Reviewing #GovernorGoals suggestions for bridging the urban-rural divide

Marty Wilde, Mark Hester and Marie Bowers looked at some of the causes of the division and how to create productive conversations

The Oregon Way’s #GovernorGoals topic for May was the urban-rural divide. As the month draws to an end, here’s a look back at our contributors’ suggestions for bridging this gap:

Marty Wilde pointed to the gap in government services provided in urban and rural areas as a key cause of rural distrust of government.

“When it comes to the urban-rural divide, our political differences often arise from disparities in who benefits from government services supported by the taxes of all. Too often, city dwellers benefit disproportionately.

Understandably, rural residents are often less willing to pay for services they won’t receive. Bridging the urban-rural divide requires Oregon to consider how different communities benefit from tax-supported programs and then to structure them so benefits extend to everyone.”

Read more here.

Mark Hester looked at issues, including guns and climate policy, where compromise should be possible if urban and rural leaders would truly listen to each other’s concerns.

“As someone who grew up mostly in rural areas and has lived all my adult life in urban areas, I firmly believe that one of the biggest causes of the urban-rural divide is the inability of people in each group to understand the other side. In many cases they don’t try to understand. And instead of trying to bridge the gap, elected leaders widen it by pandering to one side and demonizing the other.”

Read more here.

Marie Bowers explained what rural Oregonians want from state government:

“If urban and rural voters want to understand each other better, to feel validated and heard, we need a blue and red government. We need a Legislature without a super majority on either side and a governor who will be the stop point for bad legislation and appoint agency heads who are capable of leading and working for all the people. Division is exhausting and brews anger. No matter who wins the election, let’s listen to everyone, stop being angry and get to work.”

Read more here.