Basin issues

Obama, Clinton discuss what is important to Klamath

By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer

May 12, 2008

    Both say they would find a  long-term solution to loss of federal timber payments. Both say funding for rural transportation needs is vital, and both have a plan.

    The race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination may come down to Oregon, making the state’s Democrats’ votes vital for candidates U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill.

    The Herald and News submitted a list of questions to both candidates’ Oregon campaign offices, asking how they would address a variety of issues facing the Klamath Basin . Following is a summary of their answers.

Hillary Clinton

Q: All four counties in our newspaper’s circulation area—Klamath and Lake in Oregon and Siskiyou and Modoc in California —all benefited from the funding provided by Secure Rural Schools & Communities Self Determination Act and are in dire straits without it. What will you do to ensure that funding is restored?

A: Clinton criticized President Bush’s failure to continue the county payments, and said she supports U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden’s bill to renew them. If the issue remains unresolved this year, she said she would pass a long-term solution during her presidency.

Q: Kingsley Field and the 173rd Fighter Wing are a cornerstone of the community in Klamath Falls and for Klamath County at large. What would you do to ensure the base remains open and is kept relevant in the ever-changing U.S. military?

A: The Democratic senator said she opposed the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process as it did not fully evaluate future strategic needs of bases. She understands the importance such facilities play in rural communities and will seek to preserve those vital to national security and defense.

Q: Our region is regularly troubled by water shortages and the environmental regulations in place to protect endangered fish. A group of stakeholders developed a settlement to address these issues, but it would require federal funding of about $400 million and legislation to implement it. Would you support the settlement and, if so, how would you push it through Congress?

A: “There has been a good group of people meeting in the Klamath — farmers and citizen’s groups — and they reached an agreement that may hold some promise. We have to build on some of their good work by making certain that in addition to maintaining a thriving agricultural base in the Klamath Basin , we are also ensuring the survival of fish and wildlife.”

Q: Compared to the country at large, we are an economically and socially depressed region: An unemployment rate of 10 percent, lots of difficulties with substance and domestic abuse, high dropout rate in area high schools. What would you do to improve the lot of those in the lower socioeconomic brackets?

A: Clinton said she would work to rebuild rural communities and provide economic opportunity by investing in alternative energy and related industries to create jobs. In Oregon , she would discourage logging old growth forests and instead focus on logging second-growth forests in need of thinning to provide more stable jobs.

In investing in alternative energy, she said she would seek to provide education and training to prepare the workforce for those jobs. Clinton also said she would address social issues such as health care, domestic violence and substance abuse. She would invest in primary education to expand programs and hire more teachers.

Q: We are not on the Interstate 5 corridor, and the only commercial travel options are about four flights to Portland each day and Amtrak. We also are seeing more semi-truck traffic as I-5 becomes congested and shippers look for more efficient routes. What would you do to improve travel in and out of our region and make it more affordable?

A: The former First Lady has proposed a $10 billion Emergency Repair Fund to address critical repair needs in rural infrastructure. She also would fund safety reviews of high-priority assets such as bridges and roads. She also supports forming a National Infrastructure Bank, an entity that would evaluate and finance large infrastructure projects.

Q: The Klamath Basin has a lot of potential for alternative energy: 300 days of sunshine a year for solar generation, a massive geothermal resource and some areas that could be used for wind power. What would you do to encourage the responsible use of these resources?

A: Clinton said one of her goals would be to bring more “green-collar” jobs to Oregon . In addition to investing in renewable energy, she would impose a windfall profits tax on large oil companies. Her plans would create up to 5 million jobs, many in Oregon . She would encourage investment in renewable energies by making the 1.9-cent per kilowatt tax credit from such sources permanent.

Q: There was no word of any presidential campaigns visiting Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains , and the only campaign field offices are in Bend . Why did your campaign make no stops in Klamath Falls ?

A: “It is my goal to listen to all Americans — from rural and urban areas, those who are young and old — and to bring their stories and voices with me to the White House. In the coming days, I — along with my family, my campaign staffers, and volunteers — will work hard to earn the trust and support of all Oregonians. I have also proposed to have two debates in Oregon , one specifically focused on rural issues so that every voter in Oregon will be able to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that are truly important to them.”

