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Editorial: People want change, not party fighting The (Salem) Statesman-Journal In the clubby world of the Capitol, everyone knows who is a Democrat and who is a Republican. They use shorthand for the party names - D's and R's - and everyone knows what that means, too. But now that the session has ended, legislators are back in the world of Oregonians who don't care deeply about party labels. Lawmakers should use this interim time to reconnect with them. That means more listening than talking; more learning than impressing others with what and whom they know. They will find that many Oregonians are disenchanted with their state government. And why not? Nearly all of the real work this session took place behind closed doors. Why should people feel that they have much stake in the results? During the session, legislators (with a few exceptions) answered the call of party leaders. Now they must remember whom they really represent: the people of their district, regardless of party. Here is our challenge for the months between now and the November 2004 election: Legislators plan to return next spring and summer to craft a new model for raising money, one that spreads the burden more fairly and evens out the boom-and-bust cycles of income taxes. Oregonians should be welcomed at the Capitol during these discussions. Any draft plan should then be taken around the state so that people can ask questions and comment from La Grande to Brookings, Astoria to Burns. During this summer's hearings on tax reform, just 1 1/2 days out of two weeks were devoted to comments from the public at large. Folks who couldn't travel to Salem on a weekday were out of the loop. Legislators must travel farther and be available on weekends and evenings if they expect any new plan to gain Oregonians' buy-in. The Legislature is, practically speaking, a statewide school board, thanks to ballot measures that thrust this responsibility into their hands. Lawmakers have no business deciding on schools' fate unless they know them as intimately as any local school board member should. Rep. Billy Dalto, R-Salem, made a point of getting out to visit every school in his district during this session. How many of his 89 colleagues can say the same? We have said that before, and we will keep harping on it. Party caucus meetings, where many decisions take place, must be open to the public's surrogate ears, the press. Hearings must be announced in time for real people, not just lobbyists, to attend. When legislators "gut" a measure on some innocuous subject and "stuff" it with something important, they should at least hold a legitimate public hearing on the new version. Legislators must look within themselves - not to party leaders, lobbyists and election prospects - when they cast votes. No one campaigns on the assurance that they will vote as their handlers direct. No one stumps for votes while boasting that they take orders from fat cat contributors. So why do personal values often seem to skitter to the sidelines once many politicians take office? Case in point: Oregon hasn't raised the tax on beer since 1977. Meanwhile, the costs of drunken-driving accidents and alcohol addiction have soared. If you want an explanation, look to the liquor lobby and its campaign contributions, not to logic or careful policy decisions. Oregonians want leaders who will treat them as equal partners in important decisions. They want their business transacted in the open. They will respect legislators and candidates who demonstrate that they can do this - regardless of the letter behind their name. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -