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Dear Friends,
I am glad to report to you on my activities serving you, the good people of District 53, friends and supporters.
First, I want to remind all that since last July, I have not had phone service or an office in the Salem Capitol. Your Capitol is undergoing an extensive renovation. This project is scheduled to be completed in May 2008. If you call my Salem phone number (except for during the February session) the voicemail will advise you to call my District phone number – 541-598-7560 or send me an email at rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us.
February 2008 Legislative Session
I am always working for you but usually, I am only in the Capitol six months every two years. This year is different. Last session, the Legislature passed a bill that, in effect, scheduled an ‘emergency’ for February of 2008. In Legislative-speak, an emergency means that the Legislature will meet in Salem and debate and pass bills. The Senate President and Speaker of the House called this pre-scheduled emergency a test-run for annual sessions. I opposed this idea because the Constitution requires the Legislature to meet only every other year and I do not believe we should be able to schedule an emergency a year in advance. A lawsuit was filed by Senator Larry George challenging the constitutionality of the session, but the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that, due to technicalities, the Legislature could meet.
The media has described this session as the “Seinfeld session (about nothing),” the “experimental off-year session” and the “political campaign session.” When we scheduled this ‘emergency’ session, the stated goal was to only address issues that could not wait until the regular 2009 session. I estimate that only about five bills – out of the hundred we are considering – qualify as emergencies.
House Democrats Pass Rules to Hijack Legislative Process
On a partisan vote, House Democrats passed rules to shut Republicans out of the legislative process during the February session. In addition to taking away the Republicans’ right to introduce their own bills, Democrats voted to strip the Republicans’ right to bring alternative legislation, or “minority reports” to the House Floor.
“The Democrats’ rules go against the fundamental basis of representation,” said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg). “When you take away the voice of the minority party, you take away the voice of nearly half of all Oregonians.”
Under rules imposed by Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland), only the Speaker and his chosen committee chairs have the ability to introduce and advance legislation through the process. By stripping “minority reports” from House Rules, Democrats have taken away the last remaining option for Oregonians represented by Republicans to have their voices heard. Minority reports are an important tool allowing the minority party to bring alternative versions of bills to the House floor for debate.
“These rules stifle respectful disagreement,” said Rep. Vicki Berger (R-Salem). Added Rep. Kevin Cameron (R-Salem), “in a session that was supposed to be about nonpartisan issues, it is unfortunate this first vote is totally divided.” Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) presented a Republican amendment to restore minority rights to House Rules, though Democrats rejected it on a party-line vote.
Toy Bill Passes House
On Friday, the House passed House Bill 3631 which prohibited retailers to sell children’s products that have been recalled. While this sounds good in concept, there were two major problems with the bill which caused me to vote no. First, House Bill 3631 subjects retailers to lawsuits even if they unintentionally sell products that have been recalled. Second, the language in the bill refers to a "warning issued by the children's product manufacturer..." and does not define "warning." Thus, any warning of any nature subjects the retailer to the possibility of a lawsuit. I am optimistic that the Senate will make the necessary changes and I will be able to vote yes when it comes back to the House.
Committee Work
I continue to serve as the vice chair of the House Education and Judiciary Committees. During this February session, these committees meet every day. The rules for the session state that each committee can introduce one bill – more if the Speaker approves.
The Judiciary Committee had only one bill House Bill 3633, which will help with the implementation of House Joint Resolutions 49 and 50. (HJRs 49 and 50 were passed in 2007 and will ensure the rights of victims of crime – these resolutions will be voted on by the people of Oregon in May). I supported HJRs 49 and 50 and will support House Bill 3633.
The Education Committee sponsored three bills. House Bill 3601 establishes a program to use Oregon farm products in our school lunch programs. We also passed House Concurrent Resolution 100 to honor Martha Anne Dow, the former president of Oregon Institute of Technology who passed away last year. Finally, we passed House Bill 3600. This is a fix to a bill from last year which required that state to provide a standardized test for all 10th graders. The bill also required that the state choose one vendor to administer the test – in practice, this means that the state can only offer either the ACT or the SAT. Some school districts are already administering the test and House Bill 3600 waives the requirement to use the state-chosen vendor if the district is already using a different vendor.
I am also I am the only House member on the Oregon Commission on Children and Families and the Oregon Chief Justice’s Special Courts Advisory Committee. Each group meets about every other month.
Staff
We have added Tiffany Lewis to our team as the District Liaison to keep me informed on Deschutes County issues and to attend meetings and events which I am unable to attend. Leyla Estes, who has been with me from the beginning of my service, provides part-time liaison and legislative advice in the Capitol. Leyla’s main responsibility now is “member services” for the House Republican Office. Josie is still my legislative assistant responsible for scheduling and constituent actions and issues. Josie is doing a great job helping me during this February 2008 session.
Significant Events
During the interim, I attended a seminar in Denver which focused on the need for states to increase the number of advanced degree people to meet the future workforce needs in a competitive worldwide market. We have scheduled a hearing in the House Education Committee to look at Oregon’s plan to meet this need. As the Oregon American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) chair, I attended the ALEC meeting in Washington DC in December.
Recognition
I want to recognize Graham Miller and Sam Hartley -- two outstanding young men from our area who have earned appointments to the United States Naval Academy. I congratulate them and wish them success at the academy. Please keep the families of Randy Newman and Zach McBride in your thoughts and prayers.
Contact information
I hope you will send this report to your neighbors and friends and encourage them to sign up for the e-newsletter by going to the Legislature’s website (www.leg.state.or.us) and clicking on E-Subscribe. Keep in touch and wish us all a quick and successful session.
Phone in Salem: 503-986-1453
Email address(in Salem and Deschutes County): rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us
I have received many invitations to attend events and meetings in Deschutes County this month. Please understand that during this February session we are not allowed to miss days here in Salem unless there is a medical emergency. However, please keep the invitations coming – I’ll be glad to attend in March when Josie and I are back in Central Oregon.
Best wishes,
Gene Whisnant
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