2013 legislative agenda
Oregon Business Association
Building a sustainable Oregon economy that serves the common good
a Message From the President From July until the end of October of 2012, our hardworking policy committee volunteers met with experts, commissioned studies and put in the time to develop a plan that can be summarized in five words: a few more tough votes. We present this agenda with great respect for the work that you, our elected leaders, do on behalf of Oregonians. We look forward to working together, with you and OBA partners, in the 2013 legislative session. Our 2013 agenda is based on four pillars necessary for a strong state with a vibrant future: 1. Sound Budgeting and Resource Management (Cost Drivers) 2. Grow the Economy (Jobs) 3. Structure the Education System to Prioritize Student Achievement (40-40-20 and University Autonomy) 4. Balanced Voice (Effective, Bipartisan Policy Development & Court Funding) Sincerely,
Ryan Deckert President, Oregon Business Association
OBA Staff
Ryan Deckert
President ryan@oba-online.org
D.J. Vogt
Legislative Director djv@oba-online.org
Joel Fischer
Senior Policy Analyst joel@oba-online.org
Gina Williams, Public Affairs Director, gina@oba-online.org Patti Winter, Director of Operations, patti@oba-online.org Oregon Business Association 6975 SW Sandburg Street, Suite 250, Tigard, OR 97223 503-641-0990 oba@oba-online.org www.oba-online.org
OBA 2013 Legislative Agenda: Setting the Stage for Oregon’s Comeback With a focus on helping our state get its fiscal house in order for the benefit of all citizens, OBA is putting forth an ambitious, aggressive agenda for 2013 that addresses the top big-picture issues that impact the economy and our financial future.
The Oregon Story As we enter the 78th Oregon State legislative session, it is important to reflect on several key points about the “state of our State.� Oregon is a state that continues to lag behind national averages when it comes to economic recovery. Several factors feed into this phenomenon, including high cost drivers (PERS, Prisons, Revenue Reform). Oregon also has a low per-capita income and fewer traded sector jobs (companies that buy and sell services outside of Oregon and tend to cluster in a region) than other states. In fact, since the late 1990s, Oregon wages and income relative to the U.S. average, has continued to decline as prison costs have soared and less money is available to fund education. By addressing cost drivers, spending smarter in the public sector, reducing revenue volatility, focusing on economic development and transportation projects to further stimulate jobs growth and income, we can make significant and lasting progress. Accomplishing these goals will result in increased education investments and higher per capita income through job growth, leading to a decrease in Medicaid and corrections spending and ultimately, reduced poverty.
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OBA Policy Committees Our policy committees met from July-October with officials and experts in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. This effort is our vision at work – to “build a sustainable Oregon economy that serves the common good.” We thank our committee chairs and members for what amounts to hundreds of volunteer hours on behalf of OBA and the citizens of Oregon. Business and Finance Chair: Robert Manicke, Stoel Rives
Education Interim Chair: Kathy Swift, Capital Pacific Bank
Environment & Economic Development Co-Chairs: Bill Edmonds, NW Natural & Rick Glick, Davis Wright Tremaine
Health Policy Chair: Gayle Evans, Unitus Community Credit Union
Sound Budgeting & Resource Management Task Force Chair: Ruth Beyer, Stoel Rives
Transportation Chair: Joan Snyder, Stoel Rives 3
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Address Cost Drivers: Revenue Reform, Total Compensation & PERS Stabilization and Corrections Reform OBA’s Strategic Imperative: Construct and effectively manage a strategic, sustainable, and stable state budget and public finance system. We will advocate for changes that lay the groundwork for revenue reform in 2014 by building the public’s confidence in Oregon’s fiscal system. I. C omprehensive tax reform should be a priority in 2014. While our member companies work to analyze the financial impact of proposed tax or revenue changes this year, we will participate in the revenue reform discussions guided by the following framework: • Consumption tax: Should not exceed a reasonable percentage; has parameters around it (i.e. constitutional limitations, sunset); has appropriate exceptions. • Decrease in capital gains rate: We will support reduction of the capital gains rate across the board. • Decrease in personal income tax rate: If a consumption tax is adopted, the personal income tax rate structure must be modified to minimize overlap of the income tax and the consumption tax at lower income levels and reduce the overall tax rate for taxpayers. • Kicker reform: All revenue generated from kicker reform should be used to build reserve funds. • Property tax & estate reform: We will evaluate proposals to reform Measures 5 and 50 and the Estate Tax. 4
Sound Budgeting and Resource Management & Health Policy
Sound Budgeting and Resource Management & Health Policy
II. Total Compensation & PERS Stabilization is necessary to bring employee labor costs in line with peer long-term market and revenue projections. Our policy priorities are as follows: • Use a market rate for annuitizing Money Match. • Reduce the earnings rate inside PERS accounts. • F ix the “tax fix” – stop paying the remaining tax gross-up for retirees living in other states (legislation required). • Re-examine benefit mix and value trade-offs. III. Corrections Reform
“ Oregon can revise its sentencing laws to continue our dramatic reductions in crime but do so at less cost…Although Oregon’s prison expansion has contributed to our drops in crime, we need to look at re-balancing our public safety system to emphasize cost-effective ways to reduce future criminal conduct.” - Former Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul M. De Muniz • OBA’s Correction Reform Policy Priorities: »» J udicial Discretion: Restore appropriate judicial discretion to sentencing. »» Informed Decision Making in Sentencing: Promote costbenefit analysis and risk assessment tools in crafting prison sentences. »» Improved Sentencing Guidelines: Develop revisions to sentencing guidelines which incorporate the intent underlying the mandatory minimum sentencing initiatives, the principles of the 1989 sentencing guidelines, and the advances in the understanding of the causes of, and methods to, reduce recidivism. »» Reduce Recidivism: Focus on the use of the most costeffective and proven options, including education; community corrections; drug and alcohol treatment; education and job training; and visitation. »» Eliminate the Need for New Prison Beds: No beds and no bonds in the biennium.
