House Republicans just won a major, unexpected victory in a battle with Obama

US District Court Judge Rosemary M. Collyer ruled Wednesday against the Obama administration's motion to dismiss the case. Collyer said House Republicans do have the standing to pursue their challenge, which argues that the Obama administration violated the US Constitution by spending money on the law that had not been appropriated by Congress.


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House Republicans Announce 2012 Agenda: 50,000 Jobs in Five Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2012
[OREGON] HOUSE REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE 2012 AGENDA: 50,000 JOBS IN FIVE YEARS - Two-Part Agenda Includes Reforms to Reduce Red Tape, Bureaucracy Read press release... Read More......

House Republicans Seek to Remove U.S. Funding for UN Climate Efforts

WASHINGTON—House Republicans are applying a search and destroy tactic to international funding for global warming this budget season. It goes like this: Ax any line items with the words "climate change."

Read more at SolveClimateNews.com
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House Republicans Unveil 'Pledge to America'

FOX NEWS, 9/23/2010 - House Republicans on Thursday rolled out their "Pledge to America," a sweeping conservative agenda that calls for reining in federal spending, permanently extending all of the Bush tax cuts, and repealing President Obama's signature health care law. Read more at Fox...

9/24 - But some conservatives denounce GOP ‘Pledge’ as sellout, inside job. Read More......

Oregon House: Bipartisan Legislation Passed in Special Session

In his March 5, 2010 newsletter, State Representative Greg Smith (R-HD 57) reports on bipartisan legislation passed during the February Special Session by the Oregon House of Representatives. See legislation...

• House Republicans pushed for legislation that would require legislators to wait before they can take high-paying positions in the executive branch. Though we were successful in passing the bill through the House, it was killed by Senate Democrats (HB 3638).
  
  
• To help unemployed workers, House Republicans supported extending unemployment
  benefits to an estimated 18,600 Oregonians who were about to exhaust their existing benefits (HB 3655).
  
  
• We supported giving tax credits to laid-off workers to obtain state tax deductions for investing their severance pay in starting an Oregon-based business (HB 3627).
  
  
• House Republicans supported legislation to prohibit insurers from denying coverage to sexual assault victims by treating their injuries as a preexisting condition (HB 3631).
  
  
• We worked to reform the Business Energy Tax Credit, which the Governor allowed to
  spiral out of control. We believe that savings from BETC reform should be re-directed to schools and other critical services (HB 3680).
  
  
• To fight waste and abuse in government, we supported expanding “whistleblower”
  protections for state employees (SB 996).
  
  
• House Republicans supported giving district attorney greater discretion in offering qualified veterans the option of diversion programs when convicted of certain crimes (SB 999).

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WSJ: Obama, Republicans Spar at House GOP Event

WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/29/2010 BY GREG HITT - BALTIMORE—President Barack Obama sparred Friday with House Republicans in an unusual 90-minute dialogue that exemplified the political gridlock prevailing in the nation's capital. ∴ At the House Republicans' annual issues retreat, Mr. Obama, at times combative and confident, challenged Republicans to find ways to work with his administration and Democrats in Congress and set aside the rhetoric that defined much of the political debate of the past year. ∴ President Obama sparred with House Republicans over job growth, the deficit and health care Friday. But was the unusual dialog a case of talking to each other or past each other? Read more at WSJ... Read More......

House Republicans Press Obama on Jobs Creation

WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/7/2009 by John D. McKinnon - House Republicans sent a letter to President Barack Obama today, pushing the administration to seek more business tax breaks as a way to boost the number of new jobs. Read story and see letter at WSJ... Read More......

House Republicans Unveil $700B Healthcare Plan

Repeated from Benton Co. Republicans July 31 Newsletter - House Republicans Unveil $700B Healthcare Plan
“We are introducing this bill because we support health care reform, but in a way that empowers patients.” This bill gives GOP lawmakers a positive plan to point to when they go home for the congressional August break.

The GOP plan was drafted by Rep. Tom Price, R-GA, a physician. It avoids expanding the federal role in overseeing the health insurance industry. Unlike Dem proposals, it would not set up new federally regulated purchasing pools for individuals and small businesses. Instead, it would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country.

The plan would offer tax deductions and tax credits to help make the purchase of health insurance more affordable for individuals. States, associations and small businesses would be allowed to pool together to offer less expensive insurance coverage. It would provide grants to states to help set up high-risk pools for people with medical problems who are denied coverage by commercial insurers. And it would allow employers to automatically sign workers up for the company’s coverage—similar to what’s done with 401 (k) retirement plans.

