HOUSE VOTES TO UNDERMINE OBAMA'S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN; PASSES PREEMPTIVE TAX INCREASE ON BUSINESSES
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HOUSE PASSES BORROW-AND-SPEND STIMULUS BILL;
PACKAGE AUTHORIZES BONDS FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
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REP. WINGARD: POINT BY POINT COMPARISON BETWEEN 'MAIN STREET' PLAN AND STIMULUS PLAN
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Would you like the chance to WIN $10,000 to help educate your child? Find out more.
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The Honorary Page Program is available for students age 12-18 and offers a one-day experience of the State Capitol.
Honorary Pages get to see the legislative process first hand and shadow State Representatives.
The program runs from Feb. 10 to June 1. Please contact our office if you know a teen who would like to participate. |
Valentines Day Trivia
- In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius 1 declared Feb 14th as St.Valentine Day. Through the centuries the holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.
- Number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in Oregon in 2006, ( 24)
- Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2007 (24.5 lbs)
- The number of Oregon florists in 2006 (229)
- Number of marriages that took place in Oregon in 2006 (29,351) that is more than 82 per day
- The number of years Oregon has been a state as of February 14th 2009. (150) Oregon celebrates it's statehood on Valentines Day every year!
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CONTACT & STAFF INFORMATION
Michelle Miller, Chief of Staff
Dallas Radke, Legislative Assistant
H474 State Capitol
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-1426
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Oregon State government is facing a budget shortfall of $800 million dollars for the budget that runs through June 2009. Agencies will have to absorb all of these cuts over the next four months. It's a shame that the previous Legislature chose to increase spending by 21% and put very little into the state's Rainy Day Fund.
Here's what the cuts look like as of today:
- A $322 million shortfall in K-12 education.
- A $111 million shortfall in higher education.
- A $197 million shortfall in human services.
- A $109 million shortfall in public safety.
To rebalance the 2007-09 budget, the state should begin by taking the following measures: Eliminate pay raises for the Governor's political appointees, and reopen collective bargaining to reduce or eliminate scheduled pay raises for state employees.
Impose immediate salary reductions and furloughs for the Governor's political appointees and non-essential government positions.
Require legislators, statewide officeholders and political appointees to contribute to their own health insurance premiums.
Eliminate funded but unused agency positions (you'd be surprised how many of these there are) and capture savings by not filling existing vacancies.
Redirect excess agency ending fund balances to sustain core government services.
The state must restructure government based on priorities and protect the most critical programs and services. We must not:
- Cut a single school day.
- Threaten services that were promised to eligible low-income Oregonians, seniors and those most in need.
- Prolong this recession by passing any law that make it more difficult to do business in Oregon.
I oppose across-the-board cuts that protect pet projects and wasteful spending at the expense of critical programs. Enacting the targeted reductions listed above and tapping the $393.4 million in the Education Stability Fund will get us most of the way to June. Then we must start talking about serious government reforms as we face the $2-4 billion shortfall in the 2009-11 state budget.
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BILLS ON THE MOVE...
Real Estate Transfer Tax
Heading to the House Floor for a Vote. HB 2436 creates a $15 "fee" for recording documents and deeds. It would create about $17 million in revenue during the 2009-11 budget cycle to be spent on various affordable housing programs. Oregonians will pay this additional fee when buying or selling a home. (I will be voting no but the bill is expected to pass.)
Toy Lighter Ban
Passed the House
HB 2365 prohibits the sale of novelty lighters that look like toy cell phones, cars, animals, etc. These types of lighters are very enticing to children and have already lead to fatal fires. The bill does not make owning these types of lighters illegal.
(I voted yes.)
Disconnect Oregon from Federal Tax Breaks
Passed House and Senate. Awaiting Gov.'s Signature
HB 2157 prevents Oregon taxpayers and businesses from receiving most federal tax breaks that are part of the current economic-recovery plan on their state tax returns.
(I voted no.) |
 In 1849 President Zachary Taylor offered Abraham Lincoln, the then future 16th President of the United States, the governorship of the Oregon Territory. Abraham Lincoln declined that honor. Proponents of HJR 8 assert that President Abraham Lincoln contributed to the development of Oregon by his support of the Homestead Act, the development of land-grant colleges, and the launching of the Transcontinental Railroad. Proponents further assert that it is appropriate to honor President Lincoln on the 200th anniversary of the year of his birth (1809) by declaring him to be Honorary Territorial Governor for February 12, 2009. The Oregon Territory consisted of what are now the states of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Similar resolutions have been introduced in the legislative bodies of the states. |
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OREGON'S 150th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
FREE Family Day Event at the
Oregon State Capitol
Saturday, February 14th
11:00 - 4:00
Exhibits in the Capitol and mall including Blacksmith demonstration, Powerland Exhibit
Children's activities; candle dipping, rock wheel, cookie decorating, Valentines & more Free Hot dogs, chips, drinks, and Ice Cream, Radio Disney Performing Live
First 500 children receive gift bags
Other Activities during the day
Commemorative Postmark by the Postmaster
Cake for 3000-cutting ceremony at noon by OSP Color Guards, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the Governor Pictures with a "live" Gold Pioneer
Building and Tower Tours every ½ hour
Square dance demonstration and lessons
Legislative Commemorative Session
The Original Constitution on Display
Century Farmers 150 years Presentation |
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TUNE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Representative Wingard's Committee Schedule:
Committee on Land Use
Tuesday & Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
House Committee on Consumer Protection
Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
House Committee Agriculture, Natural Resources & Rural Communities
Tuesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. | |
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