From the Editor's Desk: Allotting bailout money
By Pat Caldwell
Sunday, January 4, 2009 12:00 AM PST
There are so many variables regarding a proposed multi-billion dollar stimulus package — and how, or if, any of that cash would reach our little piece of the heartland — it is difficult to realistically count on the funding.
President-elect Barack Obama wants to frame a $700 billion infrastructure package, and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski seeks a $1.2-billion aid package. Then there’s the Oregon Senate president’s proposal to hand out $2 billion for a construction stimulus.
So there is, potentially, a lot of money out there.
Whether Ontario, or Malheur County, will see any of it is an open question. Our area, though, should see a chunk of the money, and if we do not, it will be a rather blind indictment of our politicians.
No one should try to shrink from that fact, even in the bizarre political atmosphere of Eastern Oregon, where many elected positions are treated like high school popularity contests.
The nation is in a quick economic downslide, but most of Eastern Oregon has sat on the economic abyss for years.
Now, though, is one of those clutch moments where elected leaders across the region will face a tremendous opportunity to make a real difference and funnel at least some of those dollars our way.
The other interesting point about the money is the amount of debate necessary regarding where the cash goes.
Officials, elected and otherwise, along with voters, should be part of this debate.
Already, area leaders fashioned a list of projects they believe should be priorities, and that is a great first step.
Now, though, should come a brief window of debate regarding where the cash, if it’s available, should go.
Infrastructure seems to be the simple answer. After all, the stimulus is designed for infrastructure improvements, so the answer regarding where the cash should go seems an easy one.
Another difficult point will be determining exactly what is “infrastructure” and what is not. Roads seem to be an easy answer regarding where extra money should go, but there are other priorities as well.
As President-elect Obama has aptly pointed out, infrastructure also includes items such as schools. That means lingering issues with Ontario schools and, especially, Treasure Valley Community College could be solved fairly quickly.
The tendency will be to make an argument that roads are the key and anything outside that paradigm simply does not matter.
There is some validity to that argument. Though, at the end of the day, it is a bankrupt assertion.
Schools are as much a part of infrastructure as a highway or local road. TVCC especially should be on the radar screen for local leaders regarding where money should go. If it is not, then there exists a fundamental disconnect between what is possible and what is not.
Investing in education, investing in education infrastructure, is not only a good idea, but it is sensible when the idea is framed against the consistent funding shortfall institutions like TVCC face on a regular basis.
This newspaper has already, in an editorial, urged elected and appointed leaders to focus on pushing a new science classroom building for TVCC to the forefront of any discussion about the stimulus package.
But before anything happens in that regard, regional and area elected leaders must make a convincing case our county should get some stimulus money with federal lawmakers.
That will take some courage, but only a little bit is needed.
Pat Caldwell is the editor of the Argus Observer. He can be reached at patc@argusobserver.com
