Taxpayer Association Update: Stimulus, election changes and more

By In the news
In: Measure 37
Thursday January 29, 2009

Taxpayer Association of Oregon update
Legislative Update: January 27, 2009
By Jim Welsh

Robbing Peter to pay Paul
The week of January 19th brought plenty of attention to an “Economic Stimulus Package” which has passed the Senate, the Joint Ways and Means Committee and soon to be voted on in the House. Republicans and Democrats have voted for the package with the intention to fund GO Bonds for public capital construction projects and help fund some jobs in the next six months. The House Republican Leader, Rep. Hanna, said the $17-19 million could certainly help shore up budgets in education, public safety, human services and other vital programs. There were comments from lobbyists representing some business sectors that thought the expenditure could also help those budgets and programs and in the same breath offered the realization that there would probably be revenue proposals in the next few weeks to replace the expenditure.

Legislative Alert:

House Rules (1-28-09)
“¢ HB 2386 – Directs Secretary of State to adopt electronic voter registration system. Allows qualified person to complete registration card electronically. Becomes operative on January 1, 2011. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

“¢ HJR 5 – Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow citizens to register to vote in election not later than day of election. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Senate Rules (1-29-09)

“¢ SB 330 – The pamphlet must include the procedures for filing a complaint under ORS 260.345. A list of the five sources that have expended the most money supporting the measure and the five sources that have expended the most money opposing the measure, as determined by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall use information provided in the electronic filing system to determine the sources described in subsection (1)(e) of this section not sooner than 56 days before the date of a general election or any special election.

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