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Hello
This has been a busy week at the Capitol. Last week, I had the unique honor of giving the Senate Invocation celebrating Oregon's 154th birthday. Afterward, from the floor of the Senate, I welcomed the Wheat Grower's League to the Capitol. On Friday, I attended a signing ceremony in Portland where Gov. John Kitzhaber signed an agreement that was developed by the Columbia River Umatilla Solutions Team through the Oregon Solutions Program. The agreement is a much needed step toward providing farmers and ranchers with a sufficient amount of water to create jobs and expand the agricultural industry. I spoke at the ceremony along with my colleague Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, chair of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources . We understand the need for more water to grow Eastern Oregon's economy and stressed the importance for the Legislature to pass legislation that will help Eastern Oregon's economy.
Sen. Hansell with Gov. Kitzhaber and Sen. Dingfelder
One bill on which I have worked in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee is Senate Bill 199. This bill allows a split leasing option. The legislation extends the sunset clause and continues to allow a water right lease to split use of water between existing right and in-stream right within the same year. It does impose conditions for split use. Here is a link to the full text of the bill along with adopted amendments:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1/Measures/Text/SB199/Introduced
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1/Downloads/ProposedAmendment/161
The Oregon Legislature currently has a system that allows citizens to look up a bill online. Here is an explanation about using the system:
OLIS explanation
On the state’s legislative webpage, you will find a new information portal available, called the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). OLIS is an application designed to streamline access to session information. OLIS provides access to bills, committee information, and the daily events of the session, and is a great way to engage with what is happening in the capitol. You can access OLIS by going to https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1 or by going to the legislature’s home page (www.leg.state.or.us) and clicking on the OLIS icon in the center of the page. OLIS categorizes a wealth of session information into four areas, accessed by four icons and their drop-down menus. These are Session Day, Bills, Committees and Reports. Session day provides a listing of all meeting agendas scheduled for that day, including House and Senate committees, and both chamber floor agendas. It also lists referrals and reports for the day.
The state’s public employee retirement system (PERS) continues to be an issue of concern and focus this session. The $14 billion deficit in PERS as it stands today is unsustainable. Without legislative action, PERS could bankrupt local school districts, cities and counties or force large tax increases on Oregonians. Most concerning is the fact that rising PERS costs soak up funding from other critical services such as education and social services. For example, over the course of four years, PERS employers will see their PERS rates increase by more than $2 billion statewide, money that could be going to hire more teachers and police officers.This budget cycle alone, more than $500 per student in additional spending is going towards increased PERS costs, rather than investing the additional funding in the classroom. Increased education spending is simply eaten up by PERS costs. Properly addressing the PERS crisis is crucial if we hope to lower our class sizes, hire more teachers and extend the school year.
Another productive week in the Legislature is now behind us. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns abo
The state’s public employee retirement system (PERS) continues to be an issue an issue of concern and focus this session. The $14 billion deficit in PERS as it stands today is unsustainable. Without legislative action, PERS will bankrupt local school districts, police departments and counties or force large tax increases on families.
Most concerning is the fact that rising PERS costs soak up funding from other critical services such as education and social services. Escalating retirement costs are one of the main reasons class sizes continue to grow.
For example, over the course of four years, schools, police and other local services will see their PERS rates increase by more than $2 billion, money that could be going to hire more teachers and police officers.
This budget cycle alone, more than $500 per student in additional spending is going towards increased PERS costs, rather than more teachers or longer school days. Increased education spending is simply eaten up by PERS costs.
In addition to supporting the Governor’s proposed PERS legislation, I am working on some additional concepts that will help control these escalating costs. Properly addressing the PERS crisis is crucial if we hope to lower our class sizes, hire more teachers and extend the school year.
Increased education spending is simply eaten up by PERS costs. Properly addressing the PERS crisis is crucial if we hope to lower our class sizes, hire more teachers and extend the school year.
Another productive week in the Legislature is now behind us. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns about legislation. My staff and I are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Bill Hansell
State Senator, District 29
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