Westlund paints grim picture of state budget

Sen. Ben Westlund discusses legislative actions with Bob and Carol Illinik at COCOA luncheon. photo by Conrad Weiler

The state of the State is not too good, according to State Senator Ben Westlund.

The Republican Senator for the 27th District reviewed recent legislative activities with a large crowd at last week's COCOA (Central Oregon Council On Aging) luncheon held at Sisters Community Church on Tuesday, September 23.

Among the problems highlighted were a state budget of $12.3 billion that lost $2.2 billion due to a downturn in the economy.

"We've fallen further and faster than any other state," Westlund said. "Washington State is down 5 percent; California, with a budget shortfall of $38 billion, is down 9 percent, while Oregon is down 20 percent. Oregon revenue forecasts have dropped in eight successive reports."

After the longest session in Oregon legislative history and $1.1 billion in program cuts, a tax surcharge was enacted that will last two to three years. However, cuts will still affect K-12 schools, prisons, medical care, caseloads and senior services.

"The Oregon financial crisis is the worst in the nation," said Westlund. "Our state is sliding into mediocrity and below.

"These choices were not easy, not funny, the state is in trouble," the senator said. "We have tried to enact an honest budget, not Band-Aid smoke and mirrors stuff."

Oregon voters may vote on whether to repeal the income tax surcharge in an election next February.

Anti-tax advocates are seeking signatures to put a measure to overturn the tax increase on the ballot.

Westlund staunchlydefended the need for the measure.

"This is a graduated progressive surcharge," Westlund said. "It allows for an adequate level of spending as opposed to mortgaging our children's future."

Fundamental problem areas, according to Westlund, are Oregon's taxing system, land use and business regulations reduction.

On the positive side, Westlund pointed out that the legislature has reformed PERS (the Public Employee Retirement System).

"This will bring a $12 billion saving over the next 30 years," he said. "We've also saved the Oregon Health Plan, supported a major transportation initiative that will improve transportation infrastructure and helped in promoting tourism."

There will be another special legislative session during June 2004, to try and effect tax structure changes acceptable to legislators.

Fielding questions after his remarks, Westlund was asked why Oregon doesn't have a sales tax.

"I don't know," he said. "It's been on the ballot nine times and been crushed nine times. Of course, women's suffrage also lost nine times in Oregon before being enacted on the 10th try."

Commenting on his health, the 54-year-old Senator who had surgery and chemotherapy for lung cancer this year, said, "God is being good. I'm being lucky."

Senator Westlund said that a recent CT scan showed he was "clean as a new baby's bottom."

Westlund clearly had fans in the COCOA audience.

"He's such a great guy. He's done so much for us," said audience member Kay Grannis.

Earlier in the luncheon meeting, lobbyist Jacqueline Zimmer Jones discussed the importance of having a voice heard in the Oregon legislature. She challenged her audience to write, fax or e-mail their representatives with their concerns.

Her handouts covered major issues confronting the Oregon legislature and of concern to seniors.

COCOA meets every Tuesday at Sisters Community Church. Lunch is served at noon and Steven Guzauskis is Site Coordinator.

For more information call 548-8817.