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OPINION The Governor's
New Math "I believe we're going to have to bring additional resources to the table, and I'm willing to provide some leadership." --Gov. John Kitzhaber, With these words, Gov. Kitzhaber allowed a glimmer of light into the opaque chasm of Oregon's school-funding crisis. Even with his curiously cautious use of the word "some," it was still the first indication that the governor wants to be part of the solution. This new attitude represents a sea change for Kitzhaber, who admits his original $4.55 billion budget for K-12 schools is deficient. There are many reasons the governor is coming around. For one thing, he is wearing down under constant barbs from school parents and civic leaders. Even some Republicans--from mad dog conservative Rep. Bill Witt to moderate Labor Commissioner Jack Roberts--are looking like big spenders by comparison. He's also taking a beating on editorial pages across the state. Last week's Daily Astorian, for example, asked, "Why has our governor given the education spotlight to someone else? ... Why such a disappearing act...?" In addition, the governor cannot ignore the report issued last week by Republican Rep. Lynn Lundquist--a report that Kitzhaber himself has been calling for. The study claims that in order for 90 percent of Oregon school children to achieve state standards, the state will need $5.6 billion this biennium, $1 billion more than Kitzhaber's education budget. The governor is also concerned that if he doesn't find money for schools, Republicans will--by taking it from the program nearest to his heart, the Oregon Health Plan (a program whose expenses have skyrocketed and for which he is seeking a 24 percent increase this biennium). Finally, it's just possible that Kitzhaber, who is said to be desperately searching for something on which to hang his gubernatorial hat, now believes that solving school funding could be that legacy. Not addressing this issue could place him on the scrap heap of failed leaders, sort of a New Carissa of Oregon politics. Whatever triggered last week's comments, they represent a new attitude. Kitzhaber spokesman Bob Applegate confirmed to WW that his boss now thinks it's time to look for additional revenue, though he has no specific plans. Look for something in a couple of weeks, Applegate says. Among the options Kitzhaber might consider: * An increase in the corporate income tax: Republicans may go nuts over this one, but the fact is that Oregon's personal income-tax rate is among the highest in the nation, while our corporate tax rate could be taken up a notch without making us uncompetitive. * Local option: Now that the state is providing all schools with a base of financial support, local districts should be able to raise their own taxes. * Adjusting Measure 5: Currently, the law restricts property taxes to $15 per $1,000 of assessed value. Ten of those dollars go to local governments, five to schools. As a consequence, local governments, in many cases, have more money than they know what to do with while a number of school districts are strapped. Readjusting this formula (which would require voter approval) would solve the school problem without raising taxes. There's still time to weigh the options. The important thing is that our governor has finally taken a small but important step toward leadership.
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