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JUNE 30, 2017
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
Today is the
last day of June and by law we must be finished no later than ten days from
now. Because the one absolute requirement the Legislature has is to pass
a balanced budget, one would think that would be the total focus at this
point. However, what we are finding is something different. Of the
14 bills scheduled for passage in the full Ways and Means Committee this
morning only three are budget bills. We continue to violate the principles
of the legislative process by passing policy bills through the budget
committee, which prevents both Chambers from dealing with these policy issues
in the appropriate committees. I guess the majority party doesn’t want
principles to get in the way of their agenda. At this point 5 people are
in total control, the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House and the
two co-chairs of Ways and Means. With only ten days left they are still
not telling us what their real plan is. There is actually at least one
committee who’s work we, as members of the Legislature, are prohibited from
knowing what they are doing. So much for openness and transparency.
I do find it
interesting where people go for real news. What I have found is the
internet is not a reliable source, and in many cases, neither is traditional
sources. Prime example at this point would the K-12 budget. We are
continuing to hear how we are underfunding the system and nothing could be
further from the truth. Schools had asked for 8.4 billion, and if you
look at the base funding at 8.2 billion one could say we missed the mark.
However, that is not taking into account the two ballot measures that were
passed on Career and Technical Education and Outdoor School programs.
When one adds those two budget items it brings K-12 closer to 8.5 billion
dollars. Clearly I would have preferred this money all be in the formula,
but in reality, all schools will have access to these additional dollars.
The one
necessary piece of the puzzle for many of us yet to be resolved is the
transportation package, and it now appears we may have reached an
agreement. We still don’t know all the details simply because the bill
hasn’t been printed yet, but I am hopeful. As a member of the “gang of
eight” that created the package two years ago, I do have some knowledge as to
how this should be structured and I am just waiting to see it in black and
white to make sure we are taking the State in the right direction.
In theory,
here is where we are at this point. We have now taken care of Medicaid
with the provider tax. We have funded education. We have a
transportation package. We have a balanced budget without additional tax
increases. It is time for us to finish our work and leave all the social,
nanny state issues for another time. Unfortunately, I don’t get to make
that decision. My hope at this point is the leadership in the building
will let us know soon what their plan is. That may be wishful thinking.
Sincerely,
Senator Jeff
Kruse
email: Sen.JeffKruse@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1701
address: 900 Court St NE, S-205, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kruse
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