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6A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017 Tasks: ‘All the cost drivers have to be on the table Continued from Page 1A Legislators have until mid- night on July 10 to do their main job, which is to balance the state’s books; Senate Presi- dent Peter Courtney, D-Salem, warned this week that legisla- tors might go into a special ses- sion after that deadline. Gov. Kate Brown Brown, a Democrat, said she’s focused on the next two- year budget cycle but is willing to discuss changes to stabilize the state’s revenue system for the long term. “We are working on a num- ber of levels,” Brown said. “I am continuing to have informal conversations with the business community as well as labor about how we close the defi- cit gap for the short term. I am also committed to having lon- ger-term conversations about how we close the structural deficit.” She said maintaining access to health care for everyone — despite the high costs of expanding the Oregon Health Plan — was “fundamental and foundational to creating a thriv- ing Oregon.” To address the state’s hous- ing crunch, Brown said rent control — not currently permit- ted in the state — needed to be discussed at the Legislature. Oregon Senate leadership Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, predicted the 2017 session will be the most difficult in several years. “We have a huge budget challenge, a huge challenge with the transportation package we are trying to get through,” Burdick said. “This is my 10th term, and I can’t remember a more difficult session than the one we’re going into.” With the three-fifths major- ity required to pass tax mea- sures, Democrats will need Republicans to push through priorities for revenue reform and passing a transportation package. Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, reminded Democrats Thursday that his party is urg- ing certain concessions for their votes. Specifically, Ferrioli wants to curtail costs associated with the Public Employees Retire- ment System and to roll back the state’s low-carbon fuels standard. “Republicans are willing to help, and we have been reach- ing out, and so far, we haven’t heard anything positive from the Democrats on partnering on Oregon’s problems of PERS, transportation, low-carbon fuels standard and getting a handle on spending so we can have real conversations on revenue,” Fer- rioli said. “We do not think kicking the can down the road for another legislative session is prudent,” Ferrioli said. Republicans have been “sig- naling furiously that if Dem- ocrats are able to press down those cost curves we will be willing to look at new revenue streams,” Ferrioli said. “We have been reaching out, and so far, we haven’t heard anything from Democrats on PERS, low-carbon fuels and getting a handle on spending,” he added. Ferrioli has suggested his party will want a modification of the fuels standard to support a transportation package. The program, extended by legislation in 2015, requires distributors to reduce car- bon content in vehicle fuel by 10 percent over the following decade. Republicans wanted a lower standard because of the requirement’s impact on the cost of fuel. Courtney, the Senate pres- ident, said he is worried he doesn’t have the votes to increase revenue to make up the state’s nearly $1.8 billion shortfall. “It’s a very bad situation,” Courtney said. “We are very much in that situation now, and I’m terrified.” Oregon House leadership Housing, the state budget, education and transportation were among the key issues that Democratic leadership in the Oregon House say face them in the upcoming session. “I think this session is prob- ably one of the most challeng- ing sessions that legislators have encountered in quite a few years,” said Speaker of the House Tina Kotek, D-Portland, “from the scope of the things we’d like to accomplish as well as the challenges that are fac- ing us.” The biggest issue is the bud- get, Kotek said. She argued that the state’s current revenue stream would make it “difficult” to maintain services that Oregonians have asked for, ranging from veter- ans’ services to education. Minority Leader Rep. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, struck a discordant note. Leaders on both sides of the aisle, though, say that this year they want to pass a trans- portation package to update the state’s infrastructure. Congestion in the Portland area and deteriorating roads east of the Cascades have leg- islators talking about potential increases to the gas tax. In 2015, attempts to pass a comprehensive transporta- tion package stalled, which McLane on Thursday blamed on Democrats. “I’m hopeful this year that the process won’t be hijacked by the left again and that we’ll get a transportation package done,” he said. McLane also criticized the state’s growth in both revenues and costs, and said he is not will- ing to consider tax changes until Democrats agree to cut costs — including the costs of the state’s public pension system. “Claiming corporations need to pay their fair share is not a plan, it’s a political phi- losophy, one that was rejected by Oregonians,” McLane said, referring to Measure 97, which would have charged a 2.5 per- cent tax on certain C-corpora- tions with annual sales in Ore- gon exceeding $25 million. McLane has set two con- ditions for agreeing to the increased taxes that Democrats say they need: business-friendly policies that he claims will grow the state’s economy and cutting back on state government costs. “When those commitments are made, Republicans