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We have been
very busy around the Capitol the last couple weeks. I have met with many
constituents and local organizations and discussed many important issues and
pieces of legislation. Here are few of the highlights…
 A Visit from
Court Appointed Special Advocates
It was great
to hear from these wonderful advocates from Central Oregon. They do some of the
most critical and emotionally demanding work there is. CASA is fundamental to
making the justice and child protection system function in the best interests
of children and families. Pictured Left to
Right: Anita Elliott, Jenna App, Senator Knopp, Linda Greene, Michelle Solley,
Penny Skoog
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Two pieces
of legislation have been introduced this session that will significantly limit
access to home ownership. They would make it much more expensive for
individuals to purchase and own a home. In a time of significant economic
turmoil, especially in rural areas, it is essential for individuals and families
to have quality, affordable housing. I am opposed to HB 2006 and HB 2771 which
are in the House Human Services and Housing Committee and House Revenue Committee
respectively.
 OSU
Extension
I really enjoyed meeting with folks advocating for the OSU Extension system. Left to
Right: Steve Forster, Dan Sherwin, Dana Martin, Veronica Grant, Senator Knopp,
Carol Tollefson, Sue Williams, and Mike Weber.
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V-Tel
Conference
Legislators
representing parts of Central Oregon tele-conferenced with leaders from Central
Oregon cities. It is critical to legislators as well as local leaders to meet and discuss to make good public policy. We meet regularly to make sure that all stakeholders in the policy process are informed and represented.
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State Hiring Freeze
One way to
address Oregon government’s spending and budgeting problems is to temporarily
freeze the hiring of government workers. Governments in Oregon have added
nearly 16,000 employees to the payroll since 2014, a staggering rate of 17 new
government employees per day. The unsustainability of this trend is illustrated
by the massive current State budget shortfall combined with record tax revenues.
State Employee Health Care
Oregon’s
government provides some of the most generous state employee health care in all
of the United States. A never-before-done study of 49 states showed that
Oregon’s government employees receive the sixth most generous state healthcare.
Employees are asked to cover very little of the premiums, according to the
study, with only two states requiring employees to pay less for their health
care insurance than Oregon. Along with the costs of PERS and other employment
benefits, health care costs impact state budgets enormously. Finding ways to
reduce the costs of healthcare for employees and the state will go a long way
in freeing up resources for education, infrastructure, and other important government
services.
Public Employee Retirement System
Yesterday in the
Senate Workforce Committee, we discussed some ideas from everyday Oregonians
to address PERS. I get many ideas from folks from around the state that wish to
make positive, lasting improvements to the system that will allow employees to
have a fair retirement while also minimizing the system’s burden on state and
local governments.
Current
Service Level = Desire Service Level
In
discussions about the State’s budget, you will undoubtedly hear the term
“current service level” in reference to agency requests for funding. This type
of budgeting is meant to show what resources will be needed to maintain the
current amount of services in a new biennium. This approach has its flaws among
them transparency and accountability over the cost determination process. It is
also “status quo”-driven versus outcome-driven as in the case of Zero-based
Budgeting which requires agencies to use outcomes and need to justify increases
in funding.
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Pastor Richard
Peil of Victory Baptist Church
I love having visits from those in the faith community in Senate District 27. It is fun to hear about the continued growth and vibrancy of places of worship in Central Oregon.
Left to
Right: Ryan Banducci, Senator Knopp, and Richard Peil
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OSU
Foundation
It is always a pleasure to meet with folks from OSU. They do a ton of great work and I love seeing Oregon State University expand and grow.
Left to
Right: Andrew Foster, Molly Svendsen, Senator Knopp, and Tony Williams.
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Best Regards,
 Senator Tim Knopp
Senate District 27
email: sen.timknopp@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1727
address: 900 Court St NE, S-309, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/knopp
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