When I first made the decision to run for the state legislature, I had become sick and tired of yelling at my television and tossing my newspaper in frustration with the way our state was being run. Eventually, I determined that just ridiculing the legislature was not a reasonable or productive thing to do and just complaining about things never got anyone anywhere. So, finally, I said, “somebody needs to do something about this and, if it’s not me, then who is it going to be?  Any if it’s not now, then when is it going to be?!”

I began the 2011 legislative session with high expectations for change and productivity. My “three-legged stool” that served as my campaign platform was improving education, promoting economic and job growth, and establishing fiscal discipline. Now, looking back on my freshman session as your state representative, I’d like to share with you some of our successes and challenges.  It was nothing less than an incredible experience and I thank each of you for your confidence in me and the opportunity to be of service.

When the session began in February and until we adjourned sine die (on Thursday, June 30), many repeatedly used the phrase “we are equally divided” in the House with 30 Democrats and 30 Republicans.  I purposefully tried to avoid that phrase because I like to think that we were “equally united.”  With a co-governance model, many of the talking heads claimed that we were doomed for failure.  Although not everyone got all they wanted, we accomplished a great deal.

I list here a few of the highlights:

Education

For the first time in more than a decade, we passed the K-12 Budget in early April. This was an incredible accomplishment as  it enabled school districts to plan their budgets accordingly for the next school year.  Usually the K-12 Budget is held back and used as an end-of-session political pawn.  We also passed over a dozen education reform bills that give parents and students better and more available options.  You voted for change.  You got it!

Fiscal Discipline and the Budget

We finally moved away from the “Current Service Level” based budgeting and moved to an Anticipated Revenue based budgeting process.  In the past, Oregon has used an assumption that the starting point for state budget discussions should be the Current Service Level (CSL).  CSL budgeting is a process of “expenditure-based budgeting,” where the budgeting process is focused on funding programs with exponentially rising costs.  The budget has always been the means to maintain the current level of services provided, and there was little thought given to whether those services were effective or necessary.  Instead of keeping with the old status quo budgeting process, we approved a budget based on the revenue we anticipate receiving (instead of what agencies would like to spend) and we balanced a 2011-2013 budget without raising taxes on Oregonians.  Fiscal discipline was one of my top priorities going into this session, and I’m proud we were able to deliver on this pledge.

Promoting Job Growth

I am happy to report we passed a handful of measures to promote private sector job creation.  We extended Oregon’s successful Enterprise Zone program until 2025.  We passed a measure that allows businesses and citizens to benefit from federal job-creation tax incentives in 2011.  And we streamlined approval of industrial projects by cutting bureaucratic red tape.

Redistricting

This is one that I’m most proud of. We made history by reaching bipartisan agreement on new legislative and congressional redistricting plans for the next 10 years.  It was a task most members and pundits deemed impossible from the start. I was honored to be Co-Chair of the House and Special Joint Committees on Redistricting. Personally, this was my most difficult assignment. Yet, I feel honored that I was able to help the Legislature make history with this accomplishment. The last time this was accomplished was over 60 years ago.  We proved the naysayers wrong.

Looking Forward

For as many accomplishments as there were, we also ran into some challenges.  We offered a number of solutions to encourage private sector job creation in our state from regionalized land use reform to capital gains reform, but they were killed in the legislative process.  We worked tirelessly to advance major reforms to curb escalating PERS and personnel benefit costs.  But we were met with strong opposition.  These issues, among others, will continue to be priorities for me moving forward.

While session has adjourned, there is still much work to be done in preparation for the upcoming February session.  I will continue to focus on policy that helps the private sector create jobs, limits the reach of government, and promotes innovation in our schools.  Additional legislative goals include:

• Caylee’s Law: This would require parents, guardians, and caretakers to report the death or disappearance of a child within 24 hours.
• Religious Freedom Restoration Act: Under current Oregon law, people and institutions of faith are substantially burdened by government to prove they have a legitimate claim to their religious practice(s), when that burden should—based on First Amendment “free exercise” guarantees—be placed on the shoulders of the state to prove they have a compelling governmental interest to limit or disallow the religious practice(s) in question, and using the least restrictive means possible when following through.  This bill would put the burden of proof back on the state.
• Childcare Equity:  Currently, the state provides a tax credit to working parents to help cover the costs of childcare. I believe a parent’s decision to stay at home to raise children is an equally important decision and should be encouraged with an equitable tax credit.

In the meantime, I look forward to spending more time in my home district to work with my fellow neighbors, community leaders, and business members.  Throughout the interim, I can be reached by telephone at (503) 986-1430 or via email at rep.shawnlindsay@state.or.us.  And, of course, you can always follow me here on my website, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and I look forward to continue working together for a better, stronger Oregon.

Sincerely,

Shawn Lindsay
State Representative, House District 30

P.S.  In the House, Work Sessions on bills were not allowed unless both committee Co-Chairs agreed that the bill under consideration should go forward and possibly become Oregon law. Thus, Oregon’s Co-Governance Model gave each of the committee Co-Chairs “the power of NO.”  As a result of this “power of NO,” most bad bills died in committee.

Some Democrats were of the opinion that tax increases were needed in these times of reduced revenue streams.  The Republican Co-Chairs did not agree and the “power of NO” enabled them to ensure many proposed tax increase bills died in committee.

On a more positive note, common ground was found and mutual agreement was apparent in many instances. Committee Co-Chairs often agreed on bipartisan legislation that was enacted for the best interests of Oregon citizens.  Thus, much was accomplished and many important bills were passed by House committees.