By REBECCA BARRETT
For the Gazette-Times | Posted: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:00 am
Interim representative looks for second chance
When Sara Gelser ran for the state Legislature two years ago, some people in the party thought it was a bad idea.
Gelser, the challenger in the 2004 Democratic primary, surprised some party faithful when her campaign exposed the shortcomings of the two-term legislator against whom she was running. Some people went so far as to criticize her for bringing up her opponent's voting record and pointing out her shoddy attendance at the Legislature and public events.
Gelser narrowly lost the primary election to then-Rep. Kelley Wirth, who went on to victory in the 2004 election.
But it turned out that Gelser was right to call for a change in representation.
A year later, Wirth resigned in disgrace, facing a drug charge and an ethics complaint.
Last December, Gelser was the unanimous pick of Benton and Linn county commissioners to serve as interim representative for District 16, including Corvallis and Philomath.
One thing she isn't saying is, "I told you so."
Gelser called her previous run for the Legislature "painful and difficult."
"I hope I will always be very sensitive that we live in a democracy," Gelser said. "You shouldn't tell people they can't or shouldn't run."
Although she has only her constituent and committee service and a one-day special legislative session on her record, Gelser now has the advantage of being the incumbent.
But she isn't taking it for granted.
This time, her campaign is more about the issues and where she stands.
Gelser is calling for tax reform, including closing loopholes used by out-of-state businesses to avoid paying taxes, and instituting a rainy day reserve fund with surplus revenue to avoid the cyclical recessions that have led to budget reductions in lean years.
"I think we need additional revenue," Gelser said.
But she's cautious about what kind of tax increase she'd support. Just slapping on a new tax or fee isn't going to work, she said.
"It has to be fair and progressive," Gelser said.
She's promoting economic development that preserves and protects the environment.
And she's an advocate for providing public health care and social services to those in need.
Gelser said she enjoys her job as legislator, particularly constituent service.
"I'm fortunate for the opportunity to do it," she said.
Since she was appointed, Gelser has hosted Town Hall meetings on education, forest protection tax assessments and Medicare prescription plans.
Gelser resigned her seat on the Corvallis School Board in August, a post she held for nearly five years, to devote her full attention to her job as legislator and the campaign. While on the school board, Gelser supported expanding learning opportunities, such as through internships and other learning alternatives.
Gelser sees education as a comprehensive system, from pre-kindergarten through college, and opposes initiatives that pit funding for one program against the other.
One of her goals is to bring openness to the legislative process. Before she was appointed, Gelser often lobbied in Salem, but she experienced institutional barriers, such as closed-door meetings when the budget was being negotiated. Gelser said partisan politics is partly to blame, but she doesn't have a ready solution to Oregon's political divide.
"We need to be focused on the common good," she said.
Gelser said a legislator's role should be facilitator, helping people to communicate with their leaders and willing to listen.
"I really do believe that a legislator carries a message from a community," she said.
Her party, the Benton County Democrats, plans to work closely with Gelser next session to advance several issues, said party vice chairman Pat Malone.
He described Gelser as approachable and enthusiastic.
"She's been good at coming to meetings and keeping us updated," Malone said. "She wants the job, and not just to have the position."
Malone said the Democrats are united in support of Gelser in 2006.
"There's no question about that," he said. "We are headed in the right direction and looking forward to working with Sara."
Sara Gelser
Age: 32
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Legislator
Family: Peter, husband; Sam, 11, Ellie, 8, Nicole, 5 and Maia, 5
Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nev.
Religion: Lutheran (Grace Lutheran Church)
Education: Earlham College, bachelor of arts, history and education, 1994; OSU, master of arts in interdisciplinary studies, 1999
Professional experience: Coalition in Oregon for Parent Education, regional coordinator; FG Syndrome Family Alliance, founder; Linn-Benton Community College, parent educator; Oregon Department of Human Services, policy analyst; Oregon Parent Training and Information Center, regional coordinator.
Political experience: Oregon House of Representatives, 2005-present; Corvallis School Board, 2001-2006
Organizations: Grace Lutheran Church, The Arc of Benton County board vice president; Zonta
Contact: sgelser@yahoo.com, 760-2115,
Campaign information: www.saragelser.com
Questions and answers with Sara Gelser, Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives, District 16
Candidate's statement:
As your legislator, I will pursue sustainable policy initiatives that improve opportunities for Oregon children and families. I will support economic development and job creation through workforce development, stable and adequate funding for public schools, universities and community colleges, and policies that encourage small business growth. I will work to address the skyrocketing costs of health care, and will advocate for common sense, progressive tax reform that provides adequate funding for essential services and creates a rainy day fund. I will maintain my commitment to constituent service, and count it a privilege to serve the people of this district.
1. Since illegal immigration has become a topic, what if anything should the Legislature do?
The Legislature should establish a task force to determine the true impact of the undocumented workforce on Oregon's economy. There are many people talking about the costs related to this issue, but very few objective facts. The task force should examine the costs borne by the state through the provision of services, as well as the impact of consumer spending and taxes paid by this group of people on the Oregon economy.
