Welcoming Sec. Raimondo to the Silicon Forest

I was excited to welcome Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to Oregon’s Silicon Forest and show her the great partnerships among businesses, schools, unions, and local government that are helping to grow our semiconductor industry.

Oregon has long been a leader in the industry, and the CHIPS + Science Act, a bill I helped to pass, is a game-changing investment that will bolster U.S. manufacturing and grow the economy in Oregon and across the country. I joined Senator Wyden, Governor Kotek, state legislators, and others to give Secretary Raimondo an overview of our state’s commitments to further advance semiconductor innovation, R&D, and manufacturing. I’m pleased to report that Sec. Raimondo commended these efforts as “exceptional.”

The CHIPS + Science Act is already creating family wage jobs in technology and the trades, and we’ll need to train many more workers to fill these positions as the industry grows. Apprenticeship and pre-apprentice programs, internships, career and technical (CTE) programs, and partnerships between schools and industry are proven ways to expand pathways into this workforce. To make these opportunities available to more people, we also need to combine workforce development programs with supports like child care, financial and housing assistance, and transportation services.

Expanding rural broadband

Reliable and affordable internet is essential infrastructure, and I was glad to welcome my former colleague, USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Torres Small, and Senator Wyden to a roundtable discussion about rural broadband.

Local officials spoke about challenges securing funding for rural broadband development, including the need for more staff to write grant applications and finding matching funds.

We also heard from a student, Jordan, about how he fell behind in school because he didn’t have access to reliable internet during distance learning. A doctor spoke about her frustration - and her neighbors’ frustration – with paying high costs for inadequate internet service in rural areas.

Last Congress we passed robust funding to expand rural broadband, and I’ll continue to work with my colleagues and federal agencies to help these dollars reach the Oregon communities that need them.

Visiting high schools in our district

I had a wonderful time learning more about St. Helens H.S.’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs from students and educators. CTE programs teach a variety of skills that help prepare students for success regardless of the path they take, and the hands-on learning also helps students stay engaged in school.

I also appreciated the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with students—organized by the SAFER club—about sexual violence prevention policies and other topics. We discussed the need for evidence-based sex education, how to make your voice heard by policymakers, and new Title IX proposals.

 A student who is concerned about anti-trans legislation being passed across our country asked what Oregonians can do to support the trans community.

I have heard this concern from many others, and am deeply troubled by the lack of humanity shown by politicians in several state legislatures and in Congress who are supporting bills to ban and restrict gender-affirming care; use of preferred pronouns; use of bathrooms that match a person’s gender identity; and, as we saw in the House, bans on trans students from participating on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.

I encourage the Wells student, and anyone with similar concerns, to contact their elected officials and use their voice to express concerns about attacks on the trans community. Know that I will continue to speak out against discrimination.

ICYMI

• I joined the Oregon Arts Commission at the Portland Opera and the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.
• I met enthusiastic students at the NW Science Expo.
• I attended the groundbreaking for an affordable housing project in Forest Grove.
• I helped cut the ribbon at OMIC’s new Additive Innovation Center.
• If you missed my webinar on Inflation Reduction Act rebates and tax credits, you can view a recording here.