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Legislative Update
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August 2013
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LOOKING FOR A BILL?
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See what bills the governor signed into law click here
Check out OLIS -
the new Oregon Legislative Information System
OLIS home page
For some helpful hints about OLIS - Click here
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STATE PROGRAMS
OF INTEREST
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Oregon wildfire
updates from
State Forestry Dept.
Click here
launched by state housing agency
for families
having trouble paying their mortgage
State Parks system may raise camping fees. Click here to learn more & comment
www.oregonstatefair.org |
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The 2013 Legislative Session finished a couple of weeks ago in the same fast paced frenzy we've seen for months. It felt like one issue after another kept popping up that did not seem to be in the best interest of Oregonians, including a potential last minute attempt to restrict 2nd Amendment rights and another to raise taxes.
In all, nearly 2700 measures were introduced by members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, legislative committees, the Governor and state agencies. The final tally shows close to 900 bills were adopted into law. Now many of them will be implemented by state departments and local government bodies through meetings, administrative rules, and policies. That's why I'm glad we were able to add more transparency to that process with some new legislation I worked on -- see below for further details.
There were hundreds of bipartisan bills but those that were only sponsored by Democratic legislators outnumbered those exclusively sponsored by republicans by a margin of more than three to one. That is the reality when one party has the majority votes. Fortunately, this time around there were not enough members willing to back large tax hikes (which took a 3/5ths vote), or to enact changes to our tough on crime Measure 11 sentencing laws (that requires 2/3rds of the body in support).
I went into this session hoping for significant changes to encourage job growth in the private sector in Oregon. I served on the House Business and Labor Committee, the House Small Business Task Force, and the Jobs Caucus. I was a member of the House Land Use Committee and the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Government Efficiency. Both of those also dealt with several business related bills. While there were a few positive laws adopted, I was disappointed the legislature didn't do more to help Oregon's economy. I am curious to hear your ideas on what the legislature should do to boost the business climate, see the Thoughts for Thatcher segment at the bottom of this newsletter.
Economic conditions are getting a little better and the state budget is expecting almost $2 billion in additional revenue, a 13% increase. While I was glad to see funding for K-12 schools increase $1 billion, I'm concerned about our ability to keep up this level of funding for education and other critical programs. It will not be sustainable in the long run without enacting efficiencies in other areas and adopting fair and meaningful reforms to the Public Employee Retirement System. Keeping promises to retirees and getting money to the classroom will be difficult.
Because we were prudent in state spending in the previous 2-year budget and saved around $500 million in reserves in case economic conditions got worse, we had about that much to carry forward to the new budget. However, legislative leaders in charge of drafting the budget this time only put around $150 million aside in this 2013-15 budget cycle.
As we move through the months ahead I will continue to look for ways to make our state a better place to do business and raise a family. But I can't do my job without your input. During the session many of you visited the State Capitol to express your views, like this group of constituents from Portland Community College in the picture below. I really appreciate those who take the time to share your ideas and feedback.
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  New Transparency Law
Signed by Governor
A new law to improve the Oregon Transparency Website was recently signed into law by Governor John Kitzhaber, the third one Representative Thatcher has spearheaded since she helped create the website a few years ago. The legislature authorized the website to help Oregonians better understand how the state spends their tax money.
This new law (House Bill 2370) was once again a bi-partisan effort. It calls for posting more details about economic development tax incentive programs. There will be additional information about state agency contracts, minutes of meetings and administrative rules as well as a place for local governments to put links to their own budget transparency websites.
Before the Transparency Website was created by the legislature in 2009, the US and Oregon Public Interest Research Groups started an annual survey on state transparency website efforts. Oregon got a "D" grade. This year's report gave Oregon a "B-Plus+."
Two other measures were adopted to make changes to the Transparency Website. House Bill 3035 requires the Department of Administrative Services to draft a plan for providing even further information about state contracts and those issued by school districts and community colleges.
House Bill 3400 will make sure the website includes the percent of money spent by agencies on contracts in and outside the state of Oregon.
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Illegal Immigrant Driver Cards Accountability Law
The new law adopted in the 2013 Legislative Session (Senate Bill 833) to grant special Driver Cards to illegal immigrants will now be monitored thanks to efforts by Representative Thatcher. She and Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) were able to include a note in the new state budget for the Oregon Department of Transportation requiring them to track changes in the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers. ODOT will report back to the legislature during regular sessions on that information and whether the number of accidents involving these drivers has gone up or down. 
Supporters of these new driver cards maintain that without the law illegal immigrants would continue to drive in Oregon without being licensed or having insurance. When state lawmakers prohibited people without proper legal status from getting an Oregon driver license in 2008, ODOT was directed by law to track the results and give the legislature updates. The results did not show any impact on unlicensed driving. That reporting requirement was going to sunset at the end of this year.
The new requirement in the ODOT budget will ensure the data will be tracked for further analysis in the years ahead. Representatives Thatcher and Buckley had also submitted a priority bill (House Bill 3535) for more accountability on the driver cards, but it was not adopted before the legislature adjourned this year. Representative Thatcher also made remarks on the House Floor about this issue.
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 Firing Back on Gun Control Attempts at State Capitol
While there was a lot of debate about whether the state should pass more gun control laws during the legislative session, Representative Thatcher was happy to see that none of the ideas being proposed were adopted. She gave credit to the overwhelming number of emails, calls and letters, from thousands of Oregonians who wanted to protect our 2nd Amendment rights.
