My father died of cancer almost 8 years ago this June. I think about him often, but springtime brings a flood of memories like snowmelt. I recall the many conversations we had about politics and economic policy. He was a Reagan fan and, as a Cuban immigrant, adamantly opposed to “big government” or anything that smelled of socialism. Despite our profound disagreements – and often-heated arguments – he would listen carefully to my points of view. These discussions – verbal cage fights – taught me not only how to make my case, but more importantly, how to listen to people with whom I disagree.

We are in the most challenging political and economic environment of my lifetime, and the challenges that lie ahead, for us and the next generation, are unprecedented. Politically, our institutions are damaged and we have lost trust and respect in our ideological opponents. Dialogue and compromise have become nearly impossible – at least at the federal level. 

Economically, the uncertainty and disruptions to global trade created by the war in Iran could lead to a worldwide recession, with more and more people around the globe struggling to meet their basic needs. It’s very possible that artificial intelligence will permanently reduce entry-level jobs for young people entering the workforce. And, despite a Supreme Court decision that constrained the President’s ability to impose tariffs at will, the uncertainty caused by a haphazard approach to global trade relations continues to cause jitters among investors and working folks alike.

Oregon, which is highly dependent on foreign trade, will feel the economic impact of these disruptions. And while I disagree with the corporate community’s assessment that our state’s economy is in the tank, I think we are more vulnerable now to the type of economic shock we could be facing as a state due to the war, tariffs, and the rise of AI. 

Fortunately, our state has demonstrated the ability to craft bipartisan solutions that address Oregonians’ economic concerns. When the Oregon Kids Credit came to the floor of the state House and Senate, only two votes were cast against it, in part because there was a shared interest in reducing childhood poverty and a consensus that providing money to parents with young children is an effective policy to provide stability for those families. That, I think, should be our starting point: crafting bipartisan solutions that provide families and hard-working Oregonians with a reliable safety net, child care, and a robust cradle-to-career education and skill building system to ready the workforce for the disruptions that will inevitably happen. 

This people-centered approach should also be the approach to how we think about economic growth. Companies invest in places where public infrastructures are robust – transportation, high-speed internet – and where the workforce is prepared with skills needed in a modern economy. Investments will flow where the workforce is healthy and the health care systems are well-funded and reliable.  

To realize these shared goals, Oregonians across the ideological and political spectrum will have to listen, trust, and respect each other, even those with whom we disagree. Like the conversations I had with my dad, these conversations won’t be easy. Sometimes the conversations may feel like heated, verbal cage fights. But if we listen carefully to those with whom we may disagree, we can focus on our shared goal: people having what they need to live and thrive, common interests. This is what will see us through these challenges.