It has come to my attention that the 2009 Jobs and Transportation Act has become an issue in the race for state senate in Central Oregon.

I want to set the record straight, as one of the architects of House Bill 2001, I went to Sen. Chris Telfer and asked her for her vote and support for the bill.

She worked with local government officials and community leaders to identify the best transportation projects in Central Oregon to fund through the Jobs and Transportation Act.

There are more than $50 million worth of highway improvements on U.S. Highway 97 as a direct result of the passage of the bill. Without Telfer’s leadership, those dollars would have been allocated to worthwhile projects in other areas of the state. There are millions more available to cities and counties in Central Oregon for improvements to city streets and county roads.

Hundreds of construction jobs have been and will continue to be created due the passage of the Jobs and Transportation Act — living wage jobs, supporting families in every corner of our state. In addition to those construction jobs, the road and bridge improvements will create a foundation for economic growth once this recession is over. The long term benefits of these highway improvements will be enjoyed by generations of Oregonians in the years ahead.

On the issue of transportation, Telfer has been an effective advocate for Central Oregon.

State Sen. Bruce Starr

Hillsboro