REFORM
Continued from Page 1
Another trend that has grown
during the Measure 5 crisis is
the change in the organization
of agency administrations
Many legislators came to the
session having read the new
book Reinventing Government.
Although the new book offers
no set formula for success, it
encourages more empowerment
of workers and an orientation to
long-term outcomes rather than
a short-term view.
These new tools and
approaches are catching on and
are helping take some of the
guesswork and politics out of
the Legislature's process for
funding programs. Using these
new techniques, legislators and
administrators can find creative
ways to save money.
In higher education, for exam
ple. students should be pre
pared for two major new ideas.
The first is a change to a more
need-based tuition formula. If
you have the money, you'll be
paying more. The second is the
new system of high tuition
penalties if you keep taking
classes beyond your graduation
requirements. With exceptions
for multiple majors, this might
be acceptable to students as
well. These strategies could save
millions without causing too
much detriment to the quality of
education.
But Measure 5 created a polit
ical situation, not just a philo
sophical debate. Because of the
money crunch, and the politics,
many sound plans are being
tossed out because they don't fit
into the priorities of the politi
cians involved.
Most everyone recognizes that
college educations are the keys
to 21st century employment and
college-educated citizens
require less social services later
in life, but Intcause of the prior
ities of the politicians in Salem,
higher education will t>e taking
one of the biggest hits of any
state program.
The budget process for next
year isn't over yet, and it isn't
clear exactly how everything
will turn out.
Legislators might prefer to
take the easy way out and mere
ly shift costs rather than cut
costs. They could do this by
charging higher user fees, or
even privatizing agencies to
remove the costs from the state's
budget.
The budget!! do have to be
trimmed, but the trick is to find
efficient way* to streamline, so
that the same quality and quan
tity of service is created for a
cheaper price. Otherwise the
service that people use does not
become any cheaper, we just
end up paying the bill at some
other place or time.
Simply downsizing govern
ment is not guaranteed to bene
fit the economy. Unfortunately,
these kinds of shortcuts will
invariably be taken.
State government will farm
out more responsibilities to the
county and city levels Some
services, like drug and alcohol
treatment, will be privatized
Fees will probably increase for
things like park access and
licenses. Services will be less
available for thousands, hut for
right now there are no good
alternatives
At the legislature there is bi
partisan agreement that some
form of tax reform should he
referred out for voter approval.
Speaker Larry Campbell has
warned of the "massive hemor
rhaging" if Measure 5 is allowed
to take full effect without tax
reform.
By 1995 the shortfall is pro
jected to be Si!.8 billion dollars
That's enough money to fund 45
Universities of Oregon. A 6 per
cent sales tax on most goods and
services is projected to bring in
just $2.2 billion.
The key questions over tax
reform will be twofold: How
much new taxes as opposed to
how much spending cuts, and
where will those new taxes
come from? High-powered lob
byists are already peddling their
personal versions of what fair
ness is to them.
Hut students can make their
voices heard. There are two
keys: education and involve
ment Hut you don't have to be a
political junkie to make your
vote count.
Students have a lobbying
group, the Oregon Student
Lobby. The group works full
time at the Capitol testifying,
watching the legislators and
trac king the important bills. The
ASUO also has its own political
affairs coordinator. Philip Bent
ley.
Right now. things are moving
very quickly at the Legislature,
and most representatives have
long staked out their harga.ning
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positions. Calling them up to
complain now will not change
their minds.
However, bothering them
might be just what you have in
mind if you are the
abrasive/cantankerous sort, you
might enjoy pestering certain
people’s offices. You can reach
the Capitol switchboard at 1
800-327-7389. and they’ll put
you through. This can lie fairly
effective at slowing down an
office. This is a hardball game,
after all.
A more civilized form of par
ticipation is to involve yourself
in o campaign. When tax reform
gets to the hnllot there will be a
hard-fought campaign against it
Donating your time or money to
(he Heart of Oregon Coalition,
based in Salem, would be one of
the most direct ways to support
tax reform.
The most overlooked form of
activism is educating yourself
and talking with your friends
and family about what concerns
you. Political support is a fragile
thing, and oftentime if you're
politically active you can moke
the difference in someone else'*
voting.
Y'ou do have to work hard to
win votes, but never he rude If
you can't easily calm their con
cerns. Ixi patient. Ask someono
else for an insight, hut get hack
to the person. Remember, never
get frustrated if you've let your
self get into a shouting match,
you need to take a nap. or find
someone else to talk with
IsItAnMr to EOT Credit
For Playing
fwffff/rigWfftorts?
For SllH|[R FgN$t
Uiinersity of Orejl
Yes — in the Physical Education Program!
Jane 21 • Aagast 13.1883
While you are spending your summer in Eugene, why not take advantage
of some of our special courses and workshops! All courses carry
university credit and are also open to noncredit participants.
Golf Touring (l credit) Fridays, June
21-Julv 16; repeated July 19-Augusl
13; PE 341
What a great way io spend Friday mornings'
This class meets at a different golf course each
*eek Professional golfer Rob Lindsey teaches
this course
Rock Climbing (1 credit) June 21
July 16, PEOL251
KuUt CitaUHit^ examines this popular sport
with pracucc «n'|<j**«p loci'. WC*' Extra
be SIR CalHtei Jiebdti at 1503MS4
9466 for more mKtiMkm
While-Water Rafting (1 credit) June 21
July 16, PEOW231
Railing is an opportunity to experience the
excitement anti adventure offered by Oregon rivers
£l waterwavs Extra fee $40 call Mel Jackson at
tWP 48404(16 (or m»>rt mfornution
Self-Defense (1 credit) June 21-August
13, PF.PE 408
IV. tty increase sell toofttknet to
aw*! unr uled situ# rts
TtiChi {fcitdit)Junc21-July 16, repealed July 19-Augusi 13; PEI 131,132
Broaden your horizons ami gam some cultural insight
General Activity courses:
The UO Service Physical Education Program regularly offers a variety of
courses carrying 1 credit. Make summer fun and enroll in:
Weight Training
Tai Chi
Yoga
Soccer
Scuba
Aqua-Aerobics
Swimming
Aerobics
Karate
Billiards
Golf
Volleyball
Softball
Tennis
Walking Fitness
Get the details in the UO Summer Session Bulletin
or call (503) 346-1050.
Recreation and Intramurals (RIM)
If you don t need the credits, but you want to stay in shape this summer, then lake advantage of the opportunities to swim,
lift weights, play racquetball, tennis, or jog. For more information on how to join RIM classes, stop by 103 Gerlinget Hall or
call (503) 346-4121
Put the power of Oregon Daily Emerald
advertising to work for you. Call 346*3712.