Clueless Emma

Toby Keith and Trace Adkins in PNW--Countryfantabulistic!

Thanks to Moose's great tickets, I got waay up close to Toby and Trace--Moose even got a Toby knuckle bump! I was so excited, I forgot to take pictures and when I did, I forgot to quit jumping--hence the rather crooked, blurry images. I certainly got my "tall hawt country man fix" for at least a little while. The Oregonian does a good job of reviewing it, so I shall just offer my glorious memories:.

 

Volunteer loyal to tending Minto-Brown park

When most of Salem is rolling over and hitting the snooze button, Floyd Roe is hitting the trail at Minto-Brown Island Park.

via www.statesmanjournal.com

Oregon is top state for teachers union political influence in 2008 (and now, I'm sure)

The state Republican party spokesman said the teachers' big-dollar contributions to campaigns pay off for them. "Teachers contribute a disproportionate amount of money in the political process in Oregon... It's out of line with other groups and citizens in Oregon. As a result, teachers have a policy grip on legislation and other kinds of administrative decisions at the state level."

via www.oregonlive.com

Not shocking.

The Al Gore story: What to make of Bambi and the sex poodle | OregonLive.com

Her story feels painfully cinematic and over-rehearsed. She three times ducked the opportunity to follow up with Portland police investigators, then tried to micromanage the Portland Tribune's attempt to report the sexual assault. And, according to the executive editor of the National Enquirer, she demanded $1 million for her side of the lurid tale.

via www.oregonlive.com

Oregon Appeals Court upholds disclosure of handgun permits | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Some lists bearing the names of holders of concealed-handgun permits must be disclosed under the state public-records law, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

via www.statesmanjournal.com

This is wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!

2010 Liberty Summit

Location;  The Keizer Renaissance Inn and Conference Center                 5188 Wittenberg Lane N.                 Keizer, Oregon  97303 Date and Time;     Saturday June 19th, 2010                              8:30 AM till 5:00 PM                 Discount rooms are available, please call early for accommodations. 503-390-4733 or Toll Free 800-299-7221 ************************************************ Want to get involved? Feel like you have no voice? Looking for a great way to share your experience and passion for freedom? Want to help, but just don't know how?                     Join us for a day of informative and interactive sessions that will supply you with the knowledge and tools to act       Sessions include: Stopping / Repealing Obama-Care Immigration Reform Fundamental Tax Reform Entitlement Reform PERS Reform Speakers and policy experts, will present facts not politics*********************************Also learn more about grassroots orginanizing: Set Up and Conduct a Successful Phone-bank Set Up and Conduct a Successful Neighborhood Meeting How to Complete a Successful Door Knocking Campaign The Best Town Hall Techniques Learn How to Speak to People About Politics Lobbying Techniques Writing Letters To Editors and Messaging Techniques *********************************You Won't Want To Miss The Lunch Dicussion" PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF THE CONSTITUTION"Learn why the constitution is and should be the foundation of policy, and how to hold our representatives, and laws to it Please Note we will be posting additional details about price and lunch menu soon. We hope to provide registration, sign up and payment on this site as well. For questions you may E-mail me at jrvause@msn.com or the old fashion way, 541-926-2026 Check back often, Jim             

via www.oregonfreedomcoalition.com

Boyfriend attacks dentist because of girlfriend's treatment | OregonLive.com

According to reports, 39-year-old Jeffrey Dean Pettijohn was arrested after he physically atttacked a dentist he believed was being too rough with his pregnant girlfriend, who was having a tooth pulled.

via blog.oregonlive.com

Why does it always seem the freaky stuff happens in Hillsboro?

Feds indict former KOIN news director Jeff Alan on Social Security-related charges | OregonLive.com

Jeff Alan Read The Oregonian's earlier series on Jeff Alan: » Part 1: Former KOIN director’s life riddled with contradiction » Part 2: Jeff Alan has a knack for leaving lives behind » Part 3: Former KOIN director sues over losing job

via www.oregonlive.com

Pro-marijuana group takes root in Salem | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Twice each month, more than a hundred people gather in a northeast Salem warehouse to talk about gardening and smoke pot.

via www.statesmanjournal.com

Duuuude! 100 impotent couch potatoes sittin' around, talking about what they ought to be doing.

Woodburn Tulip Festival 2010

 

Tax Day Tea Party 2010 Salem, Oregon

I failed to bring extra batteries for my camera, so I didn't get as many pics as I wanted, but there was much passion and determination among attendees--and I didn't see a single disruption by agitators. Good thing! We'd have squared 'em away ;)

Overtime pay piles up as Oregon state workers must take furlough days | Oregonlive.com

via www.oregonlive.com

Just shocking. Yawn.

Pension rate rise may hit schools harder than other agencies | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

via www.statesmanjournal.com

Auditor: WESD can't account for finances | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

via www.statesmanjournal.com

Oust the ESDs! Return authority to local schools!

States may hold onto tax refunds for months - USATODAY.com

Officials in the following states say they have had to delay issuing refunds or consider doing so because the state might not have the cash on hand to cover the checks.HawaiiAlabamaNorth CarolinaKansasIdahoNew YorkSource: USA TODAY research

via www.usatoday.com

Glad I got mine already!

Updates from Oregonwatchdog.com

Referendum update: More than 126,000 signatures were turned in on both referendum petitions (income tax and business tax petition). This is more than twice the amount needed to qualify. This was the result of one of the largest grassroots coalitions in history and proof positive that a wave of No New Taxes is sweeping Oregon. Once the signatures are verified, look for a January special election and a Christmas season filled with campaign ads.

Thank you dearly for all of your hard work,

Jason Williams, Taxpayer Association of Oregon

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon: 2nd fastest growing government

Salem's [Oregon] housing market ranked 4th in nation

Forbes ranks city fourth in nation as a best bet for housing recovery

By Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal

Salem is among the top 5 cities in the nation for a housing turnaround, according to a new ranking from Forbes.

The magazine last week ranked Salem No. 4 on its "Best Cities For A Housing Recovery" list.

"I think this is just a recognition of the fact that the market probably overreacted," said Byron Hendricks, the president Prudential Real Estate Professionals.

"Certainly the first-time homebuyer tax credit is working, and people are realizing there are just some tremendous values out there."

In compiling its list, Forbes looked at online housing data from 161 of the nation's largest metropolitan statistical areas. It picked areas with increased transactions and relatively low foreclosures.

In Salem, sales activity is up 3 percent year over year, and a relatively low 14 percent of transactions are foreclosure resales.

Most of the activity locally is in homes priced less than $200,000, said Gladys Blum, of the Gladys Blum Group in Salem.

"There's still a ton of standing inventory over $300,000 and not a lot of activity there," Blum said. "Hopefully it will trickle up."

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., ranked No. 1 on the Forbes list.

Other cities on the list are Lincoln, Neb.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Bremerton, Wash.; Denver; Redding, Calif.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; and San Jose, Calif.

tloew@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6779

Additional Facts

Link

http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/recovery-cities-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-recovery-cities.html

---

Hallelujah!

Let there be sight!

Way to go, Patriots!

"McMinnville, Ore. -- Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) held the first of four town halls this week on Monday evening, and if the meeting is any indication of future events, Wu should prepare his defenses. Protesters lined the streets with signs outside the event and "peppered [Wu] with mostly hostile questions at a packed town hall...that brought a political circus to this" town, according to a report by The Oregonian. The newspaper reported that people lined up outside three hours before the event started."

Hey, bureaucrats, guess what? We are silent no more! It's interesting, though, that anyone would plan a "townhall" meeting in a room only capable of holding 130 people unless, of course, one wanted to severely limit who could attend.

Anyone up for a Swim?

Seaside [Oregon] police are warning beach crowds to watch out for sharks.

Police officers Sunday drove up and down the beach and used loudspeakers to announce a shark sighting.

Is There Room for an Oregon GOP Governor?

From Oregon Catalyst

Just a Hare Nuts

Oregon rabbit hoarder caught with more forbidden bunnies!

Join us to rally for a free press and to preserve our free-market healthcare system!

American Patriot has invited you to the event 'On June 24th, join us to rally for a free press and to preserve our free-market healthcare system!' on  The 9.12 Project Network!

 

If you are interested in being part of a local rally for a free, independent press and a market-based health care system (preserving what's good about our system here in America), please join us!

Time: June 24, 2009 all day Location: Local ABC Affiliate Near You! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ABC_television_affiliates Organized By: American Patriot Event Description: On June 24th, join us as we protest ABC joining NBC as official state media by broadcasting an extreme leftist , to help Obama take over our health care system. We must take a stand to help stop the slide toward communism/fascism. This is a line that must be drawn in the sand, and this line must be drawn here and now! We must take a stand! We've already lost so much, and the powers that be seem to have forgotten the message of the TEA Parties, let's remind them that We The People aren't going to just sit and watch while the government takes total control of our lives and robs us of our freedom and our incomes! If our health care system falls to the communist/fascist threat as well, then many believe it's game over. Let us not go quietly in the night; we won't give up our free market without a fight! Why do so many Canadians come across the border every year to get everything from cancer treatment to major surgery? Because socialized medicine is a failed system; the quality of care suffers greatly, and the sanctity of life is assaulted, when the Government runs things! So we have two very compelling issues: a Free Press (yeah, they're ridiculously biased already, but this is simply fascist), and a free-market health care system that is the envy of the world! We've already lost control of our banks, our automobile industry, and our government. Let's not also lose, in the selfsame year, our free market healthcare system! The time for calling representatives only is past. It's time to surround some TV stations starting at least an hour before the broadcast! ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm! Highlights on the agenda: ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House. The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate. "...As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming. "In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime." FIND YOUR LOCAL ABC AFFILIATE HERE.

See more details and RSVP on  The 9.12 Project Network:

http://www.the912project.us/events/event/show?id=2881797%3AEvent%3A288061&xgi=b4pCrGr

Representative Richardson Votes NO on HB 2009

...1. Health care reforms will cost a fortune. Section 9 of HB 2009-C instructs the governing board of the OHA in sub-paragraph (b.) to “develop and submit a plan to the Legislative Assembly by December 31, 2010, to provide and fund access to affordable, quality health care for all Oregonians by 2015.” It goes on to instruct the board in sub-paragraph (c.) to “develop a program to provide health insurance premium assistance to all low and moderate income individuals who are legal residents of Oregon.” (Underlining added for emphasis.)

Oregon has more than 500,000 uninsured legal residents. To “provide and fund” “quality” health care for them would cost between $2-4 billion per year, for starters. Factor in the costs of providing additional doctors, nurses, hospitals, etc. to give health care service to an additional ½ million patients, and you are talking about real money. In addition, sub-paragraph (c.) states OHA’s governing board is to “provide health insurance premium assistance to…moderate income individuals….” In past committees, supporters of HB 2009-C have expressed support for subsidized health care for those earning 300% or even 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

To see the 2009 FPL chart, click here. From the FPL chart you can see that at 250% of the federal poverty level, a family with three children could be earning $64,475 and still qualify for taxpayer subsidized health care under HB 2009-C’s “moderate income” instruction. If moderate were defined as 300% FPL, that same family could be earning more than $77,000 and still qualify for taxpayer subsidies.

To me there is something wrong when those who qualify for subsidized benefits can be earning more than the taxpayers who pay for them. While I feel strongly that society has a duty to care for those who cannot care for themselves, we do a grave disservice to both the taxpayers and the recipients when the government assumes responsibility to provide health care or other benefits that individuals can and should provide for themselves. Besides, as the FPL goes up, so does the number of those eligible to receive the health care benefits. When the government provides health care, the costs do not go away, they merely get shifted for taxpayers to pay. To be successful, any health care reform must be financially sustainable, and it must be politically acceptable to 51% of the voters—because of the provisions of Section 9 (b.) and (c.), I believe HB 2009-C fails on both counts.

