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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2006 Medford representative hopefuls share goals, differ on politics By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Rep. Sal Esquivel and his opponent, Mike Moran, differ sharply in their political views, but ultimately share many of the same goals for Oregon — including revamping the tax system. Esquivel, a Medford Republican, and Moran, a Medford Democrat, are running for House District 6, whose boundaries generally encompass the city of Medford. Moran's top concerns are education, affordable health care for all Oregonians and public safety, issues that are tied to finding better ways to fund Oregon's budget. "Oregon's tax system is defective," said Moran. Esquivel also lists education as a top priority but said the Legislature has politicized the budget for kindergarten through grade 12. He wants to put $35 million from a proposed beer tax increase to add 300 Oregon State Police troopers. Advertisement Esquivel would consider a sales tax of about 5 percent — if the rest of the tax system was restructured, including cutting the income tax and capital gains tax. He said the net tax to Oregonians would have to be "neutral." "Until we revamp the tax structure in the state, you will have a roller coaster forever," said Esquivel, referring to the funding problems Oregon has faced over the years. Esquivel supports keeping both the personal and corporate tax kickers, which return surplus tax revenues to Oregonians. Before the state could even propose this new tax structure, the Legislature will have to do a lot more to instill confidence in the process, he said. "People don't trust government, and why should they?" said Esquivel. Moran said Oregon's education funding problems start with a defective tax system that has been weakened by tax kickers. He said the state should keep surplus revenues. "I think Oregonians are ready to look at a sales tax," said Moran, adding property taxes and income taxes should then be reduced accordingly. However, he said, "I can't say a sales tax would have a snowball's chance in hell of passing." Tax loopholes that allow some corporations to only pay $10 a year should be closed, said Moran. He said the federal No Child Left Behind Act would be better called the "nasty, creaky, leaky buildings" act, referring to the general lack of funding for education. Education at all levels doesn't have enough money, said Moran, a member of the Medford School Board. Moran favors schools pooling some of their resources, but he thought school districts should retain their autonomy. "I'm a big believer in local control," he said. He said much of education's money comes from the federal government, but it comes with too many strings attached, leaving little leeway in how schools spend it. The state needs to look at the overall problem of ensuring quality education from kindergarten through colleges and universities, said Moran. He also would like to consider pre-school programs to give children a head start on their education. Esquivel favors combining resources among school districts to cut down on costs. Education might require more money, but Esquivel said he needs more accountability before he can say for sure. During the last legislative session, he said educators asked for $5.318 billion from the state's general fund and got that amount, but then said it wasn't enough. Between the state general fund, property taxes, federal money and other funds, schools get a total of $9.6 billion. "Is that adequate?" he said. "Probably not. Is it inadequate? I don't know." However, he said that in general schools are always going to be looking for more money. "We need to ask the question," he said. "What kind of education do we get for the money, not how much money for education." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Biographies, issues Sal Esquivel, incumbent Age: 58 Town: Medford Employment: Esquivel & Associates, LLC Education: Graduated from Medford Senior High School, 1966. Three years at Southern Oregon College. Experience: Oregon state representative, District 6, 2005 to present (assistant majority leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, vice chairman of the Business, Labor and Consumer Affairs Committee, General Government Committee and Revenue Committee; also served on many interim session committees). Oregon state senator, District 3, one year. Medford City Council, more than seven years (two terms as council president, two terms as vice president). Past president and vice president of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc.; past vice chairman of Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization; first chairman of Governor’s Pilot Partnership Program. Numerous liaison positions on city committees. Top three priorities if elected: 1. To stabilize education funding with full accountability to the taxpayers on how the money is spent. As part of the Southern Oregon delegation, I worked as a statesman in Salem to reach common goals and improve our quality of life. I will take this approach in improving our education system. 2. Funding for our state police — we need to ensure our citizens are safe through quality, well-trained law enforcement. 3. I will continue to take the politics out of Salem and accomplish real goals for our citizens. I have served in the state Legislature as both a senator and representative, and have worked in a bipartisan manner with our entire Southern Oregon delegation to achieve our common goals. Mike Moran Age: 52 Town: Medford Employment: Realtor with Windermere Investors Marketplace Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Southern Oregon State College. Experience: Retired as a police lieutenant after 29 years with the Medford Police Department. Served as patrol officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant. Holds a Management Certificate from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Graduate of the FBI National Academy. Medford 549C School Board member, 2000-present; board chairman three terms, 2002-2005; Medford School District Budget Committee member, six years; Medford Parks and Recreation commissioner, one year; Rogue Valley Transportation District board, 1977-1978 and 1985-1987; Oregon State Bar Local Professional Responsibility Committee lay member, 2000-2003. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Funding: We need to establish adequate, stable and fair funding for government services. This over-arching priority enables achievement of other priorities. Large corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes while they receive the benefits of government. Meanwhile, small businesses and individuals are receiving fewer benefits from their tax dollars. 2: Education: The devastation and erosion in the educational system caused by Oregon’s dysfunctional funding system must be stopped. Prior generations expanded educational opportunities for children. We can’t let our children down. There is no rainy-day fund for schools either. 3. Health Care: Every citizen of this state deserves affordable health care. Last Legislature, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to provide a simple, cost-free prescription drug benefit for Oregonians without insurance. The compassionless House leadership must be replaced to ensure affordable health care is achieved for all Oregonians. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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