Budget choices require shared sacrifices

BY DEBORAH BOONE

 Mar 18, 2009

This month the legislature took action to close the $855 million budget gap for the last months of the 2007-2009 cycle.

In our current economic climate budget cuts are a necessary, albeit difficult task. However, through shared sacrifice we have arrived at a solution.

The plan passed by the House minimized cuts to K-12 education and keeps Oregon State Troopers on the street.

The decisions were very difficult, but necessary. The Oregon Constitution compels the legislature to balance the budget.

Had the legislature balked, Oregon K-12 education faced a cut of an additional $228.6 million under the governor’s proposed across-the-board budget cut.

I have continued to monitor closely Rep. Chuck Riley’s work on HB 2015. This legislation ensures that the state will have a say in the siting of liquid natural gas terminals via our own Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Energy (ODOE).

The bill requires the ODOE to determine whether there is a significant need for energy that cannot be met by North American sources, and if so, that the price does not exceed domestic rates.

Further, it requires that the projects are consistent with Oregon’s strategies for combating global climate change. Preserving control by our state agencies over our energy policy will give Oregonians a louder voice in their own energy future.

Debate has continued over how to scale back Oregon’s output of greenhouse gas emissions. There has been a lot of talk of a “cap and trade” system, akin to the European Union system (albeit incorporating the changes made after the first trading period).

Whatever the concept, it will be important to reign in our largest producers of greenhouse gases.

I am keenly aware that in times like these preserving the jobs we have is a vital concern. Additionally, job creation to replace the jobs we have lost is pivotal.

Oregon has the opportunity to establish itself as the trailblazer in the green economy by investing in green industries, and creating green jobs.

Finally, with the uncertainty in the economy, we are looking at a different way of doing business in Oregon. To meet these challenges we are going to need creative Oregon minds to engage in the legislative process.

Rep. Deborah Boone, a Democrat, represents the 32nd House District, which includes Banks.