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Bill Swindells's comments:

on Measures 63 and 64

Re: 64

Ask Ms. Fraine which industries spend more on lobbying than the public employees unions. There are none.

I generally oppose initiatives as a bad way to govern. The problem being that, when a good one comes, it has no credibility.

I think there is a conspiracy* concealing the overwhelming power the public employees unions (which is not to disrespect the employees) have for campaigns and lobbying. Their interests are put well ahead of the taxpayers and the citizens receiving government services.

* - In trying to research Union lobbying expenditures, I found articles highlighting Oregon's lax reporting of lobbying expenditures. The elected officials that benefit from PE Union campaign contributions and lobbying support, are protecting them from scrutiny.

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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on Homeroom Economics

As usual, Mr. Sizemore's initiative is attacking a simple component, and not the issue. The issue is teacher quality. The Step system isn't the problem, but it needs to be enhanced with a carrot and a stick. The CLASS project is a good carrot. Professional Development dollars are another good one.

As for the stick: a district or principal has to be able to fire a bad teacher. And not based on test scores, but on profession proficiency. In short, teachers need to be treated like, and held to the standards of professionals, not assembly line workers.

And you have to make it easier for people who are unhappy teaching to access their accrued benefits, so they can make a career change. Unenthusiastic teachers will stay, just to keep their retirement benefits. Non-portable benefits are at the heart of the union's power. These few uncommitted teachers at the top of the scale are a factor in younger teachers leaving.

Most private schools pay less than public, and without public employee benefits, but they have great teachers waiting in line to teach because 1) they are around kids and families committed to learning and 2) they are not burdened by the child services responsibilities that government puts on public schools.

posted 5 years ago
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on Memorize This

In comparing international math scores, The Economist magazine found little correlation to money and class size, but a strong correlation to traditional practices like memorizing multiplication tables and geometric theorems.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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on Assessing the Assessment

This would account for things like Foreign Investment, depletion of natural resources, and investment in infra-structure.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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on Assessing the Assessment

Could you do something like Change in Investment:

Beginning Capital, plus income, less expenses (including non-cash: pollution, in-kind), plus contribution to capital, less depletion of capital equals Ending Capital

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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on Domestic Partnerships vs. Initiative Process

I almost always vote against initiatives, even if I agree with them in principle, because the implementation and unintended consequences are usually disastrous. David Broder wrote a good book on this: 'Democracy Derailed". It illustrates how big, out-of-state money makes the initiative process actually very UN-democratic.

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780156014106-1

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posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on The U of O's Bank Shot

As frustrating and distasteful as it sounds, college sports are a major part of the student experience. In the extreme, if you eliminated sports, a large number of Oregon kids would seek an education outside of the State. And 2/3rds of college grads remain in the state where they went to college.

I'm a former UO Foundation board chair. 90% of my personal giving is to academics and 10% to the athletic department. I'm not a sports nut, but I see the arena as an integral part of the overall ability of the UO to serve the State of Oregon.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on The U of O's Bank Shot

UO's success with its $600 million campaign has inspired OSU to have a campaign. They say they are now half way there.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on The U of O's Bank Shot

A - It is not the most expensive. They've surveyed. I think it is Tennessee that's spending $250mm.

B - The UO Athletic department is extremely well run, being one of a hand full in America that runs at a surplus, not drawing from the University's General Fund. Repaying the bonds from athletic operations and donors has been independently reviewed.

and C - A topic for another show: Oregon's system of higher education has one of the most backwards and restrictive forms of governance in the western U.S. The legislature gets to way in on a huge number issues besides major capital expenditures: including tuition, how to offer aid, professor's salaries... to name a just a few.

If Oregon is going to remain competitive with Washington and California, as well as the world, a more progressive form of State governance must be adopted.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on The State of the Economy

Notice how both parties can completely set aside the issue of the Deficit when it comes to handing out money to voters. But handing out money is a better short term solution than the Fed trying to fix the Economy with low interest rates. That tactic will lead to '70s era inflation.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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