Dear friends,
As we approach "sine die," we are seeing some good bills, some bad bills; most expected and some unexpected.  Leyla and I can report that all the bills that I sponsored for Deschutes County have passed and are on their way to the Governor. As of this writing, (8:55 on Saturday night), we are still on the Floor and passing bills.  It looks like we will get one day off and be back again early Monday morning.
Best, Gene

Vehicle Registration Fee Increase Killed
On Monday, with the help of four Democrats, Republicans defeated a Democrat plan allowing counties to increase vehicle registration fees without the consent of its citizens.  Current laws allow counties to raise their own registration fees but HB2691 would have eliminated the requirement that voters approve the increase. I voted against this bill because I believe the counties should be required to have the permission of the voters to raise your taxes. 

School Construction Tax Bill Passes House
Although I have great concerns about Senate Bill 1036, I voted in favor of the bill.  The bill allows schools districts to impose a tax on new construction for school construction and capital improvements.  We need new schools in Deschutes County but I voiced some concerns on the House Floor during debate on this bill.   This bill will only provide a small portion of funding for new schools and I fear the knowledge that there are funds available will deter voters from passing school bonds for new construction.  I also am not in favor of taxing a certain group (in this case, new homeowners and builders) to help build schools.  We have always asked all our property owners to fund school construction but this bill will single out a small group and make them bear a large part of funding new schools.  Though there were problems with this bill, I hope this bill and other bills which passed - and I supported - will help Deschutes County build the schools we need.  

Responsible Education Package Killed
On Tuesday, Republicans tried to bring an education package to the House Floor.  I sponsored these three bills which increased accountability over education spending, put more dollars into the classroom, and relieved home-schoolers of unnecessary regulations.  I proposed House Bill 3427 be pulled from the House Education Committee for a floor vote.  The bill requires that 65 cents of every K-12 education dollar be spent on classroom education for teachers and kids.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Oregon ranks 40^th in classroom spending with only 59 cents of every dollar reaching the classroom.  I stated on the House Floor, "Oregonians agree the Legislature should prioritize spending and put more dollars in the classroom."  When the motion failed after all Democrats voted no, Rep. John Dallum (R-The Dalles) moved that House Bill 2613 be withdrawn from the House Education Committee where it only had a pubic hearing.  HB 2613 is a bi-partisan accountability bill from the Chalkboard Project.  Rep. Dallum, a retired school superintendent, stated on the floor that "HB 2613 will increase efficiency and accountability in school spending.  The bill provides an independent state review of school district financial practices and allows parents and taxpayers to see the results."  Rep. Dallum's attempt also failed with all Democrats voted against the proposal.  Finally, Rep. Linda Flores proposed pulling HB3450 from the House Education Committee.  HB repealed testing requirements for home-educated students.  Rep. Flores stated that HB3450 "brings Oregon into line with a growing number of states that are deregulating home education and empowering their homeschoolers."   Thus, all three education bills endorsed by House Republicans failed. 

Another Example of "Government Knows Best"
During another long afternoon session, we had a long debate on House Bill 2735 which addressed Manufactured Housing Park closures.  All Republicans voted for the minority report which reflected the hard work of a coalition group of owners and tenants but it failed and the Committee Report passed by a partisan vote of 31 Democrat yeas and 29 Republican nays.  I need voted no because the bill did not reflect the opinion of the individuals affected but the opinion of State Representatives who believed they know what is best for these people.

Bend Chamber Policy Votes to Oppose Beer Tax
Increasing the beer tax has been a contention issue this session.  I have been opposed to this new tax; reasons for my opposition are directed towards the negative impact it would have upon micro-brewing companies and Oregon's economy.  Boosting beer taxes by $32 per barrel - an increase of 1,231% - would make Oregon's beer tax rate the highest in the country.  This would reduce the ability for Oregon-based beer companies to compete within the market.  Additionally, taxes are already the single most expensive ingredient in beer, costing more than labor and materials combined.  The increase in tax rate would also result in substantial job losses in the hop-growing industry and at microbreweries and distributors.  Early this week, the Bend Chamber Legislative Policy Council heard from Deschutes Brewery Chairman and CEO Gary Fish who recommended opposing the tax.  Fish, whom I've spoken to about this issue many times, said the tax would substantially effect Deschutes Brewery, which employs 185 people in Deschutes County.  After hearing the presentation, the Council voted to recommend to the Chamber Board of Directors that it oppose House Bill 2535.