The Oregon Catalyst

Lawsuit: Lane Commissioners violated public meeting law

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:52:47 -0700

CITIZENS FILE SUIT AGAINST THREE LANE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR VIOLATING OREGON’S PUBLIC MEETING LAWS
Press Release:

(Eugene, OR) -Two concerned citizens, Eleanor Dumdi and Edward Anderson, filed suit today in Lane County Circuit Court seeking to hold Lane County Commissioners Rob Handy, Peter Sorenson, and Bill Fleenor accountable for violations of Oregon’s public meeting laws. The lawsuit alleges the three Lane County Commissioners decided to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars hiring new administrative staff after holding a number of private closed-door meetings. The lawsuit further alleges that Lane County Board of Commissioners is regularly violating Oregon’s public meetings laws and will continue to do so if a court does not intervene to stop them.

Oregon’s public meeting laws were enacted in the 1970’s following the Watergate Scandal that resulted in the demise of the Nixon administration. The laws require all meetings of a governing body, such as the Lane County Board of Commissioners, to be open to the public.
Continue reading "Lawsuit: Lane Commissioners violated public meeting law"

Oregon Student Association Prints False Voter Information

nospam@example.com (Jacob Szeto) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0700

Flyers distributed by the Oregon Student Association (OSA) to students on university campuses contained incorrect information about Oregon ballot Measures 66 and 67.

The flyer in question was intended to educate students about the impacts of Measures 66 and 67. It was passed out to students in classrooms during presentations and placed next to ballot boxes attended by OSA.

Continue reading "Oregon Student Association Prints False Voter Information"

The Who Rocked Our World

nospam@example.com (Jerry Dawson) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:20:59 -0700

The Super Bowl Halftime Show, featuring The Who, was the highlight of an otherwise mundane game. Sure, there was a successful surprise onside kick, an interception returned for a touchdown, a record-tying 32 pass completions, etc., etc., but nothing could match the return of the stars of rock-and-roll, The Who.

Continue reading "The Who Rocked Our World"

After Raising Taxes, Oregonians Should Reject Moves to Gut the Kicker Law

nospam@example.com (Steve Buckstein) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0700

The voters have spoken and agreed with legislative leaders that the “rich” and corporations should pay more taxes through Measures 66 and 67. Now, Governor Ted Kulongoski and others are turning their attention to transferring even more money from the private sector to government coffers through what is becoming known as “kicker reform.” As an appointed taxpayer advocate on the Governor’s Task Force on Comprehensive Revenue Restructuring, I have a different view of the kicker and its effect on budget stability.

The Task Force found, and I agree, that establishing more reliable state income forecasting and more prudent budgeting are worthy goals. I do not agree, however, that the state is the best repository for ending balances under a proposed new forecasting method. That money rightfully belongs to the individuals and corporations who earned it.

Continue reading "After Raising Taxes, Oregonians Should Reject Moves to Gut the Kicker Law"

Lars Larson: Let’s Build Nukes

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0700

The President talks a good game about nuclear power, so let’s get busy. Let’s build some nuclear power plants. What’s holding us up?

There were a lot of things in the President’s State of the Union message that I didn’t like, but one of them I did like was when he said “let’s build some nuclear power”.

Now every time he uses that term “clean and safe nuclear power” it sounds to me he’s trying to figure a way out of building those plants. Why don’t we get busy?

Continue reading "Lars Larson: Let’s Build Nukes"

Chart: Obama vs.other Presidents on cabinet picks

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:30:00 -0700

Found from the Enterprise Blog

"No One Left to Tax"

nospam@example.com (Steve Buckstein) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:45:00 -0700

In this short clip from Wednesday's House Committee on Business and Labor hearing, Rep. Michael Schaufler, D-Happy Valley, made an emotional off-the-cuff statement about how jobs are being killed in this state and how we have “no one left to tax.” He was the only Democrat to vote against the tax bills that were later referred to voters as Measures 66 and 67.

