Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rural Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Representative Juncker spotlights multi-generational poverty in Josephine County
Summary
Representative Juncker told the House that parts of Josephine County face multi-generational poverty and unemployment near 12.2 percent, urging legislation focused on job creation rather than managing poverty.
Representative Juncker used his remonstrance time on Feb. 9 to describe persistent, multi-generational poverty in several Josephine County communities, citing about 4,000 residents living below the poverty line and an unemployment rate around 12.2 percent in some areas.
"In these communities, nearly half the combined population, about 4,000 people live below the poverty line with unemployment hovering around 12.2," Juncker said, arguing that the situation stems from policies that make it hard to start or expand businesses in rural Oregon. He urged the Legislature to measure success by how many families no longer need government assistance and to prioritize job creation and opportunity for communities outside Portland.
Juncker urged lawmakers to move from speeches to concrete actions to change outcomes; no specific bill was introduced during the floor remarks.
