Keizer Student Honored
Rep Thatcher Legislative Update
Disaster Preparedness
Thoughts for Thatcher
We now have a blueprint for building the new state budget thanks to the Co-Chairs of the Ways and Means Committee. The nearly $14.7 billion general fund budget is up more than 8 percent from the current amount being spent on state programs. The revenue projections show Oregon's economy is improving but we need to be very cautious. That is why I am pleased to see this budget proposal based on expected revenue instead of an amount we wish we had available to spend. There are several good aspects to this legislative budget plan. First, it calls for quick action on funding for schools giving districts enough time to work out their own budgets at the local level. The plan also sets aside $460 million in reserves to provide greater stability in case the economy takes a nose dive again and it gives agencies more time to implement government efficiency reforms. Keep in mind, voters approved annual sessions which allow lawmakers to come back in 2012 to make any necessary adjustments to the state budget. As a Vice-Chair of the Human Services budget subcommittee I am well aware of the loss of billions of dollars in one-time federal money that was being used to prop up many programs in this area. We will do our best to provide adequate funding to help our low-income seniors, people with disabilities and other Oregonians in need. The Co-Chairs made a good point in their recent budget announcement, "maintaining crucial services will require common sacrifice." And I agree with Governor Kitzhaber when he said, "given Oregon's severe revenue constraints, there is simply no way to increase funding in one area without cutting from someplace else." The Governor has established a transformation project to help reduce health care costs and we should look at other areas of state government to "transform" as well. In addition to budget matters, Co-Chairing the Joint Committee on Legislative Audits, Information Management and Technology has also produced some interesting discussions. The Committee held hearings and put out a report on the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network (OWIN). The project, which is part of a federal law to improve emergency communications in Oregon, was originally projected to cost upwards of $600 million. Some experts now believe it can be accomplished with just $30 million. The Committee has also looked at health care issues, the State Treasurer's Office, and several I.T. programs underway in state government. Sincerely,
  Keizer Student Recognized for Legislative Interest Ryan Ripp, a sophomore at McNary High School, received special recognition from the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, Jim Willis, for his work to get a bill passed that would prevent picketing at military funerals and others. Ryan has been working with Rep Thatcher to change state law and she is now co-sponsoring House Bill 3241 which would address the issue. At a recent hearing Ryan testified in support of the measure and was praised by several legislators for being a young adult willing to get involved at the Capitol. Find out how YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the legislative process with a few tips in this helpful handout by clicking here. Rep Thatcher Bills of Interest Update: Education: Two important education bills sponsored by Rep Thatcher recently had hearings. The first, House Bill 2280, gives the state more flexibility in auditing school districts. Thatcher believes some of the recent problems at the Willamette Education Service District might have been avoided if this new law had been in place several years ago. Rep Thatcher's other education legislation, House Bill 2286, would establish a grant program to help reduce the dropout rate in many Oregon schools using a special model which has been very successful in Hillsboro. Government Accountability: After helping to create the state's new budget transparency website (www.oregon.gov/transparency) in the last legislative session, Rep Thatcher is now pushing legislation to improve the features on that site. House Bill 2788 would add reports from the State Treasurer. In addition, it gives Oregonians a way to find out about all the meetings being held by state agencies. House Bill 2825 is also gaining support. That bill adds information about tax subsidies for economic development projects. Both bills should be moving to the House Floor in the next couple weeks. The addition of the transparency website helped move Oregon from a "D" to a "B" in an annual national ranking on openness in government spending. Public Safety: House Bill 3075 is a joint effort for Rep Thatcher with State Representative Dave Hunt
(D-Milwaukie). The measure has been heard by the House Judiciary Committee. It would require the use of ignition interlock devices by drunk drivers who are enrolled in a diversion program. The devices have been successful in reducing the number of repeat DUII offenders in many states. House Bill 3015 also had a hearing in the House Subcommittee on Higher Education. This bill would help Oregon's public universities comply with a federal law to improve the safety of students and faculty. Gun Owners: Three bills drafted by Rep Thatcher to help Oregon gun owners have each now passed by more than a two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. They are now stuck in the State Senate and you are encouraged to contact as many senators as possible to urge them to move these bills forward. Click here to get contact information for the Senate. The bills are House Bill 2787 – protecting Concealed Handgun License (CHL) records from public disclosure, House Bill 2792 – allows Oregon to recognize CHLs from other states, and House Bill 2797 – clarifying the laws for carrying firearms on ATVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles.
Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?  The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan are stark reminders for us to always be prepared in case disaster strikes. Oregon's Emergency Management agency has loads of information on earthquakes and tsunamis. The federal government also has a website called Ready.gov which includes "Get a Kit" to help your family prepare in advance with a 36-hour kit full of supplies. Click on "Make A Plan" and "Be Informed" for more tips on preparedness.
Thoughts for Thatcher Should Oregon's public colleges and universities offer in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students? Feedback from the last newsletter question:
Paper or plastic? There has been quite a stir at the Capitol in recent weeks about legislation which would ban the use of plastic grocery bags in Oregon and require grocers to charge a nickel for paper bags. Do you support such a move or do you feel state lawmakers should be working on other things?
- Lawmakers should be working on other things. Let the stores decide whether they want to use paper or plastic.
- It's an overreach by government that's right up there with the banning of incandescent light bulbs by the feds.
- We should not have to pay for the bags "they" choose to give us to bag our goods in. Things are getting out of hand in my opinion.
- I think we need to stop placating to the green movement and keep using the plastic bags.
- Please don't waste a lot of time on plastic vs. paper bags this session. We use cloth and paper bags by choice. There shouldn't be a charge for use of paper bags.
- Thinning the forests could put lots of people to work and produce paper bags instead of these horrible plastic bags;
- Spend time on real issues and leave business alone. A new tax is in the bag?
- One frustrating thing is I have purchased dozens of those reusable bags but honestly I cannot always remember to bring mine with me which means I have to buy more and more of these reusable bags (I think I now own over 25).
- I strongly support the proposed ban on plastic bags.
- I am totally against the plastic or paper issue. Let the stores keep the plastic.
- Plastic bags serve as a multiple task within households and businesses alike. They are used to further transport items to other locations, storage, and useful tasks around the house.
- There are far more important things this government should be talking about than deciding what bags I use at the store.
- I value freedom as a natural right, and I am dismayed by any idea of restricting a person's choice except for the most clearly harmful matters.
- I think the change should be over a five to ten year time frame to let people adjust but a nickel is not enough to break old habits, how about a buck a bag.
- We have too many important issues to be wasting time of paper or plastic.
- I know plastic bag usage is widespread and is not limited to grocery stores. This has the look of the legislature getting its nose in under the door.
- It seems to me that the state legislature has many more important issues such as jobs, illegal immigration, maybe even PERS reform?
- This is pure Green Grandstanding. The government should have no say in what private companies charge their customers for anything.
- If the plastic bags were bad for us, then ALL plastic bags should be outlawed.
- Paper or plastic? how about focusing on big things like Illegal or Legal immigration, Quality Education or No Education for our children, Jobs or No Jobs for the LEGAL American Citizen.
- I don't think this shopping bag issue is too trivial for lawmakers to address. Today's litter problem is tomorrow's irreversibly degraded environmental problem.
- Let the customer choose his store and choose his bag. It won't cost the State a penny.
- Green is a choice and should continue to be without another tax. The level of caring might be manipulated with a nickel tax but the ultimate burden then falls on the business person to add another level of complexity to their check-out counter.
- This shows how ineffective our state government really is if they are taking time to debate minutia that can be solved by the private companies that are using the bags for their products.
- The responsible people already re-cycle everything, so whether it's a tree "limb" or an oil by-product isn't a big concern.
- I, for one, am sick and tired of a handful of these "green" nut-case wackos dictating their meaningless "feel good" agendas to the rest of us.
- Getting rid of plastic bags may be a good idea but it should not be accomplished in a punitive way. A good public campaign and positive message coupled with options will get us there.
- As much as I hate plastic bags flying around in the breeze, this bill sounds hostile to businesses.
- I find the paper and plastic bag thing to be the epitome of government gone wild.
- Consumers want to do the right thing so someone should come up with a product that outsells and out performs plastic bags. Then plastic will be obsolete WITHOUT legislation.
- This legislation is utterly disgusting, and typical of feel-good environmental types who care not a whit for the less fortunate who will bear the brunt of its effects.
- If a business prefers one over the other that is their right of choice. Customers who prefer to use something other than paper or plastic can use their own shopping bag.
- It is one more instance of government taking away our freedoms without regard to those they affect. We use the plastic bags around our house, so we will have to purchase plastic bags for our purposes.
Thank you for your feedback. | 
