Civic Affairs By DAVE MAUK
Here are some things the governor should consider this year |
Dear Gov . Kotek ,
It ’ s a new year and a time to plan ahead . There are many issues in our state we ’ d like to know more about from you . It makes a lot of sense that
MAUK you identified housing as a top priority , as it fits a need throughout Oregon . We ’ re respectful of growth management , open spaces and protection of pastoral land . At the same time , we ’ ve witnessed unnecessary red tape that inflates housing costs , slows down construction where it belongs and prevents more people from being securely housed . Removing unnecessary construction roadblocks can lead to more jobs and prosperity without
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sacrificing safety and the environment .
Not having more awareness that affordable housing is directly linked to economic growth builds barriers instead of housing . It ’ s disheartening to learn the extent of school-age children living without a proper roof over their heads . A well-educated population is also an economic engine . This makes a trifecta of investments that benefit Oregon ’ s housing , education and economy . Data shows our state is falling further and further behind on education . Oregon ’ s attendance , literacy , math skills and graduation rates are among the lowest in the nation . Our state ’ s prosperity , opportunities and quality of life suffer by this .
Here ’ s a question for you : If school districts in our state need to pay nearly $ 700 million more into the Public Employee Retirement System over the next two years , won ’ t that wipe out the additional funding you proposed ? PERS looks like a heavy weight holding Oregon back from making necessary investments across the board , especially in education , infrastructure , health care and transportation . It ’ s a quandary that needs leadership to solve . What can you
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do to help plug the PERS drain on our state ’ s financial well-being ?
It ’ s gratifying to hear that a transportation package is a legislative priority for 2025 . It was smart of you to kick tolling to the curb . Clackamas County , where we are located , was anxious about the tolling proposal and the negative effect it would have on working families , service providers , seniors and youth , school programs and property values . If the eventual plan is to have less vehicles on our roads , there needs to be reasonable multi-modal alternatives available to get from point A to point B . Tolling without these options is inequitable , regressive and one more thing taking money out of voters ’ pockets .
Speaking of transportation and how to be smarter about it , wouldn ’ t inflation adjustments for existing funding sources help offset rising costs ? Cost of living adjustments for fuel taxes and registration fees . Adjusting fees for vehicle type and weight . Collecting funds by stepping up enforcement on vehicle registrations . This is like turbocharging income for transportation without costly expenditures to get it . It ’ s the opposite of tolls , which take years to
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startup with only a fraction of every dollar resulting in net income . Why wait when it can start this year .
One more thing : Quite a few people are leaving our community because the value of their residence alone exceeds the estate tax threshold . Wouldn ’ t it be wise to raise the base level , since a $ 1 million estate isn ’ t what it used to be ? Having a lot of affluent people move away isn ’ t a solution for housing issue either . These people take their money with them , which means less income to Oregon , leaving our state poorer and less resilient as a result .
Governor , if you ask us , we ’ d pick the spots to reverse downward trends that can give the biggest boosts for Oregon ’ s education , housing , transportation and financial health . Why not make this the year to swing momentum upward for more Oregonians ’ well-being , prosperity , and quality of life ? We hope your leadership might transform vicious circles into virtuous ones . Thanks for listening and doing your best governing in 2025 . Respectfully , Your friends in Charbonneau , the top voting precinct in Oregon
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