Senator Wyden in conversation with Jean and Roger Findley
Senator Ron Wyden addressing a group at Ontario's town hall meeting
Oregon's Senator Ron Wyden met with a group of interested people at the Ontario Railroad Depot Sunday afternoon. Wyden fielded questions about the contentious cap and trade bill recently passed in the House; concerns regarding health care, including giving us an outline of his bipartisan Healthy Americans Act; a description of his proposed Fair Flat Tax bill, and a discussion on an issue of concern to us, federal energy policy.
Senator Wyden vigorously restated his support of a balanced approach to energy, including the protection of agriculture. "The balanced approach recognizes, yes we need energy. We also need to work with local communities so that we don't devastate that valuable farmland." In fact, these issues will not be going away soon, leading to his comment, "This isn't going to be the first rodeo, folks."
When faced with questions about higher taxes, water law, natural resources, and massive amounts of money being spent, he came out on the side of Oregonians. He said that those opposed to public use of natural resources have a right to disagree, "but not to a five-year delay" in the thinning of forests. . . I am very cautious about putting more taxes on Oregonians now," reminding the group that he was one of 22 U.S. senators who voted against the stimulus bill. As a member of the Senate Finance Trade Subcommittee, he hopes to use his influence to lower barriers to value added Oregon agricultural commodities for export.
Of our citizens group, he said, "You have handled yourselves very responsibly. You've been staking out a reasonable position - steady and thoughtful . . . We will pull out all the stops to get a balanced solution."
Senator Wyden vigorously restated his support of a balanced approach to energy, including the protection of agriculture. "The balanced approach recognizes, yes we need energy. We also need to work with local communities so that we don't devastate that valuable farmland." In fact, these issues will not be going away soon, leading to his comment, "This isn't going to be the first rodeo, folks."
When faced with questions about higher taxes, water law, natural resources, and massive amounts of money being spent, he came out on the side of Oregonians. He said that those opposed to public use of natural resources have a right to disagree, "but not to a five-year delay" in the thinning of forests. . . I am very cautious about putting more taxes on Oregonians now," reminding the group that he was one of 22 U.S. senators who voted against the stimulus bill. As a member of the Senate Finance Trade Subcommittee, he hopes to use his influence to lower barriers to value added Oregon agricultural commodities for export.
Of our citizens group, he said, "You have handled yourselves very responsibly. You've been staking out a reasonable position - steady and thoughtful . . . We will pull out all the stops to get a balanced solution."
We wish to thank Senator Wyden and aide Wayne Kinney for stopping in Ontario to meet with interested citizens.
