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SUNNY Temp: 41 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 28, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 13, 2002 The long and tortured road of House Bill 4076 By DANI DODGE Mail Tribune SALEM — Thursday morning dawns with one budget bill struggling to survive and another waiting in the wings to take its place if it dies. Related story: � House expected to pass GOP budget plan, which faces veto When asked at 9 a.m. "What’s happening?" Rep. Susan Morgan, a Myrtle Creek Republican, tosses up her hands in a quaintly delicate way and answers, "Nothing. We’re in an impasse." House Bill 4076 was conceived on Sept. 1, the first day of the session, in discussions between moderate Democrats and Republicans who wanted to use a combination of taxes, bonding and cuts to get the state out of its half-billion-dollar budget hole. On Sept. 5, it was the star of high-level bipartisan negotiations in the governor’s office. But the so-called compromise plan was shoved aside Tuesday to allow Democrats to get a vote on a $407 million tax increase. It failed. The compromise package was back. Both Republicans and Democrats said they could vote for the package, but Republicans wanted to refer it to the voters. Democrats wanted to vote on it themselves. By 9:30 a.m. Thursday, a Senate committee has heard a budget bill that includes only bonds and cuts. "We are concerned that the House is going to be unable to act," says Sen. Jason Atkinson, a Jacksonville Republican. Talking over lobbyists munching chips and salsa outside the House chambers at 9:45 a.m., Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford, blames the stalemate on Democratic "electioneering." But already, the stalemate is an opportunity. At 10 a.m. House Speaker Mark Simmons, a sly smile playing on his lips, says simply: "I have plans." At a budget hearing Tuesday, the governor had said he would accept $400 million in bonding, even though he’s rejected bonding in each of the four special sessions. At 10:10 a.m., the $400 million bonding plan is gathering steam. "The governor said he’ll accept $400 million in bonding, so that’s what the plan will be," says Cherryl Walker, a Murphy Republican. "I don’t really think we want to bond that much of our cigarette settlement, but that’s our option." By 10:30 a.m. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat who had been one of two chief negotiators on the compromise plan, says, "Just put a big bulls-eye here," making a circular motion on his chest with his finger. "We have three or four votes." The plan goes to a committee hearing, but more problems arise. Republicans want a Dec. 10 election for the income tax increase. Democrats insist it’s the kiss of death. Not enough time to campaign. When the final vote of the House comes at 4:05 p.m., only 12 Republicans and five Democrats support it. Quickly, a House bonding bill, similar to the one in the Senate, takes the stage. But Democrats won’t give permission to move the bill to an immediate vote. "It’s important enough we ought to take a few hours for people to look at the bills," says House Minority Leader Deborah Kafoury. Simmons’ spokeswoman, Trish Conrad, visits the press room. She shows journalists a tape of the governor’s statement in support of borrowing. By 7:30 p.m., Kitzhaber’s spokesman distributes a letter in the press room. The governor says the statement was taken out of context: "I have always placed my conditional support for borrowing," he states in the letter. Simmons holds an impromptu press conference at 8:30 p.m. "He said he would not veto it," Simmons says. "At some point the governor has to be accountable for his public announcements." A vote is set for today, Friday the 13th. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S