Later that afternoon, Schaufler apologized to the House for making this speech while in committee, calling it out of order. On the contrary, perhaps some of his colleagues owe the people of Oregon an apology for not admitting that what he said is all too true.

Credit to Oregon Politico statehouse reporter Sarah Ross for capturing the video. Oregon Politico is the news arm of Cascade Policy Institute.

Steve Buckstein is founder and senior policy analyst at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research center.

Battle over jobs plan begins in Capitol

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:25:59 -0700

Oregonians deserve more than stop-gap jobless benefits
By Oregon Senate Republicans,

Salem, OR – Senate Republicans voted to pass an extension of jobless benefits to unemployed Oregonians on Friday, but urged their colleagues to finally take action and end the unemployment pandemic afflicting Oregon. More than 209,000 Oregonians are unable to find work in this blighted economy. “To come along side and help some of the Oregonians who are without a job is the very least we can do,” said Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro). “The long-term answer for struggling Oregon families isn’t another government check, it is a thriving economy that creates jobs and offers the opportunity for employment and advancement.” Despite loudly declaring last session “The Jobs Session[1],” Democrats have little to show for their efforts. Since January of last year, when the first borrow-and-spend stimulus plan passed the legislature, Oregon has hemorrhaged another 50,000 jobs. Meanwhile, Democrats borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars, raised $1.4 billion in new taxes and fees and increased government spending by more than 9%.

Continue reading "Battle over jobs plan begins in Capitol"

Video: Representative Hanna on Oregon jobless lead

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:20:22 -0700

Dave Lister points out campaign violations of City Council

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:22:00 -0700

Superb Guest Column in The Oregonian
February 04
By Dave Lister

When I ran in the 2006 primary for a Portland City Council seat, I recruited one paid campaign worker. After we negotiated the terms and rate of his compensation, I dutifully had my accountant set up federal and state employer ID numbers so I could make the proper tax withholdings from his paychecks. I did this despite the advice of many that I pay him as a contractor. The reason was simple. To pay him as a contractor would have been illegal. Unfortunately, many campaigns and candidates make the choice, either through ignorance or indifference, to pay their staffers illegally. They also get away with it.

The IRS test for paying an employee as a contractor is not only stringent, but clear. If an employee is a contractor, you can tell him or her what to do, but not how to do it. You can't tell him when to come and go. He must provide his own work space and tools. He must provide similar services to other clients. In effect, he works for you when he chooses to and then bills you for it.

Continue reading "Dave Lister points out campaign violations of City Council"

Greg Walden gets top national GOP chair spot

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:58:18 -0700

Boehner Taps Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to Serve as House GOP Leadership Chairman
By Congressman John Behner,

Oregon Congressman Joins Republican Leadership Team, Assumes Post Previously Held by Former GOP Reps. Walker, Paxon, Portman

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today announced he has appointed Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to join the House Republican leadership team as Chairman of the Republican Leadership, a leadership position previously held by former GOP Reps. Bob Walker (R-PA), Bill Paxon (R-NY), and Rob Portman (R-OH). Rep. Walden will immediately assume the post. Boehner made the announcement at his weekly press briefing.

“Greg Walden is a proven leader and a champion for smaller, more accountable government. We need him at the leadership table as we enter this critical year for our country, and I deeply appreciate his willingness to serve as our leadership chairman,” Boehner said. As Republican Leadership Chairman, Walden will participate in regular GOP leadership strategy meetings and direct key projects such as the House GOP Congressional Transparency Initiative, a reform project aimed at making the House more open and accountable to the American people. Walden will also continue to serve as a deputy whip and deputy chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

Continue reading "Greg Walden gets top national GOP chair spot"

Democrats and Republicans override Kulongoiski veto on PERS bill

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:47:56 -0700

Democrats and Republicans vote to override veto on PERS bill
By Both Senate Democrat Office and Republican Office,

Salem, OR – The Oregon Senate voted this morning to override a veto of Senate Bill 897 from the 2009 session. Democratic and Republican Leaders agreed that the bill is crucial to protecting public employees from unfair retirement calculation errors. The bill passed the Senate 28 – 0 in the 2009 legislative session. “A retiree shouldn’t be responsible for state agency math errors,” said Senate Republican leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). “Under a policy advanced by the current administration and defended by Governor Ted Kulongoski’s veto, if bureaucrats screw up, retirees lose. That is wrong, and this bill sets things right.”