2. Creates the Oregon Health Czar. The Director of the Oregon Health Authority is given extensive powers to regulate the health insurance industry. In addition, Section 26 of HB 2009-C specifically exempts activities of insurers working under the direction of the OHA or DCBS from Oregon laws precluding conspiracies, monopolies, and price fixing. Such laws were implemented to protect citizens from abuse. That abuse can come from government agencies, just as it can come from corporate rogues. Exempting insurers from those safeguards merely because they are working under the OHA can have significant negative, unintended consequences.

3. Oregon Health Authority has a substantial conflict of interest. The OHA is a key regulator in Oregon’s health insurance industry. Section 10 (h.) of HB 2009-C states the following: “In consultation with the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, [OHA shall] periodically review and recommend standards and methodologies to the Legislative Assembly for: (A) Review of administrative expenses of health insurers; (B) Approval of rates; and (C) Enforcement of rating rules adopted by the Department of Consumer and Business Services;” Then, in Section 10 (k.) it goes on to state: “[OHA shall] develop, in consultation with the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee, one or more products designed to provide more affordable options for the small group market.

Thus, OHA and DCBS will work together in reviewing rate approvals of private health insurers. Unless there are rules implemented to insulate OHA from access to private insurers’ data relating to administration, rating and profitability, a grossly unfair competitive advantage will exist. Not only will OHA purchase, administer and manage all Oregon health insurance plans for employees, prisoners and vulnerable citizens, OHA will also be developing and marketing its own policy or policies of health insurance benefits. This will place OHA in direct competition with the private sector insurance companies that it helps regulate.

4. OHA will force private insurers to either quit or become surrogates of the state. HB 2009-C gives the OHA tremendous power to control, intervene and regulate private health insurance companies. OHA can control private insurers’ rates, while OHA markets its own health plans in direct competition for market share. Such a “stacked deck” against private insurers will likely result in one of the two following scenarios.

(1.) The private insurers will be forced by either unfair competition or excessive regulation to abandon the Oregon health insurance market. The OHA health plans would then be the last game in town. In that event, Oregon will have government health insurance by default.

2.) The private insurers will adjust operations to financial realities, redesign health benefit plans, rates and underwriting to OHA’s dictated requirements. The private insurers will accept the profit margins OHA allows, and, essentially, become subservient to the state health care system. In that event Oregon will have government health insurance through its private insurer surrogates.

Either way, the free market for health care disappears, and state health care bureaucracy fills the void.

5. The federal government is likely to preempt state health care reforms. Notwithstanding the above arguments in favor or against HB 2009-C, on June 4, 2009, President Obama released the President’s own version of government health care reform, on a national level. The President calls for everyone to be insured, either with a policy of their own choice or government coverage. His plan would require the estimated 50 million Americans (including uninsured Oregonians), to receive health coverage. The price tag is about $1.5 Trillion, to start. Criticism of the President’s plan also applies to HB 2009-C. If the government creates its own plan and has the power to give it an artificially low price, it will effectively and quickly drive the private insurers out of the market. With competition gone, America and Oregon will have government run h ealth care whether the citizens wanted it or not.

In conclusion, HB 2009-C is not yet law. It will be debated in the House and Senate on June 8th or 9th. If it passes and is signed into law, it will cost the taxpayers $6.1 million over the next two years. When the Legislature reconvenes for the 2011 session, if the federal government has not preempted health care with a national health plan, the ground work will be laid for full implementation of the OHA. We all will be interested in seeing how much it will cost for the government to provide universal access to health care for all Oregonians by 2015. Even more interesting will be the discussion of how that cost will be paid. As mentioned above, I believe HB 2009-C will cost too much, will drive private insurers out of the market and will leave Oregonians with an unwanted, unsustainable and ill-conceived government run health care system. For these reasons, I voted against HB 2009-C in two Ways and Means comm ittees and I will vote against it on the Floor of the House. Since my position in the current session is often over-ridden by the majority, I expect HB 2009-C to be passed and become law. I have shared with you my opinions on the upside potential and downside risks of HB 2009-C. Time will tell whether my hopes for its potential or my concerns over its risks were correct.

Sincerely, 
 
Dennis Richardson
State Representative

They've Got Time to Help

Oregonians helping Oregonians. Very cool.

OREGON LIBERTY SUMMIT--LET'S GO!

