Mike Caudle Joins Governor in Call to Keep, Not Cut State Troopers
Today Mike Caudle applauded the decision by Governor Ted Kulongoski to nix an expensive study examining the feasibility of cutting more state troopers.
“We need to get serious about combating meth and identity theft crimes by providing sufficient funds for the Oregon State Police – not by looking for ways to cut corners,” said Caudle, who is running in House District 39, which encompasses Oregon City, Canby and surrounding areas of Clackamas County.
The Ways and Means Committee, which is co-chaired by Caudle’s opponent Wayne Scott, mandated the government investigate farming out the responsibilities of the state troopers to county sheriffs.
In a statement announcing the termination of that study on the grounds that it was an unnecessary expense, the Governor said: “Spending tax dollars on a study to reduce the presence of state troopers on our highways is not a rational priority. This study makes no sense.”
This was the only move Rep. Scott took during the 2005 legislative session to weaken the state police. The House budget committee, which he also chairs, eliminated 20 sworn trooper positions by failing to provide funds to replace retiring officers. What’s more, the legislature funded 38 fewer positions in the state police 2005-2007 than there were in the 2003-2005 budget – and 364 fewer than in the previous biennium.
“I believe we must not only restore the positions eliminated under Rep. Scott’s watch but also hire more troopers and detectives to keep our highways safe and our communities free of meth and meth-related crimes,” explained Caudle.
“We need to get serious about combating meth and identity theft crimes by providing sufficient funds for the Oregon State Police – not by looking for ways to cut corners,” said Caudle, who is running in House District 39, which encompasses Oregon City, Canby and surrounding areas of Clackamas County.
The Ways and Means Committee, which is co-chaired by Caudle’s opponent Wayne Scott, mandated the government investigate farming out the responsibilities of the state troopers to county sheriffs.
In a statement announcing the termination of that study on the grounds that it was an unnecessary expense, the Governor said: “Spending tax dollars on a study to reduce the presence of state troopers on our highways is not a rational priority. This study makes no sense.”
This was the only move Rep. Scott took during the 2005 legislative session to weaken the state police. The House budget committee, which he also chairs, eliminated 20 sworn trooper positions by failing to provide funds to replace retiring officers. What’s more, the legislature funded 38 fewer positions in the state police 2005-2007 than there were in the 2003-2005 budget – and 364 fewer than in the previous biennium.
“I believe we must not only restore the positions eliminated under Rep. Scott’s watch but also hire more troopers and detectives to keep our highways safe and our communities free of meth and meth-related crimes,” explained Caudle.
posted by Jonathan Singer at 10:25 AM
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