Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 2, 2003 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF ROUGH & READY MILL APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO Preliminary budget planned by Ways and Means Committee outlines cuts By MEDFORD ‘MAIL TRIBUNE’ As the reality of Oregon’s budget free fall begins to sink in, some legislators are begin- ning to soften over the possi- bility of new taxes. "I think people are finally looking into the abyss," said Republican Rep. Rob Patridge of Medford. With the projected budget for 2003-05 pegged at $10.6 billion, the state is looking at paying for education, public safety and health services with approximately $2 billion less than during the last fiscal cy- cle. The Joint Ways and Means Committee will formu- late a preliminary budget by April 15 that will outline some projected cuts. "We’re going to end up with some kind of (new) reve- nues," predicted Patridge, who sits on the committee. "The budget is too grim." However, Patridge said, before any discussion of new revenues is raised seriously, lawmakers need to convince themselves and the public that they have wrung every effi- ciency they can out of every buck they’ve got. Given the current budget scenario, Patridge said the shortfall could trigger releas- ing prisoners and mean a $200 million cut for public safety. "Even if we laid off the entire state patrol division, that is only $70 million (savings)," he said as an ex- ample. Legislators are going through state programs look- ing to make them more effi- cient, something Patridge said could generate $100 million to $200 million in savings. An- other $200 million to $500 million could be saved if leg- islators can make a significant dent in the $15 billion Public Employees Retirement System debt. Patridge said voters don’t want to consider tax measures unless the Legislature has done its homework. "Oregonians don’t want to be held hostage," he said. But whether that translates into increases in property or in- come taxes, Patridge said it is too early to tell. He believes that legisla- tors will begin serious discus- sions of new revenue sources toward the end of next month. Democratic Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland said that legislators have been discuss- ing ways they can make gov- ernment more efficient and also make modest increases in revenues. At the end of the day, he said, these budget maneuvers might only provide $1 billion of the $2 billion shortfall. "That’s only halfway there," he said. "We are still going to be way short." There has been discussion of eliminating tax deductions that could generate $200 mil- lion to $300 million in extra revenues, said Bates, who also sits on the Ways and Means Committee. Discussions include elimi- nating the tax break for a sec- ond home or capping the de- duction on expensive homes. Bates, who with Republi- can Sen. Lenn Hannon of Ashland have supported a sales tax, said Oregon’s tax system needs to be overhauled to make it more stable. The depth of the state’s fiscal problems is beginning to become more apparent to many of his colleagues, he said. "The right wing says we can go ahead and make the cuts, but there is some soften- ing, particularly as the reality of this sinks in," he said. "If they can vote for this (the cuts), I will be amazed." RAMCELL NOW AVAILABLE AT Page 9 (Photo courtesy of Rough & Ready Lumber Co.) Elementary Schools Menu Sponsored by ‘Illinois Valley News’ 321 S. Redwood Hwy. 592-2541 THURSDAY, APRIL 3 *Munchable lunch (yogurt, cheese & bagel), cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, Chef salad FRIDAY, APRIL 4 *No classes MONDAY, APRIL 7 *No classes TUESDAY, APRIL 8 *Rib-B-Que sandwich, cheeseburger, pepperoni pizza, ham & cheese roll, garden salad Septic Tank Pumping & Cleaning Family Owned & Operated *Free Phone Estimates *Residential & Commercial *Licensed *Bonded *Insured Serving Josephine County 7 days a week 592-6307 Shawn Elmer - owner/operator P.O. Box 2122, Cave Junction, OR. 97523 SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! is open Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. DARN NEAR EVERYTHING Hours: Mondays - Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 136 South Redwood Hwy. 592-5255 For more information phone (800) 922-1025 Current Ramcell customers FREE upgrades, phones & promos! Free phone with charger - Free activation Affordable packages to suit you No roaming charges - 10 states