By Rep. Dennis RichardsonThe rumors in the State Capitol and news media this week were that the Governor had torpedoed the Legislature’s Budget Rebalance Plan and the fragile agreement between the Democrat and Republican Co-Chairs of the Ways & Means Committee was in jeopardy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Legislature has the…
Fewer property tax deferrals; reverse mortgage not allowed
August 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In the next few days, Oregonians who applied for the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral program in July will receive letters from the Department of Revenue. The letters tell them if the state will pay their property taxes in November. The 2011 Legislature made significant changes to the program hit hard by the recession….
Local testimony needed at redistricting session
June 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The House and Senate Committees on Redistricting announced a schedule of 12 joint public hearings across the state to hear from local residents about how to redraw the legislative and Congressional district boundaries. Every 10 years, the Legislature is charged with redrawing legislative and Congressional districts to reflect the growth of Oregon’s population and the…
Local testimony needed at redistricting session
March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The House and Senate Committees on Redistricting announced a schedule of 12 joint public hearings across the state to hear from local residents about how to redraw the legislative and Congressional district boundaries. Every 10 years, the Legislature is charged with redrawing legislative and Congressional districts to reflect the growth of Oregon’s population and the…
McLane, Whitsett to hold town hall meetings in EP and SC, Feb 25& 26
February 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Sen. Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) and Rep. Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte) will hold two town hall meetings in Jackson County this weekend. The events will allow citizens to express their views about issues pending before the Oregon Legislature and hear an update from Sen. Whitsett and Rep. McLane. “These are the first town halls held…
Finance commission looks at initiatives
June 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment
A five-member Committee composed of the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Revenue, the Director of the Department of Administrative Services, and a local government representative must prepare an estimate of the financial impact of each measure to be voted on statewide. The Financial Estimate Committee will meet on…
Taxing effect of ballot measures
February 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Senator Doug Whitsett (Distr. 28) Serving Klamath, Lake, Crook, Deschutes & Jackson CountiesI want to thank all those who worked so hard and contributed so much in the effort to defeat Measures 66 & 67. Unfortunately, the “State of Portland” and the $6.5 million purchasing power of the public employee unions have once again…
Meetings to begin on major state budget cuts
April 6, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Ways and Means Co-Chairs Senator Margaret Carter and Representative Peter Buckley announced a schedule as they work to balance the 2009-2011 budget for Legislative approval in the face of a budget hole estimated to grow from the current forecast of $3.1 billion to $4.4 billion. Included in the schedule are numerous opportunities for public input…
State releases school report cards
October 13, 2008 by Leave a Comment
State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo released the report cards for public elementary, middle, and high schools, last week marking the 10th year that Oregon has issued the ratings. The Oregon Legislature passed the school report card law in 1999 to help public schools communicate with parents and communities and to improve schools through greater parental…
Sen. Whitsett appoint vice-chair of judiciary
April 14, 2008 by Leave a Comment
State Senator Doug Whitsett (R) District 28 has been appointed by Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney (D) Salem to be vice-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He has also been appointed to serve on the interim Ways and Means Committee, and to the Emergency Board. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for…
