Ideas for Oregon on UserVoice

Civil unions for all [updated]

2010-09-02T20:25:58+00:00

separate church & state, and honor 14th Amendment. let any couple form legal union; let anyone "marry" as they see fit. no agent of church should act as agent of state - bad for the church as well as the state.

Ron Swaren said:

What exactly does the Defense of Marriage Act say about religious involvement in marriage? Please clue me in.

High Speed Freight Rail [updated]

2010-09-02T18:33:22+00:00

I believe a west coast high speed freight rail line could help accelerate growth in the Western United States. The idea is a high speed rail like that runs from BC to mexico, either through the willamette valley/I-5 corridor or the Eastern parts of Oregon and Washington. We need to invest in the infrastructure of the future and a high speed freight rail could be a tremendous advantage.

Ron Swaren said:

Why should we "accelerate growth" in the first place? There will be enough people moving here, as it is. I am by no means saying that Oregonians should live in poverty (as we have done though much of our history as a state, unfortunately), nor am I saying that we will stem the tide of people moving here. The West Coast is a very safe place to live, in comparison with the natural disasters that occur throughout most of the country. So, people will find that out, in due course, and the ones that can afford to move here will be able to. Unfortunately someone whose entire nest egg is a $40,000 house in Dayton Ohio may not be able to afford to move here.
But I don't favor ideas that "stimulate growth" as an end in itself. We have already seen a great increase in: rules, fees, charges, restrictions....and many other things that have stemmed from our past growth. That does not necessarily mean I am against your high speed freight rail system. We should get freight off the highways because that seems to cause a lot of fatalities.

Statewide Bus Network [updated]

2010-09-02T18:19:58+00:00

Trains are great -- but they are expensive, work only with high densities, and require tracks. Oregon lacks a comprehensive bus network that covers the state, and outside of Portland, local public transit is non-existent. A statewide bus system would be inexpensive to start, inexpensive to operate, and would connect ALL of Oregon and not just the Portland-Eugene corridor. I need to travel from Tigard to McMinnville - and rail won't help me. But buses could. Likewise, rail is not going to connect Bend with the Willamette Valley, or the Rogue Valley with the Willamette Valley, or Northeastern Oregon with anywhere else. Buses can do all that - with minimal investment ($350,000 per bus), plus it'll create permanent, sustainable jobs.

Ron Swaren said:

If buses sought to cater to recreational travelers, as well as tourists between towns and cities, the ridership might increase. This would necessitate some extra space to carry items like bicycles, or food storage, on the bus... not just luggage. For example a bus traveling on Hwy 97, in Central Oregon, could have stops for the recreational areas like Century Drive, The Metolius, and Klamath Lake, not just the population centers. It would take some time to figure out what the most popular recreational destinations would be on each route----and those would likely change from summer to winter.

The stops should not stop far off the highway either, since that would frustrate those trying to just get to a town. I can see why Greyhound would have dropped these services, yet in some cases other companies still provide them. It seems like the most popular recreational regions would get a fair number of people who would opt to get there by bus and dispense with traveling by car for several hours.

Also could overnight buses, with sleeping accomodations, work? Go to sleep in Portland and wake up in Brookings?

taxes [updated]

2010-09-02T06:33:02+00:00

reduce income taxes. We will have the highest in the USA. This will kill jobs long term. Oregon business cannot recruit into this climate. Texas has the most fortune 500 firms in the nation, with no state income tax. oregon has 1!

Matt has ideas said:

doesn't matter how low our taxes are if not everyone is paying into the system! we need to eliminate the property tax and enact a sales tax.. that way no matter who you are and no matter what you buy you are helping the economy.. that way even the people on food stamps get to contribute some of that free money that they are getting back into the system..

Forestry as a function of selective harvesting, local processing thru value added end products.

2010-09-01T15:33:03+00:00

craig patterson suggested:
What if reverence and respect for all ecosystem functions was the starting and ending point of forest 'management'? What if we just took the 'interest' the forest could provide without any compromise to ecosystem functions (restoration needs)? What if jobs and communities were the focus over short term profits? Are we smart enough to see the forest and the trees and how we might live in harmony?

