Letter from Jay Browning replying to Rep. Brad Witt:
Brad,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter. I would like to make just a couple of items clear. I am not asking for a Government intervention in the fuel companies or medical fields. I am stating that due to these industries my companies where struggling BEFORE the recession. I still do not understand why those industries costs constantly rise when technology is suppose to lower costs.
The blank answer to every small business owner about the recession is wait a year and see. I heard wait a year, two years ago. What we got from the Oregon government is measure 66 & 67, MORE TAXES. Also, ODOT's Registration Fees jumped 54%. This year to register my log trucks cost my company $12,000.00 more than last year. In October the Weight Mile Tax is going up. Again to small business. We have received no help through this recession. The only change has been higher taxes. Measure 66 & 67 will fund the PERS retirement system to make sure Oregon public employees are taken care of. My employees have lost there benefits. For the first time ever, I have cut back on our company health coverage and am forcing them to pay a portion. SOMETHING IS WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This would have helped the struggling small businesses (like mine). In Haiti, we will alot money to help that nation re-build. Why not send the AMERICAN made products and not the money...WHY is this not done now? It makes simple sense to everyone but the people signing the aide checks. Maybe our industry products could make a huge difference. I am fully aware that they need much more than wood. I am only using my industry as an example.
Here in Oregon, our state forests are growing at 30% OVER sustainable yield. We have the resources to help the rebuilding of these many many disasters. Floods, Earthquakes, Fires. Why not buy products from working tax payers. Government puts more effort into creating benefits for people not working than to WORK with Employers to keep people working.
I use to employee 110 full time people with Benefits...401K, Medical, Dental & Good Liveable Wages. If this year is as bad as the last 2 years WE'RE DONE! I can not wait for 1 more year.
At the State of Union address President Obama made it loud and clear that we need to export more American made products. We have more trees than we know what to do with. We should be exporting more of our milled wood products.
Time is of the essence now. Commerce moves at the speed of light. The interenet has made business more efficient. It is time for Government to catch up, we need help NOW!
Thank you,
Jay Browning
JM Browning Logging
JM Browning Trucking
Owner
