Lottery, Kicker Money Proposed for OSP Funding

According to OSP estimates, $65 million per biennium could fund 280 additional troopers.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) and several other legislators have developed new ways to put more state troopers on the road: setting aside lottery money and giving Oregonians a chance to donate their kicker check.

“These two sources seem like common sense solutions to help the Oregon State Police (OSP) secure dedicated revenue,” said Thatcher

State Representative Jeff Barker (D-Aloha), State Representative Vicki Berger (R-Salem), and State Representative Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley) have joined Representative Thatcher to sponsor House Bill 2745 as a bipartisan Teamwork Bill, which under House Rules means they will be guaranteed a public hearing.

The OSP patrol division currently includes approximately 330 officers, down from more than 650 in the 1980’s when funding for troopers was removed from the state highway fund.

The Governor and others have discussed several options for establishing a dedicated source of revenue to strengthen our state police force.

John Rizzo, a retired OSP officer from Keizer with nearly 25 years on the force, called this an excellent legislative package.

“This would help return some experienced and proven law enforcement officers to the state police. There are few seasoned troopers working the road these days due to many retirements and few hirings the last decade. Proper funding could return experienced officers to the agency to assist with mentoring, training, and public safety.”

House Bill 2745 sets aside $65 million in lottery proceeds per biennium specifically for patrol deputies at OSP.

Currently lottery money is used for a variety of purposes including economic development, education, parks and natural resources.

Thatcher explained this was a good fit for lottery dollars because, “public safety is critical to our quality of life in Oregon. By combating crime we provide a more attractive place for companies to locate and a better environment for children to attend school.”

According to OSP estimates, $65 million per biennium could fund 280 additional troopers.

House Bill 2746, sponsored by Thatcher and co-sponsored by Berger, allows Oregon taxpayers to check a box on their tax return to donate surplus refund payments to OSP.

Right now they can elect to donate part of their personal kicker check to public schools.

In 2000 (the last year a personal kicker was issued), 4,700 Oregonians designated more than $700,000 for education using this program.

So far this year, 2,500 people have elected to give schools over $200,000 in kicker money they’re expecting to receive. HB 2746 also includes check-off boxes for services for seniors and persons with disabilities.

In addition to these two pieces of legislation, Representative Thatcher drafted House Joint Resolution 28 which would refer a measure to a statewide ballot asking voters if they want to permanently allocate 10% of net lottery proceeds to benefit state police operations.

The lottery was created in the Oregon Constitution by a statewide vote in 1984 with funding assigned to economic development in general.

The law has been changed several times since then to designate 18% of net proceeds for education and 15% for parks, and, fish and wildlife habitat.