Sen. Atkinson enthused about session
A legislative update to real estate agents was provided by Oregon Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) on Thursday, April 19 at the Century 21 Harris & Taylor office in Grants Pass.
Atkinson was upbeat in his assessment of the current legislative session, and said that the previous two weeks had been his best, “probably ever,” as a lawmaker.
Among other points, Atkinson described his tenuous relationship with Gov. Kulongoski. The governor recent produced a list of three bills he intended to veto, Atkinson said, and “I offered two of them.”
Atkinson said he has spent the last six years working on legislation that would eliminate Oregon’s capital gains tax, which is the second highest in the nation. That proposal received a hearing, which Atkinson claimed as a major accomplishment.
Another of his proposals would extend the state’s political tax credit, currently given for campaign contributions, to donations made to rescue missions and other similar organizations. He said that he is optimistic about its chances of passing this session.
“I think we're going to get that bill through,” Atkinson said.
The state budget was also a topic of discussion. Atkinson said that the state government has $2 billion more in revenue than it did in the 2005-07 biennium, but that a series of tax increases still are being proposed by Democratic leaders.
Kulongoski’s proposed budget is “out of balance” by “at least $600 million,” Atkinson said. The budget put forth by the co-chairmen of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, he explained, is out of balance by anywhere from $175 million to $200 million, he said.
Legislators already have moved forward on a plan to temporarily suspend the corporate kicker, Atkinson said. That move put an additional $173 million in the state’s coffers, and already has been spent.
Atkinson said that Kulongoski’s proposal to raise the state’s cigarette tax to provide health insurance to children currently lacking such coverage would include $200 in roll-up costs. He said that the plan is unsustainable due to the decreasing number of smokers in the state.
Atkinson addressed the continuing crisis facing several Oregon counties with regard to the discontinuation of federal O&C funds given in lieu of declining timber receipts.
The federal government is ultimately responsible for finding a solution, he said. But despite that, the state is trying to assert itself in the issue in an attempt to raise taxes.
Atkinson put the O&C issue in a political context, and stated that congressional Democrats are taking advantage of President Bush’s weakened stance in order to force a showdown on executive power.
“The federal government is playing for keeps right now,” Atkinson said.
He said that Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) is up for re-election next year and that Democrats don’t want to give him any political victories, especially not on the O&C issue.
Oregon has fewer federal representatives than California or Washington, which also factors into the political implications of the county payments legislation. Having fewer congressmen gives Oregon less leverage at the federal level, he said.
“Our guys are outgunned,” Atkinson said.
Realtor Jim Frick asked Atkinson what citizens can do to help Oregon’s federal representatives secure that funding. Atkinson said it is important that residents make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.
“You’d be surprised at how powerful handwritten letters are,” Atkinson said. “Personal mail is so rare anymore that it has a huge impact.”
