SALEM, OR – On the first day of the 2023 Legislative Session, House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R- Prineville) and Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R- Bend) sent a letter to Senate President Rob Wagner (D – Lake Oswego) and Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) to address the legislature’s fiscal responsibility.
“In December of 2022, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Chief Financial Office indicated revenues will be short about $560 million of expected government spending this upcoming fiscal biennium. When government spending gets out of hand, government should revisit its scope and size,” said the Republican Leaders in the letter. “Thus, we are requesting that the Legislative Assembly carry out its duty and obligation to fiscal responsibility in this Session. We request the Assembly exercise its
authority and hold committee hearings which identify fiscal issues and solutions, ensuring that government spending is effectual.”
The Republican Leaders highlighted five areas of concern looking ahead to the
Legislative Session:
• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
• Housing and Homelessness
• Wildfire Relief
• Drought Relief
• K-12 Summer Enrichment
“We request a public and transparent committee process, early in the Session, to provide clear oversight from the Assembly, to further understand public expenditure, and to discuss the role and scope of government,” said the Republican Leaders in the letter.
The final letter is attached.
