9/1 GUEST OPINION: Jim Thompson

Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

More than one side to state budget issue

Jim Thompson State Representative (R-Dallas)

When a house is on fire, we call the fire department to put it out. When a bank is being robbed, we expect the police to help. Why, then, when the Oregon state budget is collapsing, is the Legislature failing to show up for work?

Last week we received news that revenue projections for the 2009-11 budget are down another $377 million since June. In total, revenue projections are now down more than $1.2 billion from the end of the 2009 Legislative session.

I have joined other lawmakers in calling for an emergency session of the Legislature to help target the reductions that need to be made. Without a session, the budget will be cut across-the-board with high-priority items such as Oregon Project Independence, which helps keep seniors in their homes, taking the same cuts as lower priority agencies. This is a bad way to run the state.

To target cuts lawmakers must do their constitutional duty and meet in emergency session.

In addition to sinking revenue projections, during the next few months you will hear the upcoming 2011-13 budget is down by $2.5 billion or so. Do not believe it. During the next budget cycle lawmakers will have almost $2 billion more to spend then they have today.

In 2009-11 lawmakers have $12.3 billion in general fund money to spend. In 2011-13 the budget will increase by $1.8 billion to a total of $14.1 billion. This is an increase of almost 15 percent. How many families do you know that can expect a 15 percent increase in their paychecks next year?

The $2.5 billion shortfall you hear discussed is not really a shortfall at all. It is simply that some in Salem cannot live with a $1.8 billion increase in their budgets and feel they need $2.5 billion more. Getting a smaller increase than you requested can only be considered a "cut" inside the Oregon State Capitol.

State Rep. Jim Thompson (R-Dallas) is a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Health Care. He can be reached at 503-508-0919.