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M/SUNNY Temp: 68 °F Wind: NNE at 11 mph Monday, September 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection 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 Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 26, 2003 Bates backs state talks on revenue increases By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Advocates for beleaguered social services heard the message they wanted Friday from state Rep. Alan Bates, who predicted a Democratic show of budget solidarity could yield bipartisan talks on new revenue before summer. "Three to four weeks of blood, sweat and tears should do the trick," said Bates, D-Ashland. Bates told a crowd of about 80 human services clients, providers and supporters that new funds are the only answer to the state’s worsening funding crisis. "We’ve borrowed, stolen and done anything we can except what we should have done, which is raise revenue," Bates said, drawing applause. Advertisement He said Democrats this week have "drawn a line in the sand," vowing not to vote for either of two recently proposed budgets. That puts the onus of discussions about possible new revenue sources on the Republican-controlled House, Bates said. Likely sources could include reducing corporate tax credits and increasing beer and wine taxes, he said. Those suggestions drew applause from people gathered for a community forum on the effects of state cuts on Southern Oregon social services. "I drink wine once in a while; I’d be willing to pay an extra $1 a bottle," said Kate Baxted, director of DASIL, a Medford advocacy group for the disabled, who said she’s dealt with dozens of desperate clients denied services. Bates was the only Southern Oregon legislator who addressed the session. Rep. George Gilman, R-Medford, left early. Others didn’t attend the meeting organized by the state Family Services Review Commission, citing conflicts. Nick Smith, an assistant for Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, offered a lone voice for a closer look at further budget reductions. "We need to have an honest discussion with the people about what they expect from government," he said. "We need to stretch our dollars as far as possible." His comments drew laughs and jeers from the crowd. Citizens who want to discuss budget options have another opportunity today. State Sen. Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland, and Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford, will hold a town hall meeting from 11 a.m. to noon at Medford City Hall. Many of those at Friday’s meeting reiterated the importance of sustaining Jackson County’s widely praised social service integration system and worried that deep cuts could undermine it. "That’s how your safety net becomes not a safety net," said Central Point Police Chief Mike Sweeny. "The holes in the net become so big that everybody falls through." 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times