chopping block

I won’t lie to you, no county commissioner or candidate will solve the budget crisis on their own, not at this point.

We are $47 million in the hole due to a cut in Federal funding under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. These funds replace the payments the federal government used to make to counties in exchange for not paying taxes on the land owned by the US Government in counties in Oregon. This “timber money” (because it was mostly forest land used for timber production, recreation, etc.) declined dramatically due to the increasing recognition that trees take a long time to grow and we were cutting them down way too fast.

Commissioner Bill Dwyer made the best statement I’ve heard so far at the April 16th Commissioner’s meeting, where he stated (paraphrased):

We’ve cried wolf 13 times [asking the county voters to pass extra taxes in face of the upcoming cuts in federal payments]. Now the wolf is at the door, and we have to figure out what to do with what we have.

However passionate, nevertheless, the last attempt to raise taxes in Lane County in May 2007 (which failed by a whopping 70%-30% vote) was doomed to fail. In November of 2006, voters narrowly decided not to enact a different tax (51% to 49%). Those opposed to the second tax oh so cleverly called themselves the “We Said No” coalition.

I had to support it (even though it was an incredibly unfair, anti-progressive tax). Guess I’m a fool for the mentally ill, children, victims of crime, disabled, senior, and others who will lose critical support when these cuts become real.

So, how in the heck do we persuade Lane County voters to tax themselves more? And I absolutely think we have to do so if we are going to have a humane and safe existence in Lane County.

Young people of Lane County, I think we have to speak with one voice:

Yes, we want our little brothers and sisters to have full bellies with the help of WIC.

Yes, we want our teens to get the help they need when delinquency becomes a danger to themselves and others.

Yes, we want our animals cared for rather than slaughtered when they are lost, or abandoned.

Yes, we think people with mental health and addiction needs should get the help they need to live productive healthy lives.

Yes, we want our jails to hold the abusers accountable with effective diversion and corrections when necessary.

Yes, we’d really like to know when that hot hot hot love muffin we met last week turns up with chlamydia (because Lane County Public Health calls you if someone who tests positive for an STI names you as a recent sex partner so you can get yerself tested, too).

Not to mention the excellent work Public Health nurses did controlling the last measles outbreak to 2 people.

And that is just the start.

So, what will Lane County voters pay for? Are we really that cruel of a county? After living here all these years with these wonderful people, and I mean that, I’m confused.