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Gubernatorial candidate visits Medford By DANI DODGE At his first campaign swing through Southern Oregon, gubernatorial candidate Jim Hill emphasized his economic plans for the state. He believes in developing a rainy-day fund for schools, stimulating the economy through technology, and cutting down the cost of government by reducing the state's work force as people retire. "The economy underlies all - and I think what I bring to the table as governor is that the economy is what I've worked on," Hill said. "That's been my career - how can we do better financially." Hill, a 54-year-old Democrat, served as a state legislator representing Salem for 10 years. He was elected state treasurer in 1992 and served two four-year terms. In his last five years as treasurer, the state public funds performance was the highest in the nation for public funds its size, he said. In 1998, the department won the Oregon Quality Award for management, a recognition usually only given to private companies by the Oregon Quality Initiative. Hill is the first black man to hold statewide office in Oregon. If elected, he would be the nation's second black governor. He was the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring for governor back in August 1999. Since then, he's raised more than half-million dollars in his bid for office. But he's in a crowded field. There are seven other candidates already in the race. The declared Democrats are former state Supreme Court Justice Ted Kulongoski, former Multnomah County Chairwoman Beverly Stein, and former Port of Portland Executive Director Mike Thorne. On the Republican side are state Labor Commissioner Jack Roberts and attorney Ron Saxton. Former state Rep. Kevin Mannix has also expressed interest in the post, although he has not officially declared his candidacy. On Friday, Hill spent several hours at the Jackson County Fair. He began his day at Elmer's restaurant in Medford, answering questions from residents over eggs and hash browns. At the breakfast, he outlined his three biggest priorities: better education through smaller classes and local control, maintaining Oregon's quality of life by becoming energy-independent through conservation and using alternative energy sources, and using tobacco settlement funds to underwrite the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. Hill said it's his economic experience that sets him apart from the pack. "I've been working on strengthening Oregon's economy since my second term in the state legislature when I ... helped develop the blueprint for using lottery monies," he said. "I consider myself to be much more of a manager than a political person - it comes down to how well you will get down and manage government." Whoever wins the governor's title will have the unenviable job of dealing with a projected $1 billion state deficit. Hill said he believes the key to the state's prosperity and personal prosperity is learning to save and manage money wisely - both of which he would promote as governor. "I like to take it back to personal finances," he explained. "If you can make some extra money, you put it away for bad days. This isn't rocket science." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.