Welfare Recipients should not get tax returns [updated]

2010-09-01T10:36:33+00:00

If a person is on welfare, all tax returns should be given to the State that is supporting the recipient. Why should welfare recipients get thousands of dollars in returns when they have not paid? Why are hard working people paying thousands to support those who don't pay.

TIRED OF WATCHING OTHERS NOT WORK AND LIVE WELL said:

Yes they most certainly receive refunds,I have not ever received any type of govt help but I have several friends who do,But as the years go by I watch these friends not working or looking to work,I believe this is due to the fact they dont have to,example; one family I know the husband receives $530 weekly and has for 2 years,the family as a whole receives medicaid,foodstamps,ssi checks for their 2 children plus huge(thousands every 3 months)cash amounts of money for services that are supposed to help the children but arent being used,and a worker who puts in that the services are used and kicks back a cash payment to the family.so they live quite well much better than I a hard working also trying to support a family.and then we come to the last 2 tax refunds they received 2008/2009,I was in total shock and quite mad when I realized and saw the $6800.00 fed tax refund checks they have received, for what???? no work at all?? having babies??? collecting welfare?? please help me to understand this. maybe if this kind of thing were stopped there would be less debt and more people having to work and maybe that would also reduce the violence and crimes. I am really getting fed up watching this around me.I'm just not sure what to do about it,yet.

FED UP

Marriage, not Civil Unions. [updated]

2010-09-01T07:22:28+00:00

Oregon has always been a champion of civil rights. Let's do the right thing and make gay marriage legal with no more teetering.

mitch m said:

Since marriage is recognized by the state, it should be available to all members of the country no matter which religious doctrine they follow. Separation of church and state. If the churches do not want to conduct the marriages in their facilities that is fine, but all couples should have the right to marry in city hall.

Eliminate the state income tax and replace it with a sales tax. Capitalize on those spending money. [updated]

2010-09-01T02:09:53+00:00

Karen Brilliant said:

No one wants additional taxes. Replacing the income tax, which only generates revenue from those gainfully employed, with a sales tax will more equally distribute the tax burden. A sales tax will affect those employed, unemployed, welfare recipients, lower/middle/upper classes, incomes gained illegally, and tourists. It's a better way to go.

Eliminate the state income tax and replace it with a sales tax. Capitalize on those spending money.

2010-09-01T02:01:19+00:00

taxes [updated]

2010-08-31T22:33:11+00:00

Karen Tingey said:

Oregon has very low taxes overall. Geez.

Make Student Transportation Rely on Biodiesel!

2010-08-30T06:15:47+00:00

Marshall Lake suggested:
I think a good idea statewide would be to make the proper changes to all transportation for students to travel on biodiesel run buses. The cost on the fuel would change the states need for fuel consumption thus making the budget for the schools better.

Mentoring from the community [updated]

2010-08-30T02:53:48+00:00

Many people not only lack job skills, they lack behavioral skills required for success. Create a mentorship program matching these people with successful members of the community - not "big" success but basic, hold-a-job, care-for-my-family, show-up-on-time basic success.

T.A Hope Barnhart said:

someone was talking to me about 2 employees she hired who wanted to do well for their kids but they simply did not have the basic work skills: show up on time (show up at all!), dressing appropriately -- minimal work skills that can make the difference between getting ahead in life or remaining at the bottom. mentors should be people who've made it as: assistant managers, small business owners, admin assistants, head cashiers, working moms. not CEOs: real workers who've made a success as a "normal" worker.

Mentoring from the community

2010-08-30T02:40:32+00:00

T.A Hope Barnhart suggested:
Many people not only lack job skills, they lack behavioral skills required for success. Create a mentorship program matching these people with successful members of the community - not "big" success but basic, hold-a-job, care-for-my-family, show-up-on-time basic success.

