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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 4, 2002 RCC teacher is among those rallying at Capitol By DANI DODGE Mail Tribune SALEM — Several hundred people — many screaming "Raise taxes!" — gathered on the Capitol’s steps Tuesday to show their support for income tax increases and hear from Gov. John Kitzhaber. Related story: � House speaker bends on budget plan Standing in front of people waving signs urging "No bonding" and "Fund us now, sometimes pigs must fly" was Rogue Community College math and science teacher Eric Dziurn. "It’s obvious the word ‘taxes’ has been demonized, but if you want services you have to pay for them, and that means taxes," Dziurn said. "Maybe it will take a crisis like the one we’re in to make legislators realize that." Tuesday, advocates for education, seniors, the disabled, state police and other groups rallied against more budget cuts. Most of those at the rally — and at an earlier Oregon State Police rally — criticized a bill by House Speaker Mark Simmons that would have raised $250 million in bonding and made $232 million in cuts. Another possible outcome of the special session is across-the-board cuts. That would mean layoffs of 131 troopers, including three from the district office in Central Point. Two Fish and Wildlife officers based in Central Point also would be lost, OSP officers’ association President Jim Botwinis said. One trooper worried about a pink slip was Eagle Point High School graduate Travis Henson, who is working out of the Coos Bay OSP office. "If this happens, I will most likely be looking for another job," said Henson, who stood among 80 other concerned troopers. Botwinis said the state’s recent economic downturn already has cost 78 OSP positions. More cuts will result in more drunk drivers on the roads, more chances for child abductors to get away, and less protection against terrorism, he added. "Now is the time public safety is needed the most, not the least," Botwinis said. In a speech Tuesday, Kitzhaber said the state’s law enforcement, most vulnerable citizens and children are all at risk from additional cuts. He said something other than bonds must get the state through the crisis. "The single most important task facing the next Legislature when it convenes just six months from today is to reduce our reliance on the income tax and increase the stability of the way we fund public services in the state of Oregon," he said. "But the Legislature cannot hope to accomplish that task if we, through our actions today, simply pass onto them another budget crisis as deep and as grave as the one we face today." Although he spent much of the rally in mock fights with his friends, 9-year-old Michael Wente of Portland said it was important for him to be there. "I’m worried about things like the arts and the person who works at the lunch line and the custodian because we like him a lot and don’t want him to leave," Michael said. Like Michael, most of the people at the rally were from Portland, Salem or Eugene. Dziurn said it was a shame that Southern Oregon wasn’t better represented. Dziurn came up to Salem on Sunday to watch state government in action and talk to his legislators about the budget. Already the state’s downturn has changed his life. His job went from full-time to part-time as a result of state cuts. "I think that ultimately what has to happen is a change in leadership," the Democrat said. "That’s the only way we’ll get to long-term solutions." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities