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Legislative Update |
April 2012 |
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EVENTS: | |
Oregon Money Smart Week -
April 21-28 2012
Click here to find classes and events are going on all week across the state to improve your financial literacy. Sponsored by Oregon JumpStart, a non-profit coalition to help Oregonians manage their money wisely.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
April 28th
Sponsored in part by the Oregon Partnership
Click here to find a location near you to drop off outdated and unused prescription medications |
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IN THE NEWS: | |
Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers with Ignition Interlock Devices--Rep Thatcher is a leader in this effort
Rep Thatcher Reappointed to Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission
The Commission oversees the Transparency Website
so taxpayers can learn about the state budget. |
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VETERANS UPDATE: | |
"Welcome Home Vietnam War Veterans Day"
recognized for the first time March 30th after the 2011 Oregon Legislature created a special designation. Next year is the 40th Anniversary of withdrawing combat
troops from Vietnam.
"150 Years of Oregon Veterans"
is a new history book produced by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs to raise funds for the Oregon Veterans' Home. Click here to get a copy. |
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"I'm proud to be paying taxes in the United States.
The only thing is -- I could be just as proud for half the money."
-- Arthur Godfrey
Unfortunately it's that time of year when we have to pay the piper and sadly our tax burden is getting heavier this year. According to researchers it's taking Oregonians an extra week to earn enough money to pay their total tax bill this year. Tax Freedom Day falls on April 15th this year in Oregon compared to April 8th last year. Because the traditional deadline to pay annual income taxes falls on a Sunday and Monday is a holiday in some parts of the country, the deadline for state and federal taxes is April 17th this year. Below are some resources you might find helpful if you're still working on your family's tax returns.
I believe it is important for taxpayers to know how we spend their hard earned dollars at the state level so I thought you might like to see a breakdown of the new state budget after the final changes were made during the February Session. This pie chart can be viewed on page 6 of a new report from the Legislative Fiscal Office.
This chart shows the total amount allocated in the current state budget from state tax dollars and lottery funds is around $14.8 billion up nearly 9% from 2009-11. If you add up all funding from federal revenue, fees and other sources the total state budget is closer to $59 billion down 5.5% from the last time around. While you're thinking about taxes let me know if you feel changes are needed in our state's tax laws by replying to my "Thoughts for Thatcher" survey below.
Reports about Oregon's economic picture for the near future remain mixed. The news is especially not promising for the small business sector, the backbone of the state's economy. Sadly the legislature wasn't able to enact any significant legislation to help improve the atmosphere for job creation in the private sector during the February Session.
However, the governor is now taking at least one small step to help farmers with irrigation problems in Eastern Oregon. I hope he will join lawmakers in the 2013 Legislative Session on efforts to help improve our business climate in other parts of the state so we can get more people back to work.
Many families around Oregon continue to struggle as we attempt to crawl out of the recession from the past few years. We've recently learned that thousands of people will lose unemployment benefits in a few weeks and the demand for food stamps and welfare continues to rise, now up nearly 60% from three years ago. Below I have listed a few resources that might be helpful for families seeking assistance. If you have specific questions about these programs or other issues my office is always happy to help.
Sincerely,
P.S. Included in my monthly newsletter is information about various government programs paid for with your tax dollars that you may want to know more about. See details below. |
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 Help for Tax Day 2012
Don't forget the deadline to get your tax returns finished is Tuesday April 17th this year. The Oregon Attorney General's Office has issued a warning about phony tax preparation services so you might want to do your homework before having someone do your taxes for you.
The Oregon Department of Revenue has a lot of information on their website:
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 Governor Kitzhaber Signs
Thatcher CHL Privacy Law
Rumor has it that many Oregonians took the time to call and email Governor John Kitzhaber in recent weeks, urging him to sign House Bill 4045 to protect the privacy of people who have been issued Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL). All their efforts paid off this week when the Governor signed the bill into law and it will take effect immediately. Click here to read Representative Thatcher's latest news release on this significant new law and click here for a handout on limited disclosures of information. |
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In Case You Missed Rep Thatcher's Town Hall 
Representative Thatcher drew a good crowd for both of her Town Hall meetings in Keizer and Newberg last month. The staff at Avamere senior living facilities graciously hosted the events for the community. Thatcher answered questions from the audience about a variety of topics including health care, education and public employee retirement benefits. She also talked about the
new feature she was able to add to the Oregon Transparency website giving citizens detailed information about all the meetings being held across the state by agencies, boards and commissions. There are hundreds every month and Representative Thatcher pointed out that many of these meetings often generate later changes in Oregon law, new regulations, taxes and fees. Click here for a link to the listing for public meeting notices. |
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 Fallen OSP Officers Memorial Planned
A living memorial to Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers killed in the line of duty over the past 80 years is being created by a group of active duty and retired officers who have formed a non-profit group. The group hopes to break ground on the new memorial June 1st and they're trying to raise around $230,000 in private funds to complete the project.