Use More Critical Thinking Programs in the Schools [updated]

2010-08-29T23:48:46+00:00

From Patricia Day TenEyck in Portland: One of the greatest deficits in education currently is the notion that all students need to pass standardized tests. I have two sons in school all of what they are learn is geared specifically toward tests. It upsets me greatly to see that neither son has ever taken a civics or government class, that history is not something they study regularly and that the area where the US has always excelled in education - critical thinking - is sadly lacking. We have a hard time competing with places like India and China in terms of mathematics and science education - but where we exceed every other country and what makes us competitive across the board - is our ability to think critically and outside the box. This used to be taught in schools - but now we teach our students to standardize. Also, the key to a successful democracy is an educated population, but how can our children be educated when they do not understand how a bill becomes law or how congress works?

Stephie said:

My daughter goes to a Charter School in Salem, Oregon and it is a IB School for those that do not know what IB stands for International Baccalaureate. They encourage my daughter to be an active learner along with her classmates. They do this through Inquiry based learning. My daughter's school is also internationally minded and they are teaching our kids how to be internationally minded which our kids need to be to make it out in the world these days. We have smaller class sizes which helps are kids to learn. My daughter's school caps there class sizes at 26 students in each grade. Our school is K-5. One class for each grade. I love my daughter's school and seeing all the things she and the other kids learn about different cultures, countries and they have to figure out questions and there answers that is part of the inquiry learning.

I believe through my daughter's charter school that she is learning how to be a critical thinker and internationally minded individual that I would be proud to have out in the world if she were older working in another country.

Create State Bank of Oregon [updated]

2010-08-29T00:58:06+00:00

Concerned Citizen said:

For Oregon to have more control over its economic future, I'd say this is a must. State control of our own economic welfare vs. the foibles and fancy of multinational bankers. Such a bank could support innovative lending such as micro-loans as well.

Book Tax

2010-08-27T20:16:36+00:00

OsoRojo suggested:
At its most basic, a book tax would be an itemized tax on books sold in Oregon (excluding certain categories) with all funds generated going toward education, specifically literacy programs. This would extend to online book sales. I believe there is a cognitive resonance to this type of taxation, similar to tobacco taxes devoted toward anti-smoking education and children's health care. Also, this tax would only affect certain people, who I think would be mostly content to pay a little more toward education (basically, if you read a lot, your probably pretty grateful for your education and want to see the next generation get the same benefits you had, benefits which led you to a rich life in books). Lastly, at 8-10%, I doubt it would be prohibitive to the individual, but collectively could generate significant funds for education. I welcome any comments on this idea...

Open the Oregon Health Plan to everyone who is registered to vote in the State of Oregon [updated]

2010-08-27T15:00:31+00:00

From Daniel Chesterman Jr. in Eugene: Open the Oregon Health Plan to everyone who is registered to vote in the State of Oregon. Charge a premium with the basis of an individual's income on a sliding scale (meaning the more you make the more you pay.) The limit would have to be less than people pay now for a comparable private policy to ensure that the State is competitive. If the state charges less and can offer the same or better service the "customers" will be there. Which leads us the next point which is no one takes OHP. Pass legislation that removes the ability for physicians to turn down people with the Oregon Health Plan to ensure that it will be effective. Oregon can lead the charge in opening health care options up to everyone. I don't see any reason why the people of this state should not receive proper health and or dental care. There are thousands of doctors and dentists in Lane County alone and thousands more going without treatment. This, my friends, is a travesty.

Nancy said:

