May 22, 2003
More Tax Vote Follow-Up
Quick tour of today's Oregonian coverage. First a look at reaction in Salem:
Tuesday's tax votes provided graphic proof for some legislators that Oregonians are willing to tax themselves even in hard economic times. And now growing numbers of lawmakers realize they can't adjourn without finding new money to balance the books, Courtney said.
"Just to get to (new) revenue has not been easy," he said. "But we're there now."
Not so fast, countered House Speaker Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village. Although she agrees with Courtney that lawmakers turned a corner this week and are now focused intensely on working out a budget deal, she sees no consensus on a hunt for fresh cash.
Next there's more reaction from administrators, teachers, and students.
Then there's a look at "celebration and caution" following the vote:
The good news was not all-encompassing in the work session, though, as the county's legislative monitors noted the continued decline in state revenues. That could spell more program cuts later.
And some people are worried that the Oregon Legislature might find a way to reduce state money to the county because it has the tax or even to take some of the tax money raised in the county for statewide use. "People didn't vote to raise their taxes to backfill the (state) budget," county Commissioner Lonnie Roberts said. "That would really set me off."
Finally, there's an editorial comment on the election and its message:
The details of Tuesday's outcomes are a jumble of contradictions. But state leaders would be hard-pressed to scan the political landscape and see anything but frustrated, determined, loyal citizens who care deeply about public education in Oregon.
Expect more post-election analysis in tomorrow's edition of the Portland Tribune.