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P/CLOUDY Temp: 49 °F Wind: WNW at 7 mph Sunday, March 2, 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 19, 2003 Sen. Lenn Hannon�s office, top, has a commanding view of the state Capitol. With the Ashland Republican sharing the Senate presidency, Jackson County stands to fare well in the 2003 Legislature. This view kept Hannon from moving into a bigger office. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Power surge Jackson County primed to flex new legislative muscle By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Through a twist of fate combined with some back-room wrangling, Jackson County has emerged as a potent political force in the newly constituted Legislature. Ashland Sen. Lenn Hannon last week maneuvered his way into becoming one of the most powerful figures in the Legislature, sharing the Senate leadership with Democrat Peter Courtney of Salem. Rep. Rob Patridge, a Medford Republican, and Rep. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat, are now ranking leaders in the House, sitting on the powerful Joint Committee on Ways and Means. "I think what it is going to mean is that Southern Oregon is certainly going to be in a position to help set the agenda and set the course of direction for the state for the next couple of years," said Hannon. Of the nine legislators now covering Jackson County, six live within its boundaries, each vowing to help set the state’s agenda and make sure the needs of Southern Oregon are heard. With 10 percent of the Legislature now represented in Jackson County, it has become a powerful voice in Salem as the state struggles through a $1.6 billion shortfall and the need to reform the Public Employees Retirement System. Bates said, "One thing that Jackson County can say for itself is it’s got a powerful delegation here. It’s got a lot more weight than what you would expect outside the Willamette Valley." Patridge agreed, saying, "I think we have some real unique opportunities to steer the ship." Hannon said the state has lost its way in recent years, and he is hoping that leaders such as Bates, Patridge and other Jackson County legislators will help bring back a more progressive attitude about the kinds of services the government should offer. "It’s kind of like driving in the fog," he said. "We’re now back on course with a can-do attitude, rather than a cannot-do attitude." He believes the political tide has turned and faith will be restored in the legislative process. "It’s a historical moment," he said. "It’s number one, restoring civility back to the process, restoring integrity back to the process, and finally, restoring the manner in which we conduct the people’s business back into the process." Bates, the sole Democrat representing Jackson County, also hopes to steer the state back to a more progressive position that protects essential services such as education, public safety and health. "Oregon was a more progressive state in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s," he said. Since then, far-right Republicans have changed this direction, he said. On the other hand, Democrats can be just as bad, he said. "There are far-left Democrats up here that have never met a tax they didn’t like," he said. The mantra by right-wing conservatives that government is bad and business is good is completely wrong, said Bates. "If you want businesses to thrive in Oregon and want to bring new businesses in, you’ve got to keep basic government services going," he said. Tax has been a four-letter word among most Republicans, but Bates said he believes they might come around to the idea once they see the impacts of Measure 28 — if the temporary income tax increase is rejected by voters Jan. 28. Though Patridge is more skeptical about the tax idea, he agreed with his colleagues in saying that "We have an opportunity to make some differences in Southern Oregon." He vows to advocate for issues that affect Jackson County such as health services, hospital emergency response, poison control centers and education. But with major problems such as a $15 billion deficit in PERS and the state budget shortfall, Patridge doesn’t foresee an influx of money that would go on the Legislature’s so-called "Christmas tree," a bill that funds pet projects in districts. The Legislature will need to forget about these projects and wrestle with what basic services must be offered to Oregonians given budget limitations, he said. "It’s about prioritizing," said Patridge. "It’s about looking at things like the crime labs." The state will be closing three of its seven crime labs on Feb. 1 if Measure 28 fails. Patridge disagrees with some of his colleagues about the necessity of a sales tax to solve the education funding problem. "Sales tax goes up and down and takes wild swings," he said. "That’s not the panacea in my opinion." Before any discussion about taxes, Patridge said the Legislature needs to build confidence with the public over the political process and the way the state handles money. "If it comes in, we spend it," he said. "We don’t have a real good checks and balances on spending." Republican Sen. Jason Atkinson of Jacksonville, who is on the Rules Committee, said the state’s budget problems will mean little money left over to benefit Jackson County directly. "I think that given the budget climate there will not be any big plums," he said. However, PERS is one issue that has to be tackled head on because the increasing costs of the program will have a direct impact on Jackson County’s budget, which is projected to have a more than $3 million shortfall next year. "The PERS cost to Jackson County will be enormous," he said. During the first week of the session the Legislature showed a lot of progress, Atkinson said, but the real work is ahead. "I think we’re going to have a real debate over what’s essential and what’s non-essential in government," he said. Republican Rep. George Gilman of Medford, who is on the House Transportation Committee, wants to make sure Oregon’s roads and bridges are in good shape so that freight continues to reach Southern Oregon unhampered. "I’m also representing Central and some of Eastern Oregon," he said. "But I will definitely keep the interests of Southern Oregon in mind when I vote and on some of the projects I’m working on in the Transportation Committee." Despite his general dislike of new taxes, Gilman said he would consider supporting an increase in vehicle registration fees. "Even though the governor said we will live within our means, transportation is so important to economic development that I may be willing to support some kind of increase," he said. As to any other taxes, Gilman is generally opposed. However, he said, "If we show Oregonians we have made the cuts in bureaucracy, then maybe it will be time." Republican Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point said, "I’m working on economic development for Southern Oregon. I promise to be involved in that and I’ve selected that as my top priority." As a member of the House Environment and Land Use Committee, Richardson said that will further help this region. "My goal is to lessen the stranglehold that the state has on regions that prevent, in many instances, economic development," he said. "They are applying similar land-use decisions to Portland as they are to Applegate." Beyond his committee assignments, Richardson plans to develop contacts he has cultivated in China who want to invest or trade with Oregon. Fujin Province, a sister province to Oregon, desperately needs water purification expertise, something the state could provide, said Richardson. He also knows of five Chinese nationals who would be willing to start a business in this state. Both Rep. Susan Morgan of Myrtle Creek and Sen. Bill Fisher of Roseburg represent a small portion of northern Jackson County, but a little gerrymandering after the 2000 Census produced a significant redistricting to the east. Republican Sen. Steve Harper of Klamath Falls now oversees northeastern Jackson County, which includes Eagle Point and Shady Cove, as well as Klamath, Crook and Lake counties. Harper, who also sits on the Joint Ways and Means Committee, said key appointments for Southern Oregon representatives will translate into some real changes in Salem. "It will mean for the state some adult leadership," he said. "The only ones that think correctly are down there. I don’t see many of them coming out of the Portland area." Proud of his conservative leanings, Harper said he will make sure the voice of rural Oregon is heard in the Capitol. "Say hello to all the redneckers down there," he said. "They will be well represented up here." 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