Vote Westlund for governor

LETTERS     July 21, 2006

Oregon has always been a state that has supported and fostered ingenuity and innovation. Small business has often been the key to Oregon's originality. It is after all, small business that has and continues to drive Oregon's economy.

Ben Westlund is the only candidate for governor who has a detailed plan to drastically increase and foster opportunities for small businesses in Oregon. Westlund has the experience and knowledge to help drive small businesses' success, because he is a successful entrepreneur and small business owner. It is this experience that he will utilize as Oregon's next governor.

Since Westlund was elected to Oregon's Legislature over a decade ago, he has endeavored to increase and enact commonsense policies that have increased economic opportunity for all Oregonians. In 1999, he helped pass the Individual Development Accounts Bill which gave access to lower-income individuals wishing to invest in small business ventures and gave tax credits to business and banks who participated in the program. In 2005, Westlund championed a Prescription Insurance Pooling Bill to help businesses save on prescription drug costs and health care coverage.

As governor, Westlund would work to make Oregon a leader in renewable energy by helping small businesses become the engine that drives a new clean energy economy. It is time for a change.

This November, we have an opportunity to elect a true leader. Westlund would take on the tough issues and stand up for Oregon's small businesses. Westlund is the only candidate for governor who understands and has a plan to outfit Oregon's small businesses with the tools to be leaders in today's and tomorrow's economy.

I hope you will join me by signing Westlund's petition today by visiting www.westlundforgovernor.com.

Christopher Stone
Roseburg