Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2001 STATESMAN JOURNAL 4A vvww.StatesmanJoumal.com MO-' I lift Traditional ceremony, friendly gestures and speeches help start the 2001 Legislature. BYTARAMCLAIN Statesman Journal Oregon lawmakers began the 71st Legislative Assembly much like the first day of school with a roll call and promises to play nice. Legislators also were offered a bit of pomp Monday as special performers, national guardsmen and state troopers in dress uniforms and a procession of U.S. senators, representatives and a handful Oregon's ex-governors all helped usher in the new session. Optimism entwined with the fragrance of white and pink azaleas on House members' desks as addresses and speeches repeated the promises of bipartisanship most legislators have adopted.

Like a seasoned high school teacher in front of a class of freshman, Gov. John Kitzhaber told legislators some of what he's learned during his 22 years in politics. "The first lesson I learned is I i JAY REITER Statesman Journal GREETING: U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith waves after he was introduced to a joint session of the Legislature.

Smith was joined from Washington, D.C., by Sen. Ron Wyden (lower left). WHAT MY SAID Excerpts of Gov. John Kitz-haber's Opening Address to the 71st Legislative Session (for the full text, see www.StatesmanJoumal.com): "The first lesson I have learned is the lesson of civility of being able to disagree without being disagreeable. To learn to engage in a spirited debate about a controversial issue and to walk away friends.

To learn to separate people from politics and personalities from policies." "The second lesson is the lesson of acknowledgement. Everyone who comes here brings with them something of value and something to contribute: an idea, a perspective, a unique range of experience. And everyone who comes here deserves to be acknowledged for what they bring whether you always agree with them or not." "The third lesson is that of inclusiveness. The need to learn that policy is more important and ultimately more powerful than partisanship, and to recognize the danger in isolating ourselves from each other by our party registration. There will be very few bills of consequence that will pass either chamber this session without at least some bipartisan support." "We will need those lessons and more to meet the challenge of this, the first legislative session of the 21 st century.

Why? Because this budget reflects not only the growth in our population or the growth in the State's responsibility to finance education, health care and public safety. It also reflects the growing discrepancy between the state budget and the revenue that supports it a trend that I believe will continue at least for the next two to three biennia." "My first priority is education, perhaps the single most important and far-reaching investment we can make in Oregon's future. Public education is the cornerstone of a progressive, democratic society. From grade school to graduate school to life-long learning, it is vital that Oregon's educational system prepare all of our citizens for the challenges that they will face us in the 21 st century." "Mv second Drioritv is help galleries and balconies. Oregon State Trooper Daniel Johnson, in a rich baritone, sang the national anthem after the U.S.

and Oregon state flags were presented to the joint session by the uniformed officers of the Oregon National Guard and the Oregon State Police. South American rhythms and harmonies changed the session's flavor as the La Grande High School Choir performed from a balcony a Venezuelan folk song called "Duerme Negrito," complete with conga drum. They also sang James Taylor's solemn "That Lonesome Road." Salem entertainer Drew Peterson gave a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" just before the audience quietly and collectively sang "Oregon, My Oregon" and the legislators ended the first of many meetings for the 2001 session. Tara McLain can be reached at (503) 399-6705 or tmclain StatesmanJoumal.com. made in Hawaii.

U.S. Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden, who have maintained a close working relationship despite belonging to different political parties, praised the promises of bipartisanship. Wyden, a Democrat, and Smith, a Republican, sat side by side during the joint opening session and then left to begin a series of joint town hall meetings throughout the state. "I think, frankly, what Sen.

Wyden and I have begun is influencing others," said Smith, smiling. The House and Senate sessions preceding the governor's address were filled with formalities and customs, including the election of House Speaker Mark Simmons and Senate President Gene Derfler with a series of motions and choruses of "yeas." The swearing-in statements of freshmen senators and representatives bounced off the warm-colored wood and shiny brass railings to the ears of baby-hushing spouses and proud parents in the packed the lesson of civility of being able to disagree without being disagreeable to learn to engage in a spirited debate about a controversial issue and to walk away friends," Kitzhaber said. Rep. Kathy Lowe, D-Mil-waukie, returned from Hawaii late Sunday night and brought with her leis made of woven ti leaves for her colleagues in the House. "The ti plant is worn by (Hawaiian) leaders to give them courage, strength and wisdom," Lowe said.

