Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) has been appointed by House Speaker Tina Kotek to the following committee assignments for the upcoming 2017 Legislative Session:
▪ House Revenue Committee
▪ Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Co-Vice Chair
▪ Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government, Co-Chair
▪ Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction
▪ Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization
▪ Joint Committee on Tax Credits
▪ Joint Committee on Legislative Administration
“I am honored that my colleagues have appointed me to these positions,” said Smith. “What Oregon needs now are problem-solvers dedicated to finding the center-ground where we can craft a budget that works for all Oregonians. A budget the business community can support, public employees can support, and a budget that supports Oregon families. Such a budget has been achieved in the past and can be done again.”
Members of the 2017 Legislative Assembly will be heading into a session facing significant decisions. One of those decisions is addressing the state’s impending $1.7-$1.9 billion budget shortfall for the 2017-19 biennium. Governor Brown, who released her proposed budget a few weeks ago, is calling for significant revenue increases along with proposed cuts in state spending. Representative Smith’s appointments to both the House Revenue Committee and Joint Committee on Ways and Means will place him in the middle of both conversations.
Both Democrat and GOP members also want to pass a large transportation package. The package is anticipated to make significant investments in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure, such as ports, bridges, intermodal facilities, roads, transit, and more. The goal of the package will be to preserve and modernize Oregon’s transportation system while implementing seismic upgrades.
Oregon’s looming PERS liability, which has climbed to over $20 billion, will be another topic of conversation. Serving as co-chair of the Subcommittee on General Government, which crafts the PERS agency budget, Smith will be working with leadership to discuss the management of the unfunded liability.
In addition to a budget shortfall, a transportation investment package, and PERS liability, the state will be discussing where to spend its bonding capacity for capital improvements. Smith will continue to serve on the Subcommittee on Capital Construction, where all large state capital investments are determined, and where Smith has seen past success in bringing investments to Eastern Oregon.
“Oregonians expect their taxes to be spent on programs that provide value such as making their communities safe, providing quality education, and extending compassion to those in need,” said Smith. “As we move forward in tackling the issues before us, I am ready to roll-up my sleeves and get to work in finding common ground and creating a budget that funds a government that works for everyone and delivers the services Oregonians expect.”
Smith represents House District 57, which includes Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman, and Wasco Counties. On Jan .9, 2017, he will be sworn in for his ninth consecutive term in the Oregon House of Representatives, placing him as the longest-serving member of the House GOP Caucus, and tied as the longest-serving of the 60-member House of Representatives.