The four main bills that caused a lot of concern. One bill would've disarmed those with a license to carry a concealed firearm whenever they were on school grounds leaving guns only in the hands of criminals who might have violent intentions. One proposal would've criminalized a person lending her gun to her best friend if she didn't also complete a background check on her friend through the Oregon State Police, and paid the fee. One would've created a patchwork of restrictions for those who now can carry concealed in public buildings. The fourth bill micromanaged training for people seeking a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). None of the proposals would have prevented the tragic events of Clackamas Town Center or the elementary school in Connecticut. Representative Thatcher was proud to speak out against these proposals. Click here to see a video of her testimony.
Shortly after the session ended, Oregon Firearms Federation sent a note to its members which read in part:
"While we are always the first to let you know who is attacking you and what you should do about it, it's important to remember the friends we have in the Oregon Legislature. Without a doubt, once again, the most ardent supporter of gun rights was House Rep Kim Thatcher. While we have many strong supporters like Senators Larry George and Brian Boquist among others, Kim, once again, stood out as a true hero to liberty. She and her staff have been invaluable to our cause."
Representative Thatcher continued to push for positive laws to help gun owners and others in Oregon including measures to allow people to have firearms at Oregon's public universities if they have a CHL. She also introduced measures to assist retired police officers who wish to carry concealed, another to issue CHLs to out of state residents, and one use the free federal background check system for gun purchases instead of requiring the more expensive service of the Oregon State Police.
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 Voter Registration Laws:
Representative Thatcher spoke out against the measure on the House Floor citing outstanding questions about privacy, along with it sending a message about government taking control and registering people to vote instead of allowing personal choice. "You have a right not to exercise your constitutional right," Thatcher said. "You have a right not to participate in democracy. Voting is a right - and is also a personal responsibility."
While Representative Thatcher is concerned that this issue will come back in future legislative sessions she will continue to promote pro-active legislation to ensure only people who are eligible are voting in Oregon. House Bill 2363 , drafted by Representative Thatcher this year, was not allowed to have a hearing.
It would have required anyone registering to vote for state and local elections to provide identification, similar to the rule for those who wish to vote in federal elections. This change in the law to enhance elections integrity continues to be a top priority for Representative Thatcher.
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Spirit of '45
Day Aug 11th
A new state law Representative Thatcher and others helped enact designates the second Sunday in August as "Spirit of '45" day in Oregon to honor the Greatest Generation - the men and women who served on the front lines and on the home front during World War II
The date is significant because President Harry Truman announced the end of the war on the second Sunday in August, 1945.
This is part of a national campaign, which as Senate Bill 832 reads, is designed to recognize the "courage, dedication, self sacrifice and compassion" of that generation. One of the goals is to instill those values as a source of inspiration for future generations.
Representative Thatcher, other community leaders, veterans and advocates from all over the state will gather Sunday August 11th from 5-7 pm in Wilson Park on the State Capitol Grounds in Salem where the new WWII Memorial is planned. The public is encouraged to attend.
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Transportation Updates:
Finally! Work Underway on Newberg-Dundee Bypass
Yamhill county residents will now see a flurry of construction activity over the next few years as Phase 1 of the long awaited Newberg-Dundee Bypass finally begins. ODOT is advising motorists and neighbors to expect a lot of noise and truck traffic in the area. Most of the work impacts Highway 219 near Wynooski Road in Newberg to Highway 99W near Neiderberg Road in Dundee.
The first phase is a 4 mile stretch of road with one lane in each direction and it's expected to be finished in 2016. The full bypass, once complete, is intended to be a 4-lane highway to ease congestion and divert traffic for 11 miles around Newberg and Dundee.
Funding for the $262 million Phase 1 has been approved, however, additional revenue will have to be identified in the years ahead to complete the Bypass. Project managers hope to find savings in some of the contracted work in order to address some design concerns about to so-called "fishhook connection" near Dundee. For more information about the Bypass go to www.newbergdundee.org
To learn details about other road construction work going on in Yamhill and Marion counties click here.
Oregon First for Road User Tax 
Another first for Oregon. This time the legislature approved a new road user fee system for electric and other fuel-efficient cars that currently pay less gas taxes than most vehicles. Senate Bill 810 is now being implemented to enlist 5,000 voluntary participants who are willing to pay a 1.5 cent per-mile fee.
Skeptics, like Representative Thatcher, have reservations about privacy and other concerns. Supporters argue that high mileage vehicles don't pay their fair share for maintaining Oregon roads. The agency was allocated $2.8 million and will add a dozen employees to start up the program which is scheduled to take effect in July 2015. Click here to see more about the new system.
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Thoughts for Thatcher
What should the Oregon Legislature do to make our state more friendly for businesses and promote job growth?
Click here to respond or email rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us
Feedback from last month's newsletter question:
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?
Responses received:
- My biggest disappointments from this session were the passage of SB 833 (what in heck were your colleagues thinking?) and that we couldn't rein in "hostage" annexations.
- Pers reform.
- Something the session did not address - GET OREGON OUT OF COMMON CORE and its 'socialist teaching agenda!
- Its own economic illiteracy.
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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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