"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty"
John Adams 1772


Start Time: Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 9:00am
End Time: Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 5:00pm
At the; Salem Red Lion
3301 Market Street
Salem, OR

Phone: 5034639457
Email: rwalker@freedomworks.org OregonLibertySummit.com

Description; Oregon Liberty Summit

Sponsors
FreedomWorks
Oregon Citizens For A Sound Economy PAC
Taxpayer Defense Fund

Co-Sponsors
Taxpayers Association of Oregon
Common Sense For Oregon
Americans for Prosperity
Contractors Association of Oregon
Oregon Patriots of Resistnet.com
9-12 Project- Oregon
Campaign For Liberty
Concerned Oregonians
Oregon Tea Party

What: A celebration of freedom and liberty, including campaign and issues training
Who: Featuring campaign and policy experts and hundreds of activists from around the State of Oregon
Where: Salem Red Lion, 3301 NE Market Street, Salem Oregon 97301
When: 9 AM-5 PM, Saturday, June 6th, 2009
Register: Go to www.OregonLibertySummit.comto register
Cost: $10.00 per person

In 1773 the Sons of Liberty organized the first tea party in Boston harbor. On April 15th 2009 you joined with us and millions of other American across the country at over 500 modern day taxpayer tea parties, 19 here in Oregon.

The tea party movement began in response to corporate and mortgage bailouts, the $1 trillion dollar debt stimulus plan, and President Obama’s $2 trillion dollar budget deficit. On June 6th we want you to join us for a day of organizing, training and educating. We will have national and state campaign and policy experts in attendance to answer your questions and help you organize your community.

Now is our chance to take back our nation, we are the new Sons and Daughters of Liberty. We can pass on the same legacy we received from our ancestors to our own children and grandchildren.

Salem's local embarrassments

And their bylines if they were to become reality TV shows

Ooooh, I wish I could attend! Go for me and let me know what you think!

"Stimulus" packages, $1.75 trillion deficits, and pork barrel spending plans that benefit special interest groups are just the beginning in Washington, DC. But bad policies aren't limited to just the Federal government, Oregon legislators have introduced more than 60 bills to increase your taxes and fees by more than $1.6 billion.

You can fight back!

Join Joe the Plumber, The Wall Street Journal and FoxNews Analyst John Fund and KXL’s Lars Larson, on May 29th for Americans for Prosperity Oregon’s Defending the American Dream Summit in Salem and receive professional training in important skills like debate and lobbying that will give you the tools to make a difference.

To register, click here:
http://defendingthedream.org/OR/

The entire day will culminate with a huge rally at the State Capitol and a visit to our Legislators.

With Oregonians already reeling from high unemployment and wasteful government spending, this is your chance to take the next step and to make an impact on behalf of limited government!

What: Americans for Prosperity Oregon's Defending the American Dream Summit
Where: Salem Conference Center, Salem, OR
When: Friday, May 29, 2009, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Send a message that the Tea Parties were not an end, but a beginning!

To register, click here:
http://defendingthedream.org/OR/

Sincerely,

Jeff Kropf
State Director
Americans for Prosperity Oregon

Looks like we're not only the "Most Unhappy" state, we're also less likely to commit suicide due to insomnia

Too much sunlight in places like Greenland where long summer days often cause insomnia appears more likely to drive a person to suicide

Free Bus Passes for Salem-Keizer students next year

Through a partnership with Cherriots, our middle and high school students will get to ride for free during the 2009-10 school year, with the exception of Crossler and Walker middle school students. The goal of the bus pass program is to complement school bus service and reduce car trips around schools and through neighborhoods.

The district is currently piloting the free bus pass program with six schools. Students are able to use Cherriots for transportation for before- and after-school programs, sports, and jobs. In the first few weeks of the pilot, Cherriots saw an average student ridership of about 10,000 students per week.

Funding for the student bus pass program comes from the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) administered by the Oregon Department of Energy. By offering the pass to Salem-Keizer students, our district will save thousands of dollars formerly spent on student bus passes.  

HB 2509 to require human sexuality classes in all grades

God forbid! Planned Parenthood, get out of our schools and out of my back yard!

