By SCOTT JORGENSEN
IVN Staff Writer

Freshman state Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) visited Cave Junction City Hall Friday afternoon, March 30 to discuss state issues with a dozen or so citizens.

With his party in the minority of the state House and Senate, Maurer said that he has focused on his committee work, where most legislative work typically occurs.

“I enjoy what I’m doing,” Maurer said. “I feel I am making a difference.”

Maurer expressed support for a House Republican plan to dedicate 1 percent of the state’s general fund to Oregon State Police, which would add 140 troopers to the state’s highways.

“Public safety should be our number-one priority,” Maurer said.

Multiple residents at the meeting suggested that the Legislature examine implementation of a sales tax to decrease the state’s reliance on property and income taxes. Maurer said that such a plan is politically “dead” at this point.

“There is no support on either side of the aisle for broad reform of our tax structure,” Maurer said.

Maurer also discussed the status of the state’s education budget.

Gov. Kulongoski’s proposed budget recommends $6.06 billion for K-12 schools. The recently released co-chairman’s budget allocates $6.425 billion.

“I can almost guarantee that at the end of the session, it’s going to be higher,” Maurer said.

On Thursday, March 29, House Republicans used parliamentary procedures in an attempt to pass a $6.425 billion education budget. That move was defeated on a party-line vote.

“This is about lobbying efforts,” Maurer said, adding that Oregon Education Association (OEA) and Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) are very powerful groups that have caused prolonged battles every legislative session.

More funds also may be allocated toward the state’s community colleges, which Maurer said “got slammed in the co-chair’s budget.”

Much work also is being done on Measure 37, the property rights initiative passed by Oregon voters in the 2004 election. Maurer said that members of the Legislature’s Land Use Committee are “duking it out, to say the least, about what they’re going to do.”

“There are a number of people around the state adamant that it does not change,” Maurer said. “But there will be some changes to Measure 37.”

Maurer’s next town hall meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Grants Pass at Bridge Retirement and Assisted Living, 201 S.W. Bridge St.