SALEM — House Republicans report they adjourned the 2012 session yesterday by rebalancing the budget without raising taxes and achieving bipartisan compromise on health care and education reform. The Republicans expressed deep disappointment Democratic leaders wouldn’t join them in passing solutions to Oregon’s unemployment, such as those in the 50,000 Jobs in Five Years plan.
“With 190,000 unemployed Oregonians, the Legislature’s inaction on jobs and the economy is inexcusable,” said House Republican Leader Kevin Cameron (R-Salem). “Nonetheless, House Republicans continued to work with the Governor and legislative Democrats to find common ground on other issues. We’ll continue to provide leadership on the economy and we won’t rest until more Oregonians are back to work.”
Despite their disappointment House Republicans say they’re pleased to have reached a rebalanced budget plan without raising taxes or raiding reserves. The plan also avoids drastic cuts to essential services, while making significant money-saving reforms to state government.
“The ‘give and take’ required to reach this rebalance plan illustrates that, even in highly partisan times, elected representatives from different parties and differing viewpoints can work together and accomplish the people’s work,” said Joint Ways and Means Committee Co-Chair Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point). “With the right leadership in place, Oregon can, and should, continue on the path to sustainable spending and long-term budgetary reform.”
However, House Republicans say Oregon will suffer higher unemployment as long as its elected officials refuse to take bold action on the economy, from sustainably utilizing the state’s abundant natural resources to making its tax and regulatory environment more competitive in a global economy.
Rep. Jason Conger (R-Bend) voted to secure funding and bonding authority for various projects throughout Deschutes County. The Legislature approved HB 5202, which will provide $500,000 in lottery-backed bonds to Central Oregon Community College.
“These funds will help renovate and expand the mathematics and science laboratory on the Redmond campus,” Rep. Conger said. “Along with the financing we approved for OSU-Cascade’s graduate program, the 2012 capital construction bill will further strengthen our area’s institutions and help provide more educational and workforce development opportunities for our citizens.”
The Legislature also approved $1.8 million in funding for the renovation of the DMV Bend office.
“The cost of construction for renovating this facility will be paid from state highway fund revenues,” Rep. Conger said. “This renovation of an existing state-owned building is an investment in our future here in Central Oregon and will improve DMV services for Bend residents for years to come.”
“The 2012 session offered two alternative visions for the future of Oregon’s economy,” said Deputy Republican Leader Matt Wingard (R-Wilsonville). “We offered the ‘50,000 Jobs in Five Years’ plan because Oregonians deserve better than the same policies that have failed to put Oregonians back to work. We will continue to pursue these bold solutions until we have the votes to put Oregonians back to work.”
Legislature Reaches Agreement to Help Oregon Homeowners
Bill provides mediation, increased counseling, and “dual track” solution
Salem OR – Legislators agreed to a non-partisan bi-chamber compromise to help Oregon home owners stay in their homes on Monday.
The agreement provides for a number of foreclosure protections. It requires a mandatory face-to-face meeting between homeowners and banks, with a third party mediator present to help negotiate alternatives to foreclosure. Before mediation, homeowners will meet with a housing counselor from Oregon Housing & Community Services to discuss the options available to the homeowner. The proposal also ends the dual track process that allowed banks to renegotiate terms of the loan while pursuing the foreclosure process at the same time.
“We need to keep people in their homes with jobs to pay their mortgages,” said Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver). “This bill is the result of the art of negotiation with compromise. This bill is not the bill that was first read in the House two weeks ago.”
Rep. Whisnant stated, “Rep. Holvey and I will evaluate this policy in our General Government and Consumer Protection Committee with inputs from public and private entities impacted by this bill to see if action is required in 2013 to deliver the intended help to distressed homeowners.”
Oregon House Democrats applauded the passage of foreclosure reform legislation in the Oregon House of Representatives on Monday evening. SB 1552 addresses major elements of the foreclosure crisis by giving distressed homeowners tools and protections that will allow them to stay in their homes.
The bill includes measures requiring banks to negotiate with borrowers and a mediator to explore alternatives to foreclosure and prohibit the “dual track” process in which banks appear to work on loan modifications while simultaneously proceeding with foreclosure. Additionally, the bill includes oversight and a right to damages if banks violate the dual tracking provisions.
“I’ve been saying all session that we needed to take action that would put us on the side of middle class Oregonians, not big banks,” said Rep. Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie). “Tonight’s action puts us squarely on the side of middle class Oregonians and struggling homeowners.”
“When I leave this session and report back to homeowners in my district, I will be able to look them in the eye and tell them that we stood up for them. We stood up for them, and we won,” said Rep. Betty Komp (D-Woodburn).
“It took a lot of hard work to get to this point, and the outlook was gloomy for a while, but today we’re taking very significant steps that will help a lot of people,” said Rep. Chris Garrett (D-Lake Oswego).
