The Cost of Serving Portland—and Jesus—as an Oregon Politician
Since successfully campaigning for the House seat in 2008 and 2010, Bailey's ability to draft legislation that marries environmental sustainability with innovative job creation has earned wide acclaim. In his first term, he was co-chief sponsor of the Oregon Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology (EEAST) act, which provides low-interest financing to home and small-business owners for energy-efficient upgrades. Recipients repay the loans over time with the money the upgrades save them on their utility bills. In his second term, Bailey championed the bipartisan "Cool Schools" bill, a unanimously passed initiative that hires local laborers to perform environmentally friendly upgrades in public school buildings. Schools are able to repay the low- or zero-interest loans using savings from this increased efficiency.
In 2011, Bailey, a fifth-generation Oregonian, was named Innovator of the Year by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, as well as one of the "35 Innovators under 35" by the nonprofit 1,000 Friends of Oregon.
"I didn't win because I had great mailers," Bailey said of his overwhelming victories in 2008 and 2010. "I won because I listened to people. See these calluses on my knuckles?" He holds up his hands. "Most of the houses in my district are old and the doorbells don't work, so I knocked on ten thousand doors."
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Comments
Michael Nacrelli
Dan, I agree with you about the Republican Party largely overlooking other issues of justice. I don't think either party's agenda is biblically balanced. We need more Christians to adopt a consistent pro-life ethic that transcends partisan ideology. I've been a pro-life and environmental activist for many years, and it's a lonely place to be. When it comes to voting, I hate having to choose the lesser evil, but I've concluded that the astronomical death toll of abortion on demand (over 1 million per year) dwarfs all other issues combined.
Dan Scoggins
To answer Michael Nacrelli - I can't stand how Christian Conservatives only read "part" of the bible. The part that supports their civil religion and America First Values. They forget the part about doing mercy, loving justice and walking humbly with God. Abortion is not going away. In the meantime, Christians lose their voice in society, since they are wedded to the "values" of the Republian party - which do not represent God's values in the bible in so many ways - all in the name of a pro-life platform. God is neither a republican or democrat. Life is not so black and white. Bailey sounds like a great representative of his district. I would like to think God could be very pleased with him.
Michael Nacrelli
It's too bad the interviewer didn't ask Bailey about his endorsements by NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and "Basic" [Gay] Rights Oregon: http://www.oregonvotes.org/pages/history/archive/nov022010/guide /juleskopelbailey.html
Cornelia Seigneur
It is great to learn more about Oregon State Representative Jules Bailey and to see this man of faith making a difference in the political realm. It is evident that Jules lives his life with integrity and conviction. -- Cornelia Seigneur
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