February 25, 2009
January 28, 2009
To Washington County Democrats
Opportunities for Washington County Democrats
The 2008 Democratic victories on all levels of government were tremendous. The solidarity of the American people has called for a transformational undertaking. It is time to rise up to the challenges Oregon faces in the current economic crisis and realign the priorities back to the education of our youth and children. The following are few prospective opportunities for elected representation for Washington County in 2010.
In Washington County, Democrats represent all but 2 representative and 2 senator seats. The retirement of democrat leaders from elected positions will also provide opportunities of election in 2010. The focus on the Representative seats of 26, 28, and the Senate seat 15 must be a high priority for Washington County Democrats. Here is a moderate assessment of these prospective offices.
Representative Matt Wingrad faced an uphill battle of strong opposition, child abuse charges, and running as a Republican in the year of Obama’s election. Though there was public outcry over his assaults, solid negative campaigning failed. Mr. Wingrad won over Jessica Adamson by 1,748 votes. By learning the lessons brought forth by the election of Matt Wingrad, House District 26 remains fertile for a serious, grounded challenge. It is time for the rural community to be proud of its representation instead of the narrow interest of partisan ideology. Those interested in running for this seat must begin the groundwork of a campaign now.
It is known of the possibility of retirement by statesman Jeff Barker. His years as a guardian of the public and its trust will be sorely missed. Though House District 28 has been solidly blue for years there should be no doubt of a Republican challenge for an open seat. The number one priority of Oregon’s Republican Party’s new chairman is no uncontested elections. Efforts must be made to overly preserve a progressive voice in this seat.
Currently the Senator for Hillsboro, Cornelius, Forest Grove, North Plains, and much of unincorporated Washington County is Bruce Starr. Starr won reelection in 2006 by 3,665 votes. 2008 brought a surge of new Democrats in Senate District 15. The combination of the results of the Democrat victories that make up this Senate District, that of Rep. Riley (HD29/11,191 votes) and Rep. Edwards (HD30/15,878 votes), is 27,079 votes. Bruce Starr received 19,973 votes in 2006. Starr has been a long time fixture in Washington County politics but in 2007 he was fined twice by the state ethics commission for failing to report world trips paid by lobbyist and failure to report campaign finances on time, totaling to over $20,000.This seat must be fully challenged. Though the numbers are strikingly in favor of any potential Democrat candidate, a determined and well funded Republican effort will be made. Several citizens will contest for this seat.
Priorities must be made of these forthcoming elections to continue the progression of a more perfect union. We are beginning to reach a point of transformational government. As our Legislative body remains a citizen’s government, it is encouraged that those who express in running for office begin to examine and reflect on his or her possibilities.
January 27, 2009
Where does the federal bailout money go for Oregon? The state budget of course.
As the Governor and legislators have been anticipating, the first preview of a federal stimulus package looks to help cover the cost of the state. Here’s a few numbers being thrown around.
– $747 million to help the state balance its budget.
– $210 million to modernize, renovate and repair public schools.
– $33 million to retrain people who have lost their jobs.
– $349.3 million to build and repair highways and bridges.
– $68 million to expand and modernize mass transit systems;
– $65.5 million to upgrade and build new water and sewer plants.
– $130.6 million to hire teachers and improve schools catering to low-income children.
Sadly though, if you lost your job recently it doesn’t look like much of that help is going your way.
January 19, 2009
The Last Night
Tonight will be the last night George Bush will sleep in the White House as President. Tomorrow will be a day to remember for history will shine bright on the Inauguration of the right man at the right time. I am proud to be an American and an Oregonian this day.
There is much work ahead. Oregon faces many tough, tough choices in the coming months as does our Congress. It is my wish that those who have the ability to shape and change upcoming legislation will do so with heavy hearts, open minds, and rational objectivity.
You have an opportunity to set our State and Nation on track to fiscal security and reinvigorate each citizen’s social responsibility. Please take it.
January 15, 2009
Think you know your Civics?
In Pendleton last week students competed in a Civics competition. In honor of their spirited debates we should put our knowledge to the test. Though 71% of those in the study failed ,my hope is that you don’t. Some of the findings from the Civic Literacy Report include
* Less than half can name all three branches of the government.
* Only 21% know that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” comes from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
* Although Congress has voted twice in the last eight years to approve foreign wars, only 53% know that the power to declare war belongs to Congress. Almost 40% incorrectly believe it belongs to the president.
