Legislative Update | June 2013 |
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| Summer is here and legislators are itching to get out of the capitol but there is still a lot of unfinished business. Finalizing the new state budget is the number one priority - especially resolving spending levels for many of the larger agencies. Oregon's economy has picked up some which means there is more tax revenue to spend on state services. In fact, there is nearly $2 billion more-a 12% increase over the last budget cycle. Bottom line, the General Fund/Lottery Fund budget which provides the template for most of the core state services is projected to be in the neighborhood of $16.7 billion dollars for the new 2013-15 budget cycle. I think it's noteworthy that nearly a quarter of the increase this session is attributed to the smart, bi-partisan budgeting from last session where the legislature didn't spend every dime, but instead set aside money in case the economy continued to slide. However, prudent budgeting does not appear to be the intention this session. Even with the jump in revenue, many in the capitol are still pushing for $200 million in additional tax revenue. There is also the whole discussion of reform for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Some advocates are hoping for more work on PERS before the session is over. One piece of legislation - Senate Bill 822 - was adopted into law. This measure provides mathematical savings for this session but accomplishes little in the long run toward a sustainable PERS that is solvent for future retirees and doesn't, as some say, crumble under it's own weight. See feedback from various constituents on these tax and spend issues at the bottom of this newsletter. One key issue not discussed much until late this session is how to improve the economic climate in Oregon to encourage job producers to add employment. Following the December 2012 special session many legislative leaders talked about adopting measures providing tax certainty to smaller sized businesses; similar to those extended to NIKE. Some of us tried and failed to make that happen. See below for more information on various attempts to make Oregon more business friendly. With many budget and policy bills still working their way through the process, the pace promises to be fast and furious as we try to wrap up the 2013 legislative session. I hope to have a summary newsletter out in a few weeks once the dust settles.  |
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  JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
Two bi-partisan groups formed late in the 2013 Legislative Session to find ways our state government can encourage job growth in the private sector. Representative Thatcher has joined both. The House Speaker appointed a special House Small Business Task Force and since Representative Thatcher is a small business owner she is a good fit for this panel. She has also participated in a new ad-hoc coalition of legislators who are part of the Jobs Caucus. The state has hundreds of economic development programs and tax incentives but questions have been raised about their effectiveness. One example is the $30 million in tax credits and loan money given to SoloPower which is now shutting down its project in North Portland before it was even fully up and running. On the House Floor, Representative Thatcher talked about her attempts to pass legislation which would help evaluate these kinds of state incentives. Representative Thatcher was able to help pass a few other new laws that may help individuals and some small businesses. House Bill 3409 allows natural hair care practitioners to get a special license from the state to do hair braiding, weaving, corn rows and similar functions without having to go through the long and expensive process to acquire a cosmetology license. "Pro free market, pro red-tape cutters, pro small business, pro entrepreneurs, listen up," Representative Thatcher said during debate on the bill on the House Floor. "This is the best bill we've had all session that'll help remove a big burden off of those who just want to earn a living." |
New Driver Cards for 
Illegal Immigrants
As one of the leading proponents for sensible immigration reform in the Oregon Legislature in recent years, Representative Thatcher was outspoken in her opposition to Senate Bill 833 which granted special driver cards to illegal immigrants. She wrote commentaries in the Oregonian, the Statesman Journal, the Newberg Graphic and Keizer Times. You can also see her comments on the House Floor in this video by clicking here. Additionally, one element was missing in the new law; the requirement for ODOT to track the results of these new driver cards to see if public safety actually improves as proponents of SB 833 claim it will. ODOT's tracking and reporting of unlicensed and uninsured drivers was originally required under the 2008 law which prevented people without proper legal status from getting driver licenses. (Interesting side note: According to the latest ODOT report, the 2008 law did NOT result in a significant increase in unlicensed or uninsured motorists on Oregon roads.) Representative Thatcher joined forces with Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) to draft a priority bill (House Bill 3535) which would require ODOT to continue tracking unlicensed and uninsured motorist data and to continue to report this data to the legislature on a regular basis. That legislation is still pending. Click here to see remarks from Representative Thatcher on House Floor. |
 Update on Other Successful Bills Sponsored by Representative Thatcher
House Bill 2107 was recently signed into law allowing drivers the choice to use smart phones or other electronic devices to show proof of insurance. No more having to dig through the glove box or purse. Representative Thatcher sponsored this legislation on behalf of Dan Hepler, a constituent from Keizer who felt with all the technology out there this was a no brainer. House Bill 2370 makes additional enhancements to the Oregon Transparency Website which Representative Thatcher spearheaded in 2009. This new law adds information about minutes of meetings, administrative rules, and contracts issued by various state agencies, boards and commissions. There will also be space for local governments to link to their own budget transparency websites. House Bill 2384 cracks down on potentially dangerous motorists who have been convicted at least twice of driving with a suspended license. The legislation gives
police agencies the ability to seize the cars of these offenders, utilizing current forfeiture statutes.The bill passed the House 56-2 and by a unanimous vote in the Senate. Click here to see video of Representative Thatcher's comments on the House Floor.  Senate Bill 505 requires counties to refund overpayments of property taxes when errors are made in certain land use cases. Representative Thatcher partnered up with Senator Larry George (R-Sherwood) to help Mary Meyers, a constituent in Newberg, owed several thousand dollars from Yamhill County after a mistake was made on her property taxes.
