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.