Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Rep. Cannon discusses rebalancing the 2007-09 budget

Photos and story by Dana Haynes

Voting for the rebalance on the 2007-09 budget was not, by anybody’s reckoning, a piece of cake. It was a tough call to make. As always, when you’re rebalancing a budget during a revenue shortfall, somebody wins and somebody loses.

Rep. Ben Cannon, District 46, put it this way in his most recent newsletter:

“…here’s the major takeaway: The citizens who came to lobby me in the Capitol, who attended my town hall meetings and coffee shop conversations, and who corresponded with me via e-mail, phone and my online dialogues, made it clear that losing school days was not an acceptable option.

“Largely in response to this outpouring of support all across the state, legislators supported a new proposal that added an additional $51 million from federal stimulus funds … to help keep schools open for a full school year this spring. It’s a policy that strikes a balance between funding a full school year and holding some of the one-time money in reserves.

“While tough economic times have forced us to make uncomfortable decisions about the budget, I believe that citizen involvement has played a crucial role in giving legislators the courage to stand up for our core principles, protect Oregon’s families in the difficult months ahead, and prepare for better days to come.”

See? This is the reason I harp about getting involved and giving your opinion to our lawmakers. They really do hear us. They really do listen. And the really do mold their actions, in part, on the will of the people. It sounds Pollyannaish, but it’s true.

More information on PCC and the Legislature.

dana