For Immediate Release
April 8, 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. – Americans for Prosperity-Oregon and Cascade Policy Institute have released a new report, Facing Reality 2013, which calls attention to limited government and pro-growth solutions to current Oregon budget problems.
“The Legislature continues to give citizens the false choice of either failing our children or increasing taxes,” stated Karla Kay Edwards, Oregon State Director of Americans for Prosperity. “Facing Reality clearly demonstrates that Oregon can invest in our children’s education without negatively impacting our slow economic recovery.”
The report is based on a “Reality Based Budgeting” approach, encouraging political leaders to face reality, stop procrastinating, and adopt ideas to lower the cost of government and get the economy going again.
“It’s not too late to refocus Oregon government on its core functions, reduce costs and get out of areas it has no business in, such as the distribution of liquor,” said Steve Buckstein, Founder and Senior Policy Analyst at Cascade Policy Institute.
The report focuses on five public policy areas:
– Privatize Liquor Distribution and Sales
– Reduce Corrections Costs
– Eliminate the PERS Pick-Up
– Align State Employee Compensation with Private Sector Compensation
– Enact Right to Work Legislation
With solutions to controversial topics such as PERS reform, the report authors challenge legislative leaders to take effective steps to recharge the state economy.
“It is time for the Oregon Legislature to ‘Face Reality,’ as Oregonians have had to do, and adopt these non-partisan recommendations,” said Edwards.
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