Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

 

Representative Deborah Boone
D-Cannon Beach, District 32

Phone: 503-986-1432 900 Court St. NE, H-375 Salem Oregon 97301
Email: rep.deborahboone@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/boone
E-Newsletter

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As we enter the second half of the 2013 Legislative Session, lawmakers are continuing to grapple with revenue and budget issues.  This is the most important matter we deal with as elected officials.

Oregon’s Constitution requires that the Legislative Assembly develops a balanced state budget for the coming biennium.  This session the Ways and Means Committee Co-Chairs budget proposal includes $6.75 billion dollars in school funding, which is an increase for schools of nearly $1 billion.   The budget also includes maintaining funding for early childhood education, increasing community mental health programs, and critical investments in job creation, public safety and health care.   In order to fund these programs at the proposed levels, the Ways and Means Co-Chairs identified the need for additional revenue, adjustments in the Public Employees Retirement System, and strict budgeting throughout state government.

House Leadership took up the goal of finding increased revenue by cutting tax breaks for the state’s most profitable corporations and high-income earners.   House Bill 2456 was designed to generate the $275 million needed to fill the budget deficit.   On Wednesday after lengthy debate on the House floor, it became apparent that there was not enough support to pass this entire tax package, but we did adopt the minority report to end corporate off-shore tax shelters. House Bill 2456A is estimated to raise $18 million by ending off-shore tax shelters for corporations that do business in Oregon, but deposit profits in places like the Cayman Islands to avoid paying taxes.  HB 2456A now heads to the Senate, where it could be approved or amended. Given the balanced budget requirement,   I am concerned that without additional revenue, we will not be able to fund K-12, Human Services and Public Safety budgets at the levels currently proposed.

Another contentious issue taken up on the House floor on Wednesday was Senate Bill 822, to save $800 million through a reduction in Public Employees Retirement system costs.  This measure modifies cost of living adjustments, and requires PERS retirees living out of state to begin paying Oregon income taxes.   SB 822 also directs the PERS board to recalculate employer contribution rates, which should lessen the impact on school district budgets and other public employers as we move forward.   Governor John Kitzhaber says he’ll sign the PERS bill, but if it is challenged, there is a provision to allow an expedited review by the Oregon Supreme Court.

On Monday Senator Betsy Johnson was sidelined after being involved in a low-impact car collision in Scappoose while on her way to Salem.  While we missed her dynamic presence in the Capitol this week, she continues to work on constituent issues, she is on the road to recovery, and will soon be back at work in her Salem office.

If you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can write, phone or email my office, or when you’re in Salem, stop by my office in the Capitol.  It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Boone
State Representative District 32