Upcoming Community Forums

 

Mt Angel Library Map

Mt. Angel Candidate Forum

Monday, October 13, 2008
at Mt. Angel Library 7-9 pm

Visit the Mt. Angel Public Library for a chance to ask the candidates of District B18 the questions you care about.


Comcast Newsmakers Video


Vic Gilliam:   Balanced Leadership for Oregon Families

“I have always known Vic Gilliam to take a thoughtful, fair and balanced approach to any problem.

From veterans’ issues to energy relief, he is a man who will work across party lines for solutions.  This is a very good quality in a legislator.

I would encourage you to vote for Rep. Vic Gilliam.  I am confident that he is the best candidate to represent us in the Legislature.”

Sherry Stock
Molalla Resident

Vic Gilliam:   Real Change for Oregon Seniors & Families

“Vic Gilliam is not the status quo.  Every day he seeks real change for struggling Oregon families.  Unlike his opponent he will not raise taxes on seniors and families.  The difference is clear.”

Jason Williams
Taxpayer Association of Oregon PAC

Vic Gilliam:   Common Sense Spending for Oregon Families

“Vic Gilliam will protect the family budget first.  His record in the Legislature speaks loud and clear and he is always looking for ways to stretch tax dollars.  Vic Gilliam believes government must tighten its belt just like families and small businesses across Oregon have.”

John Killin
Oregon Small Business Coalition

 

Oregon Agriculture Support Vic Gilliam:

  • Oregon Farm Bureau
  • Clackamas County Farm Bureau
  • Oregon Seed Council
  • Oregon Family Farm Association PAC
  • Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
  • Oregonians for Food and Shelter
  • AG-PAC

“Vic Gilliam is astrong voice for Oregon’s family farmer and our agriculture community in the Legislature.  We need him back in Salem fighting for us!”

Glenn Goschie
Farmer, Silverton


Vic Gilliam Is Also Endorsed By:

  • Oregon State Police Officers Association
  • The Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance
  • Oregon Business Association
  • The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association

Vote Vic Gilliam.
Balance. Real Change. Common Sense.

 

 

Issues

Jobs

This session, I introduced the Oregon Stability and Investment Plan, aimed to grow the economy and create new jobs for Oregon families by reducing Oregon’s high capital gains tax. The plan would have boosted private investments in Oregon businesses and employees. Unfortunately, the only provision of the plan that successfully made it through the process was the creation of a Rainy Day Fund. While I objected to the way we seized money for this fund, I am pleased it is at least now in place.

Unfortunately, House leadership passed hundreds of new regulations and $856 million in new taxes and fees on Oregon taxpayers and small businesses. Despite these setbacks to our economy, I will continue my efforts to create a business-friendly Oregon and bring common sense to state budgeting.

Classrooms

Strong economic growth allowed us to increase the K-12 budget by more than $1 billion - allowing school districts to reduce class sizes. (An extra $3 million for Silverton/ Molalla schools!)

As a strong supporter of efficiency and accountability I wish we could have seen more in this direction. I supported HB 2613, requested by the Chalkboard Project, requiring mandatory audits of school districts. Unfortunately, House leadership pushed a weaker alternative, making the audits voluntary.

We passed HB 2263, an overhaul of our educational testing requirements. This bill abolishes CIM/CAM tests, streamlines evaluation standards to reduce bureaucracy; all while maintaining accountability in our classrooms.

Seniors

Senior citizens are a top priority for me. That’s why I fought efforts to cut vital senior programs such as Oregon Project Independence, which allows many seniors to receive care in their own home.

I also voted to increase the quality of long-term care by boosting much-needed support to nursing facility staff.

I supported enhanced funding for Area Agencies on Aging, which provide important long-term care programs to seniors.

I voted to make prescription drugs more affordable by supporting legislation to expand access to the Oregon Prescription Drug Program.

Property Rights

This was perhaps one of the most difficult battles of the session. I opposed the referral in HB 3540, now Measure 49. Key legislative input was not only ignored, many decisions were made behind closed doors, using disgraceful partisan tricks. This ill-conceived measure will place severe restrictions on Measure 37 claims, and eliminate most claims entirely.

While Measure 37 is not perfect, the legislative referral Measure 49 is not the solution. We must get serious about proposing real bipartisan adjustments to Measure 37.

You, the voters, will have to once again send the Legislature a clear message about protecting your private property rights – and hopefully this time they’ll listen!

Public Safety

Oregon State Police play a critical role in keeping our rural highways safe and moving as traffic and population increases. They also play a vital role in the fight against meth.

I vigorously supported HB 3535 to dedicate 1% of the General Fund to the Oregon State Police Patrol Division. HB 3535 would provide funding to hire 139 additional state troopers, the number necessary to restore 24/7 coverage to highways. House leadership rejected attempts to pass this bill twice.

The final budget for OSP did include money to hire 100 additional troopers. Hopefully the next session will combat the hypocrisy of a legislature that approved millions for their own refurbished offices (which I opposed) while leaving our Troopers under funded.

Immigration

Facing a growing illegal immigration problem, I supported two key bills to address these problems: HB 3553 and HB 3554.

HB 3553 would toughen penalties for human trafficking, and remove prohibitions on police from enforcing immigration laws. It also would require prosecutors to investigate the immigration status of convicted criminals.

HB 3554 would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, proof of legal presence to get a driver’s license, and provide whistleblower protection to state employees who report suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities.

Unfortunately, both of these bills were defeated this session, but I will continue to work towards solutions in the future.

Crime

I have zero-tolerance for sexual predators. I supported extending statutes of limitations for sex crimes and creating a new crime of on-line sexual corruption of a child.

I also co-sponsored HB 3429, which increases mandatory sentencing for repeat property crimes, burglary, car theft, and identity theft. With the rise of meth-related crimes, offenders must face tougher sentences for subsequent convictions. It’s important that we hold those who continually disregard our laws accountable and protect innocent Oregonians. Unfortunately, this bill didn’t make it out of the House.

There is still a lot to be done in this area, especially with the exponential expansion of online solicitation of our kids. I will continue to work toward tougher laws and punishments on those who prey on our children.

Environment

With gas prices continuing to rise, I feel very strongly that Oregon can – and should – be a leader in exploring natural and renewable alternatives. We need to support renewable energy policies that are both cost effective and energy efficient. Hydrogen energy is one example of using Oregon’s unique resources, allowing for the production and storage of hydrogen. Oregon is an ideal fit for the production and usage of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

Both the process and the by-product of hydrogen are environmentally friendly and utilize our existing, and sometimes struggling, natural resource economy while reducing our reliance on traditional fuel. I will continue to explore this issue in the Legislature.