Oregon Public Broadcasting

The final gavel has dropped.  The 2009 Oregon Legislature wrapped up business at 9:45 Monday night. 

Lawmakers beat their self-imposed deadline to adjourn by one day.  But the debate over their accomplishments is not ending. 

Two possible referenda on tax increases are in the works. 

Lawmakers plan to return to the capitol next February, perhaps to deal with the aftermath of what voters decide.  Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

During the closing hours of the 2009 Oregon legislative session, a small group of lawmakers and staffers climbed the 121 steps to the top of the capitol rotunda. 

Senators Chris Telfer and Jason Atkinson enjoy the view from the top of the capitol on the final day of the 2009 Oregon Legislative session.

With state office buildings and the capitol mall in full view, Jason Atkinson -- a Republican Senator and well-known history buff -- treated his audience to tales of Oregonians of yore.

Jason Atkinson:  "...That is the only building on the campus that matches the architecture of the site of the second capitol...."

Down below in the Senate chambers, Senate President Peter Courtney waxed historical as well. 

The Legislature met during one of the most challenging financial periods in Oregon 150 years.  In the state's sesquicentennial year, Courtney compared lawmakers to pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

Peter Courtney:  "Like the lanterns carried before the wagons, you have lighted the way.  Each and every one of you, in your own way, creating a path, I believe, for a better future for Oregon, my Oregon."

Not long after that, six months of work came to an end.

Peter Courtney:  "I now declare the 75th Legislative Assembly adjourned Sine Die."

The over-riding theme of the legislative session this year was how to resolve a $4 billion budget deficit.  But lawmakers also passed bills that may have a more noticeable effect on your everyday life. 

For instance, starting in January you won't be allowed to use a hand-held cell phone while youíre behind the wheel in Oregon. 

That was one of a slew of bills that passed in the closing days of session.  It squeaked through, over strong opposition from lawmakers like Republican Senator Jeff Kruse.

Jeff Kruse:  "It is a stupid bill.  I mean, we're talking about distracted driving.  Somebody could have swerved because they reached for a McDonald's fry and couldn't find the ketchup."

Speaking of McDonald's french fries, you'll soon know how many calories they have thanks to another bill that cleared the Legislature this year.  The measure requires chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. 

Bills like that get people talking, but cuts to state programs could end up having a more profound impact on the state. 

Lawmakers cut funding to schools and public safety programs.  They voted to raise the gas tax.  And they passed a pair of controversial tax hikes on corporations and upper-income Oregonians. 

Majority Democrats used those two measures to balance the budget. 

House Speaker Dave Hunt said the revenue will prevent even deeper cuts to state services.

Dave Hunt:  "There is a natural limit that you can't go beyond or you start really cutting into the bone of public serves.   And I think we've hit that level.  I hope we haven't exceeded it."

But anti-tax groups and several business organizations vow to bring the fight over those tax hikes to voters. 

Lobbyist Mark Nelson is helping to organize a signature gathering campaign to force the issue to the ballot.  Nelson says lawmakers are making a bad situation worse.

Mark Nelson:  "It singled out, in effect, a 'Let's tax the rich' kind of approach. And it is in our mind (a) job killing tax proposal that we believe will hurt the economy and hurt jobs in Oregon."

Human services advocates like John Mullin are already gearing up to fight the effort to overturn the tax hikes.

John Mullin:  "We'll be working to make sure that voters understand the consequences of the action because we think legislators did the right thing."

If the tax opponents can successfully gather 55,000 signatures over the next three months, Oregon voters would weigh in on the tax hikes at a special election in January.

Lawmakers already plan to return to the capitol for a four week special session in February.  If voters reject the tax increase, the Legislature might end up having to balance the budget again. 

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