The last day of the 2017 Oregon legislative session was July 7, 2017.  The session was long, it was tiring, and it was frustrating in the last days, but I remain hopeful that we will be able to turn things around in Oregon with the 2018 elections already rapidly approaching. The only way things change for the better is when we elect those that will challenge the status quo.

Over 130 bills were heard and voted on in the last four days of the session. Below is an overview of some of the more controversial measures, some of which may be challenged in court:

SB 719 was passed by the House Democrats on a 31 to 28 vote. SB 719 allows law enforcement to confiscate guns based on a family member saying someone is mentally unstable and should not retain their firearms.  It also allows a judge to make the decision instead of a qualified medical professional.  This bill challenges “due process” and our 2nd Amendment rights. Our office received over 5,0000 emails from Oregonians who were against this bill and I was proud to stand up for them by casting a no vote on this legislation.

HB 2391, the provider tax bill, will also raise the cost of health care and those that purchase insurance. It establishes a 1.5% tax on health insurance providers to help pay for Obamacare for all who reside in the state.  For my company, that is already looking at a 27% premium increase will now have an additional $6000.00 annually and that does not account for their mark-up on the 1.5 increase.  Insurance premiums will continue to rise with legislation such as this. 

The House Democrats passed HB 2060.  A tax bill that would have raised $667 million of new taxes on the backs of the smallest of Oregon small businesses. The qualifications of the tax increase were tied to the number of employees a business has, not to profits or income.  Unbelievable!  And they did this on a simple majority vote, defying the Oregon Constitution and the vote of the people that requires a 3/5 majority to approve revenue raising bills.   Thankfully this measure was killed in the Senate.

There were a lot of good bills introduced and some good bills passed:

SB 106, SB 481, HB 2101 were public records reform bills that will help modernize availability for Oregonians to information and improve transparency of government.

HB 2066 retained the rural medical provider tax as a tool for attracting and retaining medical professionals in rural areas of the state.

SB 1067 was a cost containing bill that prevents the state from doubling up on insurance benefits for households with two public employee incomes.

SB 372, of which I was a sponsor with Sen. Hansell as Chief Sponsor, was signed into law on June 14, 2017.  This law permits the salvaging of game meat for human consumption if it had been killed by a vehicle collision.

SB 373, of which Sen. Hansell and I were Chief Sponsors, directs the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish a pilot program to control urban deer populations in cities where deer constitute a public nuisance.  This was signed into law on June 14, 2017.

HB 2382 and its Senate counterpart SB 230, were Bills to increase student achievement, improve college attendance and career placement for students in Ag courses. And compensation for the extensive amount of time that FFA teachers put in through the summer months.  When education in Oregon is lagging behind in national state ranking, FFA programs across the state are a proven bright shining light in building character and leadership qualities in our young people.  Throughout education this program is recognized and should be encouraged and rewarded for the product that FFA puts out.  JD Cant from Imbler was the catalyst for this legislation which Bill Hansell and I fought hard for that would have enhanced and benefitted education and our FFA programs.  This bill or a similar form of it should be introduced in the next long session.

HB 2017 The transportation package that started out at 8.2 billion dollars, a 14-cent gas tax, increased registration fees, employee tax, added fees when purchasing new or used cars, bike tax, gravel tax, tolls on some stretches of road, etc., etc., etc.  We were told that if a legislator wanted projects for their district, those members working on the package wanted a commitment early that the legislator would vote for the package, however it turned out.  I was not on the committee and was unwilling to commit to the tax and fee increases at the start of the package not knowing how much it would end up costing the people of Oregon.  This was a bill that was in a process of continual change and development all the way to the end.  Because I and other legislators would not commit to voting yes early, on a bill that was not fully formed, many of our districts were not awarded projects.  Those on the transportation committee that put in an inordinate amount of time and effort made out very well and some that committed to vote for it brought projects back to their districts and some projects were actually awarded based on cost/benefit. Transportation is vital to Oregon and there is a huge cost to funding and maintain a statewide need.  Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz put his heart and soul into this project and worked diligently, negotiating with a lot of players to see it come about.  Republican Rep. Andy Olson, also on the committee, worked hard and got a measure of accountability into the project also.

In the end, the package was whittled down to a little over 5 billion. Gas tax was lowered to 10 cents over 6 years; it still included the employee tax which I totally disagree with because it has nothing to do with transportation and can be easily raised in the future.  The best part of the bill in my opinion was the funding for counties and cities for infrastructure maintenance.  It was dispersed throughout the state based on a formula based on the number of registered vehicles and miles of road in the counties.  This part of the bill will be a significant help to rural areas.  Most local elected officials responsible for communities were in favor of any package.  A lot of constituents did not want to see gas taxes increased by 20% along with the other fee’s, taxes and the Low Carbon Fuels Tax still subsidizing electric cars.

There was much more that went on in Salem over the last 6 months that I will comment on in future newsletters.  And future responsibilities that will take more of my time.  The budget issues from this session will continue to grow through the next 12 years as PERS costs will continue to rise for the state, counties, cities and schools.  Medicaid costs, individual and business premium costs and availability along with the uncertainty of the health care system in general will be front and center both on a state and national level well into the future.  

Thank you for your support, encouragement and even criticisms, knowing that in this business, there are many views on the issues at hand.  Special thanks to the crew and leadership at Barreto mfg. that are doing an outstanding job and allow me to do serve in this capacity.

 

Fighting for common sense in Oregon,

Sincerely,