Green Jobs to the Rescue?
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Last month, Oregon became the state with the fastest growing unemployment rate, adding another 1.4% to the currently unemployed and becoming the state with the second highest unemployment rate at 12.1%. Because of the dismal economic climate, it is tempting for Oregonians to support a policy that promises to add new “green” jobs. Unfortunately, a policy that specifically tries to increase job growth in a highly subsidized sector of the economy may do more harm than good. (more…)
Kathryn Hickoktestimony on SB 767Senate Education CommitteeApril 22, 2009
Chair Hass and members of the committee, I am Kathryn Hickok from Cascade Policy Institute in Portland, speaking in opposition to SB 767. Cascade promotes public policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic opportunity in Oregon. We also run an entirely privately funded scholarship program for K-12 Oregon students from lower-income families. The Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland has helped nearly 650 Oregon students have access to diverse educational settings that meet their individual needs. (more…)
OREGON SCHOOL CHOICE VIDEO CONTESTWINNING FAMILY CLAIMS $10,000 GRAND PRIZE
A Hillsboro 8th grader will receive up to ten thousand dollars to help with the cost of a private school education in the first-ever Oregon School Choice Video Contest.
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Who Represents the Children?
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If the current recession leads to job losses in Oregon’s public schools, how should the cuts be made? When it comes to unionized teachers, the answer seems to be pretty simple, and pretty troubling. (more…)
My Two Cents and My Freedom:The Cost of Paid Family Leave
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Some Oregon activists are begging the state legislature to create yet another social safety net: paid family leave. Senate Bill 966 would create “insurance” benefits for family leave, subsidizing time off from work to care for a new child or a seriously ill family member. Proponents argue that if society values families, then this bill is vital. (more…)
Testimony from John A. Charles, Jr. on HB 3253House Transportation CommitteeApril 8, 2009
HB 3253 would create a tax credit for plug-in electric drive motor vehicles beginning in 2010. Testimony in opposition from Mr. Charles is at 38:15 – 41:58 of this audio file.
Testimony for House Bill 3300House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee
Background
House Bill 3300 instructs the State Workforce Investment Board to develop a plan to promote the growth of green jobs. The bill also requires the Economic and Community Development Department to develop criteria for and make recommendations about promoting green industries, technology, and innovation.
Listen to Todd’s testimony at 1:25:26-1:27:47 on this audio file.
Testimony for House Bill 3155House Environment and Water Committee
Background
House Bill 3155 will require consumer-owned utilities (COU) to establish local conservation, energy efficiency programs, and carbon reduction or avoidance programs within the utility’s service territory. (more…)
Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr.Regarding the proposed DEQ budget
April 15, 2009
Overview
Environmental trends over long periods of time matter more than measurements at any given moment. Also, pollution per unit of economic output is the key to measuring economic sustainability. Listen to John’s testimony at 42:08-46:20 and his answer to questions by Representative Cannon at 50:15-52:51.
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Testimony of John A. Charles, Jr.Regarding SB 580-6
April 15, 2009
As a member of the Oregon Road User Fee Task Force, I support the policy direction of SB 580-6. The construction and ongoing maintenance of highways, tunnels and bridges should be financed through direct road user fees, collected via electronic tolling technology.
Listen to John’s testimony at 22:14-26:14 and 27:48-30:17 on the audio file.
“Education Does Come First, Doesn’t It?”
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“There must be a better answer than killing the online charter school movement,” declares the editorial board of the Medford Mail Tribune (“Education Does Come First, Doesn’t It?,” April 3, 2009). Unfortunately, killing online charter schools would be the likely effect of Senate Bill 767, which had a public hearing last week. And kids in rural Oregon would be some of the biggest losers. (more…)
Testimony for Senate Bill 80-3Senate Environment and Natural Resources CommitteeApril 14, 2009
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Senate Bill 80 Amendments
Senate Bill 80 (Oregon’s cap-and-trade bill) has been amended significantly since it was first introduced in the session. The bill no longer includes the ‘trade’ part of the cap-and-trade program. SB 80-3 is seemingly a hard cap bill meaning all facilities that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and fall under regulation are mandated to develop a GHG reduction plan to meet the state’s reduction goals.
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Market Intervention Overkill
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Summary: Many bills have been introduced in the 2009 legislative session to promote renewable power in Oregon. Although subsidies already exist, new incentives are being proposed to use more renewable power and to value the “clean” energy it produces. Despite these subsidies, solar and wind power still generate only a small fraction of the state’s energy; and the cost of renewable power remains significantly higher than traditional energy sources. (more…)
Government Gas Detectors
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Oregon legislators surely know that this recession has led to a slower housing market than most of us can remember. So why are some of them trying to dampen home sales even further?
House Bill 3450 would prohibit transferring the title to a single-family dwelling or multifamily housing that has a carbon monoxide source (i.e., a furnace or gas fireplace) unless the dwelling is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. (more…)