No One Should Be Denied OHP because of a Retirement Account and Property

I have been a democrat all my life and of course, will vote for you and I want to express my concern and dismay over the State's Oregon Health Plan eligibility requirements for the different programs it offers. I am currently receiving disability from Social Security and also receive food stamps of $16 per month as well as Unemployment Compensation of $97 per week. I am also working very part time 6 to 8 hours per week. I was told since I am receiving SSD and working I could be eligible for an OHP program. I would have, except I mentioned to my case worker I have a PERS account and unfortunately, the OHP program designated for people on SSD count any RESOURCES over $5000. I am not 55 years old yet and I would be heavily penalized by PERS, the State of Oregon and the Federal Government if I touch that money and most importantly, I don't want to. It's not all that much, but it is over $5000 and I am leaving it alone until I am 55 . Also, why should ANYONE wipe out their retirement fund to receive a state medical program? I found out from calling main OHP office in Salem, that the Standard Oregon Health Plan program does not include PERS or other retirement accounts when determining eligibility so it is not like the eligibility requirements can not be changed. My case worker from Senior and Disabled Services advised me that it was because " I could access my PERS account and it's my CHOICE that I don't WANT to take it out." She also went on to say that the Oregon Health Plan is NEEDS BASED" Mr. Kitzhaber, as the Chief Author of the Oregon Health Plan, I ask you, what Oregonian ISN'T needs based who doesn't have health care in a state where unemployment is in the double digits? I am on a program with Social Security to find full time employment but I could only find a part time job that will never have more than 10 hours per week to work, let alone health benefits. I have worked since I was 16 years old and I have paid taxes into these programs and when I need some help, I should not be denied. I know as much as anyone State services such as TANF, OHP and Food Stamps are not meant to be a way of life, however, it is meant to assist people getting back on their feet and to become self sufficient. I have to be on a medical program to help me get the services I need so I can once again be a contributing person to my community. I don't plan on being on SSD and food stamps for very long, but right now, I am.
It is absolutely wrong to make the requirements for the OHP program for people receiving Social Security Disability Benefits INELIGIBLE because of retirement that they don't even have yet. As far as I know, my PERS account wont even be there in 6 years when I am 55, and it should not be held against me or deny me medical benefits. I am know I speak for many other people in this same situation who not only have a small retirement fund, but they also own their home, which is also considered and "asset you could sell". These requirements are proving to be harmful to people who are/have lost their jobs along with their medical benefits. Non-profits agencies around the state who offer limited medical care are busting at the seams, have been turning people away and placing them on waiting lists. Meanwhile, the unisured go to the emergency rooms and make a pile of medical bills in their junk drawers that they can never pay because they don't have a job. It is a true vicious cycle. I implore you to change the rules and eligibility requirements for ALL Oregon Health Plan programs when it comes to retirement (and property) so Oregonians can be insured.

Thank you for your consideration and understanding of this matter.

Nancy

Oregon Trail Card Reform [updated]

2010-08-26T16:09:29+00:00

I think the Oregon Food Syamps program should be run more like the WIC program. Too often, I have observed people buying "Energy Drinks" and bags of chips from stores with their Oregon Trail Card. What a waste. This program is designed to help in a tough situation. If you are not familiar, the WIC program offers vouchers for staples such as eggs, cheese, milk, etc for women, infants, and children. I think it would be a healthier alternnative for both the taxpayer and those in need.

cl8on said:

Healthy choices too expensive? I disagree. The ultimate cost of "unhealthy choices" is much higher. I say limit available choices and require orientation/education upon entry into the program. Appropriate food preparation facilities could be a problem. Suggestions?

taxes [updated]

2010-08-26T15:27:58+00:00

cl8on said:

Enact sales tax! I believe we should change our model to the more common "sales tax with low or no income tax" model. Sales tax is more fair to all residents and captures revenue from tourism we currently miss.

Stop the clear-cutting of our state forests [updated]

2010-08-25T20:11:34+00:00

When it comes to our State Forests, I'd suggest you change guard at the Board of Forestry which is a bunch of timber industry hacks. Their goal seems to be to get out the cut. That is not a long term solution, especially given that it will help us prevent global warming if we can keep trees in the ground.

Albert Kaufman said:

I've since learned more about sustainable yield. Turns out the trees grow the most between 40-80 years of age. ie, when we cut them early, we're losing a huge amount of investment. And, I still feel that due to climate change we need to really change our thinking vis timber industry. it should mostly be about planting at this stage, IMHO. And, Kulongowski could help by changing up the Board of Forestry now rather than leaving the job to the next Governor of Oregon, John Kitzhaber.

Human generated renewable energy [updated]

2010-08-25T02:03:49+00:00

If wind can blow and turn a windmill to generate electricity, why can't we make a wheel that is turned by humans? There could be different 'Mills" that people could turn to generate electricity and burn calories at the same time. One could be where people walk in a circle pushing a pole that turns the turbine. There could be one that uses hand pedals, etc... It would be like working out in the gym, except that one would be creating electricity at the same time. This would improve the health of our people as well as our environment.

Juniper Bartlett said:

This would NOT be a means of employment, it would be like a visit to the gym or something a family could do together to improve the environment. Not employment.

Oregon Trail Card Reform [updated]

2010-08-24T19:52:15+00:00

Crystal said:

Yes we should be able to buy healthier foods, sadly the cost of healthy foods are too high. Secondly we don't restrict people on what they buy, for example you cannot buy alcohol with oregon trail card, chips sadly are part of american diet, candy and soda is in the gray area. If you say well you can only buy this or that or you can't buy prepackaged food then people will go without trying to save or trying to make a meal out of this or that, or do you want to give more money so people can buy healither.
To me its about price controlling if we could control the price of foods I think more people would buy healthier foods.
FYI its not a waste sometimes at the end of a person food stamp money is like $3 so why not use it for a splurge.

Waive tuition in Community colleges for spouses/children of soldiers killed or 100% disabled in war

2010-08-24T00:03:43+00:00

Robert Thornhill suggested:
Idea expands program established by Senate Bill 1066, Section 9, which requires waiver by Oreogn universities. Investment in education pays big dividends as WWII GI Bill returned $7 on each $1 invested.

Re-tool state govt. through performance management, process improvement, and enterprise thinking. [updated]

2010-08-23T06:26:00+00:00

Theo Burke said:

Here's my version: Pledge to managers in state government a guaranteed and similar level of money for their departments from year to year, and then reward them for finding ways to save money.

Currently, managers intentionally spend all the money available to them, even if they don't need it, in order to ensure they will get a similar budget the next year.

Create a system that incentivizes managers to save money, and we'll "cut more fat" out of state government than we could ever hope to by using the blunt hatchet of anti-tax ballot measures.

TAG and gifted [updated]

2010-08-20T01:10:37+00:00

Provide more funding for TAG and gifted programs throughout the state such as Odyssey of the Mind

Robert Pickett said:

I agree. So much can be done with this program! Unfortunately, when I was in it during middle and high school it did nothing for me. No accelarated courses, no advanced classes outside what I could take already. If we can catch the Talented and Gifted, and improve on their learning, we can get a stronger economy and competent leadership where there would be none!

Annual Legislative Sessions

2010-08-19T20:37:20+00:00

elsullo suggested:
Change the Oregon Constitution to require annual legislative sessions. Bi-annual sessions were fine in the pioneer days, but the world changes so fast now that the State needs a yearly legislature. The current two-year budget plan cannot react quickly enough to changing economic conditions. The "Special Sessions" required to deal with changes are a waste of money, and are effectively a second session per biennial anyway. There should be one session per year and one budget year at a time. It is foolish and backward to continue a system designed for pioneer times...........................elsullo

Abolish the "20-hours / no health benefit" rules for employees.

2010-08-19T17:21:26+00:00

P.T. suggested:
Abolish the "20-hours / no health benefit" rules for employees. That would allow people that are working 3 part time jobs to actually have Health insurance.

Use capstone proj's at OR Univ & colleges for students to address OR socio-economic ecol probs

2010-08-19T17:21:11+00:00

Lou suggested:
Encourage and reward students at Oregon universities and colleges to use their capstone projects to address Oregon socio-economic and environmental problems.

Use project-based learning and technology to prepare our high school students for the working world [updated]

2010-08-18T15:11:06+00:00

From Jennifer Cole in Klamath Falls: Until last spring, I worked at a traditional high school in Klamath Falls. I am now working at a new, small high-tech charter school. We are using project-based learning and technology to prepare our high school students for the working world or for success in college - whatever they choose. Our kids are developing skills in technology and all areas to complete projects they present to community members. They are comfortable with adults and with public speaking. They also have skills necessary for today. I think our educational system is stuck in the 70s! My previous school didn't have enough computers to teach my students how to write a satisfactory research paper using current resources. My students didn't have access to the technologies they need to know in order to work in the world as it is today. See us in Klamath Falls and see what we're doing as a free, public charter school. Oregon's students deserve more options and a real-world education to equip them for today!

Deborah Barnes said:

I agree. Governor Kitzhaber visited the Sabin-Schellenberg Center in the North Clackamas School District. CTE shows students have a better chance of staying in school and being better prepared for their next steps in life.

Welfare Recipients should not get tax returns [updated]

2010-08-18T04:07:07+00:00

Jenn said:

People who are on Welfare do recieve tax refunds. I know this for a fact and absolutly do not agree with it. Why should people who don't go out and work for money get tax refunds when there are people who work hard and get very little or no refund. Also, who cares if this is the only "fun" money they get to spend on fun stuff, as another posted said. Some people that work hard dont get to have extra money for fun stuff, they save their money and work extra hours to get fun stuff they want. And why should being on welfare be fun at all. Why should not having a job and getting free money from the government to live on be fun. I know that everyone's situations are different and there are different reasons for being on Welfare and I'm not saying that everyone shouldn't get refunds. I just don't like that people who are abusing it are getting money for free. I'm all for giving it to those in REAL need for it.

Civil unions for all [updated]

2010-08-15T17:33:38+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City said:

I agree. Neutralize the argument by removing it. The law should reflect only the civil interest the state has in the joining and disposition of property and inheritance. Leave "marriage" to the churches and social groups. Licenses for Civil Union are all with which the state should be involved. Two consenting adults required for complete application.

Limit Employer Inquiry into Criminal Records

2010-08-15T17:29:16+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City suggested:
Keep people on an equal footing as long as possible by protecting their ability to participate in society o Hawaii Revised Statutes § 378-2.5 - Employer inquiries into conviction record o Hawaii law prohibits employment discrimination by all non-federal employers, even those with only one employee, based on applicants’ criminal records. Employers may consider applicants’ convictions insofar as they are rationally related to the employment. Hawaii is unique in forbidding employers in most fields from inquiring about applicants’ criminal records until they have extended a conditional offer of employment, and in only allowing employers to consider convictions that occurred within the past ten years. http://www.lac.org/toolkits/standards/model_laws_standards.htm

Teach Comprehensive Civics throughout School Years

2010-08-15T17:23:42+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City suggested:
Teach students about civics with critical thinking and factual results of our applied laws in the past and present society.

Limit Employer Inquiries into Criminal Records

2010-08-15T17:19:31+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City suggested:
o Hawaii Revised Statutes § 378-2.5 - Employer inquiries into conviction record o Hawaii law prohibits employment discrimination by all non-federal employers, even those with only one employee, based on applicants’ criminal records. Employers may consider applicants’ convictions insofar as they are rationally related to the employment. Hawaii is unique in forbidding employers in most fields from inquiring about applicants’ criminal records until they have extended a conditional offer of employment, and in only allowing employers to consider convictions that occurred within the past ten years. http://www.lac.org/toolkits/standards/model_laws_standards.htm

Improve Community Policing

2010-08-15T17:16:03+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City suggested:
Look at the Japanese and FInnish models of policing. Officers are on foot, bicycle, horseback, directing traffic, stations or kiosks are located throughout the community. Police presence is not threatening but service-oriented. It may appear expensive to put cops out on the beat, but how expensive is it compared to our prisons and current law enforcement results? Prohibit the state from spending more on incarceration than on education.

First two years of college paid by state in return for service

2010-08-15T16:58:45+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City suggested:
Internships and apprenticeships provide excellent training. Why not have college students work part time for their communities and the state in exchange for the first two years of state-paid college or training program?

Prohibit Suspension of Driver's Licenses for Crimes other than Bad Driving [updated]

2010-08-15T16:54:44+00:00

Beth in Lincoln City said:

I know many people who have had their driver's licenses suspended. The crimes they committed were not violent. They can pay a large fine to regain their licenses but their record is an obstacle to getting work, their inability to drive prevents them from getting work or being a reliable employee, and in some cases years of this pattern creates a depressed and forced "outlaw" mentality. Improving public transportation helps where available, but why rehabilitation purposely more difficult?

