Legislative Update | May 2012 |
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HONORING VETS | Memorial Day Events Across Oregon
to Honor Veterans Click here for schedule Oregon WWII Memorial Groundbreaking Oregon Civil War 150th Anniversary May 2012 is the 2nd month of the 2nd year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Several organizations are hosting events about the Civil War's impact on Oregon, including reenactments and Memorial Day celebrations. Get all the details at this link. Veterans Parking Signs Going up in Newberg Not only in a city operated parking lot, but the Newberg Public Works Department is also providing free signs for businesses. This is a growing movement started by a constituent of Rep Thatcher's from Keizer. |
| The first major legislation Representative Thatcher passed as a freshman in 2005 was House Bill 3238 to add more accountability in state agency rules. But the Bend Bulletin recently discovered that law might not be followed by some agencies. Click here to read more. |
| Young Entrepreneurs Business Week July 15-21 at Oregon State University sponsored by Associated Oregon Industries to train students to be future business leaders. Register by June 15th at http://yebw.org/ |
| The Oregon Legislature doesn't meet year-round, but it seems like there is always plenty of work to be done, even when we are not in session every day. During our spring meetings this week lawmakers received an update on the state budget and some of the various reforms that are underway in the three main areas funded by the legislature: education, human services and public safety. First, a look at our economic picture. The state Office of Economic Analysis just released the June 2012 Revenue Forecast and in it was this important statement: "Slow growth will continue to be the norm. Oregon is not expected to recover all of the jobs it has lost until the end of 2014-seven years after the recession began." Now is not the time to spend every dime we have in reserves. I also feel we need to continue to look for more efficient ways to provide services to the public in order to cover the rising costs in energy, medical expenses, retirement benefits and other factors. During the brief 2012 Legislative Session we made some adjustments that will help get us over the hump. However, the amount of tax revenue available to pay for all the things we've included in the current state budget is down around $225 million since we approved that budget nearly year ago.
There are a few sectors where we have seen signs of life. Agriculture for example. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service's latest report, farm and ranch commodity sales are up 19% statewide. Marion County led the state with the highest gross sales showing an increase of 9%. Yamhill County also did well posting a 20% hike in sales.
At the state level efforts are underway to change the way we do business and hopefully find some savings for taxpayers along the way. First in the education arena Governor Kitzhaber is moving ahead with his proposals to overhaul our public schools encompassing kindergarten through college. The latest move is to have each school district enter special education compacts and be held accountable for the tax dollars they spend. Meanwhile the Oregon Department of Education is offering to do things differently and hope the federal government will allow more flexibility from the No Child Left Behind Act. In the human services field health care reform for Oregonians who already rely on state programs is entering the next phase with the formation of Coordinated Care Organizations in several regions around the state. The goal is to better manage care for folks on the Oregon Health Plan and reduce expenses to the state. There are many outstanding questions and the Governor is banking on nearly $2 billion from the feds coming in over the next five years so stay tuned. If you're interested in this topic check out the agency website www.health.oregon.gov Finally, for public safety we can expect to see a lot of talk leading up to the 2013 Legislative Session. The Governor recently expanded his special panel looking into whether we need to lock up fewer bad guys and send more to programs within the community, but I worry that victims will not have enough input in this process. Also watch for the way the Governor develops his criminal justice budget proposals. His new 10-year Public Safety Policy Vision plan also shifts the emphasis away from punishing violent offenders and more toward crime prevention and other alternatives. I appreciate all the feedback you send me on these issues and many more and look forward to working on positive changes we can push for in the next legislative session. 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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 10 Year Look Back at Energy Program
So what happened during the first 10 years of a special program created by the legislature designed to save energy and money? That's the question recently asked at the Joint Legislative Audits and Information Management and Technology Committee meeting this week. Representative Thatcher is the Co-Chair of that Committee and she wanted to know if the Public Purpose Charge is really giving Oregon ratepayers the biggest bang for the buck. This is the 3% fee you see on your electric and gas bills if you live in most parts of Oregon. In the past decade the program has raised over $675 million. A lot of that money has gone toward renewable energy projects, conservation efforts and helping low income families cut their power bills. However, critics say this program needs more scrutiny going into the future and a new audit indicates schools are not doing enough to reduce their energy costs. |
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Rally 
Hundreds of motorcycle riders from across the state converged on
the State Capitol for an annual rally sponsored by ABATE and
BikePac. Representative Thatcher was honored to be one of the few
legislators to speak at rally. Last year she was successful in getting
a new law passed making it easier for riders to carry firearms on
their motorcycles.
In recent years the legislature has also enhanced the training requirements and in 2011 more than 10,000 Oregonians went through the Team Oregon program. The Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division estimates there are nearly 250,000 licensed drivers in Oregon with motorcycle endorsements. In 2013 Representative Thatcher and other legislators hope to follow a national trend and push a bill to change the helmet law similar to a measure introduced in 2011. "Let those who ride, decide!"
