Looking back in my legislative rearview mirror, it’s amazing to think about issues facing the 2013 legislative session that weren’t even imagined in 2003. Facebook and social media protection for workers, for example, or protecting human placentas from overzealous right wingnut hospital administrators, or drones. Ah, did I mention a collapse of the housing market? This 77th edition of Salem’s Hot Air Society will have to consider another daunting problem: local government bankruptcies in Oregon.
We’ve all seen the Orange County and Stockton, Calif., bankruptcy proceedings from a distance, and more recently Detroit, Mich. Other states have recognized the need to monitor the financial condition of local governments and, on occasion, intervene. The objective of state intervention can either be preventive, to avert a financial crises; reactive, to mitigate damages and service disruptions; or a combination of these. Preventive intervention can include technical assistance grants or loans, whereas reactive intervention could involve state takeover of the local government. States with these powers generally have laws or other programs in place, enabling them to intercede when a crisis occurs or if indicators identify potential problems.
For example, Kentucky law allows the state to force local governments to take action, such as ordering them to raise taxes or reduce expenditures. If they don’t comply, the state can take legal action or take over county operations. Recently, after Kentucky detected that one of its counties was heading for fiscal crisis, it ordered the county commission to raise taxes and reduce expenditures. After the commission refused to follow the directive, a state circuit court ordered the commissioners jailed for contempt. Upon release, the commissioners apparently took swift corrective action; probably the bad jail food helped.
Michigan recently passed a law that empowers the state treasurer to place governments determined to be in the greatest distress, like Detroit, in receivership overseen by an emergency manager who has authority to do whatever is legally necessary to restore the financial health of the local government.
This week three of Oregon’s O&C counties voted on public safety levies to keep their jails operating and maintain at least a minimal sheriff’s patrol. Patrol forces are bare bones; jail inmates are routinely freed because there’s not enough staff; prosecutors don’t have enough resources to charge misdemeanor cases and officers are in danger because they can’t count on backup. O&C counties face the loss of a federal subsidy, which expired, and local taxpayers have refused to make up the gap. There is a legislative task force chaired by House Majority Leader Val Hoyle and Minority “Pope” Bruce Hanna, but their proposals range widely. There are several bills that would allow the state to create its own safety net for the rural timber counties. One bill would have the state take over such county functions as elections, building code enforcement and taxation. The most controversial would allow the governor to declare a state of emergency, then impose a local tax to pay for public safety. No one really knows how it will look right now, but most are assuming a worst-case scenario in which counties cannot provide basic services. Stay tuned.
Switching from the sublime to the ridiculous; last week I was one of three judges to vote on the 2013 Golden Gobbler Awards, given biennially to the five worst bills introduced each session. I’ve been invited to do this for 10 years now, along with two of the funniest people in Salem (despite the fact they’re lobbyists), Marla Rae and John Chandler. The event is hosted by another longtime lobbyist, Mark Nelson. The intention of the party is one night of bipartisan abuse, to be distinguished from the partisan abuse endured daily since January. Legislators, their spouses and staff, lobbyists and longtime state legislative workers: a cool gathering.
This year, four runner-ups each received a frozen rock Cornish game hen:
HB 2559: “Automatically terminates obligation to pay spousal support upon death of either party.” It’s needed, OK?
HB 2613: Authorizes Oregon Racing Commission to allow bets on races previously held. Really? What if you have a photographic memory?
HB 2393: Limits chicken murders: the “chicken choker” bill. Enough said!
HCR 14: Designates trillium as the state flower. The judges thought it should have been marijuana.
The winner of the frozen turkey: HB 2352: Relating to Boring and Dull Day. Boring, Ore., and Dull, Scotland — sister cities. No brainer: too easy. Bring on 2015!
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519