With two months left in the 2007 Legislative Session it is time to take a look back at what has been accomplished so far.  The first major thing we did was to create a “rainy day fund”.  We did this by stealing part of the kicker refund and we called the action historic.  It seems we had forgotten the rainy day fund for education we had created in 2003 which currently has a value three times as great as the new one.  As this new fund is actually a state savings account I argued we should create it the way most people and businesses do by not spending all of our income and putting some aside. With 2.5 billion more dollars to spend this would seem like a reasonable approach, but it was not to be.  Next we created a state health insurance pool for teachers.  Every school in my Senate District told me this would actually cost them more money, but the bill moved through the Legislature and was signed by the Governor.  The reason being this was the teachers union’s number one priority and political payback was due.  We asked for the ability to get an independent analysis of the actual cost or savings and were denied the opportunity. Next was the renewable energy bill.  This had the potential to be a great piece of legislation, but ended up falling short.  First Oregon will be the only state in the nation not to count hydro power as renewable.  Additionally any renewable energy facility sited before 1996 also would not count.  Thirdly the bill drives too much towards wind power which is not dependable as the wind does not always blow.  There are some exciting alternative energy sources out there such as wave energy and methane conversion, but the technology is several years away.  This bill assumes policy can drive technology, which is a flawed concept and will end up costing all of us more on our electric bills. 

Next was the update of the bottle bill.  We will now be including water bottles and all carbonated drink bottles in what can be redeemed at the grocery store.  This is considered a victory for recycling.  In reality we are impacting 1% of the waste stream and 3% of the litter stream and putting more of a burden on the private sector.  I have argued for the creation of a real recycling program so we could recover all glass, plastic and metal from the waste stream.  If we truly want recycling we should take a comprehensive approach and not just nibble around the edges. There are several other bills I could mention, but to save space I will stop here for now.  All of the issues listed above have merit and are issues I would have liked to have been able to support.  Unfortunately the agenda seems to be driven by politics, sound bites and head lines.  All of these issues have been put on the fast track without much opportunity to fully explore the underlying policy implications.  It is the job of the Legislature to make sound decisions on public policy.  We have fallen short of that objective.  I find it very frustrating to have to oppose issues I would like to support simply because the legislation is poorly written creating serious unintended consequences.  The people of Oregon deserve more from the people they elect to serve them.  I will continue to work hard to try and find common ground solutions on the issues yet to be resolved.   

Sincerely, 

Senator Jeff Kruse    

Throughout his presidency, George W. has remained staunchly pro-life.  His May 3 letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi lets the Democratically controlled congress know that he will veto any bills that threaten life.
 
I am concerned that his year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life
 
As you know, current law prohibits Federal funding for abortion, both domestically and internationally, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is endangered.  Recent legislative practice has ensured that taxpayer funds do not underwrite organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning.  Current U.S. law protects human embryos.
 
I urge that these and other existing, important protections be respected and continued.  I believe it is the most basic duty of Government to guard the innocent.  With that in mind, I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.
 
These are just a couple of highlights. Read the whole letter here.

A bill which would have required 65% of teachers at charter schools be state certified appears to be dead.  Sponsor Sen. Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) pulled SB 621 from the Senate floor because it did not have the votes to pass.
 
Originally, the bill would have required that all teachers at charter schools be certified, instead of the current 50%. 
 
There is little correlation between teacher certification and student achievement, as most private and home schools prove year after year. 
 
There are 70 publicly funded charter schools in the state.  They operate independently and are providing a valuable education alternative for Oregon families.
 
This regulation was unnecessary, and intrusive, and I’m pleased that even in the heavily democrat Senate, the bill didn’t have the votes to pass.
 
Read more in the Oregonian or the Statesman Journal.

The Oregonian is reporting that on a party-line vote, the House approved sending a vastly complicated 23 page “fix” to Measure 37 to the voters.  (Remember, Measure 37 was the 3 page bill passed by 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties.) 
 
Representative Susan Morgan (R-Green) said, “Measure 37 was passed because Oregonians were tired of heavy-handed government planners dictating what they could or couldn’t do with their own land.  This legislation vastly and unnecessarily complicates the Measure 37 process, which the Legislature should have clarified and implemented after the initiative was passed.”
 
According to Senator Dave Nelson (R-Pendleton), here’s part of what HB 3540 would do.

• Modifications to the process for compensation of landowners for lost value due to land use regulations created in Measure 37;
• Allows persons who have already submitted a claim for compensation on land entirely outside an urban growth boundary and city limits to select one of three pathways – the unconditional path or “express lane” and which allows the claimant to establish up to three home sites on the property, the conditional pathway allows the claimant to establish between four and ten home sites on the property, or the vested rights pathway, which allows the claimant to continue to pursue their claim under M 37 if they have a vested right as of the effective date of the measure;
• It specifies requirements for the express land and conditional pathways;
• It establishes timelines for electing which pathway to pursue and for the processing of claims;
• Provides for transferability of development rights granted through the express and conditional pathways and specifies that development must be carried out within 10 years following the transfer of the property to a new owner;
• It revises the Measure 37 process for claims against future land use regulations;
• Restricts claims under Measure 37 to regulations affecting home sites, farm or forest practices;
• Limits relief under Measure 37 to development rights for home sites for dwellings or monetary compensation.
• Creates a position of Compensation & Conservation Ombudsman, to be appointed by the Land Conservation & Development Commission to assist landowners with submission of claims; and
• It clarifies other provisions within M 37.

