DEMOCRATS RAISE LICENSING FEES TO INCREASE NEW AGENCY SPENDING

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Recent budget bills reveal that Democrats are raising licensing fees to increase new spending for state agencies. Today the House approved SB 5538 to increase the State Board of Psychologist Examiners' budget by 15 percent. They also approved respective 48 and 100 percent increases in the agency's fees, in part to generate a large "ending balance" for the agency. Ending balances serve as slush funds that agencies can maintain and access with little transparency and accountability.

In this clip, Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) and Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) question the Legislature's action to increase agency spending, fees and ending balances as Oregon professionals and companies struggle to stay in business. 

Republicans recognize the quality services that licensed professionals provide to Oregonians every day. These professionals deserve transparency from the agencies that license them, especially if they are going to be asked to pay fees- especially higher fees.