"It's also a symbol of harmony, so I thought that would be appropriate today." The leis, which look a little like dried kelp, were special-ordered by Lowe and hand- TIM LaBARGE Statesman Journal HISTORY LESSON: David Rett, 9, and his mother, Kathryn Plett, of McMinnville stand for the national anthem as they watch the joint session of the 71 st Legislative assembly on a television in the hallway outside the House chamber in the state Capitol. "It's a very important process, and I want my children to know that freedom and liberty are very important," Plett said. School's in for freshmen CONTINUED FROM 1A Although being a freshman may be a nerve-racking experience at first, Miller said there is at least one advantage to having no prior legislative experience. "You come in with a clean slate," he said. "You have the chance to befriend people from all parts of the state and from both parties." Among those with a clean slate is Rep.

Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose. She may not have served as a legislator before, but her desk was a familiar sight "What's particularly moving is that I'm sitting at my father's desk, where he sat 35 years ago," she explained. "My mother sat next to him when he was sworn in, and she sat next to me today when I took the oath of office." freshmen this year, largely because of a 1992 term limits law that forces early retirement on lawmakers after serving six years in the House or eight in the Senate. All 30 of the Senate's members have legislative experience, either in the Senate or the House. But the Senate will feel the force of the term limits law beginning in the 2003 session.

Thirteen senators are serving their final terms this session. Among them is Sen. Randy Miller, R-Lake Oswego, who joined the Legislature in 1983. Asked if he thought there might be problems because of the large number of freshmen in the Oregon House, Miller laughed, "Not if they listen to us." The 25 rookies in the House enter with wide eyes and a clean slate. The Associated Press After a slight slip-up reading the roll call on his first day in the Legislature, Rep.

Greg Smith jokingly pleaded, "Give me a break, I'm a freshman!" The Heppner Republican, 32, was chosen to read the roll call Monday, according to a tradition that gives the duty to the youngest member of the House. Smith said he found the opening day a bit bewildering, but as one of 25 rookies in the 60-mem-ber Oregon House, he wasn't alone. "It's almost overwhelming," he said. There's a large crop of House "I don't question Hardyls opinion about the constitutionality of the law. But as a practical matter, I think it creates serious potential conflicts of interest certainly apparent ones, if not real ones." Gov.

John Kitzhaber Leader David Nelson of Pendleton said Republicans were not trying to play down the seriousness of the issue when they defeated the Democratic proposal. "We agree that we need rules," he said. "But we should do this once and do it right." Nelson said the Democratic proposal included a limit on gifts from lobbyists to legislators. A state law limits such gifts to $100 annually and is an issue in three cases pending against legislators in Marion County Circuit Court. But Nelson said Myers' opinion last week makes no mention of that law, and he felt the issues should not be tied together.

Senate Minority Leader Kate Brown, D-Portland, said Monday's vote against her party's proposal was more in the nature of a disagreement than a dispute. "I am sure that we will pass something eventually," she said. "We just felt it was important to set the rules of the game, starting today. So we were hoping to get it done and send a message." Peter Wong can be reached at (503) 399-6745 or e-mail pwongStatesmanJoumal.com. "We will have a meeting and see how we can do things right," said Sen.

Steve Harper, R-Klamath Falls, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. "I do not want to do things on the back of a napkin. We will have plenty of time to do that later." The issue arose last week when Myers issued an opinion raising legal doubts about Oregon's Watergate-era ban on legislators' soliciting and spending campaign contributions during sessions. The ban dates back to 1973-74. Myers said the law conflicts with Oregon's constitutional guarantee of free expression, which has been interpreted more broadly than the free-speech right in the First Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution. "I don't question Hardy's opinion about the constitutionality of the law," Gov. John Kitzhaber said Monday. "But as a practical matter, I think it creates serious potential conflicts of interest certainly apparent ones, if not real ones." Some Republicans suggested changes in the Legislature's rules, and House Speaker Mark Simmons of Elgin said the House Rules Committee would consider the issue as early as Friday. But Simmons also is skeptical about how effective a rule would be.