Prohibit Suspension of Driver's Licenses for Crimes other than Bad Driving

2010-08-15T16:48:45+00:00

Better Citizenship through Homeschooling [updated]

2010-08-14T17:58:06+00:00

By promoting homeschooling and helping new parents with homeschooling techniques we could not only create a well rounded and better educated citizenry but we could save an incredible number of tax dollars as well.

Lynn Siprelle said:

Homeschoolers pay into the education system (in our case gladly) and don't take out a thing. We should at the least be left alone. Please pledge to sign the Homeschool Freedom Act, Mr Kulongoski.

Religious release

2010-08-14T06:10:50+00:00

Angel suggested:
Change the law about allowing children to attend religious services during school hours when attend public schools.

TAG and gifted

2010-08-14T06:07:31+00:00

Angel suggested:
Provide more funding for TAG and gifted programs throughout the state such as Odyssey of the Mind

Create more opportunities for cities and the state to buy Local products [updated]

2010-08-13T02:36:42+00:00

From Dawn Charles in Salem: As far as our economy/Jobs, Oregon State, Counties, and cities need to set the example and buy Oregon products. If the product doesn't exist, then a new company that produces that product needs to open. This will keep Oregon's people working and dollars in our State. Example All State, City, County Law enforcement & Corrections staff uniforms should be made in Oregon. This would create more jobs and the people working these jobs will spend their money here not in China.

Stephen Saltzman said:

Buying locally is great when the local alternative is competitive in all respects, but -- unlike China -- Oregon's government can't afford to prop up uncompetitive firms. Nor should it let symbolic gestures undermine a relentless push for greater governmental efficiency and accountability.

Similarly, it's counter productive for PERS or other state agencies to mandate that x% of their investment dollars go to Oregon firms. Their investment dollars should be pursuing the highest returns they can get wherever they can get them. Anything else would be a de facto tax on PERS's beneficiaries.

The way to create more - and higher quality -- jobs is to have the state government run as efficiently as possible to minimize the tax burden for any given level of services, invest in dramatically upgrading our K-University education systems so Oregonians can create and/or staff world-beating companies, and breakout of the mentality that causes the state to undermine Oregon's long-term health by creating unsustainable market distortions.

Balance the Budget [updated]

2010-08-12T16:57:51+00:00

In order for Oregon to attain a triple AAA rating we need to look into reform. I urge a close look into all the suggestions that are given and weigh out the benefits. There are some substantive actuary ideas, that have been submitted, that are readily implementable that would be complimentary for our state.

Orville Hinds said:

Balancing the budget is easy.. Instead of asking the bureaucracy to make budget cuts, which they make cuts from the bottom of the pyrimid, I'll make the cuts, from the top of the pyrimid.. Too many officies in salem filled with people that don't do anything. Cut from the top... Instead of eliminating thousands from a particular program, we just need to cut a very few from the top of the chain.. simple

illegal imigration policy [updated]

2010-08-12T16:51:24+00:00

We need to do something about illegal immigration, but harrassing citizens in Arizona is not the answer. Dissallowing work solicitation on the streets is a good idea, however. Also, we must put efforts to spend less on the illegal immigrants, not spend more. Maybe instead of jail, they could have a work camp for illegal immigrants who get caught. They can be put to work producing something usefull for American citizens including factory work, or building a stone wall Along the border. We can put some of the work camps in Alaska, or somewhere they don't want to be. This is more of a national issue, but Oregon can lead the way.

Orville Hinds said:

No illegas, no amnesty, no compromise.

anonymous citizenship query device [updated]

2010-08-12T16:34:39+00:00

Every Law Officer carries a set of business cards that they now hand out to everyone and anyone they interact with. The card requires the person to log in and register their citizenship within a week, on a website, using the same information they provided the officer. They also rate the officer's performance. Those who do not register will have alot more questions to answer regarding their documentation the next time they meet with a law officer, and the rating of the performance should be a good incentive for people to do it.

Orville Hinds said:

No illegals, no amnesty, no compromise.

Legalize Cannabis & Industrial Hemp [updated]

2010-08-12T16:31:21+00:00

Cannabis prohibition is not really about drugs, cannabis prohibition is about money, power and the further centralization of economic and political control. When cannabis is legal, industrial hemp will begin to transform our economy with ecological alternatiives that enrich our farmers and communities instead of the wealthy petrochemical companies and despots. Cannabis produces protein that is the most complete plant protein in a perfect balance for human beings' health. It produces more fiber for paper & building materials, & more energy resources than any other plant. Cannabis flowers produce human neurotransmitters that relieve pain, fight cancer, helps dozens of illnesses and makes us laugh. We believe that this plant is a sacred gift from Mother Earth. Restore hemp! http://osu-ssdp.info/ http://cannabistaxact.org/

Orville Hinds said:

The government needs to understand the war on drugs is over... Stop wasting my money on the war...

Legalize Cannabis & Industrial Hemp [updated]

2010-08-12T04:12:38+00:00

Neal Feldman said:

elsullo -

Just because you are a loser does not mean everyone else is too.

Your ludicrous list of 'harms' from tobacco are laughable.

Studies show people on cannabis are SAFER drivers. Compare that to the grossly less safe drivers on alcohol. (which kills hundreds of thousands annually compared to cannabis' death toll of zero since the dawn of time.)

Not every cannabis user is on welfare. Not all cannabis users neglect their kids. Not all cannabis users have filthy houses.

Just because you have an addictive personality does not make cannabis addictive. In fact it cannot be physically addicting (like tobacco/nicotine which kills hundreds of thousands annually compared to cannabis' record of zero since the dawn of time) as it iacks the chemical makeup for it to be possible for it to be addictive physically.

There are myriad medical benefits from cannabis while two legal substances, alcohol and tobacco, have no medical benefits (other than alcohol killing germs... humans are clearly not all alcohol use kills).

You can know the ancient Atlanteans live on the dark side of the moon in hidden caverns. Doesn't mean you still are not full of it.

The harms of cannabis being illegal are legion. All the data shows this.

The harms of cannabis being legal for adults are virtually zero (compared to the legal tobacco and alcohol data).

Ah well...

Marriage, not Civil Unions. [updated]

2010-08-12T04:02:34+00:00

Oregon has always been a champion of civil rights. Let's do the right thing and make gay marriage legal with no more teetering.

Neal Feldman said:

Don't push it?

You have no comprehension of equal protection under the law and due process, do you?

How nice of you to compromise the rights of OTHERS. What a guy!

And what the heck does god have to do with it. Are we now a Theocracy ruled by the Christian Taliban?

And as for having children, how many marriages produced no children? Were the thousands of benefits, privileges and rights pulled retroactively from these childless couples? Has it ever been a crime in the USA to be a childless couple?

Have you heard of in vitro, surrogates and adoption?

So what is it? Your concept cannot take the competition so it has to ban anything else? That type of totalitarian dictator state do you think we live in here in the USA?

As the judge ruled in the Prop Hate case in California, there are no rational, logical or reasonable arguments to support the deprivation of equal protection under the law and due process.

Deal with it and you know where you can stick your homophobic bigotry.

Ah well...

Another alternative to lower Health Care Costs

2010-08-11T20:07:32+00:00

Byron Harmon suggested:
While I fully support the creation of a universal government health care system, we can also consider a free market alternative. Currently Medical schools control the number of entrants (bear in mind many of the people turned down are more than capable) into each of their classes. The consequence of this is simple; when you severely limit the supply of a good or service the cost of the good or service will inversely rise. While this may not be an end all solution to the health care crisis, it would certainly substantially lower costs if the government stepped in and forced medical schools to substantially increase their class sizes thereby flooding the market with health care professionals, namely nurse practitioners and general practice doctors.

I'm Gma 8yr boy w/autism 5yr no.My job s/b w/fam leaving space in the workplace for others.Fund me.

2010-08-10T16:25:29+00:00