With a $1.2 billion surplus and a 3.4 percent unemployment rate, North Dakota has one of the strongest economies in the country. Some say that`s because North Dakota has a state-owned bank, making it easier for anyone to borrow money for projects that create jobs.
Now, 14 states including Washington (HB 2434) and Oregon are looking at legislation aimed at establishing state-owned banks, based on the Bank of North Dakota model.
In an effort to further the state bank discussion locally, Occupy Vancouver is sponsoring a forum on the topic. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 25th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 426 East Fourth Plain Blvd, in Vancouver.
“We cannot continue to solve budget crises by cutting education and other essential services,” said Karen Jones, retired teacher and one of the forum organizers. “A state bank would be of great benefit to our state. Our tax dollars would work for the community instead of Wall Street and the CEOs of large private banks”
Featured speakers at the upcoming forum will include John Repp and Cindy Cole, founding members of Washington Public Bank Coalition. Repp and Cole have worked with State Representative Bob Hasegawa (D – 11th District) on a Washington state bank bill, and have given testimony to the Legislature.
The forum is free and open to the public.
