Oregon Business Association

OBA Policy Commitees Take on Tough Issues

Good Government Committee, Chair: Bob Barton, Cosgrave Vergeer Kester

• Liability Caps – Should the state have caps on liability for public sector entities?
• Initiative Reform – Does the current initiative system work for Oregon?
• Legislative Process – What changes are needed to make the Legislature more effective?

Environment Committee, Chair: Chris Rich, Perkins Coie LLP

• Climate and Energy – Should Oregon adopt a program to cap carbon emissions? How can we maximize economic opportunities and maintain economic viability?
• Bottle Bill – Should Oregon expand the bottle bill and establish separate redemption centers?
• Land Use – Should Oregon reduce restrictions on land use? How can we balance the needs of farming, environment, infrastructure development and economic expansion?

Health Policy Committee, Chair: Ross Dwinell, Western Benefits Inc.

• Oregon Health Fund Board – What changes need to be made to the Delivery System? How will we fund Universal Access?
• Workforce Issues – How will we address the provider shortage that exist now and will become more pronounced with increased access?
• Regulatory and Licensing Boards – Are health care regulatory and licensing boards representative of the interests of the public or the interest of stakeholders?

Business & Finance Committee, Chair: Randy Miller, The Moore Company

• Corporate Minimum Tax – Should Oregon increase the corporate minimum tax? What is the appropriate method and level?
• Mortgage Lending – How can we prevent mortgage lending practices from harming our economic future?
• Immigration – How can Oregon maintain a viable labor supply?

Education Committee, Co-Chair: Liz Denecke, Miller Nash LLP

• Full Day K / Universal Pre-K – Should the state provide Head Start to every eligible Oregon child? Should the state provide full day kindergarten as part of K-12 funding?
• Workforce Development – How do we redesign Oregon’s workforce development system to better serve the needs of business?
• Education Reform / Accountability – What changes are needed with the education system to justify the continuing investment of state dollars in K-12 education?

Transportation Committee, Chair: KC Cooper, The JD White Company

• Columbia River Crossing – Is a replacement bridge the best remedy for I-5 interstate congestion?
• Regional Transportation Funding – Should local entities seek funding opportunities distinct from statewide proposals?
• Transportation Investment Act of 2009 – Will we be able to pass a major investment in transportation infastructure?

Climate Friendly Transportation

An OBA Climate Friendly Transportation Committee developed a series of climate friendly recommendations that have been submitted for consideration as part of Governor Kulongoski’s 2009 Transportation Package.