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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sustainability was among the main themes of the fifth annual Oregon economic summit on Thursday, a concept that Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski said would be developed by one of his newest staff members, Republican business leader Allen Alley.
Kulongoski announced the former CEO of Pixelworks would be his new deputy for technology, energy, transportation and economic development — a job the governor said would “help strengthen the bridge between the public and private sectors.”
Pixelworks, based in Tualatin, makes computer chips for high-end televisions — a tough market that has left the company struggling in recent years.
Alley announced his resignation as chief executive of Pixelworks last month, saying he wanted to spend more time on public affairs. But he said he would remain chairman of the company he had led since it was founded in 1997.
Alley, a Republican who served as moderator of the daylong meeting of hundreds of Oregon business and political leaders, said he was “speechless” after the announcement but thanked Kulongoski before the conference broke up into individual sessions.
Those sessions covered the four main themes of the summit — sustainable business practices, transportation, health care and education.
Kulongoski, beginning his second term as governor, said he would keep pushing to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and help combat global climate change by developing clean, renewable energy sources.
“Oregon is positioned to be a national leader in sustainable energy,” he said.
The governor also urged support of his state budget proposal, including a plan to redirect the corporate “kicker” tax refund to a rainy day fund that would help state government weather lean years and avoid the kind of cutbacks suffered during the last recession, when Oregon endured “the worst budget crisis since the great Depression.”
The proposal would also increase the $10 corporate minimum tax — set in 1931 — in order to fund preschool education for 3- and 4-year-old children, boost college funding and improve worker training.
At a separate news conference during the summit, Kulongoski said he expected corporate support for his proposals “because I think they know it’s the right thing to do.”
Senate President Peter Courtney challenged business leaders and lawmakers to develop a more comprehensive transportation plan after complaining about a lack of “long-range vision.”
He said the need to develop a transportation system helped lead to the formation of state government after pioneers began arriving in the 19th century. But — unlike education — there is no state constitutional requirement to provide roads and highways, Courtney said.
Randy Miller, chairman of The Moore Co., recommended creation of a “Brand Oregon” to promote sustainable business and environmental practices that could help define the state in the global marketplace and give it a competitive advantage.
Sen. Ron Wyden promoted his Healthy Americans Act, a plan to reform health care that he will introduce later this month.
Reaction among those attending the conference was generally favorable.
Jody Christensen, a former winery manager who recently was named director of the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, said the summit has been a good way to set statewide goals.
“Sustainability and a green approach to business is important to how the state is seen globally,” Christensen said.
Gordon Hoffman, managing director of Technology Ventures LP, a seed capital fund in suburban Washington County, home to a number of high-tech companies, said the approach “will add to Oregon’s cachet as a sensitive state.”
His fund has invested in 14 startup companies in Oregon, including biotechnology and semiconductor ventures that are being closely watched as they try to expand.
“I think we have some momentum going that we didn’t have before,” Hoffman said. “Now we need some successes.”
Kulongoski announced the former CEO of Pixelworks would be his new deputy for technology, energy, transportation and economic development — a job the governor said would “help strengthen the bridge between the public and private sectors.”
Pixelworks, based in Tualatin, makes computer chips for high-end televisions — a tough market that has left the company struggling in recent years.
Alley announced his resignation as chief executive of Pixelworks last month, saying he wanted to spend more time on public affairs. But he said he would remain chairman of the company he had led since it was founded in 1997.
Alley, a Republican who served as moderator of the daylong meeting of hundreds of Oregon business and political leaders, said he was “speechless” after the announcement but thanked Kulongoski before the conference broke up into individual sessions.
Those sessions covered the four main themes of the summit — sustainable business practices, transportation, health care and education.
Kulongoski, beginning his second term as governor, said he would keep pushing to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and help combat global climate change by developing clean, renewable energy sources.
“Oregon is positioned to be a national leader in sustainable energy,” he said.
The governor also urged support of his state budget proposal, including a plan to redirect the corporate “kicker” tax refund to a rainy day fund that would help state government weather lean years and avoid the kind of cutbacks suffered during the last recession, when Oregon endured “the worst budget crisis since the great Depression.”
The proposal would also increase the $10 corporate minimum tax — set in 1931 — in order to fund preschool education for 3- and 4-year-old children, boost college funding and improve worker training.
At a separate news conference during the summit, Kulongoski said he expected corporate support for his proposals “because I think they know it’s the right thing to do.”
Senate President Peter Courtney challenged business leaders and lawmakers to develop a more comprehensive transportation plan after complaining about a lack of “long-range vision.”
He said the need to develop a transportation system helped lead to the formation of state government after pioneers began arriving in the 19th century. But — unlike education — there is no state constitutional requirement to provide roads and highways, Courtney said.
Randy Miller, chairman of The Moore Co., recommended creation of a “Brand Oregon” to promote sustainable business and environmental practices that could help define the state in the global marketplace and give it a competitive advantage.
Sen. Ron Wyden promoted his Healthy Americans Act, a plan to reform health care that he will introduce later this month.
Reaction among those attending the conference was generally favorable.
Jody Christensen, a former winery manager who recently was named director of the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, said the summit has been a good way to set statewide goals.
“Sustainability and a green approach to business is important to how the state is seen globally,” Christensen said.
Gordon Hoffman, managing director of Technology Ventures LP, a seed capital fund in suburban Washington County, home to a number of high-tech companies, said the approach “will add to Oregon’s cachet as a sensitive state.”
His fund has invested in 14 startup companies in Oregon, including biotechnology and semiconductor ventures that are being closely watched as they try to expand.
“I think we have some momentum going that we didn’t have before,” Hoffman said. “Now we need some successes.”