The GOP will would take on medical malpractice, limiting jury awards for pain and suffering and creating new health courts in which a specially trained judge would hear and decide cases involving medical negligence.

Republicans say their plan is fully paid for, but it hasn’t been assessed yet by the Congressional Budget Office, the official scorekeeper for the costs of legislation.

It’s unclear how far the plan would go in reducing the number of uninsured. Most independent analysts—and the insurance industry—say some sort of requirement to purchase insurance is needed to ensure coverage. Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) said “we believe we can come up with a plan where every person in the uninsured has access to insurance.” Read More......

Oregon House Republicans: Capitol Update 4/17/2009

Legislative Audits Bill Increases Accountability, Oversight of State Government
House Republicans today presented HB 2440 to create a Legislative Audits Office within the Oregon Legislature to conduct performance and management audits of state agencies and other state-funded programs. The bill, heard today in the House Administration Committee, would increase accountability and legislative oversight of state government.

"A new legislative audits office can help us establish measurable outcomes and goals, can help us make government work better and smarter, can help us be better watchdogs of the taxpayer's money," said Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), the bill's chief sponsor. "In addition to rooting out any potential problems, we can also look for programs that are working and try to duplicate those systems."

HB 2440 creates the Legislative Audits Office as a new function of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In addition to conducting management and performance audits, the office would be responsible for managing the Government Waste Hotline to investigate complaints about government waste and abuse.

Oregon currently gives the Secretary of State's Office the exclusive authority to audit state agencies. However, because the office is a part of the executive branch, House Republicans say the current system is incapable of producing independent analysis and data the Legislature can use to hold state agencies accountable.

"The Legislature is charged with writing budgets for tens of billions of dollars, yet we have no auditing authority over how those budgets are implemented," said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R- Roseburg). "To leave all auditing authority to the very branch of government on which audits are supposed to be conducted doesn't make sense."

Rep. Thatcher said HB 2440 would enable Oregon to join all other states that have given their legislatures the ability to directly audit state agencies. She said a Legislative Audits Office would enable the Legislature to proactively root out fraud and abuse before they're exposed in the media.

"Oregon appears to be the only state without some kind of auditing office in the legislative branch," Rep. Thatcher said. "The concept of an audits office is not new, but it has gained in importance as the state budget becomes more complex and we discover more and more instances where this kind of auditing function would have been helpful."

HB 2440 does not create a new agency or require new state employees because the bill would transfer a portion of staff from the Secretary of State's Audits Division to the Legislative Audits Office. After today's hearing, the bill is pending further action by the House Administration Committee.

Restructuring Oregon's auditing process, allowing the legislature to better monitor the spending and performance is a key part of Building a Better Oregon, the House Republicans' 2009 agenda.

Read full story here.

Video: 'Dean of the Oregon House' Reflects on State's Status as Unemployment Leader

Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Dean of the Oregon House, rose on the Floor this week to lament Oregon's new status as a national leader in unemployment. In the clip, Rep. Jenson reflects on how the state's policies on businesses and natural resources have affected the economy. In closing, he said "It's time to change direction."



Democrats Kill More Oregon Jobs, Pass Bill to Stop New Destination Resorts

Democrats passed HB 2227 this week to eliminate local control over siting of new destination resorts, giving a state agency the ability to stop new resorts and the new family-wage jobs they would create in rural Oregon. Republicans said the bill, passed by the House on a partisan vote, undermines Oregon's land use system and will prolong the state's economic recession.

"Why are we passing this bill now, when Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation?" Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) asked. "By discouraging future resort development, HB 2227 harms future economic development, future job creation and future tax revenues for our struggling rural communities." Watch Video

Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford) said HB 2227 sends the wrong message to businesses looking to locate or expand in Oregon. Because the legislation makes it virtually impossible for new destination resorts to be approved, businesses will look elsewhere for developing new resorts and hiring people to build and staff the resorts.

"New destination resorts in our state under this legislation will be virtually impossible to establish," said Rep. Esquivel, a member of the House Land Use Committee. "Any destination resort that has not completed an application through their county planning commission will not make the grade when this legislation passes. We ask ourselves everyday what is going on at the Capitol this session- business development or business 'un-development?'"

House Land Use Committee member Rep. Matt Wingard (R-Wilsonville) said HB 2227 represents another broken promise to rural Oregon. Without the ability to manage natural resources or attract tourism, rural Oregon's economy will continue to suffer from the decisions made by out-of-touch Willamette Valley politicians.

