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Oregon REALTORSR Endorse Westlund

Focus on the Economy Cited

(September 25, 2008) - Salem, OR - Oregon Senator and Democratic and Independent nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) received the endorsement of the Oregon Association of REALTORSR this week.

"In his tenure as a legislator, Ben Westlund has cultivated a strong reputation as a champion on issues significant to the real estate market, said Jana Jarvis, Vice President of Public Policy for the Oregon Association of REALTORSR. "With his experience, Ben will continue to help promote homeownership, pursue new development opportunities and protect private property rights."

As the chief budget-writer for the Oregon House, Westlund provided steady leadership through Oregon's toughest recession of 2001-2003 when state revenues plummeted 22%. "The current economic forecast illustrates that when times are tough, sound fiscal management of our public finances is necessary," said Westlund. "As State Treasurer, I will use my past experiences to bring the stability necessary to get the economy energized and back on track to benefit Oregon's middle-class families."

Westlund Highlights Oregon Cultural Trust

BEND, Ore. (July 31, 2008) - Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo), one of the architects of the Oregon Cultural Trust, has launched a new web page on his campaign site (www.benwestlund.com) dedicated to its creation and accomplishments. The Oregon Cultural Trust is a unique public/private partnership designed to increase investment in Oregon's arts, humanities and heritage.

As a member of the 1999 Cultural Task Force, Westlund listened to the input of 20,000 Oregonians while laying the groundwork for the Trust. In the 2001 session, Ben Westlund brought together diverse and often competing interests and sponsored HB 2923, to create the Cultural Trust which now provides over $1 million a year for arts and culture in Oregon. The Oregonian heralded the Trust legislation as the “best accomplishment” of the 2001 Legislature.  Westlund currently sits on the Trust's Board and helps administer the grants.

"Throughout Oregon, the Cultural Trust has helped diversify our communities both culturally and economically,” said Westlund. “It has helped build and protect Oregon’s legacy for generations to come."

The Oregon Cultural Trust is funded by generous tax-deductible contributions from individuals and businesses that also make a matching contribution to one of over 1,000 qualifying non-profit arts and culture organizations. Additional funds for the Trust come from the sale of the Oregon "cultural" license plate. The State Treasurer manages the Trust’s funds.

Grants are distributed to local communities to support their cultural priorities, through a competitive process and through grants to Oregon's statewide cultural agencies to support their ongoing efforts.  On Friday, Governor Kulongoski will be announcing the 2009 Cultural Trust grants. 

The Trust has four goals:

> Increase public and private support for culture.
> Advance, preserve, or stabilize cultural resources.
> Build public participation across cultural disciplines.
> Increase understanding of the value of cultural development.

“Every day, Oregonians seek education, entertainment and a sense of identity from the thousands of cultural activities offered in their communities. I have watched Ben Westlund walk his talk by leading the fight to protect the arts in Oregon,” said Mike Lindberg, Former Chair of the Oregon Arts Commission.

If you would like to find out what the Oregon Cultural Trust is doing in your community, or to make a tax deductible donation, visit their website at www.culturaltrust.org

A retired successful business owner, Senator Ben Westlund now works with Northwest Professional Management to develop effective, affordable health care delivery systems.  He and his wife Libby, who serves on the Mount Bachelor National Ski Patrol, have two children: a son B.J. (20) and a daughter Taylor (15). They live in Tumalo, just outside Bend.

Building and Construction Trades Endorse Westlund for State Treasurer

Infrastructure Investment a Top Priority

SALEM, Ore. (July 23, 2008) – Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council.  The Council is comprised of 31 separate organizations representing 30,000 Oregonians.

“Ben Westlund is the best choice for State Treasurer,” said Bob Shiprack of the Council.  “As a legislator, he offered common-sense solutions to some of our biggest challenges.  As State Treasurer, he will champion investment in our infrastructure to build our economy and create jobs.”

Westlund has said that the State Treasurer can do more to improve Oregon’s infrastructure.

“As a Senator, I supported legislation to retrofit public buildings to save energy and money and to invest in our transportation network to improve traffic flow and help our economy,” said Westlund.  “As State Treasurer, I will champion infrastructure projects that increase our productivity and make smart use of our resources including environmentally sound water-supply and conservation, transportation, and energy transmission and conservation efforts.”

Westlund asks Oregonians to Declare Our Energy Independence

Treasurer Candidate Launches Cascade Initiative
to Promote Renewable Energy & Conservation

BEND – State Senator and Democratic nominee for Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo) is proposing a comprehensive plan to promote renewable energy and conservation strategies for Oregon called the Cascade Initiative.  Information is available on his website at www.benwestlund.com/cascade.

The Cascade Initiative is founded on common sense strategies to improve Oregon’s economy and brand us as a national leader.  The goals of the initiative are to educate Oregonians on financial impacts of climate change, encourage investments in clean technology and renewable energy companies, and champion infrastructure investments such as energy conservation efforts in public buildings.

“Oregon is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging green economy,” said Westlund.  “With the right investments, Oregon can position itself as a national leader to create jobs and promote a sustainable economy.”

Westlund has a long record in the Legislature of promoting renewable energy and conservation.  He was instrumental in expanding the solar energy tax credit during the 2005 session and worked to pass legislation creating the Oregon Innovation Council.  In 2007, Westlund advocated for the Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Center and the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

“The challenges and risks that climate change presents are enormous, but where there is challenge, there is the potential for growth,” said Westlund.  “For states prepared to be leaders in this new economy, reacting to climate change becomes an offensive, not a defensive, strategy, and an opportunity for rich new growth.”

As Oregon’s next State Treasurer, Westlund will continue the work begun by the current Oregon State Treasurer Randall Edwards, and other State Treasurers, to discover unknown risks in Oregon's investments by calling on the Security Exchange Commission to require that publicly traded companies disclose emerging risks they face from global climate change. 

"Expanding market opportunities and raising awareness of investor risk is a critical role of the State Treasurer," said Treasurer Edwards.  “Ben Westlund’s leadership on climate change and making critical investments in the green economy will greatly benefit Oregon.”

Goals of the Cascade Initiative:

•    Educate Oregonians on the financial impacts of global climate change and find workable solutions for our future.

•    Promote investments in renewable energy and clean technology to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and create Oregon jobs.

•    Champion infrastructure investments to create jobs and increase our productivity including transportation, environmentally sound water-supply and conservation projects, energy transmission projects and energy conservation efforts in public and private buildings.

To learn more about the Cascade Initiative please visit www.benwestlund.com/cascade