Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, March 4, 2010 Where to Find Them U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (Dem) 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585 Portland OR 97232 Phone: 503-326-7525 223 Dirksen Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510-0001 Phone: 202-224-5244 E-Mail: http://wyden.senate.gov/ contact Website: http://wyden.senate. gov U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (Dem.) One World Trade Center 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 107 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3753 E-Mail: http://merkley.senate. gov/contact WebSite: http://merkley.senate. gov U.S. Representative David Wu (Dem) OR District 1 620 SW Main, Suite 606 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 2338 Rayburn House Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 Website: http://house.gov/wu Senator Betsy Johnson (Dem) Senate District 16 PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: 503-543-4046 900 Court St. NE, S-314 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1716 E-mail: sen.betsyjohnson@ state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/johnson Representative Brad Witt (Dem) House District. 31 21740 Lindberg Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-4664 900 Court St. NE, H-373 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1431 E-mail: rep.bradwitt@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/witt Representative Deborah Boone (Dem) House District 32 PO Box 926 Cannon Beach, OR 97110 Phone: 503-717-9182 900 Court St. NE, H-375 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1432 E-mail: rep.deborahboone@ state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/boone Page 3 Salem Scene By Representative Brad Witt Oregon District 31 As I write this week’s column, the gavel has dropped, ending this Special Session. We were scheduled to ad- journ yesterday, but differences over one bill kept us an extra day. The bill is Sen- ate Joint Resolution (SJR) 41, which pro- poses an amendment to the Oregon Con- stitution to require annual sessions of the Legislature. Currently, Article 111, Section 10, of the Constitution requires the Legislature to meet “biennially at the Capitol of the State…on the same day of every second year thereafter, unless a different day shall have been appointed by law.” We convene on the second Monday of January in the odd numbered years. There are no time constraints as to the length of each ses- sion; however, because most of our early elected officials had deep ties to the land, early spring would find them heading back home to prepare the land for planting. Over the last 40-50 years, as issues be- came more complicated and the state more urban, the sessions began to stretch out to about 6 months in duration. A few have even gone as long as 8 months. It has become more and more difficult for committees to complete their work in six months, especially the budget committees who are working with numbers that are sometimes two years old. So, in 2007, the Legislature voted to “experiment” with a one month session in February of 2008. It worked very well, especially since the economy was starting to sputter. This year, a second short session was essential due to the revenue shortfall that required a re- balance of the budget. SJR 41 would make the experiment in yearly sessions permanent, but with con- straints. It would: · Require an annual session of the Leg- islative Assembly, · Provide that a session beginning in an odd-numbered year may not exceed 160 days and a session beginning in an even- numbered year may not exceed 35 days, · Allow for a pre-session organizational session, and · Specify conditions for extension of a regular session. SJR 41 is a good move to make our state more responsive to the increasingly volatile forces of a global economy. It also allows us to be more responsive to our constituents. Some cannot wait 12-18 months for redress of certain grievances with current law. SJR 41 refers the propos- al to the people for their consideration at the November 2010 general election. Other Items of Interest… The House passed SB 1017, which ex- pands the availability of capital to Oregon small businesses through the Oregon Busi- ness Development Fund (OBDF). It streamlines the loan process and increas- es the amount the OBDF Director can ap- prove from $125,000 to $250,000. This is particularly important for District 31, as 60% of OBDF loans are made in rural ar- eas, giving help to small entrepreneurs who need capital to start-up or expand. This is a great jobs bill that helps make Oregon an attractive place to do business. SB 1062 was passed for those of us who got letters in the mail during this last election that looked like ballots instead of ads. This bill was introduced at the request of the Secretary of State, Kate Brown, who worked with multiple parties in an effort to provide standards that would not inhibit the ability of interest groups to get out their message, but that, at the same time, would not confuse the electorate. SB 1062 re- quires these ballot-like mailings to contain the statement: THIS IS NOT A REAL BAL- LOT. DO NOT USE TO VOTE, in 36-point type. On February 18th, Governors Kulongos- ki and Schwarzenegger, U.S. Secretary of Interior Salazar, and representatives from PacifiCorp, tribal leaders and stakeholders from the Klamath Basin signed two historic agreements that will lead to restoration of the Klamath River Basin. As Governor Kulongoski recognized these partners in courage, he said “You have shown the way. Conflict is not inevitable and solutions are not unreachable. All that is needed is good faith among neighbors, fair dealing, hard work, and an abiding commitment to future generations.” Good advice for everyone… Tax Credits! Many of you may be eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax credits, as well as free help preparing your tax return. More people are qualifying because of a decline in income and because the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act temporarily expanded the credit to allow more families to qualify. Besides the EITC, there are federal and state Child and Dependent Care Credits, the federal Child Tax Credit, the Making Work Pay Credit and the state Working Family Child care Tax Credit. You can ac- cess this information by calling 1-800- SAFENET (723-3638) for information on a local tax aide site. Ike Says… From page 2 letter, I would find it interesting to see how many of these people can walk on water. Simply put, mistakes are made, just as peo- ple drive faster than the posted speed limits or forget to use their turn signals. Surely these people would not support the revoca- tion of a person’s driver’s license for forgetting to use their turn signal? What I believe OHA and the concerned sportsmen of this state were trying to accomplish was the punishment of those individu- als who are repeat offenders and do so in what is called a culpa- ble state of mind (meaning they did so knowingly). This law was not intended for somebody who forgot which day it was when he or she punched their tag, dug one too many clams, measured a crab wrong, or failed to write their salmon info on their harvest card immediately. Oddly, it was ODF&W and Policy on Letters OSP that raised the red flag to The INDEPENDENT will the wording in the passed bill. not publish letters with per- This was probably due to the sonal attacks on private citi- fact that it was going to affect zens. Preference will be giv- their revenue stream, since in en to brief letters, 300 words three years there were going to or less. be 15,000 fewer licenses being All letters must be signed sold. OHA saw the mistake and include a verifiable ad- and pushed a new bill dress or phone number. (HB3708) through the February legislative session. The new bill has passed both the house and senate and, at last word, was awaiting the Governors signature. Outlaws be warned: Although the wording has been restored to allow the judges’ discretion, the rules and penalties have changed significantly. The first time you are suspended, it will be for three years; the second time will be five years, and a third suspension is for life. The pain doesn’t stop there, either, because ODF&W is authorized to file suit for damages. The pain for a 4pt. or better Mule deer will be $7,500. A 3-pt. or better Blacktail or an Antelope buck over 14 inches is also $7,500. Outlaw a 5-pt. or better bull elk and be prepared to shell out $15,000. Illegally kill a mature Mt. Sheep ram or Mt. Goat Billy and you will be looking at $25,000. A second offense for taking wildlife with a value of $200 or more (definitely any big game animal) outside of a legal season will now be treated as a Class C felony. Knowingly and unlawfully taking an elk with antlers, a deer with antlers, releases of wildlife not na- tive to Oregon or a person who takes an endangered or threat- ened species or a raptor, will also be treated to a Class C felony. Outlawing will now exceed the cost of a hunt out of state, re- peat offenders will lose their privileges and face the future as a convicted felon, which also affects gun ownership. Izaak Walton League, Nehalem Valley Chapter meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Call 503-429-7193 for location.