Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

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This week the Office of Economic Analysis released the latest Economic and Revenue Forecast.  This report contained some good news, as the state’s economy continues to improve and more Oregonians are getting back to work.  Economic analysts project that there is $115 million more in tax collections than expected.  And the forecast for the next budget cycle indicates a $157 million increase.  This totals a $272 million increase, which is a tremendous change from the years of recession-caused budget reductions.

All indications show that Oregon’s economy has turned the corner and the economists expect slow but steady growth during the coming biennium.  Two major areas have increased the general fund forecast by one percent.  First there were big year-end tax collections, and secondly Oregon employment continues to increase.   Labor trends show increases in the housing industry, which include housing starts and demand for wood products used as building materials.  Also cutbacks in state and local government jobs are slowing.   These trends are good for rural areas like House District 32 where there is a less diverse economic base.

Because Oregon’s business climate is improving, the upswing in corporate tax collections is likely to trigger a corporate kicker payment, which would refund $20.3 million to corporations.    Voters approved Measure 85 last November, reforming the corporate kicker to shift the excess revenue to fund public schools, but these changes will not be in effect until the 2013-15 biennium.

After the recession-caused budget crisis where lawmakers were forced to make $4 billion in cuts to critical services, the legislature is now in a position to make some reinvestments in education, health care, and other important services.  We took the necessary steps to help Oregon find a path out of the worst national recession in generations, and now find that sentiments of consumers, business and economic forecasters has become more confident in continued positive growth.

While overall employment numbers are improving, there are still more than 60 thousand Oregonians who have been unemployed for at least six months. As the economy began improving, most of the jobs creation occurred in the Portland Metro area, but now labor trends are showing better numbers around the state.  The job growth remains slow and steady, and the economists indicate we need to make the types of business investments that will lead to new job creation in all parts of the state.

Oregon’s constitution requires that the Legislative Assembly develop a balanced budget, and given the revenue forecast, we now have the information needed to finalize the state’s expenditures for the coming biennium. Standing committees are finishing up their work, and from this point on, we will be focusing on the budget with the goal of completing the session by the end of June.

As the pace of work increases at the Capitol, I will be spending more time in Salem, but am always interested in getting input from constituents.   If you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can also 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