PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

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NOTE: Oregon legislators adjourned their six-month sojourn in Salem at about 5:30 p.m. yesterday. That was about five hours or so before the statutory deadline to get out of town. The last couple days were not without controversy as Senate Republicans returned to the Capitol and one of their members, Brian Boquist from Dallas, came under criticism for the threats he made during the Senate R walk-out. He’ll have to fade potential censure for his conduct.

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I have been involved in politics, in one way or the other, for about 40 years.

I wrote stories on local and state politics as a reporter for a daily newspaper in Oregon. I worked for state government for about 15 years, always relating to elected officials, including, at one point, serving as press secretary for Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh.

I worked as a state lobbyist for about 25 years. And, now as a private citizen, I follow all forms of government – local, state and federal – with blogs that give me an outlet for my views. At least I feel better if I write. Not sure if anyone else does.

My conclusion, at least at the moment is THIS: The institution of the Legislature has fallen to its lowest reputational depths in my memory. The fact is that the reputation is in tatters.

Now, there no doubt will be some observers who will point out that the final weeks of any legislative session look awful to the public.  As the old saw goes, making laws or sausage is not pretty.  Perhaps. But, to me, the final weeks this time were over-the-top negative.

Here’s why:

1. The urban-rural divide has been exacerbated, not bridged.

As never before, urban legislators and statewide office holders pull all the strings in favor of Portland and other areas heading south along I-5 to Eugene.

As I have talked to my former lobby colleagues, even before the Senate Republican walk-out which resulted in a stoppage of any legislative action (which was the purpose), they told me how tough it was to represent business interests at the Capitol this session.

Most Democrats, they said, would not listen to the perspectives of business, including those representing Eastern Oregon. What’s more, the lobbyists said, Democrat legislators from urban areas didn’t care.

The dam burst when Democrats wanted to move forward on a cap-and-trade bill (House Bill 2020) supposedly to reduce carbon pollution in Oregon, but legislation that would cost jobs and money in Eastern Oregon.

While some Democrat leaders contended they had made changes in the bill at the urging of Republicans, Republicans in general said they had been ignored.

So, they walked, a tactic that has been used several times in past years, but one that provoked angry actions and recriminations. And, to regular citizens, it looked like immaturity in the sense of “I’ll take my toys and go home.”

Republicans didn’t care. They said they got what they wanted, which was the death of HB 2020.

2. Immature and worse conduct by legislators – and staff — has been squarely on display.

So much so that legislators felt a need to pass a bill to require maturity and solid conduct.

Say what? Why not just behave as mature adults rather than trying to engineer conduct by passing another law?

3. The role of the minority – Republicans – has been a continuing source of tension.

Democrats hold super-majorities in both the House and the Senate this session, which meant they could pass bills – including tax increases – without ANY Republican support.

Democrat leaders would say they sought Republican input.

Republican leaders would say they were ignored.

Never the twain shall meet.

One test of any group in charge – Democrat or Republican – should be how it deals with the minority. Not by agreeing with minority perspectives, but by considering the views of those in the minority and being able to prove that consideration had been given.

If my lobby friends are accurate, the D leaders have failed on this standard.

4. The role of political contribution money.

If the Oregonian newspaper is to be believed, money from business “pollutes” the political process in Oregon.

That is the reason, the Oregonian avers, that improved or new environmental laws have not passed.

I find the Oregonian’s contention to be absurd. Democrats are in charge almost everywhere in Salem and, if they cannot pass new laws, including environmental laws, then they bear responsibility for the failure to act. Not “corporate pollution.”

To say otherwise, is to say Democrats have been bought by corporations. I suspect Democrats would bridle at that notion – and they should.

Plus, the Oregonian’s propositions ignore entirely the role and effect of political contributions from public employee unions which go almost exclusively to Democrats.

If limits should be imposed on political contributions, then they should be across-the-board, not just on one side.