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 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 a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and 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.

At the start of any Oregon legislative session – such as the short one that begins today in Salem – I always think of the questions lawmakers should ask as they consider proposals that come before them.

So, in this blog, I “repeat “the questions, which pertain to any aspect of the State of Oregon budget or Oregon’s statutory law.  I use the word “repeat” because I have cited these questions before, usually before any legislative session.

First, however, this context for the coming legislative session.

Democrats are in charge everywhere in Salem – in the House, in the Senate, in the Governor’s Office and in all other statewide offices.

In the House and the Senate, they enjoy super-majority margins of control, which means they can pass any bill – including new taxes — without any Republican votes.  However, they do not enjoy what have come to be called “quorum-proof” margins of control, which means Republicans can walk out if they view no other alternative to oppose legislation they believe imperils rural Oregon.

In other words, the “two-Oregons” issue – urban versus rural and the reverse – is alive and well in our state.

This session also will be marked by the final time Salem Senator Peter Courtney will hold the gavel because he has said he will not run for senator again.  There will be a new speaker of the House, Corvallis Representative Dan Rayfield because the previous speaker, Tina Kotek, left the job to run for governor.  Of course, Kate Brown remains in the Governor’s Office for his last legislative session because she, too, will not run again because of the two-term limit.

So, are my proposed questions:

1.  What is the problem for which a proposed policy or action is deemed to be the solution?  Legislators should make sure they reserve time for this basic question.

2.  Is there an appropriate role for government to play?  Ask the question without an advance commitment for a “yes” or “no.”

3.  If there is a role for government, what does the state expect to get for the money it spends — in other words, what is the expected return on investment? 

4.  How will state government action affect the private sector, especially individual and corporate taxpayers on whom the state depends for money to fund its operations.

If legislators would ask and answer these questions with a constructively critical eye, we’d have a better legislature and better results.

This is even more true when you consider what’s in store in this every-other-year short session.

Here is the way Oregon Public Broadcasting described it:

“The 35-day, every-two-years short session of the Oregon Legislature that starts Tuesday is primarily intended for budget adjustments.  But majority Democrats have unveiled ambitious policy ideas, including plans to reduce housing costs, improve access to child-care, and improve Oregonians’ job prospects.

“Can Democrats push through their crowded progressive agenda?

“Will Republicans leave town to block votes on items they oppose? Many of the key players have changed, and that could change the dynamics in Salem.

“There’s a bill to allow Oregonians to pump their own gas. Lawmakers are also expected to consider proposals to change administrative rules preventing farm workers from earning overtime, and to send a one-time state stimulus payment to front-line workers who were employed throughout the pandemic.”

So, prepare to watch, with whatever interest you can summon, to this month of government action.  I will, still being glad that I just that – a watcher – not a participant as I was as a lobbyist for many years.