Gathering input
Large crowd greets lawmakers at Treasure Valley Community
College session

LARRY MEYER | Argus Observer Although not a member, state Rep. Cliff Bentz (left) was invited to join members of the Joint Ways and Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature at the table during its hearing Saturday afternoon in the Weese Building at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario. Others at the table included Rep. George Gilman, Rep. David Edwards, Rep. Bob Jenson, Sen. Margaret Carter, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Sen. Vicki Walker and Sen. Jackie Winters. Staff included Ken Rocco.

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TVCC Dean of Administrative Services Randy Griffin opened testimony and talked about the college’s roll in meeting needs of the residents in the region.

“We know that the lack of education and employment skills are often the root causes of poverty,” Griffin said. “At TVCC, we see our role as being the first responder to this economic crisis — and the solution is education and jobs. We know you have a lot to balance, but we ask that community college not be targeted to take even more budget cuts than we are already projected to receive,” he said. Ontario School District Superintendent Dennis Carter talked about how state school improvement programs were beginning to have a positive effect on school test scores and in helping students meet standards.

“We can’t afford to lose these programs,” Carter said.  Also, if the state is going to cut funding, Carter asked the panel for relief from some of the state regulations.

Ontario Police Chief Mike Kee testified in favor of funding for the Oregon State Police. One of his concerns was the possible loss of the major crime team, which is used for investigations.

“We use them quite a bit,” he said.

Several people spoke against cuts proposed for the Oregon State University Extension offices and experiment stations. Wannie Mackenzie, rancher and president of the Malheur County Cattlemen’s Association, said, “The extension offices and experiment stations are integral to the entire beef industry, keep it on the cutting edge.”

Noting the importance of the onion crop to the state’s economy, Reid Saito, Nyssa farmer, said, “Most of the onion research is done at the Malheur Experiment Station.”

Also on the minds of local people was the possible loss of Ontario’s multi-million dollar new Oregon Army National Guard Armory. Bill Blankinship, Ontario, said most of the funding for the Guard comes from the federal government and that the state only pays for the maintenance of the building.

As part of state-wide agency budget cuts, the Oregon Military Department announced several weeks ago it may have to close down a number of armories across the state, including the one in Ontario.

However, that seems less likely now, according to Ways and Means committee co-chair Sen. Margaret Carter.

 “We are working with Gen. (Mike) Caldwell in taking a second look,” she told the audience.

Caldwell is the deputy director of state affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

Carter said the committee has four more hearings, with the next revenue forecast set May 15 and a budget to be submitted shortly after. Education, senior issues and mental health issues are among the top subjects across the state, she said.

“We want to hear your concerns,” Margaret Carter said at the opening of the hearing. “We will not build a budget on the most vulnerable.”

 

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