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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2017)
A4 Opinion Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Trump right on tariffs for Canadian lumber I t isn’t often that an international argument has a direct impact on a local industry, but such may be the case with President Donald Trump’s move to impose a tariff of between 3 and 24.1 percent on softwood lumber imported from Canada. In effect a tax, tariffs are intended to provide a competitive advantage for U.S. goods or to counteract an unfair disadvantage such as might result from a foreign government subsidizing its own industries. Efforts to level the playing fi eld in this way are common but hazardous, in the sense that they can incite foreign governments to retaliate against U.S. products. Canada currently controls about one-third of the U.S. market share for softwood lumber, which is used for framing houses and some other purposes, such as building mattress box springs. This particular fi ght has gone on since at least the early 1980s, and even farther back in other forms. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, the Oregon Democrat, recently called it the “longest- running battle since the Trojan War.” As explained by the business journal BloombergPolitics, “Most of the softwood in Canada is owned by provincial governments, which set prices to cut trees on their land, while in the U.S. it’s generally harvested from private property. The fees charged by Canadian governments are below market rates, creating an unfair advantage, U.S. producers say. Canada disputes that.” The U.S. Department of Commerce alleges the Canadian government provides up to 32 additional types of subsidies to keep its lumber artifi cially cheap. Logging and lumber production represent a signifi cant economic sector in our region . Though nowhere near as dominant as they were a century ago, forestry-related fi rms remain key to rural economies such as ours, and most in the industry will be grateful for federal help in this fi ght, so long as it is effective and long-lasting. Andrew Miller, CEO for Oregon-based Stimson Lumber Co., told National Public Radio that particularly when homebuilding is on a down cycle, the Canadian subsidies in effect act like a grocer holding his thumb on the scale as produce is being weighed. Over time, this inequity has discouraged investment and made it harder for U.S. companies to compete. “People are less inclined to hire, and meanwhile the Canadian mills are humming away at full employment,” Miller said. He and others in the U.S. industry say that increasing their share of the domestic market will directly translate into more American jobs at mills . The Trump tariffs were actually a good deal less than some expected — not wildly out of line with those the two governments have agreed to in the past. Miller said he estimates they would only add about $200 to the cost of a new $250,000 house, though U.S. homebuilders — who oppose the tariff — have a higher fi gure. Long experience with tariffs suggests they are usually not the best way to achieve goals that instead require careful and rational negotiations. However, in this case the Trump administration may have chosen the right tool for the right job. G UEST C OMMENT Rural Oregon wants health care solutions By Ron Wyden U.S. senator, (D-Oregon) Quality rural healthcare always has been and always will be a funda- mental foundation to sustain robust rural life in Oregon. Maintaining quality rural health- care poses special challenges when hospitals and doctors may be a long drive or even a helicopter fl ight away, challenges made even harder by in- clement winter weather. We must meet the challenge to protect the health and well-being of rural seniors, children and fam- ilies. At the same time, healthcare generates good jobs at good wag- es, providing signifi cant fi nancial resources for smaller communities statewide. Because rural healthcare is so key, I’m holding a statewide rural healthcare listening tour this year. I’ve heard so far from doctors, nurs- es, patients, advocates and many others about what’s working and what needs improving to stay on the path toward quality care for all. Two of my seven roundtables were in Pendleton and John Day. I plan additional Oregon rural health- care meetings this year but so far can report these fi ve takeaways from my meetings in Pendleton, John Day and the other fi ve roundtables: 1) The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has produced real benefi ts for rural Oregonians Rural healthcare providers over- whelmingly said many Oregonians have benefi ted from the ACA. I heard powerful personal stories of Oregonians whose lack of insur- ance pre-ACA had forced them to put off essential medical treatment because the mammoth healthcare ex- penses would have bankrupted them. Thanks to coverage under the ACA, those same people can now re- ceive vital care that helps keep them healthy and providing for their fam- ilies. I also heard how the ACA gener- ated more cost-saving and life-saving preventive care, as well as access to caseworkers and behavioral health providers to help patients improve their quality of life. Healthcare providers also talked about the important connections they can make in coordinating services to link crucial mental health treatment, community resources and good phys- ical health care. 2) Expansion of Medicaid in rural Oregon has been especially helpful More than 1 in 4 Oregonians are enrolled in Medicaid — and that share exceeds one in three in some rural counties. I heard repeatedly how repeal- ing the ACA’s Medicaid expansion would signifi cantly decrease rural coverage and increase uncompensat- ed care. That could force shutdowns of rural hospitals and clinics, many of which already have slim fi nancial margins. Cuts to Medicaid would worsen the often-tough job of recruiting pro- viders to rural Oregon, with the ul- timate victims being rural residents needing healthcare. 