Oregon's Long Session took a full 160
days, nearly six months, to complete its
business.
This was the first time since 2011 that
the legislature took this long.
Constitutionally, the only duty of each
legislature is to produce a balanced
budget. That said, the legislature does
far more than produce a balanced budget
when it assembles during Session —
policy is a major part of its business,
and 2019 was no exception.
2019 Legislative Session will be
remembered for three things.
FIRST: The Democrat
super majority legislature raised taxes
on Oregonian’s nearly $5 billion. That
pencils out to an average increase of
almost $600/year in the cost of living
for every Oregonian. This crushing
impact will soon be felt by retired
couples on a fixed income and on hard
working families. What’s more, these new
taxes were enacted on top of another
year where the State’s Department of
Revenue received revenue.
SECOND: the Senate Republican
walked out not once, but twice, halting
the Senate process in order to prevent
anti-constitutional gun, medical and
environmentally extreme Cap & Trade
bills from passing. THIRD:
Unprecedented hubris was used by the
super majority in pushing through
policy. There was little effort from
Democrats to engage Republicans to find
paths of common interest for bills that
would effect the entire state. Most
policy was Portland-centric and top-down
and will be devastating to rural
Oregonians.
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Serving as Vice-chair on
Energy and Environment
Committee.
Remaining firm.
I remain one of the most
conservative Republicans in
Oregon's House of
Representatives. With a Democrat
majority, this means getting any
of my bills through one chamber,
let alone both House and Senate
chambers, and then signed by the
Governor would prove to be a
difficult challenge. That is why
I am very pleased with the
passage of four bills I chief
sponsored — bills that directly
benefit Southern Klamath and
Lake Counties. |
The Good, The Bad,
and The Ugly is
a legislative summary looking through
the lens of bills that did and did not
pass. I’ve borrowed a Clint Eastwood
movie motif with this title.
Please feel free to share this
link with others.
Upcoming Schedule
Throughout this summer and upcoming
autumn months, I am spending time in
Southern Klamath and Lake counties,
meeting with individuals and groups to
talk about the past, present and future
of Oregon policy. If you would
like to request a meeting with me,
please email (listed below) and provide
information about yourself and your
group.
While no one is completely happy
with the results of the 2019
legislative session, I would
emphasize our state government
currently reflects voters who
represent the larger metro areas.
I believe our system of
government still works and your vote
matters. An increasing
number of Oregonians do not like
what was produced by the 2019
session. I remind all voters of the
upcoming November 2020 election,
which provides Oregonians the
opportunity to elect new or re-elect
all 60 State House Members, half of
the State Senators, the Attorney
General, BOLI Commissioner, the
Secretary of State and the State
Treasurer.
Government of, by and for
the people. Each election
continues or changes the course that
Oregon travels. I encourage all
Oregonians to participate in the
election process, as our state is
facing serious challenges,
especially in rural areas.
To keep current, be sure to follow my
Facebook page (link below). Also please
share this email with others who might
be interested.
I am honored to serve and
represent the people from beautiful
southern Klamath and Lake counties.
In your service,
Capitol
Phone: 503-986-1456
Capitol Address: 900
Court St. NE, H-377, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website:
http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
Facebook:
Facebook.com/WernerforOregon |