* Only 55% know that Congress shares authority over U.S. foreign policy with the president. Almost a quarter incorrectly believe Congress shares this power with the United Nations.
* Only 27% know the Bill of Rights expressly prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States.
* Less than one in five know that the phrase “a wall of separation” between church and state comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson. Almost half incorrectly believe it can be found in the Constitution.
Americans from all age groups, income brackets, and political ideologies fail the test of civic literacy.
* Americans age 25 to 34 score an average of 46% on the exam; Americans age 65 and over score 46%.
* Americans earning an annual income between $30,000 and $50,000 score an average of 46%; Americans earning over $100,000 score 55%.
* Liberals score an average of 49%; conservatives score 48%.
* Americans who go to church once a week score an average of 48%; Americans who never go to church score 50%.
How well did you do?
January 14, 2009
TriMet Up
As a daily rider on the MAX, it was good to hear that ridership is up. The more people riding the more we understand its need. Frozen switches aside, TriMet was unbelievably reliable during the storm. During the worst part of it I was able to take a full trip downtown (Christmas shopping) and back with no real problem. So, the more the merrier.
Now, if they can only work on those ticket machines…
January 13, 2009
January 12, 2009
Oregon’s Third Rail
The 2009 Oregon Legislature began today. The 75th convening of the Legislative Assembly will be headed by Speaker Hunt and President Courtney. The biggest challenge and almost sole responsibility this session will be to balance the budget. The Governor’s plan is a mixed bag of fee and tax increases, cuts in programs, and borrowing. There is no doubt that we may see a contentious and possibly turbulent session as more people become effected by the recession and begin leaning on legislators to act accordingly to their wishes. Such possibly scenarios of conflict will be the funding needs of rural Oregon, transportation needs of Portland, and job creation and development across the state. Let’s throw in healthcare and the ever forgotten but always mentioned needs of education and you should have a small idea of the battles ahead.
One thing that is clear, is that Oregonians will not swallow a sales tax. Though a tax task force that will be presenting options to the Legislature has expressed
“…concern about the adequacy of the current revenue system to fund needed services, such as high quality education, infrastructure and the needs of an aging population over the long term both now and in the future.”
It will rather propose
putting the rainy day fund in the state constitution and guaranteeing that a reliable share of state revenues is saved.The task force also recommends ongoing costs of initiatives be included in the ballot title. Another recommended change would require the Legislature to hold hearings and do fiscal impact studies on proposed initiatives.
Suspecting that any sales tax is off limits for the conceivable future, the task force nonetheless warns the legislature that such ideas might have to be on the table next time around.
Most Oregonians are not going to like hearing that.
January 11, 2009
Schrader for a Schrader
Martha replaces Kurt. Call it commissioner love if you will, but it seem’s to pay to be nice to those you work with. Looks like she’ll be of the mold of her husband as a Senator and Clackamas will be represented as such.
I think most of her new constituents won’t notice a difference. Just Toby, Tom, and the PCP’s that voted for them.
January 9, 2009
I’ll put this on credit. Don’t worry, I’m sure the Fed will bail us out.
Jeff Mapes had a wonderful post on Sunday about the coming tribulations of Oregon’s Assembly. Highlights include:
Oregon has increasingly turned to debt financing in recent years. All told, state government debt has climbed from less than $5 billion in 1998 to about $9.7 billion in 2008. The state has gone deeper into debt to build more prisons in response to tougher sentencing laws, to improve roads in response to more traffic and aging infrastructure and to expand facilities on state campuses in the wake of growing enrollment.
Well how are we financing our debt? It looks like taxpayers dollars are not going to fund the needs of the state but instead be reallocated to debt repayment.
Taxpayers are also paying more to service the debt. Loan repayments in the state’s general fund rose from $100 million in the 1997-99 budget to $220 million in the 2007-09 budget. That’s outpaced the overall growth in the general fund, which pays for basic tax-supported programs.
The governor’s budget proposes another jump in debt payments for the 2009-11 budget, of 50 percent — to $330 million.
So just an additional $110 million parting gift from Mr. Kulongski in order to find a way to plug the holes in this current budget.
In addition, the governor and legislators want to use lottery revenues as collateral to borrow an additional $500 million.
We are in debt. The Governor has proposed that we increase debt repayments in coming years and to use speculative revenue from our lottery system to borrow more. Looks like some of the mess will be swept under a rug til a new Governor is sworn in. Though lottery funds are relatively stable, the general idea of selling the future for today is something we must strive to get away from.