What is "age-appropriate human sexuality" for a kindergartner?

VOTE NO ON HB 2509!

Congrats and kudos to your folks!

Three Oregon students named 2009 Presidential Scholars.

Schools that work? BAN THEM!

Idiocracy at work again and again and again...

More Proof Lib Policies Fail--right here in Oregon

Oregon thought it would be a good idea to tie minimum wage with inflation -- the result has not been so hot for the state. As the job situation worsens, employers are being forced to pay higher and higher minimum wages. It just went up again 45 cents to $8.40 per hour and has many business owners complaining it's causing the 12.1% unemployment rate in Oregon. ( Transcript, Insider Audio) from Glenn Beck newsletter

April 15, 2009 Tax Day Tea party Salem, Oregon--slideshow. Update: VIDEO

Find recaps from tea parties across the nation HERE VIDEO:

Tax Day Tea Party Pics 2009 Salem, Oregon: updated with slide show and video

           

OREGON ASSISTED SUICIDES HIT RECORD IN 2008

Oregon established a record in 2008 for most deaths by physician-assisted suicide since legalizing the practice, according to its annual report.

The Oregon Department of Human Services reported 60 people committed suicide last year using lethal doses of drugs prescribed by doctors. The total far surpassed the previous yearly high, which was 49 in 2007. Oregon has recorded 401 such deaths since its Death With Dignity Act took effect in late 1997.

Oregon released the report only two days before legalized assisted suicide took effect in the state of Washington on March 5, where voters approved an Oregon model in the November election.

The state of Montana also has assisted suicide currently as a result of a district court judge's ruling in December.

Bioethicist C. Ben Mitchell criticized the idea of assisted suicide being considered "death with dignity."

"Where's the dignity in killing oneself with the assistance of a person in a white lab coat?" said Mitchell, a consultant on biomedical and life issues for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "Turning the healing profession into a suicide profession is a monstrous indignity."

The Oregon report showed 95 percent of those who used assisted suicide expressed concerns about losing autonomy.

"Something is tragically wrong with the idea that a patient can use her right to make her own decisions by giving up her right to make any future decisions through killing herself," said Mitchell, professor of bioethics and contemporary culture at the Chicago-area Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. "Legalized assisted suicide represents the dehumanization of medicine. Effective pain management, palliative care and loving hospice should mark our health-care system, not medicalized killing."

OREGONIANS ARE STEEPED IN TAXES! NO MORE!! 1

NO ON H.B. 2854!!

“H.B. 2854 is a direct attack on hard-working Oregonians in particular, working people who need life insurance and annuity products to protect their homes, assure the education of their children and provide for lifetime retirement security,” the groups say in the statement. “Oregon families should be encouraged to prepare for the future. H.B. 2854 would unfairly and unwisely penalize those who make financial sacrifices now to provide financial protection for their families in the future.”

NO ON HB 2009!!

HB 2009 is a tax on hospitals, managed care and other heath insurance plans. It creates the Oregon Health Authority and integrates all state purchasing of health services, state health policy and health insurance planning, policy and functions. It would be overseen by a citizen board perhaps similar to our  state Transportation Commission and our Public Utilities Commission. HB 2009 also creates a Quality Care Institute and an Oregon Health Insurance Exchange.
Further, it establishes a tax on managed care organizations and hospitals and a cigarette tax.

NO ON HB 2067!!

Oregon’s personal exemption tax credit is the most widely claimed state income tax credit.  The most recent information from the state indicates that 93 percent of taxpayers claim the credit.  The average taxpayer has a $308 personal exemption tax credit.  Without the personal exemption tax credit, the average taxpayer would pay almost 10 percent more in state income taxes than they do now.

House Bill 2067 eliminates more than 20 different tax credits.  One of those eliminated is the personal exemption tax credit. When the credit sunsets, the average Oregon personal income taxpayer will be faced with a 10 percent increase in their state income taxes.

