Sent 8/16/2002 ''see responses below''
Honorable Rep. Rosenbaum:
I hope you have the strength to see that schools need increased long term funding instead of short-term borrowing. I find it disturbing that the school lobby is raising it's voice now to protect such dysfunctional funding, instead of back before the special sessions, when they could have lobbied the Republicans for meaningful education funding consistant with "compassionate conservatism".
The state government of Oregon has backed itself into a tight, dark corner in respects to funding schools. It's a sad testiment to the controlling party that education takes such a low priority that funds have to be allocated with Enron-style accounting techniques.
I cc'd Rep. Simmons on this email for the sole purpose of letting him know how disgusted I was to read his quote in the Oregonion where he gleefully noted the difficulty of the Democrats and stated, "I'm interested to see if they have the courage to step up and do what's right for schools." Anyone who hasn't lived in a cave for the past year knows how the Republicans have hung schools out to dry, and this statement was enough to make me want to move to Rep. Simmons district just to vote against him.
Please have the courage to stand firm on both vetos. As voters, we know it's sometimes better to do things right than to take the easy way out. With any luck the silver lining to this year's legislative mess will be a "house" cleaning during the next elections.
--
GeneMerrill
Portland, OR
97214
Response from Rep. Rosenbaum
Thank you for writing to me about the Governor's vetoes of SB1022 and HB4056. I voted against both of the bills the Governor has vetoed because I believe they are short-sighted accounting tricks that borrow from our children's future to pay current expenses. I will carefully weigh your comments before deciding how to vote in the upcoming Special Session.
What is clearly needed is a long-term solution that gets beyond band-aids and gimmicks. I am committed to making that happen. I have fought long and hard against cuts to schools. I am very concerned about the schools and will continue to advocate for new revenues, opposing these devastating cuts. I want you to know that your input is important to me, and I am committed to fighting for adequate funding for schools.
I welcome any additional input from you. Receiving such comments assists me in understanding the concerns of citizens in my district. Please feel free to contact my office with any comments or questions you may have on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Diane M. Rosenbaum
State Representative
House District 42
Response from Rep. Simmons (who I slammed)
Thank you, Gene, for taking the time to share your thoughts with me about the governor's vetoes. I appreciate hearing how you feel about this matter.