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Health Policy Agenda As with addressing cost drivers, OBA’s health policy agenda involves cost reduction along with better service. Our focus areas for the 2013 session are as follows: • Medical Liability Reform: We support an Early Discussion and Resolution program that balances stakeholder interests with the goal of reducing the cost and burden of medical liability. We believe this to be a first step toward comprehensive medical liability reform that should be followed by efforts to measure and assess impact over time. • Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs): As a strong supporter of the legislation that created a new model of CCOs, OBA believes these models promise better outcomes at lower cost, but should be transparent and fiscally sustainable. We will continue to monitor and support these efforts. • Health Insurance Exchange (Cover Oregon): OBA members invested their support, expertise, and service to help create the Health Insurance Exchange, now known as “Cover Oregon.” As with the model of coordinated care, we expect Cover Oregon to deliver as intended, encouraging more people to obtain health insurance coverage.
12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0%
2000
2010
2020
2030
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2040
2050
2060
Oregon’s economic comeback requires the accomplishment of two main goals: 1. Achieve per capita income at the national average or higher. 2. Consistently generate 25,000 jobs per year. Oregon Per Captia Income
105%
US average
100%
95%
Projection 90%
85%
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Oregon Non-Farm Payroll Jobs 2007-2012 (estimated), in thousands
1,750 1,700
1,650 1,600
1,550
1,500
2007
2008
2009
2010
We must re-start the circle of prosperity:
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2011
2012
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A. Business & Finance Policy i. 2 013 Tax Credits: As the legislature reviews a number of credits in the 2013 session, OBA will focus on tax credits that directly impact business and have a well-defined purpose; include mechanisms to evaluate whether the purpose has been achieved; are not excessively burdensome on government or the participants; and promote economic development goals such as supporting traded-sector job growth. • Applying these principles, OBA supports extending the Manufacturing Energy Tax Credit; Expanding the carryover period of the child care tax credit by an additional 5 years; and restoring the research and development tax credit from $1 million to $2 million. ii. Oregon Growth Board: OBA supports the next step of creating a funding stream in order to make the Oregon Growth Board a permanent body. This funding will include support for investments across the capital continuum, including early state companies, venture capital and laterstate growth investments.
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grow the economy
grow the economy
B. Environment & Economic Development i. L ong-Term Energy Plan: OBA believes a ten year energy plan is a critical component in fostering economic development and wage growth. We will stay at the table with elected officials and other stakeholders to hammer out details of the plan to ensure a vibrant energy future for the state. ii. Energy Efficiency: OBA supports the Governor’s goal of increasing energy efficiency in ways that strengthen our economy, are economically efficient and make additional capital available for the Oregon economy. Legislation is necessary to build on and refine our system that is already effectively delivering energy efficiency. iii. Innovative Water Solutions: OBA supports in concept innovative solutions to address increasing competition for scarce water resources that balance the needs of irrigated agriculture, municipal and industrial demand and sustainable fisheries, among other values. One such approach we support involves winter time withdrawals of Columbia River Water. OBA will stay at the table to balance growth of Oregon’s economy, while protecting the state’s natural resources. iv. Streamline Permitting: OBA supports the Regulatory Streamlining and Simplification Project (Roadmap) as a key element in creating a plan for changing how government agencies and new and existing businesses work together for a more vibrant economic future for Oregon.
