Brian Boquist: Final Words from the Legislative Session

The Legislative Session is over. The damage is not for some, and relief is for others. Besides OLIS, there are a few good links below summarizing Oregon’s legislature this year. --First is a list of key bills passed into law. And second, is a list of anticipated 2016 ballot measures including tax the corporations, increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and right to work initiatives. Let me outline a couple of key points you should be aware of as an interested party to Oregon politics...

SB 941 universal background checks and used firearm registration takes effect August 9^th.
SB 454 paid sick leave for employers with ten or more employees takes effect January 1^st.
HB 2177 registers 100% of Oregonians in theory for the 2016 elections.
HB 2960 is automatic retirement pay deductions to the State for all private sector employees who do not have a retirement plan effective July 1, 2017.
What failed?
SB 938 encouraging rural economic development was killed in the Democrat controlled House Revenue Committee.
SB 940 making it illegal to buy votes with campaign donations was killed first in the Democrat controlled Senate Judiciary Committee, and then on the Floor of the Senate with every Democrat in opposition to campaign finance reforms.
HB 2176 sponsored by two Secretary of States would have allowed lying in voters pamphlet and let directors of political actions committees go scot-free for elections violations stalled on the Senate Floor.
HB 2176 the Minority Report which I requested would have strengthen elections laws was sent back to committee given the opposition by the Senate Democrats and the Democrat Secretary of State. Oddly, the Secretary of State supported most of the individual changes to the law in writing but opposed the bill anyway.
HB 2688 tax increase on small businesses failed on committee even though several Republicans had joined Democrats in the proposal to increase taxes along with restoring corporate green energy tax credits.
SB 925 tax increase on all Oregonians passed out House Revenue Committee but was returned to the committee when the House Democrats could not get 31 votes from their caucus.

Again, the best summary I have seen on bills that passed is in the Oregonian link above.  However, I voted against many of the bills on the list. The Legislature continues to be a rural verses urban divide.

The only word to describe Oregon’s political state today is ‘corrupt.’  No party has a monopoly on honesty.  This was the most hostile legislative session in a decade but it was not just along political party lines.  Bills were held hostage by the majority against the majority as much as the minority.  Budgets by House or Senate District were the same.  The Oregon Capitol is more of an oligarchy than a body of elected representatives of the people. --However, many bipartisan alliances of several Senators or Representatives from both parties did work together to help Oregonians in may areas of public concern.

Keep in mind, while the State Budget is technically balanced, massive billion dollar holes exist in the future Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife budgets. Oregon, like the federal government, is spending well beyond its means. The future rebalance will be very painful.

Sincerely,
Brian J. Boquist
State Senator

(Hat tip: KimR)