"I'm not ready to support a rule that flies in the face of what our good Democratic attorney general says is unconstitutional," Simmons said Monday. "That means more than likely that I would vote no. "But I am not going to encourage people in any event to go out and raise money." In the Senate, Majority my bills New bills introduced Monday in the Legislature include legislation to: DESIQNATI GOVERNOR as superintendent of public Instruction, SB 1, by Sen. Gene Derfler, R-Salem. REQUIRE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES to provide medical assistance to disabled children based on child's Income and resources only, SB 4, by Sen.

Derfler. PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY for teachers and certain school employees who lawfully discipline students, SB 5, by Sen. Derfler. AUTHORIZE RIDING BICYCLE against traffic In properly marked bicycle lane, SB 25, by Sen. Gary George, R-Newberg.

REQUIRE PUBLIC LIBRARIES to disclose library records of children under 1 8 years of age to parent or legal guardian, SB 27, by Sen. George. ALLOW LICENSING of domestic elk farms, SB 41 by Sen. David Nelson, R-Pendleton. LIMIT NUMBER OP STUDENTS served by one school, SB 39, by Sen.

Peter Courtney, D-Salem. FORBID VIDEO ARCADES from allowing minors to operate violent games, SB 59, by Sen. Ken Messer-le, R-Coos Bay. CREATE STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS program for students attending public schools, allowing them to enroll In post-secondary courses at qualified Institutions for credit toward high school graduation and prohibits institutions from charging student post-secondary course costs, SB 64, by Sen. Avel Gordly, D-Portland.

CUT TOP STATE INCOME tax rate from 9 percent to 8 percent, HB 2073, by Rep. Bill Witt, R-Portland. REDUCE CAPITAL GAINS tax rates from 5 percent to 9 percent to flat 4 percent, SB 67, by Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day. INCREASE SALARIES of judges of Oregon Supreme Court, Oregon Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court and circuit court, SB 71, by Joint Interim Judiciary Committee.

PROVIDE THAT NON-ENGLISH SPEAKER is eligible to serve as a juror in circuit court and establishes procedures for appointment of certified interpreters and qualified translators, SB 78, by Joint Interim Judiciary Committee. REQUIRE THAT SCHOOL BUSES and school activity vehicles be equipped with safety belts, SB 85, by the Joint Interim Judiciary Committee. EXEMPT MENTALLY RETARDED people from death penalty, SB 140, at request of Joint Interim Judiciary Committee. ing children. The significant investment we have been able to make in education cannot be sustained over time unless we are willing to take aggressive steps to reduce the number of children who enter school unable to fully engage in a learning experience.

For that reason, this budget calls the question of our overall priorities in terms of prevention. "Each year in Oregon, we lose thousands of our children to school failure, to school drop out and subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system. Sixty percent of first-bom children in Oregon have at least one social or medical risk factor that puts them at jeopardy for this tragic future. Over 40 percent of our children arrive at school unable to take advantage of the learning experience due to these same risk factors." This tragedy is duo, in large part, to the fact we have failed to make adequate investments in our children in their earliest years. As a consequence, we pay for their failure, instead of benefiting from their success.

We know who these children are long before they get into trouble. And we know the kinds of programs and supports that are effective in keeping them on the path to success." "Now, to fund these initiatives in education and early childhood, however, I have been forced to propose real cuts in other Important services cuts that carry with them very real, human consequences. But to the extent that fiscal limits make difficult decisions inevitable, I will defend the choices I have made on the basis that putting an emphasis on prevention reflects a higher priority than paying more to mitigate problems after they have already developed." "As you debate this budget you will find that as you try to move more resources into higher education, human services or public safety all of which need and deserve them that you will have to take resources away from other areas that will create human consequences of a different sort." Qiao's famte yOwdtan fashion Store! Call for a FREE In-Home Appointment for Draperies, Valances, Bedspreads, ft Shades. Now Roport Rovoals "How You Can Savo Thousands of Dollars" Just by Using Your Homo! Discover the Little Known Secrets Your Banker and Your Lenders Will Never Tell You! A Free Report Reveals the Benefits of the Best Kept Secrets in the Financial and Mortgage World. Call 1-800-254-3596 Ext.

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