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Edwards stresses experience in bid for treasurer's position State legislator seeks Democratic nod By PETER WONG Randall Edwards says he can combine knowledge of financial workings with experience as an elected official if he is elected state treasurer next year. "I would like to take my experience at the state treasury and the Legislature and apply the treasury's financial power to the needs of the state," he said in an interview. Edwards seeks the Democratic nomination in the May 16 primary. For four years, until he was elected a state representative from Portland in 1996 and re-elected in 1998, he was a top aide to state Treasurer Jim Hill. Hill must vacate his office next year after two four-year terms. He plans to run for governor in 2002. Hill has endorsed Deputy State Treasurer Gary Bruebaker in the Democratic primary. "His deputy made a decision about running before I did, and he endorsed him," Edwards said. "But at the end of the day, I think it's about what you have done and can do, because you have to stand on your own." Edwards said he would continue Hill's efforts to help Oregonians save more for retirement -- he managed a task force on the issue when he worked for Hill -- and promote their saving for college education. He was the chief House sponsor of 1999 legislation that eventually will enable individuals and families to set up college savings plans, claim $2,000 tax deductions for contributions to the plans, and accumulate interest earnings on a tax-deferred basis. "This is not just a model for parents with young children looking ahead to four-year colleges for them," said Edwards, 38, who has three young children of his own. "An adult can put money into the fund and get tax advantages." Edwards also helped shape legislation for a $150 million bond issue for school improvements, and for state government to guarantee school district bonds using the state's higher credit rating. Voters approved both. "It is not only a question of keeping the school doors open, it is about keeping them on," Edwards said. "I think the state has an obligation to look at that, given that we fund the schools now. At the treasury, you have the financial experts to help create the best ways for the state to take on that problem." His proposal to use much of the state's share of the national tobacco settlement for schools, based on Hill's suggestions, failed on a 30-30 tie in the House this year. But Republican legislative leaders ended up raising the amount of school aid beyond their initial offer. Edwards was in Medford recently to speak at the 49th annual Roosevelt-Kennedy dinner of Jackson County Democrats. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA