|
Rep.
Richardson's May 11, 2007 Update
Budgeting Strategies -- Time Is Running Out
I am here in Indianapolis, Indiana to attend a graduation. Indiana has a colorful political history. In fact, Oregon’s founders used Indiana’s Constitution 150 years ago as a model for drafting our own State Constitution. Today, Indiana is embroiled in a controversy over Governor Mitch Daniels’ toll road sale decision. Governor Daniels sold for nearly $4 Billion Indiana’s rights to operate and collect tolls on 175 miles of Indiana highways. Opponents to the deal fear the $4 Billion will quickly be spent on feel-good projects that will provide no long-term benefit to the state. They have good reason to fear. In all likelihood, the money will quickly be spent and Indiana residents will feel the loss of their toll road revenues for the next 75 years. Here in Indiana I am reminded, every state has its issues.Back in Oregon, the key issue continues to be the budget. Weeks keep passing and the Session’s June 29th ending date is fast approaching. Surprisingly, there is no indication as to when the Ways and Means Co-Chairs will publish a comprehensive, detailed budget for Oregon’s next biennium. Each week a steady stream of budget bills are brought to the House Floor, and each week they are passed over the top of Republican objections. Top priority issues, such as assuring Oregon highways get 24/7 coverage with the addition of 139 new Oregon State Troopers, remain unfunded. The Republicans continue to demand a comprehensive budget document setting forth the total amount of revenue and expenditures under consideration. Those demands have fallen on deaf ears. So far this session both the Governor’s Recommended Budget and the Co-Chair’s Budget have proposed expenditures costing far more than the forecasted revenues, unless the forecasted revenues are augmented by additional taxes. Five House Republican votes are required to reach the constitutionally required super-majority for a tax increase. The Governor and the Democrat leaders have yet to show Republican leaders why additional taxes would be justified, and voters from 29 Legislative districts elected Republicans to protect them from unnecessary expansion of government programs and expense. The Governor and Democrat leaders must quickly decide whether or not they can live within the revenues forecast for the next biennium. If that is their budgeting strategy, it can be implemented without House Republican votes. If staying within current revenue forecasts is not feasible, the Governor and Democrat leaders must show Republican leaders how five House Republican votes for tax increases will benefit all of Oregon, including the 29 districts represented by Republicans in the House and Senate. There are only seven weeks remaining in this legislative session. Seven weeks is not long to conclude discussions on exactly how much revenue is going to constitute the 2007-09 adopted budget, finalize the budget strategy and budget bills, and determine the session’s “end game” – i.e., which pending legislation will languish and die in committee, and which will be allowed to pass through both the House and the Senate and go forward to the Governor for his final analysis and signature. From my viewpoint, the next 10 days will determine this session’s final budgeting strategy. Politics requires negotiations and compromise, and for Oregon’s 74th Legislative session, time is running out. Sincerely,
1941-2007 
Former State Representative Mac Sumner (R-District 18) passed away Monday, May 7 after a battle with lung cancer. His wife Sandy and the rest of his family were by his side. He had just tuned 66 years old. First elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 he served in the Legislature as Vice Chair of the House General Government Committee as well as serving on the House Land Use Committee and House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He publicly announced in September he was receiving treatment for cancer, and was re-elected to a second term two months later. He resigned his seat in December as the prognosis of his illness turned. Sumner served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1960 and was a warehouse worker for the Safeway distribution center in Clackamas for 33 years. In politics, he was a candidate for Clackamas County commissioner in 1996. He also served as a city councilor in Molalla from 1997 to 2004, and mayor of Molalla in 2001 and 2002. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, five grown children, two stepchildren and 15 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 20th at 4 pm at the Country Church, 16975 S Highway 211, Molalla, OR 97038. Flags will fly at half staff on that day, by order of the governor. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any US Bank in the name of "Mac Sumner Memorial Fund." Cards may be mailed to The Family of Mac Sumner, PO Box 226, Molalla, OR 97038. "Mac Sumner was a generous and kind Oregonian who cared deeply about his family and his community. To Mac, public service was ingrained in his being." Governor Ted Kulongoski “Mac was a valued public servant who dedicated much of his life to the citizens of Molalla and the State of Oregon. His cheerful spirit and genuine compassion will long be remembered.”
Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley “The House Republican Caucus mourns the loss of one of its own. Mac Sumner was very well respected within our caucus, and we will miss his leadership and his friendship."House Republican Leader Wayne Scott “Mac Sumner was a wonderful public servant and his legacy in the House of Representative is characterized by respect. Mac showed great respect to his colleagues even in times of disagreements. That respect was reciprocated in full measure by those he knew and with whom he served our State.”Representative Vic Gilliam, House District 18 "The last time I talked to Mac, I said, 'It doesn't look good does it?' He answered, 'Not really.' I then told him the old saw, 'Everyone wants to go the Heaven, but no one wants to die.' Mac laughed. I then said to Mac, that if he has finished 'earth school,' and it is time for him to graduate, I hoped he would save me a good seat on the other side. He said he would. Mac Sumner was a faithful friend. He will be missed and never forgotten."Representative Dennis Richardson |
Capital Calendar| Missed a Newsletter? Download past newsletters at http://www.dennisrichardson.org/news.htm |
Capitol Office
900 Court Street NE, H-392
Salem, OR 97301
Tel: (503) 986-1404
Fax: (503) 986-1590
E-Mail: rep.dennisrichardson@state.or.us
Please tell a friend about House District 4 Legislative Update.
To subscribe to our Legislative Updates by email click here
To unsubscribe, click here.