This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE

This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

Well, the report is in, let’s see what comes of it.

I’m referring to the work of the Legislative Reform group that has been studying the work of the Oregon Legislature for the past 15 months.

The co-leaders of that study were Laura Pryor a former County Judge, and Gary Wilhelms, a former aide to House Speaker Karen Minnis of Wood River. Wilhelms is no stranger to Klamath Falls. A former resident of this area, and a former legislator for Klamath County, Wilhelms was active locally.

In releasing what they termed “A Blueprint for a 21st Century Legislature” Pryor called on the upcoming Legislature to muster the courage and vision to renew yourself and the system.

The recommendations were contained in a report that was reportedly about as thick as a Portland phone book and contained many suggestions on changes that the Legislature must make.

Wilhelms identified some of the key recommendations in releasing the report. It suggested an experimental annual session effort sandwiched between the biennial sessions. If it works….go to the voters and get it approved.

Another provision was for open primary elections. They suggested that all Oregon voters, including independents, be able to ballot on selecting two candidates to be on the general election ballot regardless of political affiliation.

They called for improving the pay of Legislators, severely restricting the use of campaign contributions and setting up a commission to recommend further campaign finance reform.

They also recommended providing full and stable independent funding for the state ethics committee, known as the Government Standard and Practices Commission.

Senate President Peter Courtney a Democrat from Salem, has praise for the final report which contained many more recommendations. He termed it “very creative, very Oregon.”

The most recent Legislative actions mirrored pretty much the national congressional scene where little was accomplished as the two political parties took turns stymieing virtually everything.

This time around, as in Washington, D.C., the Democrats will have control of both houses of the Legislature, and a governor of the same Democrat party.

Time will tell whether any of these recommendations find their way into law, but certainly it is a roadmap to a better, more productive legislative sessions than we have seen this past time.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

Text Box:
This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.
Well, the report is in, let’s see what comes of it.
              I’m referring to the work of the Legislative Reform group that has been studying the work of the Oregon Legislature for the past 15 months.
              The co-leaders of that study were Laura Pryor a former County Judge, and Gary Wilhelms, a former aide to House Speaker Karen Minnis of Wood River.   Wilhelms is no stranger to Klamath Falls. A former resident of this area, and a former legislator for Klamath County, Wilhelms was active locally.
In releasing what they termed “A Blueprint for a 21st Century Legislature” Pryor called on the upcoming Legislature to muster the courage and vision to renew yourself and the system.
The recommendations were contained in a report that was reportedly about as thick as a Portland phone book and contained many suggestions on changes that the Legislature must make.
Wilhelms identified some of the key recommendations in releasing the report. It suggested an experimental annual session effort sandwiched between the biennial sessions. If it works….go to the voters and get it approved.
Another provision was for open primary elections. They suggested that all Oregon voters, including independents, be able to ballot on selecting two candidates to be on the general election ballot regardless of political affiliation.
They called for improving the pay of Legislators, severely restricting the use of campaign contributions and setting up a commission to recommend further campaign finance reform.
They also recommended providing full and stable independent funding for the state ethics committee, known as the Government Standard and Practices Commission.
Senate President Peter Courtney a Democrat from Salem, has praise for the final report which contained many more recommendations. He termed it “very creative, very Oregon.”
              The most recent Legislative actions mirrored pretty much the national congressional scene where little was accomplished as the two political parties took turns stymieing virtually everything.
              This time around, as in Washington, D.C., the Democrats will have control of both houses of the Legislature, and a governor of the same Democrat party.
              Time will tell whether any of these recommendations find their way into law, but certainly it is a roadmap to a better, more productive legislative sessions than we have seen this past time.
This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.