"When the state began the process of shutting down hundreds of mills throughout Oregon under pressure from environmental groups, the message that was delivered to rural Oregonians at the time was 'don't worry, you'll have tourism,'" Rep. Wingard said. "Passage of this bill shows there is really no interest in helping rural communities to attract tourism. It turns out, Oregon's environmental community lied. I feel very badly for the people of rural Oregon whose economic situation is not going to improve anytime soon thanks to passage of this bill." Watch Video

Online List Reveals 118 Proposed Tax And Fee Increases

Oregonians rushed to file tax returns before Wednesday's deadline, House Republicans released a list of 118 proposed tax and fee increases that are currently under consideration in the Democratic-controlled Legislature this session. The list, available on the caucus' Web site, suggests no Oregonians are safe from the threat of higher taxes and fees during this economic recession.

"We learned Monday that Oregon's unemployment has risen to more than 12 percent, yet the few who remain in the state's workforce will soon send more of their hard-earned dollars to Salem," said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg). "With Democrats in complete control of state government, the question is not whether taxes will be raised during this recession- but by how much."

The 2009 tax and fee list reveals new or increased income taxes, property taxes, health care taxes, and "sin" taxes, as well as new taxes on goods such as bird seed, computers and sporting equipment. Oregonians will also face higher tax burdens through the proposed elimination of dozens of tax credits and tax incentives and millions of dollars in new fees on everything from hunting licenses to death certificates.

As all private industrial sectors lose jobs, the Legislature is poised to raise dozens of tax and fee increases on Oregon's remaining businesses.

"Key industries are shedding jobs at a time when they are normally expected to be hiring," said Deputy Republican Leader Kevin Cameron (R-Salem). "With little demand in our economy, this is a bad time to take more money away from individuals and businesses."

Republican Whip Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) said House Republicans will call on the Legislature to refer major tax increases to the public for their approval.

"Oregonians expect the Legislature to fund core functions of government, and they deserve to have a voice on the hundreds of millions - potentially billions - of dollars in tax increases that are expected to pass this session," Rep. Maurer said. "Oregonians should choose whether massive tax increases are necessary for the long-term health of our state, or whether these tax increases further burden Oregonians in order to simply fulfill the Legislature's insatiable appetite for spending."

The 2009 Proposed Tax and Fee Increases list can be found here: tax bills.pdf. Check back for additions and updates as more bills are introduced or advanced through the legislative process. Read More......

Human Services Programs Held Hostage for Tax Increases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 4/3/2009 by Oregon House Republicans - SALEM—House Republicans today said state leaders are threatening to slash programs for low-income Oregonians if massive tax increases are not passed this session. The proposals include:

• Eliminating OHP Standard coverage for 28,000 Oregonians if the Legislature doesn’t pass an increased provider tax on Oregon hospitals.
• Eliminating OHP prescription drug coverage for adult clients if the Legislature doesn’t approve $110 million in tax increases on smokers and health care providers.
• Implementing an 83 percent cut to community alcohol and drug treatment if the Legislature doesn’t approve a beer tax increase.

“This budget approach demonstrates Salem politics at its worst,” said Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point). “Holding human services programs as ransom for tax increases- while holding other programs and agencies harmless- is a violation of public trust. It’s wrong to make pawns of Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens.” Read more here... Read More......

GOP drops convention's opening night as Gustav nears

Houston Cronicle
ST. PAUL, MINN. -- Haunted by the federal government's failed response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Republican Party today canceled its political program for Monday's portion of its national convention as Hurricane Gustav threatened parts of Louisiana.

"This is a time when we have to do away with our party politics and we have to act as Americans," soon-to-be official presidential candidate John McCain said from St. Louis in a video conference with hundreds of reporters here. "We are going to suspend most of our activities tomorrow except for those absolutely necessary."

Instead of the prime-time opening night that was to include speeches by President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as well as rhetoric to fire up voters for McCain, the party will spend less than three hours carrying out legal and parliamentary formalities during the afternoon and put the rest of the four-day convention on hold, officials said.

GOP leaders said they are offering to fly home delegates from Texas and the other Gulf states and that a dozen delegates from Louisiana had accepted.
Political fundraising activities at the convention will be morphed into charity events for hurricane relief, they said.

After the devastation of New Orleans in 2005, President Bush and other officials admitted serious flaws with relief and repair efforts.

"I have every expectation we will not see the mistakes of Katrina repeated," McCain said after telephone briefings with Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has canceled his trip to the convention, and with governors of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Officials said they were unsure when the convention could resume its normal presentation to the nation or whether it was certain McCain would appear here to accept the party's nomination.

"I hope and pray we will be able to resume some of our operations as soon as possible, but frankly, some of that is in the hands of God," McCain said.

