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Legislative
Report 9-05
April 29,
2005
Oregon
Needs a Larger Pie
Last week nearly 1,000 Oregonians rallied on the steps
of the State Capitol to show their support for additional funding for senior
services, mental health and other important social services. Many in that
gathering were advocating taking funds from schools because schools, they
contend, are “not as important as caring for those who really need
help”.
Naturally, the school employee groups and
administrators are arguing that more funding is needed for education
because, “children are our future”.
So it begins in earnest. Every group is trying to get
a larger “piece of the pie”, but unfortunately “the pie” isn’t large
enough to satisfy everyone. One of two things has to happen; either there
must be fewer demands from citizens and advocacy groups or we need to
increase the size of “the pie”. I don’t foresee the demand for services
decreasing anytime soon and I certainly don’t foresee higher taxes on the
horizon.
So the only way to increase the size of the pie, in my
opinion, is to increase the economic vitality of the State. More people
earning a decent wage means more income tax receipts for the State which
will produce a larger pie. Government at all levels, however, has a poor
record when it comes to developing private sector jobs. I believe it is
long past time for government to acknowledge that fact, find out why, and
change their approach.
Nearly everyone understands that we need rules and
regulations to maintain some semblance of order in our complex society. All
too often, however, it seems that our rules and regulations take on a life
of their own and become an impediment to job growth and commerce.
Government agencies must work harder to understand the problems facing our
citizens and strive to clear the way through the regulatory process.
When government officials make an effort to understand
that time equates to money for business, maybe then we can streamline our
approach to regulation. Instead of government asking, “What do you want?”
the question should be “How can we help you be more successful and grow?”
One of the primary roles of government is to protect
the public’s interest. Business growth and prosperity means a “larger pie”
for all of Oregon’s genuine needs, and that is certainly in the public’s
interest.
I encourage you to share your thoughts and comments.
You can E-mail me at
sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us or call my Salem office at 503.986.1716.
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