Reforms to reduce red tape, mandates and government bureaucracy

BRING TRANSPARENCY TO GOVERNMENT’S UNFUNDED LIABILITIES

Currently, state and local governments are not required to account for the costs of benefits for their retired workers. This has created significant unfunded liabilities that threaten essential services. Oregon needs legislation requiring government to pay for these costs, and to set aside money and reduce these liabilities down to zero.

INCREASE EDUCATION FUNDING WITH THE ‘SCHOOL SAVINGS ACT’

Oregon’s school districts are burdened with state mandates that take money away from classroom instruction. The School Savings Act offers comprehensive PERS reforms to significantly reduce the system’s unfunded liability and to lower contribution rates for school districts.

STRENGTHEN OREGON’S SYSTEM OF TEACHER EVALUATION

Oregon’s evaluation system for its public school teachers and administrators needs to be strengthened. Last session the passage of SB 290 offered progress in this area. We can do better by improving our system of measuring the performance and effectiveness of these key instructional personnel

PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY REFORMING OREGON’S ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL LAND USE REGULATIONS

Communities across Oregon are bound to the state’s “one-size-fits-all” land use system. Oregon can boost economic development and create jobs by introducing legislation to promote regional land-use planning.

REFORM MEASURE 67 TO IMPROVE OREGON’S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Measure 67 imposes a punitive ‘gross receipts tax’ that discourages many businesses from hiring and reinvesting. The Legislature should place a sunset on Measure 67 and replace it with two reasonable, jobs-friendly corporate tax rates.

MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Health insurance coverage is unaffordable to many Oregonians and their families. Oregon needs a health care reform to allow those who purchase their own health insurance to deduct the cost from their taxable income. In addition to offering relief from high health insurance premiums, the bill will also help Oregonians meet the costs of the federal government’s health insurance mandate if it survives constitutional challenges.

EMPOWER OREGONIANS TO PURCHASE THE HEALTH COVERAGE THEY NEED

State government imposes a number of bureaucratic mandates that have increased the costs of health insurance coverage for all Oregonians. As a result, Oregonians are forced to purchase expensive coverage for services they don’t need. For example, rather than forcing a male to pay for mammography screenings he’ll never need, or forcing a female to pay for prostate screenings, Oregonians should be able to purchase the coverage that meets their own needs.

FREEZE STATE GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING AND NONESSENTIAL SPENDING

Each year, state government spends millions on broadcast and print advertising, and millions more to promote government programs on billboards, buses and other media. State government also spends millions on travel, expensive consulting contracts and employee perks. During these challenging economic times, taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for state advertising and nonessential spending. There should be a freeze on these types of expenditures so those dollars can be better spent on essential services

PROMOTE OREGON WOOD PRODUCTS AS A ‘GREEN’ AND SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE

Oregonians who build a sustainable commercial building are eligible for a tax credit from the Oregon Department of Energy. The building must meet an established standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council´s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or be rated by a comparable program approved by the Oregon Department of Energy. However, LEED’S point system does not give credit to developers for using most Oregon forest products, which are an abundant and sustainable resource. Oregon’s wood products deserve a place in our sustainable future.