Oregon Elephant

Galizio resigning...let's get busy for 2010!

The Oregonian is reporting that State Rep. Larry Galizio is stepping down to take an education position working for the Governor.  As he's my representative, I am fairly familiar with him.

He was a strong campaigner, and the Tigard district is fairly conservative (by Oregon standards).  We should start right away in trying to recruit a good candidate to run in 2010.

Oregon House votes that teachers can keep their junk food vending machines (for now...)

This from the Oregonian...

SALEM -- The sponsor began the debate declaring it a "dumb bill," but the Oregon House still spent the better part of a half hour Thursday debating whether teachers should be able to buy sugary sodas or big candy bars from the vending machine in the school employee lounge.

The vote was close, 33-26, in support of House Bill 2419. It seeks to exempt employee areas from a law restricting the sale of junk foods at Oregon schools.

I'm overcome with two thoughts...

• I'm glad they voted the way they did
• Amazed that it was such a close vote (maybe I sholdn't be, given the political climate)
• Why in the world does this even need to be brought up?  Enforcing dietary standards on teachers?  Sheesh.

Oregon's budget looking worse than expected (which was pretty bad to begin with)

This from the KGW website...it looks like the budget cuts for the state are going to need to be worse than expected...here is a snippet:

They outlined likely reductions Wednesday, including $170 million -- $65 million of which has already been done -- to K-12 education, $19 million to social services and nearly $60 million to public safety.

Those cuts would mean, on average, five fewer days of school for Oregon students. Agencies may also have to delay hiring state troopers, reduce the number of foster care spots and eliminate day care for low-income families.

Lawmakers urged to use rainy day fund to keep schools open...

KGW has video of a story concerning demonstrators wanting the Oregon legislature to use it's "rainy day fund" to avoid closing schools early...

My take:

This is a tough one...I'm not for dipping into the funds indiscriminately...but I definitely don't think closing schools early is a good thing.  I'd love to hear any proposals conservatives might have for ways to keep the schools open for the full year without resorting to dipping into the reserve...