With the May 16 primary election quickly approaching, the three Democratic candidates for governor have been busy on the campaign circuit. Wednesday night, two of those candidates, Jim Hill and Pete Sorenson, joined a spokeswoman for incumbent Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Pacific Green candidate Joe Keating and Independent Ben Westlund at a debate on campus.
Although all the candidates agreed that funding education is important, Hill’s clear goals for improving the state’s K-12 and university systems distinguish him from the competition. His stance on education is not the only thing that sets him apart; we endorse him for the primary nomination because of his strong economic and social views.
Hill has wisely attacked Kulongoski’s bland governorship at every opportunity. Further, he has attended debates at both the University and at Portland State University. Kulongoski sent a mere spokeswoman, who refused to answer questions during the question-and-answer period of the debate but found time to lobby at Oregon State University.
A former state treasurer and Oregon’s first black state legislator, Hill ran unsuccessfully for governor against Kulongoski in 2002.
Hill brings the solid economic understanding that this state needs to formulate a budget that prioritizes education, safety and healthcare while encouraging business growth. In contrast to Kulongoski, whose unremarkable tenure as governor has failed to adequately address many problems facing this state, especially higher-education funding, Hill understands that the governor has a role in securing money for universities.
Hill says he opposed Measure 37, and he encourages land-use planning – a proud Oregon tradition that must be preserved to protect our natural lands and to promote more resource efficient urban living.
Kulongoski opened a proverbial can of worms last month by mentioning the possibility of a sales tax. Thankfully, Hill opposes such a measure, instead focusing on creating a “rainy day fund” similar to those of other states that would provide stable funding in times of financial crisis. Unlike some Democrats, he exhibits a fiscally responsible outlook.
“Now I will tell you that if I get the opportunity, I really believe that we will revolutionize the management of government. We have to. I don’t think we have any choice,” he said in a 2001 interview with Willamette Week. “We’re not gonna get more tax dollars.”
Hill also supports civil unions for gay couples. Although Oregonians rejected gay marriage via Measure 36 in 2004, many proponents of the measure who said it would not prohibit civil unions have hypocritically changed their tune to say Oregonians are against equal rights for gay couples under the law. This has to change, and the governor can provide support for needed civil union legislation.
Hill also advocates for women’s issues. He is adamantly pro-choice, and in 1998 he organized the “EveryWoman’s Money” conference to encourage financial growth and security among Oregon women and “offer viable solutions to the unique problems women face when planning for retirement,” according to Hill’s Web site.
We urge students to support candidate Jim Hill because he has specific ideas to reform Kulongoski’s pedestrian legacy.