Senator Tim Knopp Survey - Possible Bills for the 2016 Legislative Session

Create Family Wage Jobs. Oregon needs more high-paying family wage jobs that will lift families out of poverty and create more income tax revenue that will help pay for better education and services. We can help small businesses grow and add good jobs through a targeted tax credit for each high-wage job created. Large, out-of-state corporations take advantage of complex loopholes and subsidies that are not available to most Oregonians who start a small business in their garage, but this simple tax credit will help level the playing field so Oregon small businesses can grow and create good jobs.

Training for Family Wage Jobs. Oregon has a shockingly high skills gap that prevents unemployed workers from qualifying for good job openings that companies are unable to fill. We need to focus job-training dollars on preparing Oregonians for the high-demand jobs of the future, instead of shipping those jobs overseas. Learn more here: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/07/us_hiring_slows_despite_more_job_openings.html

Shovel-Ready, Family Wage Jobs. Oregon’s outdated, inflexible land use system delays job creation in Central Oregon by making it difficult to maintain an adequate supply of shovel-ready sites for small businesses that want to add family wage jobs. We need to streamline land use regulations and give local governments flexibility to expedite projects that bring family wage jobs to our community.

Protect Parental Involvement in Education. Extend the open enrollment option for parental involvement in their child’s education to preserve school choice. Currently, Oregon parents can chose to enroll their child in the school district that is the best fit for the child. The legislature should not allow this option to end in 2017. Instead, Oregon should continue involving parents in their child’s education to ensure that each child had the opportunity to learn and succeed in an environment that fits their unique needs. Learn more here: http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/08/oregons_brewing_school-choice.html

Sustainable Forest Management to Reduce Wildfires. This year, wildfires ravished Oregon forests, destroying delicate ecosystems, polluting our air, endangering rural communities, and costing millions to fight. We must act quickly to prevent similar tragedies next year. Through responsible thinning and other sustainable management techniques, we can reduce the risk and spread of wildfires, create family wage jobs in the forest products industry, and increase timber revenue that funds education.

Senior Medical Expenses Tax Cut. In 2013, the Oregon legislature increased taxes for seniors with high medical costs by eliminating the senior medical tax deduction. This tax increase on seniors was mostly used to pay for tax cuts for large Oregon corporations. Oregon needs to correct this mistake by restoring the tax deduction for seniors facing high medical bills.

National Guard Recreation Benefits. The heroic men and women of Oregon’s National Guard sacrifice for our freedom for relatively low pay. We should extend our gratitude to these public servants by allowing them to obtain complementary hunting and fishing licenses.

Disability Non-Discrimination. Oregon law currently allows corporations to discriminate against Oregonians with disabilities in hiring even when the disability has no connection to work requirements or performance. It is important to end this practice to ensure that every Oregonian has the opportunity to find a good job that fits their abilities.

Test All Rape Kits. Thousands of untested rape kits across Oregon (including 113 in Bend and 24 in Redmond) currently sit in storage, which denies justice for victims and allows serial rapists to escape undetected. Oregon needs to implement a statewide policy of timely testing for every rape kit to protect our families and communities by tying suspects to unsolved rapes and preventing future ones. Learn more here: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/07/more_than_5000_untested_sex_as.html

No Statute of Limitations for Rape. Oregon law currently prohibits charging rapists who are caught more than twelve years after their crime. This has tragically denied justice to some victims of serial rapists like Portland’s infamous “jogger rapist,” Richard Gilmore, as prosecutors were only able to charge him for one of his nine sexual assaults because the statute of limitations had ended. Consequently, his victims have been forced to relive their terror by testifying every two years before the parole board to keep him in prison. Oregon should eliminate the statute of limitations for rape to ensure that justice is service for all victims. Learn more here: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/06/jogger_rapist_richard_gillmore.html

Nonpartisan Legislature. Extreme partisan politics are dominated by special interest groups, crony capitalism, and ethical violations like the Kitzhaber/Hayes scandal. Oregon would benefit from a nonpartisan legislature that focuses on solutions instead of partisan squabbles. It would also encourage more people to run for office, especially those with independent opinions that don’t fit neatly in either party.

PERS Reform to Protect Education. Expected 2017 PERS cost increases will force our schools to lay off teachers, increase class sizes, and reduce school days; our local governments will have to lay off police officers and firefighters; and the state will have to cut medical and senior services. Oregon needs to enact fair, constitutional PERS reforms that will avoid these cuts and save money through use of a market rate for money match annuities, redirecting IAP member contributions, moving new public employees into a 401(k) plan competitive with the private sector, and capping benefits so taxpayers are not on the hook for millionaire PERS retirees. Learn more here: http://www.bendbulletin.com/opinion/editorials/3553001-151/editorial-legislature-needs-to-make-pers-a-priority

Senator Tim Knopp Survey - Possible Bills for the 2016 Legislative Session

Question Title

* 1. From the list below, please select the two bills you would like to see introduced during the 2016 session.
(please select only two)

Question Title

* 1. From the list below, please select the two bills you would like to see introduced during the 2016 session.(please select only two)

* 1. From the list below, please select the two bills you would like to see introduced during the 2016 session.
(please select only two)