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Lawmakers mark end of 2009 session

Government | Wed, 07/01/2009 - 2:16 pm | Read 2118 | Commented 5 | Emailed 0

The Oregon State Legislature closed its doors Monday, marking the end of its 2009 session. House District 24 Rep. Jim Weidner, R-Yamhill, wishes it had ended differently.

"We did nothing to create jobs," Weidner said of the Legislature's efforts. "I think this could hurt us in the coming months ... we're not budgeting well with the money we have."

Democrats tend to disagree with Weidner's statement. Early in the session, a $175 million jobs package passed, which Democrats said would create about 3,000 positions. Later, in June, legislators passed a $1.3 billion capital construction package, which Democrats said would create about 12,000 jobs.

"It really is a very comprehensive job-creation approach, which we said from the very beginning of the session was going to be our priority," House Speaker Dave Hunt told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Weidner argued that the Legislature had done little to encourage business to come to Oregon but instead has created incentives for them to leave, taking jobs with them.

"That's the worst thing, especially with Oregon having the second-highest unemployment rate in the country," he said.

Oregon's May unemployment rate was 12.4 percent - a new record. Yamhill County's was 13.7 percent. The only state with a higher rate was Michigan.

Weidner also took issue with the tax increase the Legislature passed. "It's close to $2 billion we've pulled out of the economy," he said, adding that he has fears about the long-term effects of the increase.

House Minority Leader Bruce Hanna agreed. "I think ultimately it will be known as $2 billion in new taxes and fees ... I think the taxation issues are really what people are going to come away with," he told The Associated Press.

Weidner had difficulty finding anything positive to say about the legislative session.

"We did get in some good laws to protect children," he said. Senate bills 121 and 123 require educators to demonstrate knowledge regarding ethical interaction with students and prevent their sexual misconduct from being swept under the rug even if they agree to resign.

In addition, the money for the Newberg-Dundee bypass was a bright spot. "I would say that's the biggest highlight for Yamhill County," Weidner said.

The Senate allocated $192 million to the project, which would relieve congestion on the 99W Highway between Newberg and McMinnville. The amount was the largest earmark in House Bill 2001 and will fund the most crucial, six-mile stretch of the bypass.

Weidner also disagreed with the cuts made to education and public safety and with the approved pay increases to public employees.

"We're not prioritizing how we spend our money," he said.

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Comments (5)

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Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:46pm - Posted by: beautygal73

The fact is our county and our state does not have a funding problem it has a spending problem. The states budget as well as the counties continues to swell and the people paying the bills (us - you know the taxpayers) have little or no say in how it is spent. The spending is plain out of control. You can't keep raising taxes and spending without losing jobs. It is no suprise to me that the national unemployment numbers and the local unemployment numbers continue to climb. We simply can't afford to employee people anymore, the taxes and regulation coming down the line are horrendous.

Weidner has done a good job advocating for responsible spending. He may have voted NO more than any other rep, but is that really a bad thing? How many of those bills did you read? Do you know how many payoffs and pork were in those bills? I don't think so.

One thing I will say is that everytime I called Rep. Weidner to speak with him he took the time to hear my concerns and listen to me. He also spent many hours working to defeat SB 767, the anti school choice bill. This bill will take away choice for over 2000 low income students and where their families have to send them to school. Rep Weidner personally listened to many families and children, their needs and their concerns. That is what a representative is supposed to do.

I don't always agree with him, but when it comes to common sense spending he has his finger on the pulse of those who create jobs and those who pay taxes. I don't however think he is at all interested in appeasing the masses with promises of free everything and more goodies for those who promise to vote for him.

I have spoken to him on many occasions, especially in regards to how legislation affects small business. He is always willing to listen, even if we don't always disagree. That is more than I can say for our congressmen (whom I've called and written continually without repsonse) and our senators (ditto).

Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:49am - Posted by: oregonatve72

"I sure hope someone runs and gets him out of there, I would rather have Donna Nelson back than more of Jim."

I for one, am glad Donna Nelson is no longer representing our County, she is hardly a loss to this County. I think Jim is a vast improvement over his predecessor, not that that is a high benchmark to acheive, but far better than Nelson.

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 5:35pm - Posted by: Fleadog

I guess it depends on what is most important to an individual to decide wether Weinder is doing a good job at representing you. If you are most concerned about your money and not having to spend it as opposed to anything else you are good to go. If you are not as concerned with dollar amounts as you are a more social (not socialist) agenda your not so happy. It does seem by reading the article that Weinder does seem to put alot of emphasis on money than on across the aisle, non partisan goal sharing. Who's corner does that put him in? All of Yamhill County, or the conservative wing of Yamhill County?
Aaron Van Beurden
Sheridan

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 12:28pm - Posted by: Wood

You bring up some good points Kevin. I've followed the legislative session closely and saw some interesting actions by our Representative.

Weidner voted NO on nearly TWO BILLION in new taxes.

Weidner voted NO on an education budget that cut $245 million from our schools (incidentally, that's the same amount in pay increases the Democrats gave to State employees)

Weidner voted NO on borrowing $175 million dollars that has so far created 200 jobs. I had to ask around, but that "Jobs" bill only create 6 jobs in Yamhill County that lasted 3 or 4 days.

I don't see how a gross receipts tax could be considered "Good Legislation" or "Help Yamhill County"

In essence, Weidner voted NO on out of control borrowing, spending, and taxation. I'd say he did a darn good job and I'm proud to call him my Representative.

The problem is you have a different opinion of how to "help" people than Weidner does. You think a Salem bureaucrat knows how to spend my money better than I do. From his actions, I can tell that Weidner trusts that Yamhill County Citizens can make decisions for themselves and fought tooth and nail to let them keep what they earn.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 9:35pm - Posted by: AlbertTaylor

I have to say that I’m not surprised that Weinder is disappointed with the session. He voted No on more bills than any other legislator in the building. He voted no to the Newberg/Dundee bypass, he voted no to the education budget, twice!! He voted no on a ban on puppy mills, he voted no on just about everything.

Mr. Weinder, we sent you there to do some legislating, to pass some bills that will help Yamhill County. It’s easy to be a No, it is quite different to make something happen and vote yes on a bill that you worked for. Weidner, you have no right to be disappointed, however, we as the people of Yamhill County have every right to be disappointed in you.

I sure hope someone runs and gets him out of there, I would rather have Donna Nelson back than more of Jim. it’s time that we have a leader in Salem, someone who can get things done, not just shot down good legislation.