Is Merkley's rural economic development proposal fruit from a poisoned tree? Let's see shall we?

Strengthening Oregon Industries and Supporting Fair Trade

Jeff Merkley will work hard to reform unfair trade agreements like CAFTA and NAFTA. Merkley will only support fair trade deals that include enforceable labor, environmental, health and safety regulations. Merkley wholeheartedly supports country of origin labeling, which Smith has opposed in the Senate. Merkley also supports Wyden's forest plan which calls for investments in new restoration projects to create jobs and protect natural resources.

Here are more details about Jeff's plans to help strengthen Oregon's rural industries:

Merkley will also invest in America's export competitiveness, directing more resources to research and development that will help Oregon natural resource industries grow and maintain their edge in a competitive world market. Merkley will also broaden export promotion programs to help Oregon natural resource industries grow.

As Speaker, Merkley established the first "Farm to School" program in Oregon. In the U.S. Senate Merkley will continue to foster relationships between local buyers and local producers by protecting regulations at the USDA that allow states to build regional preferences for local growers.

Jeff Merkley will fight to expedite disaster relief and make the disaster program permanent for our fishermen so that Oregon's coastal communities do not have to rely on the whims of Congress to get assistance.

Investing in Rural Education and Broadband Access

Jeff Merkley will double federal funding for community colleges to support jobs training programs and small business development centers. Merkley will work to provide training and technical assistance for small rural businesses and provide a 20 percent tax credit on up to $50,000 of investment in small owner-operated businesses.

Here's a snippet about his proposal to invest in rural broadband:

In the U.S. Senate, Merkley will advocate for a complete overhaul of the Universal Service Program at the FCC to expand the focus from only voice communications to include broadband. Merkley will also work to ensure that funds from the Rural Broadband Loan Program at the Department of Agriculture are being directed to rural areas in all 50 states. Merkley will explore new incentives to encourage all telecommunications providers to promote affordable broadband in rural areas.

Boosting the Rural Economy by Investing in Renewable Energy

As House Speaker, Merkley pushed through a bill which ensured that Oregon gets 25% of their electricity from renewables by the year 2025. He also created and expanded the renewable energy tax credit for businesses and consumers. Here's a snippet about what he plans to do at the federal level:

Merkley will help lead efforts in the U.S. Senate to develop cellulosic ethanol production in rural Oregon by establishing tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans. These funds will foster new research to explore the latest renewable-energy technology and support companies that are developing commercial applications for renewable-energy technologies. Merkley will target public dollars to leverage private investment in rural areas. Merkley will also establish a renewable energy national standard of 25 percent by 2025 to spur private investment in rural Oregon.

Do these proposals sound like fruit from a poisonous tree? Does Gordon Smith believe that rural Oregonians should not have access to broadband? Does Gordon Smith believe that we shouldn't properly fund community colleges? The statement from the Smith campaign is quite telling. They're willing to attack Jeff on just about anything. From the Rainy Day Fund which protects Oregon's public schools to his advocacy for boosting the rural economy. Gordon Smith is proving yet again how out of touch he is with everyday Oregonians and Americans.

Join the Merkley Campaign!

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Full disclosure; I am the netroots director for OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley