Jobs and Economy
Information regarding my stance on Jobs and Economy issues.
At my recent visit to Anvil Academy in Newberg, I met a student with a learning disability who is using woodworking skills to start his own business. Another powerful success story came from Tigard-Tualatin Superintendent Dr. Sue Rieke-Smith, who told me about how a student experiencing profound poverty and homelessness was transformed by an auto mechanics class and is now in college studying to become a mechanical engineer.
BEAVERTON, Ore. [08/21/18] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Easterseals Oregon will receive $1.5M in federal funding over three years to provide employment services for homeless veterans in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The funding allows Easterseals Oregon to expand beyond Multnomah County and offer these services for the first time in Washington and Clackamas counties.
The mint business is growing in the Clatskanie area. To keep up with consumer needs, Seely Family Farm will take advantage of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D) toured the Seely farm in the Clatskanie area on Aug. 14. Her office supported the securing of a USDA Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant of $250,000 to help staff to the mint operation. The funds will cover around five jobs at the company.
WASHINGTON, DC [08/15/18] – Congresswoman Bonamici, Senators Wyden and Merkley, and Representatives DeFazio, Blumenauer, and Schrader called on the Trump Administration to work with China to reduce or eliminate Chinese tariffs that are harming Oregon's hazelnut farmers and making it difficult for them to compete with growers in other countries.
In addition to quickly lending her office's support in coordinating efforts to engage the Trump administration on the issue, Bonamici also wanted to connect more directly with those who would be hurt by the escalating trade war with China. She had that opportunity Aug. 8 at the Allison Inn and Spa, where local farmers shared their stories and, through the Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries, honored the congresswoman with its 2018 Legislative Champion Award.
Oregon's hazelnut industry is facing trade anxiety on two fronts: Restricted access to a major customer and low prices offered by a major competitor.
With the annual harvest quickly approaching, there's not much time left for the looming problems to be resolved.
Hazelnuts are caught in the broader trade dispute with China, which has raised tariffs on the crop while limiting opportunities to avoid duties by trans-shipping through neighboring countries.
Mike Seely stands amid a row of steaming tanks as he waits for the next truckload to arrive from the field.
It's mid-day in August. Sweat forms on his forehead and a gray baseball cap is the only thing keeping the sun from beating down on his face.
Today, Seely is hosting Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and a few staffers from her Oregon and Washington, D.C., offices at his mint farm in Clatskanie. Tomorrow, he'll have film crews at the farm recording scenes for an upcoming Discovery Channel show.
SALEM — Oregon Democrats on Capitol Hill decried a proposed federal rule change Friday, claiming it would restrict the ability of the state's publicly-funded home health care workers to unionize.
In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it would repeal an Obama administration 2014 rule that allowed states to deduct fees for "benefits customary to employees," including union dues, directly from health workers' pay.
WASHINGTON: - Democratic members of the Oregon congressional delegation, including Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader called on the Trump administration Friday to drop a proposed rule they said would unjustifiably restrict home care workers' ability to form unions and collectively bargain for higher wages, better working conditions, expanded benefits and new training opportunities.
Washington, D.C. – Members of the Oregon congressional delegation, including United States Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader today called on the Trump administration to drop a proposed rule that would unjustifiably restrict home care workers' ability to form unions and collectively bargain for higher wages, better working conditions, expanded benefits, and new training opportunities.