To the people of Oregon,
I have been a resident of Canby for the past 25 years and a citizen of Oregon for 35 years. As a citizen of Oregon, my wife Juanita and I have built a life for ourselves grounded in hard work, diligence, and commitment. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Purdue University. I am a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1969 to 1971. Additionally, I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Oregon Bass Federation. As a resident of Canby, I have been a general contractor and small business owner building homes and structures across Oregon.
My inspiration to represent the residents of Oregon in the State Senate occurred one day while I was mowing the lawn at my house north of Canby. I decided that mere talk over morning coffee would not change the problems that face us as Oregonians. I believe the status-quo in our current state government no longer serves the interest of the people as legislative policies constrict job growth, damage the longevity of the educational infrastructure, and neglect our Veterans.
In this economy, the lack of job growth is the most pressing issue for our state. As a general contractor and small business owner, I understand the problems of high taxes on employers and workers. Depressing businesses and citizens through unreasonable taxes will only limit job growth and reduce the state budget. I believe that current legislative policies do not bring realistic and sustainable industries to Oregon. I will focus on creating a business friendly environment to encourage the entrance of viable industries which will lead to the creation of living wage jobs for Oregonians.
Education is a long term investment. Current and past attempts to fix education have not solved the problems; they have merely treated the symptoms. I believe that tax dollars have been spread too thin causing our classrooms, teachers, and students to suffer. Educational budgeting must favor our children in the classrooms and the teachers who strive to educate them. We need a focused curriculum and a prioritized budget that will enable Oregon's educational system to be the finest in the Nation. As your senator, I will work to make our system the gold standard for American primary education.
Supporting our Veterans is our duty as citizens and a state. Their service and dedication to our country represents the cornerstone of liberty, freedom, and our way of life. Veterans face the potential difficulty of adjusting to civilian life, working through post-war psychological trauma, and in some cases homelessness. It is imperative that we assist in their transition back to civilian life by making therapeutic services, medical services, and employment opportunities readily and easily available. Improving these necessary services to facilitate that adjustment, in a professional and proactive way, is just one of the many ways we can show our gratitude.
Oregon is like a house. It requires a detailed blueprint to enable the strength of the structure. The blueprint for Oregon is to ensure job growth, enhance education, and support our Veterans. If we build a strong foundation in these areas, we will encourage growth, stability, and the escalation of opportunities. We have the plans and are ready to build, let's get to work.
Sincerely,
Alan Olsen