Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon lawmakers gather Monday for a session that -- for once -- is not marked by a budget shortfall.

Last week, Oregon voters approved tax increases that make balancing the state budget easier. But that doesn't mean the session will be without controversy, as Chris Lehman reports.

The most high profile question confronting Oregon lawmakers is whether to go further in pushing a tax agenda.

After last week's tax vote, Governor Ted Kulongoski proposed big changes to the state's kicker law. His plan would mean part of the money that would be refunded to taxpayers would instead be set aside in a rainy day fund.

That would require a constitutional amendment since Oregon voters enshrined the one of a kind kicker law in the state constitution in 2000.

Another topic for this four-week session of the legislature is the legislature itself: Lawmakers have begun regularly calling themselves into session every year. But the Oregon Constitution sets an every-other-year schedule. Now, some want to ask voters to sign off on annual sessions.

Oregon lawmakers will also tackle a bill to ban the chemical known as BPA from children's food and drink containers like sippy cups.

Another item on the agenda:  Extending unemployment benefits to an estimated 18,000 Oregonians.

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