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| Greetings!
Welcome back and thank you for subscribing to House Calls, my electronic newsletter.
This issue is a little different in that I am responding to your feedback requesting information on several bills, including the federal disconnect (HB2157), the Klamath River Dams (SB76) and the School Day Restoration Fund (SB581/SB5552). I would also like to take this time to highlight the passing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, honoring the memory of Jackson County resident Hank Collins. As we move through the session, my staff and I will be exploring new formats to keep you posted on legislative developments, and will continue to rely on your feedback to guide us in the process.
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Senate Concurrent Resolution 4: Hank Collins
*note: the following is from our press release on February 23rd*
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4: Hank Collins
Hank Collins, a long time Jackson County resident who passed away last February, was honored with Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 in recognition of his hard work and dedication to his community. Joined by Hank's wife of 26 years Cydne Bean Collins, Sen. Bates presented the resolution on the Senate floor. Bates said, "Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 is overdue. I'm standing here today to finish something we began more than a year ago."
Collins moved to Oregon in 1987 to become the head of the Jackson County Health Department. In 1989, he was appointed to Health and Human Services Director, where he was responsible for everything from restaurant inspections and mental health care to animal control and sexually transmitted diseases. "The community of Jackson County knew he cared deeply about ordinary people and worked tirelessly to help them help themselves," Bates remarked.
Throughout his time in Jackson County he worked to improve the quality of life for every citizen. His work to integrate the social service system in Jackson County has become a national model of effective collaboration. Collins instigated the changes that made Jackson County go from one of the worst air quality environments to consistent compliance with the Clean Air Act. He was also the driving force behind the Jefferson Regional Health Alliance, Family Drug Court and the Methamphetamine Task Force.
Rep. Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) worked with Senator Bates to draft this resolution during last year's special session. Due to schedules and timing the resolution did not make it to the floor, but with the help of both Buckley and Bates it was revived this year. Buckley said, "Hank Collins was a visionary who believed that one person could make a difference and change a community."
From left to right:
Sen. Alan Bates, Hank's wife Cydne Bean Collins and friends Rex Miller and Barry Katz
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House Bill 2157: The Federal Tax Disconnect Bill
This bill temporarily disconnected Oregon from the federal tax code, meaning that the federal tax breaks in President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package will not automatically apply to state income taxes. HB 2157 gives lawmakers in Salem the authority to make decisions about whether or not Oregon can afford to give up the revenue that might be lost by extending these federal tax breaks to the state. The reason the federal government can offer tax breaks, despite this recession, is because it can operate at a deficit - or "in the red". In contrast, our state constitution requires a balanced budget, which means that it cannot incur debt. Just like the rest of you who are struggling to maintain a household budget, the state must know if there is enough revenue to pay the bills before it can consider these national tax incentives. The federal stimulus package was scheduled to become law before we concluded our budget process. I voted in favor of HB 2157 in order to allow more time for legislators to sort out how to close budget gaps in both the current budget and for the 2009-11 biennium. We can enact legislation later to reconnect federal and state taxes, should that be in Oregon's best interest. We disconnected in 2003 when the state was in serious financial trouble. The Oregon Center for Public Policy wrote an explanation of the 'rolling' or 'automatic' reconnect when that suspension was to end on 12/31/05. For those of you who want more background about this exception in Oregon's Constitution, you can find it here at the Oregon Center for Public Policy's website. |
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Senate Bill 76: Klamath River Dam
 I voted in favor of SB76, which deals with the removal of the Klamath River Dams and protects Oregon customers from huge, uncertain expenses. It would cost more to make necessary improvements to relicense and maintain the Oregon dam than it would to tear it down. The February passage of SB 76 is a good thing for our environment and our budget. The Klamath Dams are a set of three dams owned and operated by electricity company PacifiCorp. Only one, the J.C. Boyle Dam, is located in Oregon. The cost of relicensing and improving the dams would have been a minimum of $180 million, plus uncertain additional costs. All of this cost could (and would) be passed on to its Oregon customers. Senate Bill 76 caps the amount PacifiCorp can impose on customers for removal of the dam at $180 million, plus a small proportion of the relicensing cost. Removing the Klamath dams is important for Southern Oregon's economy and environment, especially in renewing the diminished salmon population. The Klamath Dams were built in 1916. Since they were built so long ago, they are inefficient - creating only 1/10th of the power that modern power plants produce. While the energy produced by dams is clean energy, these are not cost effective because of their age and condition. We heard from many of you about concerns that Talent Irrigation District (TID) recipients would lose irrigation water by the closing of the J.C. Boyle Dam. Jim Pendleton at TID was clear that the closing of the dams would not affect diversion of water to the Rogue Basin. Talent Irrigation District sources are higher in the watershed, close to the Rogue/Klamath basin divide. They are tributaries to Jenny Creek and not involved in the Klamath to Rogue inter-basin transfer. |
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Senate Bills 581/5552: School Day Restoration Fund
 The Joint Ways and Means Committee has approved a budget package that we believe provides the necessary support to public schools so they can avoid cutting school days through SB 581 and SB5552. The School Day Restoration Fund is a shared solution to a statewide problem that reduces cuts to schools by taking an extra $51 million from the federal stimulus plan. With these additional funds we believe that the majority of Oregon school districts will be able to complete the year without cutting days of instruction. On average, this money will provide an additional three days to most districts, though some districts may still have to cut days. Each district will be eligible to receive funds based on a formula that allocates dollars based on average daily attendance. In return, the districts will be asked to provide documentation regarding how they will close the remaining gap in funding and use their available resources to avoid cutting school days. The reason why the legislature is asking for this documentation is to guarantee that the money is being used for the reason it was given: to reduce or eliminate the number of days that need to be cut from the school year. The legislature is trying to avoid a situation where schools store the funds while still cutting days out of the calendar. By voting for SB581 and SB5552, we are hoping that this funding will provide the necessary resources to our public schools and ensure a full, productive school year for our children. |
Listening to Our Community
It is only with your input that I can continue to advocate for the needs of our communities. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions, comments, or requests for assistance. As always, my staff and I are eager to help in
any way we can.
In Salem:
In Medford:
2859 State Street, Suite 101
Medford, OR 97504
Phone: (541) 282-6502
Fax: (541) 282-6520
E-mail: info@alanbates.net | |
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In closing, I would like to reiterate how difficult it has been to make some of these decisions. With one hand we cut programs and services, and with the other we must generate necessary revenue. I want to assure you that I am gathering facts and listening to alternative possibilities, and then weighing what I believe is in the best interest of Oregon and Oregonians to carry us through these unusual economic times.
In health,
Dr. Alan Bates | |
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