Our Town wants to expand our readers’ familiarity with the views of candidates on the November ballot for District 18 representative in the state legistlature. In this edition we publish the response to the second of three questions. Responses from challenger Jim Gilbert and incumbent Vic Gilliam are in the candidates’ own words. The question was:
Aging schools across the state are in dire shape as districts have financed immediate classroom needs by postponing infrastructure repairs. What can the state legislature do during the next term to stabilize education funding and see that Oregon’s children are educated in safe facilities?
JIM GILBERT
When pioneers first came to Oregon, the schools they built were often one-room buildings, constructed by the whole community. They took much pride and effort into building them. Today our communities still recognize that educating our children remains one of the foundations of our society. Like the generations before us, we all recognize that a solid education is vital to our children’s future, to Oregon’s economic success, and to the future of our democratic form of government.
Adequate and stable funding for teaching and for building and maintaining schools is essential for the functioning of our education system and for the success of our students. Because of an initiative passed in the 1990’s, school funding no longer comes from local property taxes, but now comes from the State General Fund. Since the General Fund is supported primarily by income tax receipts, school funding is subject to the ups and downs of Oregon’s economy.
Funding our schools should first include continual review and auditing to make sure our taxpayer dollars are being used where they are needed – in the classrooms! At the same time, we need to make sure there is money available to support our schools during downturns in our economy. I strongly support continuing and strengthening the Rainy Day Fund which was established by the 2007 legislature. This fund created a state savings account, which not only provided funds for school operations, but also improved Oregon’s credit rating and will save taxpayers millions of dollars in reduced interest costs. Even though this common-sense solution was supported by most Oregon leaders and business organizations, my opponent, the incumbent, voted against it.
While many aging school buildings have leaky roofs, inadequate insulation, and other issues, fixing these problems has been difficult because of a lack of funds. In addition, economic conditions have made taxpayers reluctant to approve new bond measures.
As your State Representative I will work to increase the authority of school districts to charge developers a percentage of the cost of new homes and industrial development. These funds will help pay for new buildings and repairing older schools.
Keeping our schools safe should be our top priority. Repairing roofs, floors, and doing other maintenance is essential for preventing even more expensive repairs in the future. I will advocate for a thorough assessment of the condition of our schools and work to find state funds to help make necessary repairs. I will also work to make parents and citizens more aware of the condition of our schools and enlist their support in maintaining them.
VIC GILLIAM
Education funding is tied to the state of Oregon’s economy. The best way to ensure that children receive a world- class education and go to school in safe buildings is to create a robust business climate that encourages job growth. When businesses and families are doing well our schools including teachers, students and yes, facilities also will do well.
As your State Representative I will continue to advocate for a healthier state tax structure including the elimination of the capital gains tax and estate tax to stimulate investment and local job creation. In the upcoming session the legislature must also restructure the outdated tax brackets so that working families get relief. The resulting economic growth will put Oregon’s education on a strong foundation for the future.
We also need to remain vigilant that education dollars are going to things like teacher salaries, technology, text books and reducing class sizes. Too much money spent on administration can take away from classroom learning. Every dollar possible needs to be squeezed into direct child interaction.
My own children have been attending the Silver Falls School District for the past 16 years and we are fortunate in Silverton and Mt. Angel to have school districts committed to these principles. But, we also have serious infrastructure needs.
In addition to serving as your State Representative I am also a homeowner and property tax payer. I will continue to support a business atmosphere and tax structure that encourages educational choice from home schooling to charter schools and that also provides our public school districts an opportunity to thrive and provide replacement of aging facilities.
