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Opinion Editorials Everybody must share in Oregon’s pain
Everybody must share in Oregon’s pain
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Economics 101 states there is no free lunch. And certainly there is no
free lunch as Oregon’s economy continues cycling down into the toilet
of recession. We don’t always agree with Gov. Ted Kulongoski. And we
are oftentimes supportive of the state’s unions and the quality of life
and protections they can provide workers.
But desperate times call for desperate measures. And the governor’s call for state workers to take 26 unpaid furlough days during the 2009-11 budget cycle makes perfect sense considering the deficit looming ahead. The economy has gone south. Consider that at latest count Oregon had a 10 percent unemployment rate. Many private sector workers have already lost their jobs, or are taking unpaid furlough days, as their employers seek to preserve their positions for better times ahead. When will the economy get better? It most certainly will take longer than any of us want. The state is projecting a shortfall of up to $3 billion during the 2009-11 budgeting period. That’s the difference between what taxes can pump into the system and what services are ideally provided. And the budget balancing is going to inflict pain — there’s no way around it. Sure, the governor’s action wouldn’t balance the budget. But if all union and non-union state workers agree to the plan, the state could save $105 million. And every chunk of change helps bring the budget back toward the black. Something has to give. Of course, union members are dismayed at the sacrifice they are being asked to make. Hopefully, a compromise can be found out of the contentiousness. Other workers already serving furloughs across the state in the private sector are dismayed as well. Each faces his own economic anxiety. But many workers are happy they still have a job and haven’t joined the growing ranks of the unemployed. The governor is right in that Oregonians need to work together to get through this mess and reach prosperity again. Worker security is important. Workers should cooperate on the basis of mutual interest. Employers need experienced workers. And workers need their employers, even if that employer is the state, to be profitable. Before it’s all over, many, many workers are going to face tough times. There may be no free lunch. But if jobs are preserved, when the state comes out of the recession, the future will at last, if not look bright, promise a measure of economic security for the fortunate ones who are still employed. |