The bill is intended to protect fairness and encourage accountability in Oregon’s Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). The bill allows more PERS retirees to purchase health insurance benefits, allows all eligible service to be credited towards retirement, and allows a retiree to occupy the Board position designated for a PERS member. “Both Democrats and Republicans feel strongly that public employees deserve accountability and reliability when planning for their retirement,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “It’s a basic issue of fairness. A person who is retiring should know what their retirement will look like ahead of time and shouldn’t be surprised after the fact.”

Continue reading "Democrats and Republicans override Kulongoiski veto on PERS bill"

House Republicans offer health care deduction plan

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:37 -0700

House Republicans offer health care deduction plan
By Oregon House Republican Office,

SALEM—Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) and Rep. Scott Bruun (R-West Linn) today urged the House Health Care Committee to make health care more affordable by allowing individuals and families to deduct insurance premium payments from their federal taxable income. “We are offering a solution to make health insurance more available to thousands of Oregonians and their families,” said Rep. Maurer, the measure’s chief co-sponsor. “HB 3611 will expand access to care and empower more Oregonians to make their own health care decisions. Further, the bill offers relief to Oregonians who must pay the new tax on their health insurance premiums.”

HB 3611 will provide relief to the 200,000 Oregonians who purchase individual coverage plans but have seen their rates increase by 17 percent over the past year. House Republicans also say the bill will make individual coverage more affordable to uninsured Oregonians.

Continue reading "House Republicans offer health care deduction plan"

Senator Rick Metsger: Transparency in Campaign Finance Bill

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:33:48 -0700

Senator Metsger Introduces Legislation To Create Transparency In Oregon Campaign Finance
By State Senator Rick Metsger, Press release

Salem, OR-- Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches) today introduced amendments to SB 1058 which will reform the way campaign contributions are distributed in Oregon politics. The amendments effectively eliminate pass-through contributions from one political candidate committee to another.“This legislation doesn’t try to solve every problem with campaign contributions, but is narrowly crafted to address one essential component that impacts our democracy,” said Metsger. “Oregon citizens deserve to know that when they support a candidate with a contribution that their money will not be passed to another candidate whom the donor may not even support.”

Pass-through contributions are the act of one political candidate committee donating money from their campaign funds to another candidate’s campaign. “This is essentially money laundering that serves to obscure the true identity of a candidate’s supporters,” Metsger said. Campaign finance reform has long been an issue in Oregon. Current campaign law has no restrictions on the amount of contributions received, and limited laws related to how money may be spent. Reform has many facets, but has always met strong political opposition which has halted meaningful change.

Continue reading "Senator Rick Metsger: Transparency in Campaign Finance Bill"

Executive Club Tonight: Allen Alley

nospam@example.com (In the news) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:31:31 -0700

Time for a Capitalist for our Capitol?

The February meeting features this front-runner for the Republican nomination for Oregon Governor. Unlike the continuous string of economically illiterate Governors who have afflicted Oregon since the end of Vic Atiyeh’s term, this gubernatorial candidate has actual real-world experience starting and growing businesses. Allen Alley maintains that his 30 years of experience at creating jobs and running enterprises which compete in a competitive global economy makes him the best pick to formulate state budgets.Be at this meeting to hear if Alley deserves the support of those of us long for a leader who will act to reverse the explosive growth of the government class. Hear Allen speak on his innovative idea to “Tax the Government” and how he envisions a more prosperous Oregon.

Oregon Executive Club Speaker Series
6:00 pm, Wed, Feb. 3rd, Portland Airport Shilo