Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us January 26, 2005 Bates, Buckley talk about session By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings Discussion about school funding, evaluation of the Department of Human Services and the ethics of Oregon politicians filled the most of the 30-minute legislative hotline this morning in the Camps conference room at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. A half-dozen community members participated in the early morning phone conference with Sen. Alan Bates and Rep. Peter Buckley in Salem, which was facilitated by Mary Pat Parker of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. Legislators touched on the current state investigation into the campaign finance report filed by Rep. Dan Doyle (R-Salem), the co-chair of the Legislature's budget-writing committee. Doyle may have violated election laws by diverting re-election funds to personal use. He has denied the charges. Bates emphasized that the misconduct Doyle is accused of does not represent the majority of the politicians in Salem. "There is very little dishonesty here. It just doesn't occur in Oregon," Bates said, explaining that legislators are paid a monthly stipend of approximately $1,200, while deciding how to allocate a $12 billion state budget. "I'm really proud to be a part of it." Bates also discussed the need to gauge the function and efficiency of the Department of Health and Human Services. "We believe DHS needs a thorough top-to-bottom evaluation," Bates said, highlighting the importance of protecting children's rights and clarifying the process for how senior and disabled citizens are dealt with. "The whole system needs to be looked at." Both Bates and Buckley expressed optimism about the future of Oregon schools. According to the legislators, the Legislature's goal to not cut funding to K-12 schools appears on track and funding for the Oregon University System seems solid, although a solution for community college funding has not been found yet. Moves to consolidate K-12 administrative functions, cap administrative costs at the district level and pool insurance at the state level have raised concerns because of the reduction in local control. However, Bates assured those participating in the hotline that something such as pooled insurance would be something offered to districts to take only if they could benefit from it. "We would work hard to maintain local control," Bates said. An evaluation of how education service districts utilize their funding, how revenue from traffic violations is appropriated and issues related to Medicaid also came up in discussion. The legislative hotlines with Bates and Buckley are held every Wednesday from 7:30 to 8 a.m. in the Camps Conference Room at OSF and are open to the public. For more information contact Mary Pat Parker at the Ashland Chamber of Conference at 482-3486 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Women's Slippers men's slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Memory Foam Mattress college loans alternative student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation trillion cut diamonds Currancy Exchange Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams