Blogs
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on September 1, 2010 - 9:38pm
(from Rep Tobias Read)
Last week the Revenue Committees of the House and Senate met jointly to receive the latest revenue forecast. While the news was not unexpected, the drop in revenue was disappointing nonetheless. The August revenue forecast verifies that Oregonians are still struggling in the global recession.
What you need to know is that despite budget challenges we will not make additional cuts to K-12 schools as a result of this forecast and we will maintain funding at the June level of $5.759 billion. Additionally, we will maintain critical services for our seniors and vulnerable Oregonians, including Oregon Project Independence (OPI), and protect public safety and prevent prison closures for the remainder of the current biennium.
State Economist Tom Potiowsky confirmed that Oregon’s down economy is in line with global and national trends, and he reinforced that the most effective long range strategy is continued investments in education and infrastructure.
In addition to the $118 million in federal assistance recently approved by Congress, the Governor, Senate President and Speaker agreed that in order to protect schools, a portion of state reserve funds will be committed to K-12 when the legislature convenes in February 2011.
We will also have a substantial portion of the Education Stability Fund and Rainy Day Fund available to address the uncertainty of the last three revenue forecasts of the 2009-11 biennium.
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 27, 2010 - 12:20am
Federal Tax Policy Group,
Thanks to those of you who have signed on in support of the Oregonians for Responsible Federal Taxes policy statement (attached) in the last few weeks. For groups who haven't yet signed your organization on, use the attached endorsement form, or endorse online at:
Thanks, also, to the Tax Fairness Oregon team for scheduling our Congressional recess visits and to those participating in the visits. So far multi-sector delegations have met with Representative Schrader and staff of Representatives DeFazio and Wu, as well as Senator Merkley. A meeting with Rep. Blumenuer's staff is coming up on September 8th. Let us know if your organization is interested in attending upcoming visits.
Darlene Huntress of Oregon Action is also organizing some "grass roots" visits. If you are not afiliated with an organization and would like to attend a Congressional visit, contact her at darlene@oregonaction.org
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 27, 2010 - 12:17am
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 24, 2010 - 9:55pm
The CBO Lowdown
The truth, according to a report issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office later in the day, is that the stimulus spending has had a positive effect on the economy, though probably not as large as Biden claimed.
It said of the stimulus bill, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):
CBO, Aug. 24: CBO estimates that ARRA’s policies had the following effects in the second quarter of calendar year 2010:
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They raised real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP) by between 1.7 percent and 4.5 percent,
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Lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.7 percentage points and 1.8 percentage points,(and)
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Increased the number of people employed by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million.
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 24, 2010 - 6:31pm
(from CTJ)
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 17, 2010 - 10:05pm
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 10, 2010 - 10:32pm
(from the Oregon Food Bank)
The Senate has passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307) unanimously. Oregon Food Bank has been working to pass a strong child nutrition package that will improve school meals, summer meal programs and the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. The Senate’s vote was an important step toward our goal.
We applaud Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley for their support for child nutrition programs. The Senators’ votes in favor of the bill bring us one step closer to passing child nutrition reauthorization in time for the upcoming school year. It is disappointing that the Senate bill is paid for, in part, by cuts to SNAP/food stamp benefits starting in 2013, but we believe that the Senate will have opportunities to restore and further strengthen SNAP/food stamp benefit levels before the 2013 cuts go into effect.
The House of Representatives has not yet passed its even stronger version of child nutrition reauthorization, the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act (H.R. 5504).
Please take a moment now to ask your Representative to support, strengthen and pass Chairman Miller’s version of the child nutrition bill (H.R. 5504). Please contact your Senators to thank them for supporting child nutrition programs and to ask them to restore SNAP funding.
Contact Congress Now
Submitted by Carmen Dunnington on August 10, 2010 - 12:22pm
Submitted by Mike_Hiland on August 9, 2010 - 8:52pm
Submitted by D2Duehren on August 5, 2010 - 3:57pm
Derrick's Progressive News
Contents
The Bernie Buzz
The Right Manipulates Muslims -- and Boy Scouts
Why I Was Angry
Raising Hope and Raising Hell!
We’re Hot as Hell and We’re Not Going to Take It Any More
Submitted by oneworldatpeace on August 3, 2010 - 12:30pm
In "Conservatives Without Conscience" John Dean laid out the Republican Base of about 24% of any given population as being "authoritarians" that would follow a "leader" no matter thier better interests if the "Leader" took strong positions of "moral certitude". Bush was sure good at that even as his stance was based on lies he was fed and because he was such a simpleton he never challenged the sources. Why does Obama and his Administration lack similar resolve in making thier case that as far as I can monitor, is based on FACTS! Outright Republican lies go unchalleged or addressed in the "frame" manufactured by Frank Lutz or by insipid apolitical terms like "misinformation" "disingenous" or "ill informed"?
What will it take for them to realize that Conservatives and Republicans can ONLY WIN WHEN THEY LIE because they don't have anything to offer! Lieing about Health Care, Financial Regulation, The Deficit, Social Security, The Economy, Immigration, Crime in Arizona, Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Don't Ask Don't Tell, The EFCA, UNIONS, The 2nd, 10th, and 14th Amendments and just about everything that comes out of thier mouths are all lies and have to be STRONGLY CHALLENGED IN PLAIN JOE WILSON LANGUAGE! YOU LIE!!!
I was hopeful that Congressman Wu's emotional demeanor at the picnic was a harbinger of new fortitude in our party and was heartened by Weimars challenge to King to "observe procedure and SIT DOWN!" last week, but this week it appears we're back to appeasement. I cringe when the President refers to the intentional obstructionists as "some in Congress" and Kathleen Sibelius decribes the Republican Lies about Healthcare as "misinformation" and failed to challenge the PBS interviewer, Judy Woodruff, of misrepresentation of the facts when she used the Republican issue framing Lie,as fact.
Submitted by D2Duehren on July 30, 2010 - 1:01am
Derrick's Progressive News
All four Oregon Democrates voted AGAINST continued off-budget funding of the Afghan-Pakistan war.
Pres. Obama relied on 160 Republicans to fund his pathetic war.
102 Democrates and 12 Republicans voted against the war.
Roll call vote at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll474.xml
Submitted by Content Publisher on July 19, 2010 - 5:35pm
Wow, I am celebrating a very exciting year serving as on the Tualatin Valley Water District Board. It has been fun, stimulating, educational and rewarding. I thank all the voters who put their trust in me, and I pledge to continue doing my best.
Submitted by D2Duehren on July 15, 2010 - 2:19am
Derrick's Progressive News
Have you heard? The Republicans want to take America back...
Democrates want to continue to take America forward— timid, corporate-approved step by timid step!
Where is the bold, principled leadership?
Contents
Public Citizen's Money and Democracy Update
Submitted by Content Publisher on July 14, 2010 - 6:05pm
On July 8, the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) plans to set funding targets for $20-24 million dollars in regional flexible funds for the entire Portland metro region. In the past, only about 2% of the overall regional transportation funding dollars ($630 million) have gone to bike/ped facilities (active transportation projects). Now the discussion on July 8th is whether to shift much of these regional flexible funds to freight initiatives - potentially cutting active transportation projects by 75%.
Please do three things:
1. read the attached blog for more information.
2. call our local elected JPACT representative, Roy Rogers at 503-846-8681, and let him know that this issue is important to you and you support active transportation projects.
3. pass along this message to friends.
Submitted by D2Duehren on July 10, 2010 - 9:35pm
Submitted by oneworldatpeace on July 8, 2010 - 11:52am
I was heartened by reports in the Oregonian that the parameters of claims for "post traumatic stress" will be adjusted for VA claimants without the requirement of "stressor events".
For most americans, the thought of having to participate in military service would be stressful and counter productive to the career path they hold as most inviolate. Hey! They've got to pay off the tariff they incurred in thier passage to the maybe middle class with the loans they had to get to earn the "rite of passage", maybe.
However, all studies over the last hundreds of years is that service in the military abrogates the socio-economic blocks that limit class and affords some military veterans access to the Political and Economoc elite. You can see these results on CNN and FAUX News as these ex military guys prattle on about things that us "Grunts" know is total baloney.
The reality is that all the equipment of WAR is lethal, whether or not it is directed at an "ENEMY"! When "tactical equipment" is deployed it usually ends up killing or mutilating humans that happen to be stupid enough to get in the way, and that includes the soldiers that have been trained in that specialty.So one question might be "WHY DO WE DO THIS ?"But the most important querie might be, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Submitted by D2Duehren on July 5, 2010 - 7:17pm
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