Legislative Update | August 2011 |
|
| While the news has been dominated in recent weeks with stories about the federal budget situation, things at the state level are not much better. A year ago in this newsletter I was talking about the recession cutting into the amount of revenue available to pay for state services and year later we are not much better off. The quarterly state revenue forecast will be out in a matter of weeks and I remain somewhat optimistic for a small increase in the amount of tax and lottery funds to run state programs. But I'm not holding my breath. So far this summer we've seen two reports on Oregon's economic situation and they did not paint a rosy picture. In the
Oregon Business Report there was an article on the bad news for small businesses and real estate. It showed
Oregon's economy will continue to grow very slowly from now throughout 2012. There was also an
annual study produced by a national research group showing Oregon dropped to 43 out of 50 states in the outlook for our economic future. A lot is riding on hopes for an economic recovery in our state. For example, if the revenue projections are up, then the legislature can take a look at providing additional money for schools and other critical programs when we go into session in February next year. But there are hundreds of millions of dollars in "what ifs" written into the new state budget. My colleague, State Representative Dennis Richardson talked about these outstanding issues in his latest newsletter. I will continue to be directly involved in the state budget process. The Co-Speakers of the House have appointed me to serve on the Interim Joint Ways and Means Committee and named me Vice-Chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services. I will also be the Co-Chair of the Interim Committee on Legislative Audits and Information Management and Technology.
The House Republicans are still
actively seeking input from citizens on how to make positive changes to state policies in the 2012 session so please send your thoughts to yourideas@oregonhouserepublicans.org 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. |
|
|
New DUII Law Signed by the Governor  This week Governor Kitzhaber signed into law House Bill 3075 which Rep Thatcher helped write and get passed unanimously by the Oregon Legislature this year.
The new law takes effect next January requiring Oregonians arrested on their first DUII offense to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle as a condition of their diversion agreement with the court. Click here to learn more about this important public safety measure. |
 Why is State Government Monitoring
Your Medications?*
If you've had a prescription filled recently at your local pharmacy you
may have heard about a new law which requires the pharmacist to
gather information about your medicine and send it to the state. On
June 1st the state started the Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring
Program. It was created by the legislature in 2009. Pharmacies will send details about your prescriptions to a central database at the Oregon Health Authority. Starting this fall, doctors and pharmacists can look at the information. Some advocates say it will improve patient care. Representative Thatcher voted against this new program over concerns about privacy, more government intrusion, and she supports the idea that your health care decisions should be between you and your doctor, not some bureaucracy.
Click here to learn more *See Representative Thatcher's question of the month under Thoughts for Thatcher below. |
Important News on Home Ownership Buying your first home? The Oregon Bankers Association in conjunction with the Oregon Association of Realtors recently announced a new program called "Home Sweet Home" to help first-time homebuyers. A grant from Oregon Housing and Community Services agency is providing supplemental funding for the effort.
Click here to learn more
Or if you're having trouble keeping up with mortgage payments and are facing possible foreclosure, the Oregon Attorney General's Office has new information available.
Click here to learn more
The Department of Consumer and Business Services also has many helpful resources.
Click here to learn more
|
 New Program for Rookie Campers
at Champoeg State Park
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department has a program to help make camping easy and fun for the whole family. It's called "Let's Go Camping" and there are several events going on this summer across the state. August 20th and 21st
Champoeg State Park in Representative Thatcher's legislative district will host an event which includes an overnight camping excursion for beginners of all ages, hands-on lessons, nature hikes and lots more.
Click here for details |
Representative Thatcher Town Halls
Dozens of local residents in Keizer and Newberg turned out for Representative Thatcher's Town
Halls last month. Concerns were raised about immigration, election reform, school funding, gun rights and other issues.  If you missed the Town Halls and have a comment for Representative Thatcher please send it to: rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us |
Thoughts for Thatcher How do you feel about the new law allowing the state to keep track of your prescriptions? Click here to respond or email rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us Feedback from last newsletter question What issues did you want to see the legislature resolve this year that remain undecided or need more work? Are there topics you want state lawmakers to take up in future sessions? Responses received: - PERS Reform should be the #1 priority for the legislature, period! Without this, we just continue to kick the can down the road and our children will be saddled with paying for the inability of the State to free itself from Union control.
- I wish more could be done to prevent problems before they occur rather than spending so much on treating problems.
- Seeing nothing done on PERS was disappointing.
- I would like to see private schools in Oregon, and maybe many of public schools as well, transformed into charter schools which allows parents to get credits for the tuition they pay to schools.
- We don't understand why Oregon State employees receive health and retirement benefits that the general public does not have access to.
- Legislation still needs to revamp the way that state agencies calculate their fiscal budgets.
|
|
If you want to unsubscribe from Rep Thatcher's newsletter list or would like to contact her office you can send her 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 |
|
