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HAZE Temp: 54 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, January 31, 2003 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 January 6, 2003 Measure 28 Legislators warn there is no backup plan to avoid severe cuts if voters say no EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part series about Measure 28, the temporary tax increase proposal on the Jan. 28 ballot. The first part appeared in Sunday’s Mail Tribune. By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Oregon legislators warn schools and human services not to count on any bailout if voters shoot down Measure 28. "The options to plug the hole have been used up," said veteran Sen. Lenn Hannon. "There’s only so much you can squeeze out of a turnip." The Ashland Republican said no backup plan has been developed to offset the $310 million in cuts that state agencies will make this year if the measure is defeated on Jan. 28. "Anyone who is suggesting there is a safety net or a backup position doesn’t see what’s really going on here," said Hannon. During an unprecedented five special sessions last year to deal with the state’s shortfall, the Legislature decided to put the measure before voters to fill part of the budget gap. The measure, which increases income taxes an average of $114 annually for three years, would generate $313 million this year that would be used to halt planned budget cuts for schools, human services and public safety. It would raise another $412 million for the next biennial budget. Hannon denounced suggestions that the Legislature will come up with an 11th-hour solution if the measure fails, saying the only option left is to reduce government.The Legislature also isn’t likely to shift any of the cuts around to minimize the impact to say education, he said. He said the potential impact of the measure will not be swept under the rug when a new legislative session starts Jan. 13. Lawmakers will hunker down over a 2003-05 budget that is estimated to have a shortfall of between $1 billion and $2 billion. In addition, legislators will press for a solution to a worsening Public Employee Retirement System debt that already has government agencies scrambling to trim future budgets. Hannon said these daunting problems will not be the reason why legislators can’t respond to the measure’s impacts. "There just aren’t any resources available," he said. Behind the scenes, many legislators welcome the measure’s defeat as further proof that Oregonians don’t want any new taxes, he said. "A lot of legislators want to see Measure 28 go down and say, ‘See, the voters didn’t want this,’ " said Hannon. State Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford, doesn’t think all the cuts are set in stone and believes something can be done to prevent cuts to the Oregon State Police and court systems if Measure 28 fails. He said they are getting an unfair share of cuts during the last quarter of the 2001-2003 budget. "The governor has been a hostage taker," he said. "It’s irresponsible to do across-the-board cuts when some agencies are getting disproportionate funding." He hopes the new governor will back a plan to use a tobacco settlement bond that would reverse $6.3 million in cuts for THE Oregon State Police and $13.6 million for courts. Patridge said conversations with OSP officials have shown him there is growing concern over the prospect of shutting four of seven crime labs throughout the state and laying off 110 officers and 100 other employees. "I was over at OSP this morning (Thursday) and they said, ‘It’s not going to pass — should I go look for another job?’ " said Patridge. Democratic Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland said there are no legislative plans afoot to deal with the budget hole if the measure fails. "The hits are going to happen," he said. Still, the Legislature could shift some funds around to shore up certain programs like mental health, he said. "We are not going to go into a special session over this," said Bates. "The Republicans are in stronger control than the last session. They are opposed to any new tax sources." With so much on his plate, Gov.-elect Ted Kulongoski said he’s going to leave the budget problems of the last legislative session behind him. Kulongoski, a supporter of Measure 28, conceded the tax initiative will face an uphill battle with voters. Kulongoski’s spokesman, Scott Ballo, said the governor has no interest in revisiting the cuts made during the last legislative session, preferring to concentrate his energies on other budget problems facing the state. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] 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