-generation Oregonian who runs his own public relations consulting firm in Wilsonville and has served in the Oregon State Legislature since 2008. He has been an active member of the Wilsonville and Sherwood Chambers of Commerce and has served on the Clackamas County Economic Development Commission and the Portfolio Options Committee of the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

During much of his career, Rep. Wingard has fought the increase of regulation, taxation and litigation coming out of Salem. “I continue to believe that Oregon's misguided public policy choices are the major impediments to reducing unemployment and raising revenues for public services,” he told the Chamber.

“Oregon has earned and maintains its reputation as a difficult place to do business. Many businesses who appear to thrive in Oregon have received government credits, grants or other subsidies. We cannot create new jobs over the next 10 years without a more broadly based pro-business attitude in Oregon.

Rep. Wingard also stressed that implementation of a rainy day fund is high on his list of priorities in the Legislature. “If Salem will limit budget increases to 6.5% annually and save the rest, services will never again need to be cut during economic recessions.”

Wilsonville City Council
Richard Goddard
A 16-year resident of Wilsonville, Richard Goddard is an engineering manager for PGE with an extensive business background. He currently serves on the Wilsonville City Council – was appointed this year – and previously served four years on the city’s Planning Commission.

Goddard brings a strong economic development background to the Council. He has worked with regional partners and development agencies in his career, has recruited companies and personally responded to dozens of site selection inquiries. “These companies are looking for a skilled work force, a supportive regulatory environment, and adequate land,” Goddard told the Government Affairs Committee. ‘We need to form a citizen committee to streamline the permit process and the development code.”

Goddard said “there is a perception that we are unfriendly to business, so the first step is to recognize that perception. We have not actively participated in economic development circles. We are not tuned in to other partners in the region. Instead of focusing on all the problems that will prevent a company from locating here, we need to look at the benefits they can provide to our community.”

Goddard committed to reaching out and seeking input from our community and business leaders and acting upon that input. He pledged to make sure the city spends dollars in a way that reflects the priorities of our community. “I have a strong sense of stewardship and a sincere interest in leaving Wilsonville a little better than I found it.”


Wilsonville City Council
Scott Starr

A 16-year resident of Wilsonville, Starr has been very active in our community. He served as board chair of the Wilsonville Chamber. For three years he was on the Wood Middle School Site Council, was a board member of the Wilsonville High School Booster Club for eight years and served 14 years as a Wilsonville Youth Sports and Willamette United Soccer Coach. Starr is chair of Wilsonville Young Life, which works with our middle school and high school youth.

Starr has been meeting with city leaders and chamber executives to improve communications, opportunities and the businesses environment. He is running because he wants to improve the city’s connectedness to the spirit and will of the community, reestablish personal property rights, help encourage private sector job growth, and reduce spending and size of government.

During the candidate forum Starr stressed the importance of creating a welcoming environment for businesses. “To attract businesses here, we need to have the right processes so we are best in class. We need to demonstrate that the city will work with prospective businesses. We don’t need to put in a lot of incentives but neither have we hung out the welcome sign.”

Starr believes this election will be a turning point for how Wilsonville governs. Adjustments must be made in response to the current events, and it is incumbent upon the business community to support them. “If we don’t adjust, we are not going to continue to enjoy the quality of life we have known.” Starr stressed the need to accommodate our citizens in this economy. “One of my biggest concerns is the urban renewal budget and how to get spending under control. I will be much more conservative on how we spend our money.”