Finally, any conversation about illegal immigration needs to reflect the reality that much of Oregon's agricultural economy is largely dependent on this workforce. The task force should seek solutions that allow fair and legal means for hard-working people to join the workforce when there is available employment. People come to this country for available jobs that allow them to make a better life for themselves and their families. The state needs to hold employers who take advantage of this undocumented workforce accountable for breaking employment laws.
Currently, undocumented workers and their families are not eligible for social service programs like the Oregon Health Plan or food stamps. While it is important to ensure that eligibility requirements for government programs are enforced so they are provided only to those who are eligible, some services should be offered to everyone regardless of their citizenship for moral, legal or safety reasons. This includes emergency medical care, vaccinations for all adults and children for contagious diseases like tuberculosis, and, as the Supreme Court has ruled, the provision of a public education to every child living in Oregon.
In the end, immigration is a federal issue. It is not a problem driven solely by problems on our southern border. Instead, the flow of illegal immigration comes across our northern and southern borders as well as through our Atlantic and Pacific seaports. The Legislature should lead Oregon in a conversation about this challenging issue that doesn't scapegoat those who come to this country for opportunity, nor perpetuate and inflame racial and ethnic stereotypes.
2. What, specifically, are your top three policy or program goals as a legislator?
My individual policy work in 2007 will focus on children's health and safety, identity theft, and forest fire protection statutes.
Children's Health Care and Safety
* Develop a cost-effective plan to offer universal health care access to all Oregon children by maximizing current resources, public/private partnerships, cost-sharing with families and maximizing federal matching funds.
* Development of a model wavier to allow children with complex medical needs to live with their parents rather than being placed in nursing homes or foster care. My plan will re-allocate existing resources to better leverage federal funds to support more children in more effective, less costly ways. Not only will my plan make more efficient use of existing general fund resources, it will save money in the long run and keep vulnerable children where they belong - at home with their parents and siblings.
* Recently, Oregon children as young as 5 years old have been restrained through the use of taser or stun guns. This reveals the need for regulations regarding use of this important tool for public safety officers. I am developing legislation to specifically address the use of tasers on school grounds, upon children, and medically vulnerable populations.
* Development of legislation to provide retention incentives for foster parents of kids who are hard to place due to behavioral, psychiatric, or medical needs
* Legislation to require that hard-to-place kids, including those with disabilities, have a permanency plan. This legislation will also include tools for improved coordination between the multiple agencies that support these children.
Identity Theft: I am committed to legislation that will require immediate notification to consumers whenever their confidential information has been or is believed to have been compromised.
Forest fire protection and equity: I am working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to make necessary statutory changes to prevent unnecessary duplication of services and fees for those living in forested areas. I will also introduce legislation to ensure fairness in the assessment rates paid by large and small property owners.
3. Since Measure 37 has been upheld, what if anything should the Legislature do about land-use planning?
The Legislature must clarify the ambiguities in Measure 37. Some of the questions that remain to be answered include the transferability of waivers, jurisdictional issues related to the application of planning goals, and how to determine the value of a property for compensation.
4. What do you advocate or would you support in order to strengthen the Oregon economy?
I believe that investment in education is critical to strengthening the economy and attracting businesses that provide good jobs for Oregonians.
Businesses are attracted to communities that have strong K-12 schools. Schools need adequate resources to provide strong college preparatory programs, but must also be able to provide vocational training that prepares students for the lucrative trades. Whatever a student's life goals, a quality education for the 21st century must emphasize literacy and strong science and math skills.
Equally important is a commitment to improving our higher education and community college system. Investment in higher education has slipped dramatically and we must reverse this trend. Universities must be affordable and competitive in order to attract top-notch faculty and to retain students in the Oregon higher education system. Our young people should not become Oregon's greatest export because of decreased course offerings or skyrocketing tuition.
We also need to increase our investment in our community college system. Community colleges provide training necessary for the workforce companies need. Without a skilled workforce, we cannot hope to attract and retain the kinds of businesses that Oregon's economy needs to grow. The colleges are also a critical resource for working families seeking to increase their skills and improve their family's financial position.
5. How should the Oregon tax system be changed, if at all? Would you vote for a sales tax as part of a tax reform package, such as the one proposed by state Sen. Frank Morse?
We need to reform the kicker law and must create a rainy day fund.
I do not support a sales tax, but I am very eager to have a conversation about tax reform that puts all options on the table. Senator Morse crafted a thoughtful, comprehensive proposal that should inspire conversation and critical debate. If we are going to have real tax reform we all must be willing to honestly weigh the options.
6. Do you support or oppose the governor's advocating California-style auto emission standards?
Support.
7. What should the Legislature do to help Oregon farmers?
After the passage of Measure 37, the state must find ways to encourage the preservation of farm lands and ensure that new developments do not compromise our agricultural economy.