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IN
THIS ISSUE:
Issues
for the February 2010 Session
WESD Audit Findings
Thoughts for Thatcher
Feedback from Constituents
As we embark on yet another "not-so-special
session" in February the question of whether to have
Annual Legislative Sessions has resurfaced and will be among the
many issues we deal with in the coming month. I really appreciate
all the feedback you sent in to the question about annual sessions in
last month's newsletter. The response was overwhelmingly -- 80% --
opposed to annual sessions.
Due to the recent vote on the tax measures, there are even
fewer reasons for lawmakers to meet next month. It will definitely
be more difficult to push for prioritized spending, yet I
remain hopeful about the Core
Functions of Government legislation I have sponsored. The legislative
majority is certainly now less likely to see any need to reduce the size
of government this session. Instead they will enact more spending
programs; there being no end to the amount of "good" they can
do with other people's money.
Based on historical evidence, I predict the "do-gooders" will
eventually realize that the promised revenue from targeting the
"rich" will not materialize as planned. What then? Where will
they turn next? We voters just whetted their appetite, and we will soon
find them hunting around in our own back pockets for more and more
revenue. Hang onto your wallet, I think we're in for a rough ride.
Please let me know how all the
tax and fee hikes brought to you by the 2009 legislature will affect
you. These stories need to be shared with elected officials at the State
Capitol. Most importantly, with Oregon's unemployment hovering at 11% I
would like to hear from you about positive actions the legislature can
take to make this a "job-friendly" state.
Sincerely,
Some of the Issues for the February Special Session
Annual Sessions: a
proposed ballot measure which would allow the legislature to meet every
year instead of every two years. Senate
Joint Resolution 41
Unemployment: a plan is in
the works to extend unemployment benefits for Oregonians who have run
out. Another would allow up to $2400 of benefits to be tax exempt. Senate
Bill 1034
Ethics: an
attempt to stop the revolving door of legislators accepting jobs in state
government. Instead they would have to wait until after the next regular
legislative session is over. House
Bill 3638
Water: look
for attempts to require permits and limit the amount of water allowed
from new exempt wells in areas where groundwater is limited and to add
additional bodies of water designated as navigable.
Early Release: for over 4000
inmates is now possible but there might be efforts to reduce the number who
are eligible for the program. Senate
Bill 1007 (the new release law should be repealed)
Renewable Energy: tax credits
would be established for woody biomass. House
Bill 3608
Sobriety Checkpoints: would be
allowed to stop DUII offenders. Senate
Bill 1018
Health Insurance: premiums
should be deductable off your federal taxes. House
Bill 3611
Oil Drilling: leasing for
oil and gas exploration would be prohibited. House
Bill 3613
Budget Reserve Fund: made up of
agency reserves. Senate
Joint Resolution 49, House
Bill 3636
Human Trafficking: information
would be included in OLCC liquor license renewal packets. House
Bill 3623
Kicker Refunds: modifies the
current tax
surplus law. Senate Joint Resolution 45
Health Care: for all
Oregonians would be a right. House
Joint Resolution 100
Religious Clothing: repeals ban on
teachers' ability to wear religious
garb in classroom.
Spending Limit: on state
government expenditures based on inflation and population. House
Bill 3641
State Agencies: would have to
downsize functions and evaluate programs. Senate
Bill 1035
BETC: implement new
limits on the Business
Energy Tax Credit program.
WESD Audit Results Not Good
Last summer, Representative Thatcher headed
up a group of legislators calling for a comprehensive audit of the
management practices at the Willamette Education Service District which
provides programs for over 20 school districts in our area. The Secretary
of State spent the past six months auditing WESD and found
some disturbing findings.
The just
released audit states: "Our audit identified extensive and
obvious weaknesses at WESD that would not persist in an organization that
is responsibly governed, well managed and open to concerns raised by
staff."
Representative Thatcher said she is
"hopeful WESD will take the audit findings seriously and follow the
recommended corrections. Taxpayers, students and faculty deserve no
less."
Thoughts
for Thatcher:
In light of the recent tax measures should the
Legislature make changes to Oregon's Kicker Tax Refund Law?
Click here to
respond
Feedback on Last Month's Question:
Should Oregon
Lawmakers hold annual legislative sessions at the State Capitol in Salem?
- The legislature causes enough trouble with
biennial sessions.
- I see no problem with annual sessions as long as it was
intended to deal with issues in a timely manner.
- If we are successful in limiting government to
functions consistent with what is appropriate for a free society
then the need for annual sessions should disappear.
- The longer it is in session, the more freedoms are
taken away.
- I believe we need less government and better spending
practices.
- Yes, absolutely. Things move a little faster now, and
our legislators need to be able to respond to current needs and
issues faster. I think the legislature should hold yearly limited
sessions because it is too difficult to plan two years in advance.
- I do believe they should be limited in length. Long
enough to get the job done but short enough to keep the legislators
from thinking up new ways to bankrupt the wallets of the average
taxpayer.
- If legislators stop pontificating and do the work that
makes sense there should be no need for special sessions.
- I think the less time the legislature meets, the more
they will need to prioritize the important issues and not
spend time growing the government unnecessarily.
- The Oregon Legislature should only meet once
in two years as provided by the founders.
- I like the idea of annual sessions only if there is
some kind of limiting mechanism in place.
- A two-year budget in turbulent times begs for annual
adjustment.
- Oregon has outgrown its ability to manage the complex
needs of its state government with a biannual system.
- Why should we pay legislators for annual sessions
to accomplish little, bicker more, and create new taxes?
- If we opt for annual sessions it will be difficult to
attract citizen legislators.
- I sleep better at night when the legislature is not
meeting in Salem.
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