Lawmaker reflects on legislative session
Sunday, January 7, 2007 7:23 AM PST
Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
ONTARIO
Like the U.S. Congress, this week the Oregon Legislature will begin its new session under Democratic control - after several years of a Republican majority - and state Rep. Tom Butler, R-Ontario, said he is both optimistic and concerned regarding the upcoming session.
Butler quickly pointed out in an interview Friday that the Democrats hold the slimmest of margins in the Oregon House of Representatives - 31 to 29 - so they will need Republicans to help get bills passed.
“There is strength in numbers, there is strength in unity,” Butler said. If Republicans work together they can have an impact, he said.
Butler said, however, that he plans to work with lawmakers across the aisle. Saturday Butler said he will attend his first inaugural event for an Oregon governor, a gala being held in Portland for Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
Kulongoski will be sworn-in for his new term Monday. Kulongoski will also present a state-of-the-state address Monday as the Legislature begins.
After its organizing session Monday afternoon, Butler said the Oregon House of Representatives will work through 70 to 80 pages of proposed changes to its rules proposed by the Democrats.
“We've heard a great amount of discussion on transparency and open meetings. I'm optimistic we will have a productive session,” Butler said.
However, high among his concerns are the tax proposals which seem to be on the Democratic agenda.
In meeting with the new Speaker of the House, Jeff Merkley, D-Portland, Butler said the conservation turned to the Democratic proposal to provide health coverage for all children. Butler said, when asked how the state would pay for that, Merkley said, “‘We will hope you (Republicans) will join us in raising taxes.”
There is already a proposal to tax beer and wine and the governor is still planning to request a tax on auto insurance premiums to help pay for more state police troopers to provide 24-hour coverage across the state.
“They are looking for more taxes,” Butler said.
He said he is encouraging the leadership to scuttle any tax measure without a number of public hearings. Butler said he would promote having a statewide vote on any tax increase.
Butler restated his belief that Democrats need to realize that people were voting against the president and the Republicans, not for more taxes and government, in this last general election.
Other things probably coming up are proposals to make changes to Oregon's bottle bill, including raising the refund rates and adding water bottles. There will be several proposals on the refund, Butler said.
“I'm guessing it (the refund rate) will come out at 10 cents,” he said. The rate is currently 5 cents.
Butler said he was told that more than 300 million bottles of water were sold last year in Oregon and officials are concerned that most of those bottles were not recycled and feel that something should be done. Butler said he expects other environmental legislation which will to be introduced, as well as social issue laws such as legalizing civil unions, which the Republicans have been able to block in the past.
