Republicans: New laws are economic ‘lumps of coal’

Published 6:40 am Thursday, December 17, 2015

With the end of a tumultuous year in Oregon government drawing to a close, Senate Republicans highlighted a number of new laws they believe will harm working families and small businesses in the new year.

“Senate Democrats insisted on new laws that increase the cost of living for Oregon families and small businesses,” said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) in a press release. “Oregonians will get ‘lumps of coal’ in the stocking of Oregon’s economy this year because of Democrat leaders who value partisan projects and padding state agency budgets over helping small businesses and families thrive.”

Bills passed by the Democrat majority absent bipartisan support during the 2015 legislative session going into effect Jan. 1 include:

• A $55 increase in car insurance premiums for most vehicles (SB 411)

• Increases in hunting and fishing licenses, the first of three between now and 2020 (SB 247)

• New animal nuisance lawsuits against small family farmers (HB 2888)

• Expensive mandatory paid time off for requirements for small businesses (SB 454)

• New authority for BOLI to issue warrants, liens and garnishments on small businesses (SB 468)

Senate Republicans also warned of new Democrat proposals coming during the February 2016 short legislative session that will further cripple Oregon’s economy, including a minimum wage as high as $15 per hour and a new cap and trade scheme.