Adding to the picture, Senate leaders may call for cuts in the Oregon Health Plan if the March 1 economic forecast as anticipated projects falling state tax revenues. Options are limited because some insurers and providers already are exploring whether to continue to serve OHP clients because of reimbursement levels they view as too low. That leaves trimming the number of people eligible for coverage and the services they receive. The automobile club played an instrumental role in referring a gas tax increase approved by the 1999 legislature to voters last spring, then campaigning vigorously to assure Measure 82 was soundly defeated. In defeating Measure 82, AAA officials said they would propose a simple gas tax increase in the 2001 session, without any other side issues.
Work is underway to craft bipartisan legislation to address Oregon's energy crisis.
Lawmakers want to include incentives for energy conservation as well as an exemption from strict siting requirements for temporary energy generating and renewable energy facilities. The legislation also will contain provisions that are necessary to implement Oregon's electricity restructuring plan in accordance with compromise rules approved by the Oregon Public utility Commission. The plan is to move the bill quickly, perhaps through a joint House-Senate committee, and have the legislation on the Governor's desk by the middle of March. Aides to Governor Kitzhaber are involved in reviewing energy plant siting and conservation provisions that will go into the bill. One reason public schools feel financial pressure is the rising cost of providing special education, especially to profoundly handicapped children.