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CLEAR Temp: 46 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Tuesday, April 1, 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 March 28, 2003 More cuts, new taxes loom over legislators During regional forum, lawmakers recognize government’s failings in state budget crisis By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Acknowledging some blame for Oregon’s financial crisis, a panel of state legislators vowed to make government more efficient while conceding new taxes might be unavoidable. "We spent like drunken sailors," said Republican Sen. Steve Harper of Klamath Falls, whose district covers the eastern portion of Jackson County. But Harper, who said last year that Republicans won’t raise taxes until "pigs fly," said the state might have to hold on to income tax kicker rebates to help the state build a reserve fund. Harper, along with five other legislators who represent Jackson County, were part of a panel discussion that aired on Southern Oregon Public Television Thursday. This is part of a joint effort by SOPTV and area newspapers in the next two weeks to examine Oregon’s $2.1 billion shortfall. Harper said funding for programs has increased by $1.5 billion from the last biennial budget, providing the state with a total of $36 billion from a variety of sources. But most of that money has been earmarked — largely by the federal government — for specific purposes such as transportation. The remaining $11 billion that makes up the state’s general fund pays for essential services such as education, health and public safety. Harper said much of the state’s present predicament can be blamed on the economy, but he said poor choices were made over the past 10 years by the Legislature and former governor. "There was never a serious effort to save the kicker," he said. Republican Sen. Lenn Hannon of Ashland said it has been difficult to persuade legislators to deal with the fiscal crisis rationally. "Part of the dilemma has been that a lot of people in the building don’t want to cut programs, while they don’t want to raise revenues," he said. With the state borrowing its way out of one financial crunch after another, Hannon said, his colleagues have been irresponsible even in the new legislative session. After the failure of Measure 28, the Legislature borrowed to keep vital programs going, giving the public the impression there really isn’t a problem. "I felt betrayed," he said. However, Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland, the only Democrat representing Jackson County, said some desperate measures were necessary, noting that Oregonians dependent on state health care coverage suffered hardships when funding was temporarily cut. "People actually died in this state," he said. "We did some real damage." Bates said proper stewardship on the part of legislators would show constituents that they are truly working toward a solution. "There is the perception of the public that the government doesn’t do a good job," he said. And, contrary to popular opinion, Bates said, "Oregonians get a lot of bang for their buck." The state, which once ranked 25th in the nation in revenues collected, now is near the bottom at 48th, he said. Rep. Rob Patridge of Medford said the budget process will be an education for legislators and the public in the months ahead. A Republican, Patridge chided his own party, which has controlled both houses for a decade, for allowing government to grow beyond the means to pay for it. "We haven’t squeezed out the efficiencies," he said. Republican Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point said his constituents have expressed a lack of trust in the state. "My district has told me that they want us to be more efficient," he said. Over the past 10 years, Richardson said, there has been a 114 percent increase in state spending, and the Public Employees Retirement System characterizes many of the problems with the state. Bates noted much of the spending increase is attributable to school funding being shifted to the state by the passage of Measure 5 in 1990. "My purpose is to stop the hemorrhaging out of PERS," said Richardson, who has been with the legislature three months. Another newcomer, Republican George Gilman of Medford, said current funding levels are at 1999-01 levels, which will mean government will have to take a big bite out of education, health services and public safety. "We can make more cuts but they are going to be programs, not efficiencies," he said. 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S