will sit down and talk about revenue reform,” McLane said. Kotek reiterated her stance that the state’s pension system is not the only contributor to growing state costs — commit- ments to health care and recent ballot measures play a role, too. “The senate president and I are looking to business and labor leaders to come to the table and talk about these things,” Kotek said. “Here’s the issue, though: all the cost driv- ers have to be on the table.” She also said that while leg- islators would “dig into every budget” and seek cost efficien- cies, “at the end of the day we still have a problem.” House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Port- land, said that House Demo- crats stood with immigrants and others who may feel threatened by the policies of the Trump administration. Seagulls: ‘It’s been really, really fun’ Continued from Page 1A ‘Quick as cats’ Larry Elliott coached the Gulls on the basketball court from 1971 to 1996, taking the team to the state championship tournament nine times in 25 years. He lives in Seaside and follows the Gulls every game. “Here’s what I watched last night,” Elliott said after Tues- day night’s lopsided victory over Valley Catholic. “They play well together. They have a feel for each other. They are unselfish. They cover for each other defensively. They’re quick as cats and always look- ing for opportunity. Jackson Januik — I have never seen a guard who can handle a ball as quick as he does — anywhere.” Mark Utti, the father of girls’ star Maddi Utti, attributed the Gulls’ success to training pro- grams that nurture young talent. Kerri Januik is not only the mother of two Gulls’ standouts — senior co-captain Jackson and sophomore Chase — but serves as tournament director for the nonprofit Pacific Bas- ketball League. From January to March, teams from throughout the Northwest come to the area, bringing top young competi- tors to Seaside. Local kids have an opportunity to take them on one-on-one. “I’ve always encouraged basketball in our community by allowing that opportunity for them,” Kerri Januik said. “They don’t have to travel, they can just play here and participate against all these other teams that come to town.” It is this experience, along with strong coaching in the early stages, that helped local players develop the skills nec- essary to successfully compete. “These kids play six week- ends in a row at their age, then they have their school ball on top of that,” Mark Utti said. “When they’re younger like that, it really develops them. It gives them that motivation to keep playing, that love of the game.” Family affair Both Kerri Januik and her husband, Frank, played bas- ketball in high school. “The kids have a passion for it like Frank and I did,” she said. There are so many siblings and family combinations in the Sea- side program you need a fam- ily tree. The Thompson brothers — varsity starters Hunter and Duncan — received coach- ing and inspiration from their dad, Byren, who ranks among the top five free-throw shooters for the school and played a part in the Gulls’ 1990s tournament teams. Mark Utti played basketball for Astoria and helped take the Fishermen to the state tourna- ment in 1983. Basketball is in the Wester- holm family DNA. Old-timers remember coach Bill Wester- holm’s dad, Jerry, as a history teacher and athletic director. As a player, Elliott said, Bill Westerholm “was probably one of the top five competitors who have ever played with me.” A new generation, repre- sented by former Lady Gulls’ star Whitney Westerholm and this year’s Gulls starter Pay- ton Westerholm, have taken the mantle. In the wings, Jordan Westerholm, 10, plays youth basketball in Seaside. “It seems coaches’ kids bring along other kids with them,” Elliott said. “They watch dad. They watch the teams since they’re little tiny guys. It really makes a heckuva difference.” “Since you’re little, you just know you have something to work for,” Whitney Wester- holm said. Basketball, she said, was her favorite sport because of “the camaraderie and the heart you had to put into it.” For many of these kids and their families, basketball is much more than a game. “It definitely gives them a focus and a passion, and helps them do well in school and keep their grades up,” Kerri Januik said. “This is import- ant to them. It is a real prior- ity in their lives and I think it helps them stay focused and organized in other parts of their lives.” ‘Good hops’ The road will likely get Adopt Pet INSIDER Get the inside scoop on state government and politics! 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OREGON CAPITAL tougher for Gulls — who play at Tillamook tonight — as the season progresses toward the state tournament. “The only thing they really lack is size,” Elliott said. “But what I always say as a coach, you give me five 6-foot kids who are quick and I’ll play with anybody in the state. And that’s exactly what’s going on right here. Not only do they pass the ball, they shoot the ball, and they can jump. They have good hops, good basketball savvy — they just know what to do.” “What they lack in size, they overcome in skill, so I hope skill can win out,” Kerri Januik said. “I don’t want to miss a thing. It’s been really, really fun.” The Best in Custom Blinds and Window Coverings <*Applies to selected Signature Series® window treatments by Budget Blinds.® Some restrictions may apply. Ask for details. At participating franchises only. Not valid with any other offers, discounts or coupons. Valid for a limited time only. 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