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Eugene Register Guard Endorses Westlund

Treasurer: Westlund Legislator's varied experience gives him an edge

Published: Oct 18, 2008 08:28AM

The global financial meltdown has significantly elevated the profile of the race for state treasurer. All of a sudden, no one has to be told why the job of overseeing the state's $75 billion portfolio of pension funds and other investments is vitally important.

Oregonians are fortunate to have two highly qualified candidates for the job: Republican businessman Allen Alley of Lake Oswego and Democratic state Sen. Ben Westlund of Bend. Both men present voters with impressive, though quite different, professional backgrounds.

The ideal treasurer would represent a combination of Alley's extensive experience as a venture capitalist, entrepreneur and corporate executive and Westlund's broad legislative experience, especially as chairman of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee during Oregon's worst recession, and his deep knowledge of Oregon land use and natural resource issues.

Absent that ideal hybrid, we believe Westlund's public policy experience and more ambitious vision of the role the treasurer can play in advising the governor and Legislature make him the better choice. Oregonians should send Westlund to Salem as the next state treasurer.

Westlund Garners Key Endorsement of Congresswoman Hooley

Shared Focus on Fiscal Responsibility

SALEM, Ore. (September 4, 2008) - Oregon Senator and Democratic and Independent nominee Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of Congresswoman Darlene Hooley in his bid for State Treasurer.  The endorsement is the latest in respected Oregonians who are backing Westlund including Governor Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, State Treasurer Randall Edwards, former Governor Barbara Roberts and former Secretary of States Norma Paulus and Phil Keisling.  A complete list of endorsements, including local community leaders, is on Westlund's website at www.benwestlund.com.

"Ben Westlund helped put Oregon's fiscal house in order as a leader in the state Senate, while getting results on kitchen table issues that matter to our families every day, like affordable health care, safer streets, a better education, and stronger safeguards for consumers," said Hooley. "As Oregon's next State Treasurer, Ben will provide prudent oversight of Oregon's finances to get us through tough times and help spur our economy to grow, investing in energy to lower costs and creating new opportunities for innovation."

Ben Westlund has a strong record of working across political divides and supporting education in Oregon.  Westlund was named co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee, he prioritized education during the worst recession Oregon has ever experienced. Westlund has also supported higher education by leading the legislature to create a university in Bend, a new engineering center at OSU and expansion of Oregon Institution of Technology.  And in 1999, as a member of the state House of Representatives, Ben Westlund supported legislation to reduce the amount of interest schools pay for bonds, which has saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

Westlund has also prioritized affordable health care.  In 2003, he chaired the committee that made the Oregon Health Plan more economically sustainable. That concern for health care turned personal when Ben was diagnosed with lung cancer. Two weeks later, he received statewide attention when he returned to the floor of the Legislature and called for reform of Oregon's antiquated tax structure. In that speech, he called for legislators to "stop being mere politicians who think only of the next election, and start being statesmen who think only of the next generation."

OSEA Endorses Westlund in Bid for State Treasurer

SALEM, Ore. (July 30, 2008) – Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon School Employees Association’s (OSEA) 21,000 members in his bid for Oregon State Treasurer.  The endorsement is among several Westlund has received from education groups including the Oregon Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.  To date, over twenty organizations have endorsed Westlund.  A complete list can be found on his website at www.benwestlund.com.

“Senator Westlund has been on the front lines for education” said Ed Edwards of OSEA.  “His commitment to improving education and to the working men and women of Oregon has won our respect and our support.”

Westlund served as co-chair during some of Oregon’s most difficult financial times and protected the education budget in the face of drastic cuts. 

“Improving education is the key to Oregon’s future innovation economy and I strongly support the people who provide essential services to our students, the way OSEA does,” said Westlund.

A former successful business owner, Ben 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.”

Oregon State Police Officers Association Endorses Westlund for State Treasurer

SALEM, Ore. (July 21, 2008) – In a process that included an officer ride-along and that considered both candidates, Oregon Senator and Democratic nominee for State Treasurer Ben Westlund (D-Bend) has received the support of the Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA).

"Ben Westlund has a strong record of supporting Oregon's public safety,” said Jeff Leighty, President of OSPOA. “He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and the ability to find creative solutions that we want in our next State Treasurer."

Westlund has a history of supporting public safety officers.  In 1999, he sponsored legislation that created the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund. Funded by criminal court fees, it has distributed over $1 million dollars in aid to help 48 fallen and permanently injured public safety officers or their families.  The fund has been well-managed by State Treasurer Edwards, maintaining a positive balance for nearly a decade without the use of public tax dollars. 

“Our public safety officers are there for us when we need help and Oregon should be there in their time of crisis,” said Westlund.  “As Oregon’s next State Treasurer, my first priority will be continuing the wise management of Oregon's resources including the Oregon Public Safety Memorial Fund.  I will also push to make it possible for Oregonians to give online tax-deductible donations to support our fallen officers and their families."

The Oregon State Police Officers’ Association (OSPOA) is an independent labor association with approximately 600 members that consists of patrol troopers, detectives, fish & wildlife troopers, telecommunicators, forensic scientists, criminalists, latent print examiners, questioned document examiners, radio technicians, and trade maintenance workers.  Formed in 1984, its goals include promoting the professional interests of its members, fostering the highest standards of professionalism among its members, improving law enforcement methods, increasing the awareness of public safety issues, and advocating legislation that enhances public safety and law enforcement.