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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2002)
4 News WedNcsdAy, FebRURAy 1?, 2002 TI he CL ac I camas P rìnt FRANK JORDAN / Clackamas Print Groups of protesters and lobbyists gather on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol In Salem on Feb. 8 during the special session of the legislature called by Gov. John Kitzhaber. The special session was held to deal with the budget crisis that faces the state In the 2001-03 biennium. The session lasted until the wee hours of Feb. 11. Clackamas ASG members, along with student leaders from community colleges all over Oregon, attended the opening day of the legislative session. Budget battles loom as lawmakers hold special session FRANKJORDAN News Editor Several members of the Associated Student Government here at Clackamas attended the opening ofthe Oregon legislative special session in Salem last Friday. ASG President Stefan Myers and other members of student government made the trip to the capitol to help lobby legislative members and Gov. John Kitzhaber into saving major por tions of the community college money that is given by the state to the col leges every year. The special session called by Kitzhaber was in response to the state’s $715 million budget shortfall and the need to come up with a plan to balance the budget for the 2001-03 bi ennium. The leadership of the Legis lature adjourned the session at approxi mately 4 a.m. Monday morning and sent a revised budget to the governor’s desk. Kitzhaber was expected to veto a significant portion of the proposed budget The governor was not happy that most ofhis proposed tax increases were not passed and the Oregon House and Senate did not approve the budget cuts he had hoped for. The governor op poses much of the legislature’s plan, particularly the idea of tapping into school trust funds to help fund the shortfall. The governor wants to in crease taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, and he also wants to delay an income tax cut that was approved by voters last fall. A proposed 3.3 percent cut in com munity college funding was upheld in the final legislative budget, but may have to go back to the drawing board ifthe governor wields his veto upon it Although cuts are inevitable at the community college level, local legisla tors were confident that the cuts would not be as bad as possible. “Actually, things are looking pretty good for the community colleges. Everyone will have to take a hit but the proposed cuts should not be as severe,” commented Sen. Verne Duncan (R-District 12), who serves the area that includes the college. “Every "Every legislator | ¡¿tows what a / bargain commu nity colleges are to the livelihood of the state." Verne Duncan Senator (R-Dlst. 12) legislator knows what a bargain com munity colleges are to the livelihood of the state.” Martha Schrader, wife and spokes person for Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader of District 23, which includes CCC, said that her husband felt’that “things were moving along, but prob ably not as well as he had hoped. Kurt really supports the community col leges, and hoped that severe cuts would not have to be made. Things were not as bad as the governor had made everything out to be.” A carnival-like atmosphere envel- oped the capitol on Friday for the open- ing of the legislative session. Many citizens, lobbyists and media members came to Salem to witness the action, or in many cases, the inaction. Lars Larson, radio talk show host for Newsradio750KXL, held court live on the air for most of the afternoon. Larson interviewed several legislators and citizens alike, asking their opin ions on several topics related to the budget battle. Many lobbying groups were also on hand at the capitol, everyone from environmentalists to those people look ing to save portions of the Oregon Health Plan from proposed severe cuts. Students from all over the state showed up and took part in several rallies to try to sway lawmakers from cutting the education budget Legis lators have proposed cutting $112 mil lion from the K-12 education budget and borrowing $120 million from the Common School Fund to help balance the budget. "There is a tremendous emphasis placed on trying to prevent cuts to the K-12 budget Oh, how I wish that were possible. What this plan does reflect is a reduction the education commu nity most prefers,” said Rep. Ben Westlund (R-District 55). If Governor Kitzhaber vetoes por tions of the legislative budget plan, then he will not have any choice but to reconvene state lawmakers into an other special session to go at balanc ing the budget again. The second special session will probably be held near the end of February. (Oregonian reports contributed to this story) MOVE ARID? LIFE Pond profiled on "America's Most Wanted" __ ■ ■ X ^ e A ccel ^^D egree /^ ogram C ontact M arge G ibler ©EXK2157MZ37» I nfo M eeting M ar 5 th WANTED Business Manager for The Clackamas Print -tuition waiver -earn commission -great experience Call Nick Barron @503-657-6958 8XL2578 SALENADELA CRUZ Opinion Editor In an attempt to acquire more leads, the national television program “America’s Most Wanted” aired the photoof Ashley Pond on Feb. 9. The 12-year old Oregon City girl vanished Jan. 9 on her way to the bus stop at approximately 8 a.m. “Yeah, they aired it fix all of seven seconds,” said Cheryl Martin, Ashley’s grandmother. “It was a very brief segment,” said Lieutenant John Stewart, Oregon City Police Department Martin believes the Oregon City Po lice Department contacted “America’s Most Wanted” to obtain more leads to help find her granddaughter. But there are still leads that are being fol lowed. “We received three tips from the broadcast, but nothing substantial came from them,” said Stewart ‘There’s really nothing yet, more like we saw her here and there and that’s been checked out but that’s really if” said Martin. All leads are being followed and mother, that is untrue. “I don’t think the school would every avenue is being taken, but still there are no conclusions as to what let her wear that” said Martin. ‘T happened to Ashley Pond the day she think it may have been a short crop top or something that had another for school. ‘They’re (the authorities) are still fol shirt over it,” added Martin. When asked where Ashley’s fa lowing up on all the calls,” said Mar ther was, Martin answered hesi tin. “We’re trying to find everyone she tantly, “I’m not sure where her fa has come in contact with and there are ther is. He doesn’t have visitation.” “We have talked to all of her literally hundreds, which include fam ily, friends and people she went to (Ashley’s) blood relatives,” said Stewart school with, “ said Stewart Pond’s mother, Lori, has a boy Currently, the authorities are inter viewing anyone who has had any type friend who helps to support the fam ily. of contact with Ashley Pond. Currently, no searches are being “A few tips came in, but the FBI is not ready to release any information,” done of the outlying area. Cadaver said Beth Anne Steele, spokesperson dogs were used fix a short time to for the FBI. search the complexes and garages According to reports by KATU of people on the property. ' “I thing they’re just doing back Channel Two News, the hard drive of her family's computer was looked at ground checks and following leads g while interviewing anyone that has but nothing was found. According to reports by come in contact with Ashley,” said “America’s Most Wanted,” Ashley Martin. Leads will be reported as they was last seen wearing a bikini top, jeans and Sketchers, by her sister. come available to the press. Look in However, according to her grand upcoming issues.