C. Transportation For the 2013 legislative session, OBA supports investing in the transportation projects necessary to increase Oregon’s economic competitiveness in the global market. i. Fund I-5 Bridge Replacement: The 2013 Oregon Legislature should commit to funding its share of the I-5 Bridge Replacement project to secure the federal government’s project investments in anticipation of a 2013-2014 construction start date. It is imperative that Oregon commit to this funding in 2013 before the window of opportunity to leverage federal funding closes. ii. Fund Connect V: The 2013 Oregon Legislature should pass Connect Oregon V, funded with an additional $100 million investment in lotterybacked bonds. 9
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“ He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” - Victor Hugo I. Move towards 40-40-20 goal: OBA supports moving Oregon toward the 40-40-20 goal through pursuit of a fundamental redesign of the education system. In order to achieve this, funding models must be redesigned to encourage innovation and improved outcomes, including an overhaul of funding for post-secondary education to ensure degree attainment consistent with our 40-40-20 goals. • OBA also supports the establishment of the STEM Investment Council and the appropriation of $50 million from the general fund for the 2013-2015 biennium to support the council’s activities, including STEM goals for proficiency and post-secondary graduates. In addition, OBA agrees with and will participate in monitoring oversight of the STEM Investment Council to ensure goals are met and progress is being made in accordance with established timeframes.
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Structure the Education System to Prioritize Student Achievement
Structure the Education System to Prioritize Student Achievement
II. U niversity Autonomy: OBA supports the direction of establishing institutional governing boards for Oregon public institutions. We believe that policies for University Governance should: align and integrate the system and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the statewide governance structure; support providing institutional boards to universities that want one; grant institutional boards the statutory authority to hire/ fire the President; authorize boards to issue bonds; authorize boards to set tuition within set limits; provide broad governing authorities in statute; require boards to enter into achievement compacts to increase accountability; and continue to require coordination with other universities, community colleges and school districts.
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IV Balanced Voice
Balanced Voice
“ If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.� -Francis Bacon Judicial Branch Funding: OBA believes a vital court system is essential to a well-functioning economy. We will work to ensure the judicial branch is adequately funded and able to hear cases five days a week with appropriate staffing to meet its growing caseloads.
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OBA board of directors NIK BLOSSER, Board Chair President, Celilo Group Media GARY W. REYNOLDS, Board Vice-Chair President, Perkins & Company, P.C. Erik Amos Director, Corporate Tax Division Columbia Sportswear Morgan Anderson Northwest Region Government Affairs Manager INTEL GARY BAUER Director of Government and Community Affairs, NW Natural LEN BERGSTEIN President, Northwest Strategies RUTH BEYER Member, Stoel Rives LLP SCOTT BOLTON Vice President of Government Affairs Pacific Power JULIA BRIM-EDWARDS Immediate Past Board Chair Director, Government & Public Affairs Western States and Canada, Nike Rich Brown Senior Vice PresidentMarket Development Bank of America
JUSTIN DELANEY Vice President, Corporate Legal & Public Affairs The Standard BRIAN GARD President, Gard Communications Adam Grzybicki President, Oregon/Alaska/Hawaii AT&T Alan Hickenbottom General Manager, Tanner Creek Division, Christenson Electric Cheryle Kennedy Tribal Chairwoman The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde PETER KRATZ Executive Vice President, Operations Harry & David BERNIE KRONBERGER Vice President-Oregon Regional Manager Foundation-Charitable Contributions/Government Relations Social Responsibility Group, Wells Fargo MARK A. LONG Managing Partner Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. HIROSHI MORIHARA President, HM3 Energy, Inc.
Matt Chapman President & Executive Director Northwest Evaluation Assoc. (NWEA)
MARTY MYERS General Manager Threemile Canyon Farms, LLC
Barbara Christensen Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Providence Health & Services
MIKE RADWAY Senior Director of Government Relations Knowledge Universe
Andrew Colas President & COO Colas Construction
DAVE ROBERTSON Vice President, Public Policy, PGE
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Alysa Rose President and CEO, Rejuvenation JOHN W. RUSSELL President, Russell Development Company Lisa Sedlar President and CEO New Seasons Market Connie Seeley Chief of Staff, Office of the President, OHSU JARED SHORT President, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon PAT SMITH President/CEO Unitus Community Credit Union BILL SMITH President, William Smith Properties, Inc. Jennifer Spall Director of Public Affairs & Government Relations WAL-MART STORES, INC. Christian Venderby Chief Operating Officer, Vestas DON WASHBURN Private Investor Sean Waters Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Daimler Trucks North America Ken Wightman Chief Executive Officer David Evans Enterprises, Inc. RYAN DECKERT President Oregon Business Association
About OBA Oregon Business Association is the state’s most effective advocate for the long-term enhancement of Oregon’s business climate. Formed by a group of Oregon business leaders, OBA provides bipartisan, statewide business leadership that strives to ensure Oregon’s continued economic competitiveness. Today, more than 300 businesses, from Portland to Boardman, from homegrown to Fortune 500, have joined to support OBA’s commitment to a healthy economy for all Oregonians.
Photo Credits: Port of Portland, Travel Oregon, Gina Williams, Andrea Wright
Oregon Business Association 6975 SW Sandburg Street, Suite 250, Tigard, OR 97223 503-641-0990 oba@oba-online.org www.oba-online.org