The state is going $176 million further into debt in order to create or save 3,000 jobs. If it works, good for the 3,000. What about the other 172,000 jobless in the state?

Leaders of the legislature congratulated themselves last week for the quick passage of this stimulus package of state construction, maintenance and repair. But one wonders what other steps might help the job climate generally, not just in the trades related to building construction and repair.

Rep. Sara Gelser of Corvallis said: "This bill will put our neighbors to work immediately with $10 million in construction projects at Oregon State University and another $2 million at Linn-Benton Community College."

The Albany college is under the gun to award contracts 30 days after the governor signed the bill, which happened last Thursday.

The LBCC work is sensibly aimed at increasing energy efficiency, leading to savings in operations. Contracts to be let forthwith will be of interest to people in electrical work, glazing, lighting, HVAC and insulation.

The mid-valley should be glad that LBCC is ready with a list of projects. But the larger picture remains to be addressed. And there, fixing public buildings is not nearly enough for a long-term impact.

Last month, the Employment Department reported that 175,000 people in Oregon were out of work. Job losses were reported almost everywhere in the economy except in "educational and health services."

The industries hit by declines included construction, of course, but also manufacturing, trade and utilities, as well as retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, full-service restaurants and even what the state calls limited-service eating places.

What the state economy needs is more fundamental support of the kind that would encourage employers to start new projects, hire more people, retain the ones they have and make investments.

Steps to stimulate that might include improving the tax treatment of capital gains, encouraging the use of natural resources as a source of wealth, supporting industries like seed farming that bring money into the state, and doing whatever possible to lower the cost of doing business in Oregon, including lowering medical insurance cost by appropriate legislation.

We can hope that these things might also get done, but don't hold your breath. (hh)