State Representative Andy Olson is spearheading the helmet law changes and you can contact him at 503-986-1415 or rep.andyolson@state.or.us |
New Maps Just in Time for 
Summer Road Construction
Season in Oregon For families planning a road trip around Oregon this summer you can check out this map at the Oregon Department of Transportation website to see where all the construction is going on at 135 projects around the state.
And there also a special new online Project Tracking Map which includes more information about funding and other details. You'll notice a special pop up window which says for every $1 million spent on transportation construction an estimated "12.5 family wage jobs are sustained." That includes full and part-time jobs over the period of one year and it includes the cost of equipment, asphalt and other things. In case you're wondering what happened to all the money collected from the higher gas taxes and vehicle fees approved by voters a couple of years ago, you can go to this link for an update |
 Wine Country License
Plates Uncorked
Oregon's vineyards and related businesses are on a roll according to the latest figures and they will now get a boost from motorists thanks to legislation adopted last year. The new "Wine Country" custom license plates went on sale this spring. Representative Thatcher helped enact this new law to promote the ag and tourism industries, especially in areas like her legislative district where there is a big wine industry. Revenue from the $30 surcharge for these plates will be distributed to the
Oregon Tourism Commission and local agencies to promote food, wine and other tourism activities. Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties are expected to receive half the funds because of the large emphasis on wine production in that region. Click here to learn more about the new Wine Country license plates. |
Facelift for State Program for Seniors 
& Oregonians with Disabilities With Oregon's growing population of seniors, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) recently retooled their efforts in a couple of ways. First they launched a new program called "The Aging and Disability Resource Connection" (ARDC) to offer information for families and caregivers who don't know where to turn for help. For example what if you had an elderly parent who suffered a stroke and needed long term care? Or you were a senior wanting to stay in your own home but could use a little assistance with housekeeping? ARDC counselors can offer assistance. To find out more go to www.adrcoforegon.org. Residents in Benton, Clatsop, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, and Yamhill counties can also call 1-855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372). DHS also recently changed the name of the agency which focuses on elderly Oregonians and those with disabilities to "Aging and People with Disabilities". Check out their website at: www.oregon.gov/DHS/spwpd |
Kudos for Representative Thatcher "Dear Rep. Thatcher,
Thank you for taking the time and caring enough about small businesses to advocate on our behalf. When government bureaucrats threatened to close our business, and put our 35 employees out of work, you stepped in and demanded accountability. It is comforting to know that we have a representative who is not only drafting legislation, but protecting the best interest of her constituents. Sincerely, Don Crites, President Oregon Driver Education Center" [Representative Thatcher sponsored legislation for Don in 2011 which would have benefited students across Oregon by limiting administrative costs that agencies were taking out of state funding for drivers education courses. She also helped Don get reimbursed by ODOT for services he provided.] |
Thoughts for Thatcher In Representative Thatcher's last newsletter she included information about the Oregon Board of Education considering a ban on Native American school mascots. The Board recently voted to outlaw certain images and names like "Indians" or "Braves". The new policy means at least 15 schools will have to make changes by the year 2017 or risk losing state funds.
Some tribes and school districts object to the Board's action and State Representative Sherrie Sprenger is working on legislation for 2013 to allow individual schools to work with their local tribes on mascot decisions.
So the question this month is: Do you support the State Board of Education's ban on Native American mascots or do you feel the legislature should step in and allow local schools to make their own decisions after consulting with tribal representatives? Click here to respond or email rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us Feedback from last month's newsletter question:
Do you think we need to change Oregon's tax laws? If so, how?
Responses received: - We need a change in the tax structure. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle !!! The state of Oregon needs to find a better way to collect taxes. I think we need to look at a small sales tax, and reduce the income tax. Or find some other way. I have never paid so much in taxes in my life.
- Yes. Get rid of all of them.
- Please help and encourage the passage of the death tax initiative we hope to have on the ballot this fall and get the government out the monopolized taxpayer education system.
- It is important to me that millionaires and billionaires pay the same percentage of their income in taxes as working families have to in the middle class, if they're not.
- It sounds nice to have road taxes for roads, but if the taxes get too little what good does that do us, and if they get too much, that's a bad constraint. Targeted taxes are only for a people incapable of showing discretion and priorities.
- You seem unable to understand that our country was founded and grew through helping each other. It is my privilege, honor and duty to pay taxes. I am grateful for public education, roads, police, firemen and regulatory agencies which protect us all. And, I am deeply offended that the 1% and corporations with profits in the billions do not.
- Run the state like we have to run our businesses and households - with some measure of fiscal responsibility. Stop pretending you can do everything. You can't!
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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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