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 Spirit of '45 Day
for Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed into law Senate Bill 832 honoring the Spirit of '45 and the Greatest Generation of Oregonians who not only served in the military during WWII but also those who served in their communities at home. The legislation designates the second Sunday in August as a special day of remembrance and celebration. The second Sunday in August 1945 was the day President Truman announced the war was over.  Representative Thatcher and several other lawmakers teamed up to promote this bill on behalf of two Keizer residents: 87 year old Joy Beebe a war bride originally from England and her daughter Barbara Jensen who is the Oregon representative for the National Spirit of '45 movement. To see the presentation for this measure on the House Floor click here. |
Thoughts for Thatcher If you could pick one thing the legislature did not do enough to fix or improve during the 2013 Legislative Session what would it be? Click here to respond or email rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us Feedback from last month's newsletter question: Do you agree with some at the State Capitol that if reforms are going to be made in PERS impacting retirement benefits for public employees, then there should also be tax increases on certain corporations and higher income individuals? Responses received: - If there is really a school money shortage, then every taxpayer in Oregon should help - not just PERS people. Why do they need an additional billion+ more than last biennium - the rest of us have to do with what we get with no additional money.
- We need to stop balancing budgets off the backs of people who are retired. Many of them are senior citizens who worked most of their lives and now have become targets to solve budget problems.
- With regard to PERS, given the makeup of the legislature and the increasingly leftist population of Oregon, this issue will not be resolved in a financially sane manner - - - - - - ever. Bankruptcy and insolvency is the final answer. Until then, the liberals will continue to enjoy the old game of kick the can.
- Absolutely not. PERS needs a major overhaul to bring it more in line with the private sector retirement options. Yet they are threatening to take MORE money from us? It's hard to shed a tear for people who make more money in retirement than working.
- The single item that jumps out at me is the fact that the Democrat Leaders in charge of Budget Committee call for an additional $275 million in new taxes. Wow! More important is that the Republican budget proposal calls for NO new taxes yet results in 25% more in revenue for schools than the current budget.
- I am not against changes to PERS but it is unfair that PERS has been singled out. The Governor wants to reform PERS as a partial funding solution for education. Funding education is everyone's responsibility. Maybe the Governor should dedicate part of his salary to education funding. Maybe legislators could do the same.
- It makes me sad that you are in favor of making changes to PERS for retired state employees. Also saying it does NOT go far enough.
- How about addressing the issue of school retirees getting paid health insurance until reaching Medicare age and also getting a stipend until they reach age 62, at which time they could start drawing their social security. This is not available to state employees and should not be available to school retirees. This would save the school budget.
- Funding education properly and adequately is what is needed and the need should not fall on one group or another but upon all of us. A pure and simple flat tax is the answer but that won't happen so how about a temporary surcharge on all taxpayers. All taxpayers would pay $20.00 each year for the next four years with the money dedicated strictly to education. If there are a million tax payers, that is an extra 20 million a year. You pay your regular taxes plus a surcharge of $20.00. We can all do this.
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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 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301 www.leg.state.or.us/thatcher |
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