SEASIDE SEAGULLS FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS PAGES 11A-12A FIGHTING HISTORY CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS GEAR UP FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVENT 146TH YEAR, NO. 44 ONE DOLLAR DailyAstorian.com // Economists predict a ‘kicker’ in 2020 Warrenton schools see best campus opportunity on Dolphin Avenue Revenue collections have outpaced state forecasts By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau Photos by Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Mark Jeffery, superintendent of the Warrenton-Hammond School District, speaks to a group touring the proposed site of a new master campus. Project depends on bond money By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian W ARRENTON — The Warren- ton-Hammond School District starts negotiations next week with Warren- ton Fiber on a new master campus on nearly 60 acres the company owns on a grad- ual hillside nestled between the Old Skipanon Creek, business parks along Dolphin Avenue and subdivisions south of the North Coast Business Park. Mark Jeffery, the school superintendent, has described the site as one of the last plausible properties inside city limits, but outside the tsunami inundation zone and wetlands where the school district can fit a master campus. See WARRENTON, Page 7A The preferred site for a master campus is west of the Willow sub- division, background, and another proposed community known as Roosevelt. SALEM — State economists say if their rev- enue estimates hold, Oregon taxpayers will get a $686 million “kicker” in 2020. On Wednesday, economists released their latest revenue forecast, which showed general fund and lottery resources in the two-year budget to be about $20.4 billion, $166.8 million higher than projected several months ago. “Oregon’s economic expansion has largely played out as expected in recent months, yet state revenue collections continue to outpace the fore- cast,” state economists wrote in their quarterly rev- enue forecast. “Much of the strong revenue growth can be traced to temporary factors, including the response of Oregonians to federal tax law changes and a spike in estate tax collections.” While state economists expect the state col- lect more revenues than previously expected in the biennium, which concludes in mid-2019, they now expect to see less revenue in the 2019-21 budget period. Oregon taxpayers receive the “kicker” when actual revenues in the two-year budget cycle are 2 percent above the original budget. Economists now predict taxpayers will receive about $686 million in 2020. The median taxpayer, earning between $35,000 to $36,000, can expect to get about $164. Higher income earners can gener- ally expect larger checks. State economists also predict a corporate tax kicker of about $207.8 million, which will be dedi- cated to K-12 education in the next biennium. Generally, Oregon’s economy continues to do well. While wage growth and household income is still growing, the rate of growth has slowed over the past few years. Much of Oregon’s general fund revenue comes from income taxes. However, state economists identified some downside risks that could pose a threat to the state’s economy in the medium and long term, including, but not limited to, “worrisome trends at the U.S. level,” housing affordability, climate and natural disasters and federal fiscal policy. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. Q&A New Coast Guard commander outlines challenges Hints about new cutters in Astoria By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Capt. Jeremy Smith has logged a lot of miles since he took command of Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in June. He has spent much of his first two months on the job traveling to bases in Port- land; Kennewick, Washing- ton; Lewiston, Idaho; Grays Harbor, Washington; Tilla- mook and Cape Disappoint- ment in a dash to learn as much as possible about the region. In his 24 years in the Coast Guard, Smith’s experience includes policy development in Washington, D.C., and leading response and air oper- ations in San Diego. Most recently, he was the executive officer of the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama. He also holds a master of science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The new commander sat down for a conversation with The Daily Astorian, where he discussed, among other things, what he’s learned so far and his top priorities during his three-year tour. He also hinted that the 2021 arrival of two 154-foot Senti- nel-class cutters in Astoria — announced last year — may not be a done deal. Q: From what you’ve seen so far, what have been some of the biggest challenges and some of the advantages of working in this area and at this air station? Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian See SMITH, Page 7A Capt. Jeremy Smith greets Coast Guard personnel during a change of command ceremony in June.