One member of the OSP Fallen Trooper Memorial Committee is retired OSP officer Art Bobrowitz from Keizer. "The memorial will be a testimony to thirty-three OSP officers who were unable to finish their careers and gave their lives in service to the citizens of Oregon," said Bobrowitz. "Our efforts are to let all Oregonians know that these dedicated public servants will be remembered. Public financial support will help us create this lasting memory."
The memorial will be constructed on the Capitol mall outside the Public Service Building in Salem which houses State Police headquarters. The committee is selling commemorative coins like the one pictured here to help raise money for the project and hosting the 1st Annual Fallen Trooper Memorial Run in Champoeg State Park on June 3rd. For more information about the memorial go to http://www.ospmemorial.org/ |
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School Mascot Names
Should the State Board of Education prohibit schools from using Native American names for their school mascots or other purposes? There are at least 15 public high schools which display Native American images, such as the Warriors at Amity High School near Representative Thatcher's legislative district. The Board has been researching this issue for the past six years and has now drafted rules to outlaw the use of such names in public schools. Some have asked whether the Board should be spending time on this debate or perhaps focus more on student achievement and graduation rates. Others feel the matter should be left up to local school districts, voters, or the legislature.
If you have an opinion on school mascot names let the Board know. A public hearing will be held in Salem at 9 am on April 27 in Hearing Room "C" at the State Capitol and comments can be submitted up to May 17th when the State Board is expected to vote on the new policy. Email your thoughts to ODE.NativeAmericanMascots@state.or.us or send them through postal mail to: Native American Mascots, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oregon Department of Education, 255 Capitol St. NE, Salem, OR 97310 |
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Help With Social Services
♦ Oregon Health Connect is a special website where people can get information about health care, health insurance, local health clinics, file complaints and other items. It is a joint program by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Health Authority. 
Website: www.oregonhealthconnect.org
Helpline: 1-855-999-3210
E-mail: health.connect@state.or.us
♦Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA)
is available to assist Oregonians on Medicare. Additional federal dollars recently received mean more staff for communities across the state. 300 volunteer counselors are now on hand to help seniors enroll in Medicare programs and file appeals.
Websites: www.oregonshiba.org or www.medicarestartsat65.org
Helpline: 800 Helpline (1-800-722-4134)
E-mail: shiba.oregon@state.or.us
♦ Oregon Telephone Assistance Program provides free and low-cost telephone service for low-income families that meet eligibility requirements. In a few weeks the Pubilic Utility Commission expects to have a new free cell phone service offered by Virgin Mobile.
Website: www.rspf.org
Helpline: 1-800-848-4442
E-mail: puc.rspf@state.or.us |
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Thoughts for Thatcher
Do you think we need to change Oregon's tax laws? If so, how?
Click here to respond or email rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us
Feedback from last month's newsletter question:
How do you feel about the outcome of the February 2012 Legislative Session and what
issues do you think still need work in the 2013 Session?
Responses received:
- The most important thing we need more that anything is taking down some of the barriers for small business. To make Oregon flourish again we need to encourage our resource industries, agriculture, grazing, timber, and mining.
- I still feel that Oregon needs a Voter ID law. The mail-in ballot is convienent but it opens too many possiblities for fraud.
- The legislature needs to focus on the Statewide corrections system, as it is broken. Is piece-mealed together and in some areas such as parole and probation, almost non-functional.
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If you want to contact Rep Thatcher's office you can send an email to: rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us or call 503.986.1425
Write to Rep Thatcher at:
900 SE Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
www.leg.state.or.us/thatcher |
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