3) Some of the heaviest impacts from repealing the ACA and slash- ing Medicaid funding would land on rural seniors and children; and peo- ple battling opioid addiction Rural seniors would be threat- ened because those older Orego- nians tend to have chronic condi- tions and disabilities, and are more likely to enter nursing homes. I also heard how rural children could suffer because youngsters are disproportionately served through the Oregon Health Plan. And providers also spoke of how the fi ght to combat opioid addiction would become tougher if the ex- panded addiction treatment cover- age under the ACA is lost. 4) Soaring prescription drug prices continue to undermine lasting healthcare solutions There were harrowing tales about Oregonians facing prescription drug costs that place the treatment they need far out of fi nancial reach. Providers and patients alike highlighted about the need to lift the veil of secrecy covering the opaque system of pricing prescrip- tion drugs. We discussed my bill that would require pharmacy benefi t managers in Medicare to disclose their total rebates provided by drug manufac- turers. The legislation also would dis- close how much those rebates are passed on to health plans so prices are lowered for people needing pre- scription drugs. 5) Rural Oregon is hungry for solutions Oregonians prefer proven inno- vations pioneered in rural Oregon over partisan standoffs that could reverse those gains. They say ideas are most likely to succeed when they emerge from the “Oregon Way” prioritizing what works over partisan politics. I wholeheartedly agree. Ron Wyden is Oregon’s senior U.S. senator. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR Will there be a next generation of ranchers in Oregon? W HERE TO W RITE GRANT COUNTY • Grant County Courthouse — 201 S. Humbolt St., Suite 280, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0059. Fax: 541- 575-2248. • Canyon City — P.O. Box 276, Canyon City 97820. Phone: 541-575-0509. Fax: 541-575-0515. Email: tocc1862@centu- rylink.net. • Dayville — P.O. Box 321, Dayville 97825. Phone: 541-987-2188. Fax: 541- 987-2187. Email:dville@ortelco.net • John Day — 450 E. Main St, John Day, 97845. Phone: 541-575-0028. Fax: 541- 575-1721. Email: cityjd@centurytel.net. • Long Creek — P.O. Box 489, Long Creek 97856. Phone: 541-421-3601. Fax: 541-421-3075. Email: info@cityofl ong- creek.com. • Monument — P.O. Box 426, Monument 97864. Phone and fax: 541-934-2025. Blue Mountain EAGLE P UBLISHED EVERY W EDNESDAY BY Email: cityofmonument@centurytel.net. • Mt. Vernon — P.O. Box 647, Mt. Ver- non 97865. Phone: 541-932-4688. Fax: 541-932-4222. Email: cmtv@ortelco. net. • Prairie City — P.O. Box 370, Prairie City 97869. Phone: 541-820-3605. Fax: 820-3566. Email: pchall@ortelco.net. • Seneca — P.O. Box 208, Seneca 97873. Phone and fax: 541-542-2161. Email: senecaoregon@gmail.com. SALEM • Gov. Kate Brown, D — 254 State Capitol, Salem 97310. Phone: 503-378- 3111. Fax: 503-378-6827. Website: www. governor.state.or.us/governor.html. • Oregon Legislature — State Capitol, Salem, 97310. Phone: (503) 986-1180. Website: www. leg.state.or.us (includes Oregon Constitution and Oregon Revised Statutes). To the Editor: As third-generation stewards of our ranch in Eastern Oregon, we are concerned about the slow, steady de- cline of Oregon’s agricultural land base, and the aging of the farmer and rancher population, now nearly 60 years old on average. For rural counties in Eastern Or- egon, agriculture is the primary eco- nomic driver. As aging farmers and ranchers transition their operations to the next generation, they face many obstacles, including estate tax, in- creasing prices of agricultural lands and mounting pressure from regula- tory agencies. These obstacles create reluctance in young people to “follow the family footsteps” and take over the family farm or ranch. Those children who do not want to continue the family business need to pay off Oregon’s re- pressive estate tax, which sometimes forces them to sell parcels of land. The resulting reduction in size com- promises the economic viability and integrity of the whole, often resulting in the eventual sale of the remaining land for developmental uses. It is urgent and imperative to facilitate the positive transition of ag lands to the next generation. The Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (House Bill 3249) is a good start. It highlights permanent working lands easements and tem- porary covenants as “tools” for farmers and ranchers to preserve their working lands within mutually agreed upon parameters. Easements and covenants prevent fragmenta- tion and development of the land, while allowing ag production and compensating the landowner for the forgone rights. These agreements do not affect property tax rates. In short, conservation easements provide an avenue to transition working ag lands to the next gen- eration at an affordable value while allowing for the continuation of a productive lifestyle vital to our ru- ral economy and our state. For the future of Oregon’s work- ing landscapes, future generations and our wildlife habitat and open space, we urge Oregon’s Legislature to support the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (HB 3249). If we do not act now to protect working agricultural lands, they will contin- ue to decline until we have none. The loss of working lands means loss of the attributes that brought all of our families to this beautiful state in the fi rst place. Roger O. and Meredith L. Ediger Mt. Vernon Donations for athletic fees appreciated To the Editor: In my 20 years as an educator, I have known some very generous boosters for specifi c athletic events or teams. These donations are ap- preciated but usually only benefi t a select group of individuals. In my experience, Russ Young’s donation of paying the athletic fees since March of 2016 is unprecedented. Reducing the fi nancial barrier for student athletes for over a year has benefi ted any and all families that chose to take advantage of our ath- letic programs. With over $40,000 donated to our community in one year, his generosity is unparalleled. You do great things for our com- munity and more specifi c from my perspective, our school. Jason Miller, athletic director Grant Union Jr./Sr. High School See LETTERS, Page A5 L etters policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for Blue Mountain Eagle readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer letters will be asked to be contained to 350 words. No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person. No thank-you letters. Submissions to this page become property of the Eagle. The Eagle reserves the right to edit letters for length and for content. Letters must be original and signed by the writer. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include a telephone number so they can be reached for questions. We must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Send letters to editor@bmeagle.com, or Blue Mountain Eagle, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845; or fax to 541-575-1244. Grant County’s Weekly Newspaper P UBLISHER ............................... 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