Page 20
The INDEPENDENT, June 16, 2011
Salem Scene
By Representative Deborah Boone
Oregon District 32
The Redistricting Com-
promise was released this
week, and much to my disap-
pointment, House District 32
still splits Tillamook County
nearly in half. In fact, the latest
plan calls for dividing the coun-
ty at Highway 6, which effec-
tively divides the city of Tillam-
ook into two separate legisla-
tive districts. The process of redistricting is held every
decade, after the population numbers are determined
by the U.S. Census.
Congressional, State Senate,
and State House districts are redrawn so an equal
number of voters are in each voting district. Each area
must be contiguous, use existing geographic and polit-
ical boundaries, while not dividing communities of
common interest, or diluting the voting strength of eth-
nic or language minorities.
I’m of the opinion that there has been compelling
testimony offered regarding the fact that Tillamook
County is a community of common interest. Whether
we are talking about the agricultural matters relating to
the dairy industry, utility provision, law enforcement,
emergency management, the transportation district, or
even the fact that most of the area south of the City of
Tillamook is unincorporated and relies entirely on
county services, this clearly seems to meet the defini-
tion of “community of common interest.” The House
and Senate Committees on Redistricting will be ac-
cepting testimony on this latest compromise plan, but
as the lines are currently drawn, I will not be able to
support the redistricting plan.
The Oregon Legislature conducts business through
a committee process. Each piece of legislation is re-
ferred to committee where public hearings and work
sessions are held. Many times proposed laws do not
get out of committee for consideration by the entire
House. Sometimes a single lawmaker can decide that
a bill will not move out of committee. This session a
new procedure was introduced that allow bills to be
withdrawn from committee and go to the House floor.
A written petition is filed with the Chief Clerk, and then
at least 31 signatures (a majority) must be gathered
from house members within 5 calendar days in order
to withdraw the bill from committee and bring it to the
House floor for a vote. This week three of those so
called “discharge petitions” were filed, relating to tu-
ition equity, prevailing wages, and honoring former
Governor Ted Kulongoski. None of these petitions re-
ceived the necessary 31 signatures.
Oregon voters approved the implementation of an-
nual legislative sessions in last November’s General
Election. Oregon law mandates that sessions in the
odd numbered years be no longer than 160 days, and
sessions in the even numbered years be limited to 35
days. This year’s session must end no later than June
30. Most committees have fin-
ished their work, only the Ways
and Means, Revenue, and House
and Senate Rules committees are
actively working on legislation for
this session.
The main responsibility of the
Legislative Assembly is to ap-
prove a balanced budget, and the
Joint Ways and Means Commit-
tee members are continuing to
put in long hours reviewing state
agency budgets, and making diffi-
cult decisions about state spend-
ing levels. Right now as we near
the final days of negotiation, Gov-
ernor Kitzhaber has asked law-
makers to consider about a dozen
policy bills as part of an Education
Package. These bills include Edu-
cation Service District Reform
with an “Opt-Out” option for the
NW Regional ESD, making the
Governor the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, overhauling
online schools, making changes
to charter school financing and
authorization and setting up a
Council to set goals for pre-
kindergarten through associate
degree education. There are also
proposals to add more money for
K-12 education, but there are still
many agency budgets to approve,
including the Oregon State Po-
lice, and Department of Correc-
tions.
Work in the next several weeks
will be interesting and intense as
we near the end of the session.
As always, I invite you to call,
write or email me with your ques-
tions and concerns, or if you need
assistance with state agencies.
Remember, if you are in Salem,
stop by my office to say hello.
Thanks for reading, and for the
privilege of representing you in
the Oregon House of Representa-
tives.
Want to know what
happens around here
all year? Get
The
Independent
delivered to your home
for a year for only
$20.00
Call today to start
your subscription
503-429-9410