In addition to the personal exemption, other tax credits that are eliminated under HB 2067 include credits for:

* Elderly or permanently and totally disabled
* Additional personal exemption credit for persons with severe disabilities and their spouses
* Loss of function of both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm
* Expenses in lieu of nursing home care
* Retirement income
* Carry forward of dependent care expenses necessary for employment
* Long term care insurance
* Individual development accounts
* Persons providing rural medical care and affiliated with certain rural hospitals
* Employee and dependent scholarship program payments
* Youth apprenticeship sponsorship
* Early intervention services for child with disability
* Political contributions
* Income tax credit for new business facility in reservation enterprise zone
* Crop donation
* Voluntary removal of riparian land from farm production
* Screening devices, by-pass devices or fishway
* Farmworker housing projects and loans
* Electronic commerce in designated enterprise zone
* Loans under an owner-occupied community rehabilitation program
* Energy conservation loans to residential fuel oil customers or wood heating residents

NEW OREGON TAXES COMING OUR WAY--SENATOR JEFF KRUSE

There are roughly 60 tax increase proposals in the House Revenue Committee. I thought it would be informative to let you know what might be coming your way.

HB 2009: A tax on hospitals, managed care and other heath insurance plans

HB 2067: Potentially could eliminate most personal and business tax credits

HB 2069: Limits the amount of medical expenses elderly tax payers can deduct from Oregon taxes

HB 2070: Increase corporate minimum to 2% of the “value of the business”

HB 2071: Increase cost of recording fees with the money diverted to other things

HB 2972: Tax on amount of carbon used in production of fuel or electricity

HB 2075: Sixty cent a pack increase in the tax on cigarettes

HB 2076: Provider tax on multiple parts of the health care system

HB 2077: Decreases the amount of federal taxes paid deductable from state taxes

HB 2078: Creates a new top tax bracket rate (10%) in Oregon

HB 2116: Gross receipts tax on insurance premiums

HB 2119: Another bill to increase corporate minimum

HB 2120: Gas tax, vehicle registration and title fee increases

HB 2122: Cigarette tax

HB 2379: Another cigarette tax

HB 2413: Creates a new government entity and funds it with an increase in traffic fines

HB 2431: Tax on airplane fuel

HB 2461: Beer tax

HB 2471: Another senior health care tax

HB 2474: Reduces discount on property tax payments

HB 2648: Another reduction in federal taxes claimed on state return

HB 2649: Creates a 7.5% alternative minimum tax rate

HB 2650: Straight tax increase

HB 2651: Straight tax increase

HB 2652: Straight tax increase

HB 2672: Tax on snuff

HB 2696: Convoluted tax increase

HB 2698: Taxing some things the Feds don’t

HB 2697: Similar to 2698

HB 2711: Similar to 2697 & 2698

HB 2712: Tax increase on fire insurance policies

HB 2749: A tax on amusement devices

HB 2769: Repeals tax credit for farm worker housing

HB 2771: Tax on wine

HB 2772: Another medical tax on seniors

HB 2773: Corporate surcharge

HB 2774: One percent personal tax surcharge

HB 2807: Refer back to HB 2711

HB 2818: Tax on vehicle rentals

HB 2843: Straight tax increase

HB 2854: Refer back to 2711 or 2697 (it all the same with a twist)

HB 2913: Corporate tax increase

HB 2934: Another health care tax

HB 2935: A different way to tax business

HB 3049: Another corporate minimum tax

HB 3115: Another state tax on things the feds don’t tax

HB 3146: Tax on luxury items (whatever that means)

HB 3148: Another vehicle registration fee increase

There are a few others, but I wanted to end with one that is probably the crown jewel of the list.

HB 3303: CREATES EXCISE TAX ON BIRDSEED

In this building the conversation continues to be about the trouble government is in and what we need to do to fill the government’s budget hole. The latest projection is we could be down five billion dollars based on current service level budgeting. What never gets mentioned is the fact the economy of the state is down fifty billion dollars, unemployment could reach 30% in some parts of the state and we are doing nothing to deal with these problems.

While the Democrats have been focused on tax and fee increases the Republicans have been looking for ways to reduce government and regulations to allow the private sector to put Oregonians back to work. We will be unveiling our plan soon. So far legislative leadership has not been interested in any of the components.

One more thing about the list of taxes, significant portions are for the creation of new programs. In this economy how does that make any sense?