Barack Obama

Q: All four counties in our newspaper’s circulation area—Klamath and Lake in Oregon and Siskiyou and Modoc in California —all benefited from the funding provided by Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act and are in dire straits without it. What will you do to ensure that funding is restored?

A: Obama said the federal government needs to honor the century-old, financial commitment to Oregon counties that cannot maximize their timber revenues. Federal timber payments provide critical funding for schools, roads, and local law enforcement, he said, adding that he is a co-sponsor of a bill by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to extend them. As president, Obama said he would work to find a long-term solution.

Q: Kingsley Field and the 173rd Fighter Wing are a cornerstone of the community in Klamath Falls and for Klamath County at large. What would you do to ensure the base remains open and is kept relevant in the ever-changing U.S. military?

A: Kingsley Field and the Air National Guard are critical for national security and defense. While the Base Realignment and Closure process is important, it is also imperfect and puts facilities such as Kingsley at risk, Obama said. He would work to make the BRAC process more transparent and based on accurate information.

Q: Our region is regularly troubled by water shortages and the environmental regulations in place to protect endangered fish. A group of stakeholders developed a settlement to address these issues but it would require federal funding of about $400 million and legislation to implement it. Would you support the settlement and, if so, how would you push it through Congress?

A: “Barack Obama is committed to implementing a settlement that will deal with water shortages and provide for a meaningful salmon recovery plan. He will avoid engaging in the same old D.C. politics and will rely on the advice of Oregon stakeholders, including fishermen, farmers, tribes, environmentalists and foresters.”

Q: Compared to the country at large, we are an economically and socially depressed region: An unemployment rate of 10 percent, lots of difficulties with substance and domestic abuse, high dropout rate in area high schools. What would you do to improve the lot of those in the lower socioeconomic brackets?

A: Federal policies developed by Republicans and Democrats haven’t served rural America . Obama said he would develop programs to ensure that those who work full-time do not live in poverty. He would implement a $1,000 tax cut for working families and a refundable credit to cover the first $4,000 of a college education. The minimum wage and Earned Income Tax Credit would be adjusted. Obama also would seek to help small businesses, providing a 20 percent tax credit on some investments. He also would continue to fight methamphetamine abuse.

Q: We are not on the Interstate 5 corridor, and the only commercial travel options are about four flights to Portland each day and Amtrak. We also are seeing more semi-truck traffic as I-5 becomes congested and shippers look for more efficient routes. What would you do to improve travel in and out of our region and make it more affordable?

A: Obama has proposed creating a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to expand current federal transportation investments. It would create $60 billion over 10 years to augment project funding, especially in rural areas. It also would create up to 2 million jobs.

The Democratic candidate opposes a proposed gas tax holiday this summer, saying it would sacrifice needed federal highway funds and up to 2,800 jobs.

Q: The Klamath Basin has a lot of potential for alternative energy: 300 days of sunshine a year for solar generation, a massive geothermal resource and some areas that could be used for wind power. What would you do to encourage the responsible use of these resources?

A: Up to $150 billion over 10 years will be invested in renewable energy technologies if Obama becomes president. This plan includes extending incentives and tax credits to encourage development of other energy sources and creating a standard of 25 percent renewable energy of overall energy supply by 2025.

Q: There was no word of any presidential campaigns visiting Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains , and the only campaign field offices are in Bend . Why did your campaigns make no stops in Klamath Falls ?

A: “Although time may not permit Sen. Obama to make stops in every Oregon town, he is committed to sharing his vision for bringing change to Washington with all Oregonians, which is why we have opened offices across the state, including a number of them east of the Cascade Mountains.”

John McCain

The Herald and News submitted a list of questions to the Democratic presidential candidates and to presumptive Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. His campaign provided the following response:

“We will not be able to provide answers to your questions at this time because Sen. McCain is not campaigning in the Oregon primary. You may find some helpful information on Sen. McCain’s policies at www.johnmccain.com.” 

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Source:  http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2008/05/12/featured_story/

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