“California Voters signal loud and clear: Down with Taxes”

by Jason Clemens:

 The “Sacramento Bee” reported that Californians made it clear on election-day; they reject higher taxes.  California’s top personal income tax rate is the 2^nd highest in the US; the sales tax is one of the highest and when local sales taxes are added the total approaches 9.5 %.  Currently, California’s state and local governments represent more than 1/5 of the state’s economy.  “Politicians in Sacramento, and even at the county and city level, can use this moment to reduce and reform government spending.  Other states and countries have successfully reformed their spending in order to deliver better services at lower costs.  The economic benefits of such reforms would be enormous and lasting.  Reducing government spending while improving services through reform can improve the economy by leaving more resources to the private sector to allocate and consume. In addition, reducing government spending allows for immediate tax relief, vital to the recovery of the state economy.  Indeed, we need large-scale personal and business tax relief immediately to attract investment and encourage entrepreneurship.” 

Editorial:  Even California sees what has to be done; when will Oregon see the way.  

Ways and Means Education Subcommittee:  We continue to work the small agency budgets and commissions and board budgets.  We did make one difficult budget vote on HB 2834 which closes the Oregon School for the Blind.   This was a difficult decision submitted by the House Education Committee as a policy decision.  The Ways and Means Subcommittee is responsible for the financial review of the decision.  This adversely affects many of our special children.  Our public testimony was limited but I did receive some inputs for parents.  I was able to put on the record that the legislature must establish a task force immediately to oversee the transition of these children from the Oregon School for the Blind to local school districts or other educational facilities.  The Washington State School for the Blind is in Vancouver and our displaced students are allowed to request attendance at this school.   Although I am not on the p olicy committee, I’ll monitor the transition to be sure that the children and parents are giving the attention and services they were promised and deserve.

House Judiciary Committee:  We are working on important bills before we close the committee.  The Metal Theft bill is still being changed and worked on in our committee.     

HB 2500- Open Books Oregon- creates a website for the State of Oregon to give the citizens the ability to see how their tax dollars are spent. Rep Whisnant and the other Sponsors testified in front of the Senate Rules Committee this afternoon.

HB 2511A- Directs the Secretary of State’s office to set up a system to allow military and overseas voters to vote by fax. This bill passed the House with a vote of 58-0 and 2 excused. It will move to the Senate for consideration.

HB 2424A- Sets up a Noxious Weeds removal program in conjunction with the Adopt a Highway program. It will be voted on in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee next week.

HB 3121- Keep Kids Safe- Sets up a specialty license plate group where the funds would go to child abuse prevention programs. This bill is still a work in progress and we are trying to find a solution.

HB 2619- Requires Legislative Counsel to solicit bids for printing the Oregon Revised Statutes each biennium. There is a hearing on this bill next week a Senate Committee.

HB 2510A- Repeals the 15 year limit that a Veteran has to use their Preference Points in applying for State public employment. This was passed on the Senate Floor with a 26-0 and 4 excused this morning. It will move on to the Governor’s office for his signature.

HJM 12 Passed the Senate- I co-sponsored this legislation with Representative Barton. It urges Congress to increase Veteran’s access to health care by compensating when they have to travel for specialty care.

HJM 21 Passed the Senate- I co-sponsored this legislation with Representative(s) Esquivel, Barton, and Riley. It urges Congress to change the Veteran’s health care system to direct and permanent entitlements.

ALEC Reception:  American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a national non-partisan organization of lawmakers and business representatives. Rep. Whisnant is the Oregon public chair and Ginny Lang is the private chair.  A reception was held, Wednesday night to discuss ALEC’s mission and upcoming meetings.  Also, Washington State Senator Joseph Zarelli discussed the recent Washington State legislative session and how they passed a budget twice the size of Oregon’s without any new taxes.

Congratulations to Becky Johnson for becoming the OSU-CC Vice President. She has served as interim Vice President since December. Dr. Johnson has demonstrated the dedication and leadership to make OSU-CC a successful four year university.

Love Box for Troops:  Our office joined Rep. Kevin Cameron (R-Salem) organized packing party at the Capitol on Thursday.  An outstanding 410 “love boxes” were packed and mailed to deployed troops.  It was a great way to celebrate Memorial Day and say thanks to our troops.

VISITORS

Dr. James Middleton, COCC President, stopped by the office to discuss the Community College budget which is lower than it should be due to a calculation error.  The co-chairs community college budget is $424 million and should have been about $440 million.  The Ways and Means Education subcommittee has been tasked to find the $20-$30 million within the education budget.

Bob Maxwell, Oregon’s only living Medal of Honor recipient and a friend visited the Capitol to speak to SB 449, which will designate Hwy 97 as the WWII veteran’s memorial highway.

Bob Bryant, ODOT Regional 4 Director, briefed Rep.Whisnant on the area transportation projects.

Please feel free to contact my office on any issues you would like to be brought to our attention, or to give your opinion on any legislation that is before your State House right now. We want to hear from you and make sure we are doing what we can for you here in Salem.

Our office phone number is 503-986-1453; our email is rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us; our mailing address is 900 Court St NE H-471 Salem OR 97301.