Staying on track
Oregon state Sen. Ted Ferrioli delivers speech to Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 11:45 AM PDT
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| Larry Meyer | Argus Observer
Malheur County Sheriff Andy Bentz (left) visits with state Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, Monday, as Cheryl Cruson, program chair for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, listens. Ferrioli was the guest speaker at the chamber forum Monday. |
ONTARIO—State Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said Monday anyone concerned about water issues should be prepared to get involved because there is a real effort at the state level to further regulate the use of water — from its source in the mountains all the way to the ocean.
Speaking to a full house at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce forum at the Sizzler, the District 30 senator said the effort is part of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s new “H20, Headwaters to the Ocean Initiative.”
“I don’t think we need a meter on every diversion,” he said. “I don’t think we need to have a meter on every drain. Don’t go to sleep at the switch on the water issues.”
Ferrioli, after giving his preliminary remarks, went directly to questions which focused quite a bit on the issues that will come before the next Legislature or are coming up on the ballot in November.
“Revenue is down,” Ferrioli said. “Rural folks understand and see the ongoing erosion of the job base.”
In one week Eugene experienced a loss of more than 2,000 jobs, mostly in the high-tech sector. Presently, the state is looking at an estimated shortfall of about $600 million because of the state’s reliance on the income tax for government services, Ferrioli said.
Ferrioli said state employees are slated to gain significant pay boosts, and he said he will propose delaying the raises.
“It’s time to revisit Oregon tax tables,” he said.
Asked about economic development issues and funding economic development, Ferrioli said the rules clearly state the development money should be used in economically poor areas. Comparing the rural areas and the I-5 corridor, he said, “The money is going where the votes are.”
“If the urban areas are worried about having economic sustainability, they need to be seeking economic sustainability in the rural areas,” he said.
Corrections and minimum sentencing also came up, and Ferrioli said there will be two measures on the ballot in November, one by initiative petition and a second one referred by the Legislature.
Both deal with minimum sentencing for property crime, and while minimum sentencing has proven to be effective in reducing crime, it is expensive, Ferrioli said, estimating the cost at about $1 billion. However, he said the Legislative measure offers a less costly alternative.
“It is up to you. Mostly people believe it is a need, by a recent poll,” he said.
He knows of two senators who are proposing to eliminate the state mandate for ethanol, Ferrioli said.
Noting the prices of some farm commodities, he said the whole agriculture market is distorted by ethanol.
