January 13, 2009

Economics loom large at Legislature

By RYAN KOST
Associated Press writer

     SALEM — Oregon lawmakers have returned to the Capitol for a legislative session expected to be dominated by economic issues and hard times in the economy.
     The House went into session before 9 a.m. Monday, and the Senate convened shortly after that.
     In a show of bipartisan spirit in the Senate, the Republican leader, Sen. Ted Ferrioli of John Day, banged down the gavel to launch the session.
     Gov. Ted Kulongoski was to give his state-of-the-state address later in the morning.
     The session opens with Oregon’s unemployment rate at more than 8 percent and rising.
     The sour economy is expected to reduce tax revenue sharply, with the possibility that late-session revenue forecasts may be gloomier even than those from before the session.
     Lawmakers on Monday morning were reminded of the economy during invocations from members of the clergy.
     “We know there are many struggling now,” said Todd Pynch of Crisis Chaplaincy Services.
     He urged lawmakers to “set aside their political differences” and work together as fellow Oregonians.
     Democrats hold majorities in both the House and Senate that are large enough for them to pass tax and revenue increases without Republican votes.
     But tax increases are never popular, particularly in a recession.
     Legislative leaders say the session should adjourn by the end of June. The Legislature convenes every other year, in odd-numbered years, for a session. Last year, it tested the idea of shorter sessions in even-numbered years.