Sincerely,

Senator Jeff Kruse

I CONTEND THAT FOR A NATION TO TRY TO TAX ITSELF INTO PROSPERITY IS LIKE A MAN STANDING IN A BUCKET AND TRYING TO LIFT HIMSELF UP BY THE HANDLE

WINSTON CHURCHILL

Since when do cults qualify for special rights?

This is not a church. It is blasphemy.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele Raises funds in Oregon

 

                    Michael Steele March 12, 2009                                                Lars Larson                     

Moose and Yours Truly                                        Bob Tiernan

Just what we need: Libs in charge of literally doping up the votes

House Bill 3274 directs the state to establish and operate a marijuana production facility and distribute the drug to pharmacies for dispensing to cardholders and primary caregivers. The bill imposes a $98-per-ounce tax on marijuana, which would cover the state's costs of operating and securing the production center.

Hey, wanna go? I have a few Q for Mr. Steele...

ORP Chairman Bob Tiernan and the Oregon Republican Party are honored to welcome Michael Steele,
the newly elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee,
for an evening to renew and rebuild the GOP!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Hilton Hotel

921 SW 6th Avenue - Portland

 

5:30PM – General Reception & Speech                                 $40*          Per person

5:30PM – VIP Reception                                                       $1,000       Per person

   6:30PM – Private Dinner (Heathman Hotel)                            $10,000     Give or raise

*$15 discount for Precinct Committee People or those registering as PCP’s

57,000 Prisoners to be set free

Federal judges on Monday tentatively ordered California to release tens of thousands of inmates, up to a third of all prisoners, in the next three years to stop dangerous overcrowding.

Yay--all the crap comin' out of Cali eventually ends up in Oregon.

Promote School Choice in Oregon

Cascade Policy Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank based in Portland, is seeking videos of two minutes or less that promote choice in Oregon schools.

Twenty student or parent finalists will receive cash awards of $250 each. One of those will win as much as $10,000 to be applied to documented educational expenses up to grade 12.

Videos, which will be posted on YouTube, must focus on how choosing an alternative to public school changed or will change a student's life.

Steve Buckstein, the founder of the institute, said entries will be judged on sincerity, creativity and passion.

The deadline to enter is March 25. For information, go to OregonSchoolChoiceContest.org or CascadePolicy.org.

— Peter Wong

Hit the Road, Jack III

Says Jack:

    Given that Bristol's pregnancy is a key feature to the official Trig story, do you think it odd that Palin has not offered a shred of evidence to support the birth of her supposed grandson other than her own word and blustery insults to those who would dare ask questions about the matter?

Says I:

    Nope. I think it's odd that anyone would spend so much time worrying and wondering about these rumors, and I actually think Sarah Palin's mostly non-reaction reveals her class.

Did anyone fuss about not seeing Chelsea Clinton's birth certificate? I mean, really, talk about an ugly baby...or the paternity of John F. Kennedy's children, especially those not born to the Mrs.? And as long as we're talking about it, surely Amy Carter is scary looking enough to warrant an investigation!

She no more needs to show you proof of her birth than you need to show the
public pictures of your children's birth. And just for kicks, I admit I don't have pictures in the hospital with my 2nd baby, I'm not sure I sent out announcements to relatives, and it wasn't printed in the newspaper. I guarantee she's mine, though. Your arguments are flimsy and your questions, low brow.

Give it up, Jack. This obsession is just gross.

Sam Adams: openly gay, totally disgusting

Sam Adams admits "relationship" with teen

Phrase of the day

"I'm not sure there's many cities other than Salem that has more of Oregon than anywhere else."

Angie Morris, Travel Salem's chief executive officer.

Hit the Road, Jack, II

Ummmm....so what, Jack? How much information do you have about the birthweight of your distant relatives' children...or their birthdays...or? Seriously unhinged. Time to increase reality. Reduce paranoia.

WOO-HOO!! NO SMOKING!!

When the last seconds of 2008 were counted down Wednesday night, it also meant lights out for smokers inside bars, taverns and virtually all other indoor spaces except the home in Oregon.