Set back-to-back with last week's Democratic convention and nomination of Barack Obama, the GOP convention was expected to be the Republicans' showcase opportunity to feature McCain and running mate Sarah Palin to the world audience.

At least temporarily, Gustav has replaced the convention as the top national story.
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said it was inappropriate to ponder the political costs of delaying and perhaps toning down the McCain showcasing and verbal attacks on the Democrats.

"We really don't have the luxury of trying to evaluate the politics of this situation," Davis said. "Right now, we have a hurricane bearing down on the Gulf."

The hurricane was a prime topic of conversation among Texas Republican delegates, but for some here, the show needed to go on.

"Every parade gets rained on somewhere in the country, and so some folks are not going to be able to come," said delegate Borah Van Dormolen of Salado, who was a prominent speaker at the Texas GOP convention in Houston in June.

"But we are a party that lives by principles and lives by rules. We're here as delegates to nominate our presidential candidate," she said in a video interview with the Associated Press.

Preparations proceeded routinely on several fronts as police and the Secret Service set up security systems around the convention facility here. And the first anti-war protest marches commenced.

Delegate Cathie Adams, Republican National Committeewoman-elect and president of the Texas Eagle Forum, said the GOP has important business to accomplish at the convention, although her thoughts are with the people affected by the hurricane.

"First of all, no one can take the excitement away that I have for this ticket," Adams said. "But I also think that we are here to do the business of the party, and so this is not a vacation."

She said concern for people in the hurricane's path is uppermost in delegates' minds: "Our hearts, our prayers go out to those people."

But, she added, "Everything that can be done is being done."

Texas delegate Gale Sayers, of Converse, said that "whatever the RNC decides to do, I'll take part in...I spent a lot of time volunteering in shelters during Hurricane Katrina. God is the one in charge of nature ... I'm not worried and whatever they do, I'll take part in."

But she also said she was "excited to be here spreading the pro-life and conservative message."

Instead of delivering what was expected to be a political farewell speech of sorts on Monday, Bush will meet with emergency workers in Austin and San Antonio and then go to Louisiana when conditions permit, according to the White House.

"(Bush) is fully committed to throw all the assets of the federal government into this fight," Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff said.

In Ohio, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said he will mobilize some of his supporters to provide relief work and money to hurricane victims if needed.
"I think we can activate an e-mail list of a couple of million people who want to give back," he said, according to AP.

Obama said he might visit storm-damaged areas when practical.

Bush today was at the FEMA Operations Center in Washington, thanking workers and monitoring preparations for the storm's landfall.

"There's been a lot of work done to get ready for the storm," Bush said. "Across the Gulf Coast, there's governors and state officials and local leaders that are taking this storm very seriously and are preparing proactively."

As the weekend progressed, White House officials took pains to demonstrate vigorous engagement in storm preparedness. Bush said that federal officials had teams of emergency managers, doctors and ambulances and aircraft on standby throughout the storm's target region.

"The message to the people of the Gulf Coast is, this storm is dangerous," Bush said. "It is very important for you to follow the instructions and direction of state and local officials. Do not put yourself in harm's way or make rescue workers take unnecessary risks.

"And know that the American people stand with you," Bush said. "We'll face this emergency together."

In a phone call early today, Bush told New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin that he was "getting ready to go through this with him again," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

Chronicle reporter Julie Mason contributed from Washington. Chronicle reporter Richard Dunham contributed from St. Paul. Read More......

Oregon House Republicans: On Health Care Reform

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2008

House Republicans Announce Plan to Reduce Health Care Costs, Reform State Regulations
SALEM--House Republicans today announced they'll introduce 2009 legislation to reduce health care costs by reforming Oregon's health insurance regulations. The plan expands consumer choice by enabling Oregonians to purchase more affordable health insurance policies that are currently unavailable in the state.

"The Legislature continues to pass new health insurance benefit mandates that, though well-intentioned, create inefficiencies and drive up the costs of health care<" said Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass). "For example, state regulations currently require a 25-year-old male to purchase a policy that covers his mammography screenings and birth control pills. By reforming these laws, we can enable more Orgonians to obtain the health care the need."

The plan allows Oregonians to purchase policies without the expensive mandates, and consumers would be informed of the benefits that wouldn't be covered. Oregonians can continue to obtain conventional policies with mandaged coverage if they choose to purchase them.

"Any effort to reform Oregon's health care system must include an honest discussion on insurance benefit mandates and their affect on rising health care costs," Rep. Maurer said. "Changing these costly regulations is an important first step toward making health care more affordable and accessible to all Oregonians."

The proposal is part of the House Republicans' 2009 agenda, Building a Better Oregon.

Contact: Nick Smith (503) 986-1351
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