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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 17, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 16, 2005 Ways and Means Committee hears education pleas Meeting Friday focuses on budget concerns, with several local interests weighing in By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Members of the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means heard testimony Friday night in Medford from about 80 people who made pleas for adequate funding of government services during the 2005-07 budget cycle. Police officers, social service workers and college students were part of the overflow crowd of about 150 that packed a McLaughlin Middle School classroom for the two-hour public hearing. The session was one of six being held this month by the committee in different Oregon cities. Adequate education funding dominated the discussion, with students and school officials pleading for help from what is considered the legislature’s most powerful committee. "I believe there are many priorities you have to choose between, and it’s a tough decision," Rogue Community College board member Kevin Talbert said during his two minutes at the microphone. "But there is no better investment in Oregon than in education." Community colleges are seeking $440 million from the state for the 2005-07 biennium. Advertisement "Less than $440 million will not (work) for us," said Sarah Bacon, student body president of RCC’s Riverside campus in Medford. Last month, legislative leaders agreed on an overall state budget of $12.393 billion for the upcoming budget cycle. Gov. Ted Kulongoski last December issued his recommended spending plan of $11.902 billion, up by about $300 million from the current budget. A few speakers, including Connie Saldana of Ashland, told the committee Friday that they find it unfortunate to see state services including law enforcement, education and social programs pitted against each other each time budget talks begin. "What is disappointing ... is that there is a philosophy we will not increase revenue," Saldana said. "More revenue is needed in this system so we can keep it at a working level." Dave Toler, Three Rivers School District board chairman, told the committee that he believes "the only way out of Oregon’s budget mess" is "fiscal discipline" that he says has not been seen in recent years, when state services have suffered across-the-board reductions. "All of us are squabbling over the same bone, unfortunately," said Chris Nichols, superintendent of the Brookings-Harbor School District. Legislators have issued a 12-point "budget principals" list that includes looking for opportunities to consolidate services; find ways to deal with state employee health care cost increases; and be prudent in the use of bonding and other mechanisms that increase the state’s debt over time. The 19-member Ways and Means committee includes Sen. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat and Rep. Dennis Richardson, a Republican from Central Point. The committee will hold another public hearing at 11 a.m. today in the Klamath County Government Center at 305 Main Street in Klamath Falls. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Tatoos Advertisement s