Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford considers foreclosure action on abandoned properties to fight blight ... Early effects of minimum wage hikes seen in higher restaurant prices ... Police confirm identities of suspect and victim in Highway 99 fatal shooting ... Medford considers foreclosure action on abandoned properties to fight blight ... Early effects of minimum wage hikes seen in higher restaurant prices ... Police confirm identities of suspect and victim in Highway 99 fatal shooting ... OTHER VIEWS Other Views: Counties push back against state mandates Comment By The (Coos Bay) World MailTribune.com By The (Coos Bay) World Posted Apr. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM By The (Coos Bay) World Posted Apr. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News We're pretty sure Oregon lawmakers didn't intend to start a war with Oregon counties during the short legislative session, but when it comes to budgets, a legislative body can make a lot of waves in just a month. The recent minimum wage increase and sick leave requirements passed into law last month have some county leaders thinking now of suing the state, claiming the new laws result in unfunded mandates. Since 1996, the state constitution has said the Legislature must provide funding to cities or counties if it requires new programs or services that have price tags attached to them. And, of course, just about any legislative action costs something. But, according to an Associated Press story, it's apparently unclear whether the constitution applies to labor policies. It's also unclear right now what the additional burden specifically would add up to for cities and counties; most civic workers already earn wages higher than the minimum and already have sick days. But the new policies will still impact low-level part-time and seasonal workers. And local governments are making the same argument that minimum wage opponents did originally, that a higher minimum wage will also drive up wages all the way up the pay scale. This push back is already occurring through an effort by Linn County officials, who earlier this month filed their $1.4 billion lawsuit against the state over management of state forest land. The core issue is, once again, centered around timber revenues versus a philosophical shift by the state away from logging. Linn County is promising to bring along all counties impacted by the issue, including Coos County. The hope is that a judge will grant the suit class-action status. Our commissioners are already on board. This bureaucratic revolt is interesting to watch in the abstract; cities and counties lashing back against the state capital is pretty much assured to be a crowd-pleaser with the electorate. Then again, so was talk by our county commissioners last year resurrecting the idea of suing the federal government over federal timber lands. The problem is that all this talk about lawsuits isn't raising revenues, and won't for the foreseeable future. We all should be asking — in Coos, Linn and all the other counties — what do we do in the meantime, commissioners? By The (Coos Bay) World MailTribune.com By The (Coos Bay) World Posted Apr. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501