According to the Oregonian, the bill also bans all commercial development, and many claimants would be limited to three homes.

Despite the fact that voters overwhelming approved Measure 7, and Measure 37 the legislature is forcing the bill back to the voter’s once again.  The special election, which will be held in September or November will cost taxpayers $1.6-1.8 million dollars.
This direct affront to Oregon voters by House Democrats is unbelievable.  When Representatives like Arnie Roblan, (D-Coos Bay) whose district approved of Measure 37 by 69% choose to follow party leadership instead of the will of their district, its clear that its time for a change.
 
It looks like Oregonians will have to lay the smack down on “heavy-handed government planners” once again. 

If you’re like me, you probably received a ballot over the weekend.  Charter changes, school board members, water districts and more are all up for a vote on May 15^th. 

Here are some resources, endorsements, and information on the issues to help get your research started. 
 
Willamette Week School Board, Charter Change endorsements
 
Portland City Club Charter Reform Recommendations
 
The Oregonian’s School Board Endorsements
 
The Oregonian on Measure 26-92
 
Amanda Fritz on Charter Change
 
Multnomah County Voter’s Pamphlet
 
Washington County Voter’s Pamphlet
 
Clackamas County Voter’s Pamphlet
 
Have you found other helpful links?  Send ‘em on over.

In a press release, Rural Senate Republicans react to the passage of SB 694, which makes it a crime to confine a pig.

“Where is the vision of hope and opportunity for our state? Oregonians are looking for more from Salem than just another piece of pork,” said Senator Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). “The day we start regulating how a farmer can best go about his business should be the day pigs fly.”

Senate Bill 694 says that a pig must be able to “turn around freely” and “lie down with legs extended.” Violation of this statute carries a steep penalty of one year’s imprisonment and a $6,250 fine. All this for a practice not used in Oregon.

“Since when is Salem the expert on best farm practices?” said Senator Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls), a veterinarian. “This is another example of over-regulation and unnecessary lawmaking. We should be doing the people’s business, which is Oregon classrooms, public safety, and healthy kids.”

Bjorn Lomborg, a Danish academic heads the Copenhagen Consensus, a group that focuses on “the international community’s effort to solve the world’s biggest challenges and how to do this in the most cost efficient manner.”

 Last month, Dr. Lomborg testified before congress, where he had this to say about global warming:

To put it very bluntly, the Kyoto Protocol would likely cost at least $180 billion a year and do little good. UNICEF estimates that just $70-80 billion a year could give all Third World inhabitants access to the basics like health, education, water, and sanitation. More important still is the fact that if we could muster such a massive investment in the present-day developing countries, this would also give them a much better future position in terms of resources and infrastructure from which to manage a future global warming.”

As you’ve heard, SB 2,which grants minority status protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity is now awaiting Governor Ted Kulongoski’s signature.
 
Here’s a brief timeline of Senate Bill 2, and the some of the action that the Oregon Family Council has taken:
 
March 5 – SB 2 introduced in the Senate at the request of the Governor’s Task Force on Equality.
 
March 12 – Over 120 Oregonians sign up to testify in opposition to SB 2 at its first public hearing.  Despite many requests to amend the bill to protect religious organizations, the Senate Judiciary committee sends the bill to the Senate floor.  One Senator questions need to ever exempt religious organizations from any regulations.
 
March 21 – Despite thousands of calls and emails from citizens, Senate passes bill 21-7.  Those opposing the bill express concerns about the weak religious exemption.
 
April 5 – Nearly 500 pastors and religious leaders from across the state gather in Salem to meet their State Representatives and Senators and ask that SB 2 be amended to protect the right of religious organizations to hire those who share their values.  Attendees are from 57 different House districts, and represent many church denominations and organizations including private schools, rescue missions, mission agencies, and youth outdoors programs.. 
 
April 9 – Public hearing on SB 2 in the House Rules committee. Over 700 Oregonians attend a rally at the capitol opposing SB 2.  Capitol hearing rooms are packed in what some legislators called the “largest turnout for any bill in recent memory.”
 
April 10 – House Rules committee amends bill with what some have termed an “ironclad” religious exemption.  Churches and religious organizations are free to hire clergy, religious instructors and support staff that share their values, and may continue to take employment action based on a bona fide religious belief about sexual orientation.
 
April 17 – House of Representatives passes SB 2 35-25.  Those in opposition express many concerns, including that cross-dressers will be able to use the locker room of their choice based on the bill’s inclusion of “gender identity,” and that schools will eventually be forced to alter their curriculum so that all sexual preferences are addressed in sex-ed classes.  Representatives acknowledge the thousands of calls, letters and emails they received opposing the bill.
 
April 19 – Senate concurs in House amendments to SB 2.

In a stunning 5-4 split, the US Supreme Court upheld the Federal ban on partial birth abortions. The bottom line: yesterday the procedure was legal; today, it is illegal. It is a great day for pro-lifers. More on this to come…