Well, it's been a rather busy month. Work has been just plum crazy. Oregon's state government operates on a two year budget cycle, called a biennium. July 1 odd numbered years through June 30 odd numbered years. So July 1, 2005 was the beginning of the "05-07" budget cycle. That also means that June 30 ended the "03-05" biennium. In addition to biennium closing and trying to get all the bills paid properly and all the work associated with that, I was given the task late June to clean up and catch up our 24 different United Parcel Service (UPS) accounts, some of which were 12 weeks behind, and definitely past due. And to continue to handle all my current work. I'm happy to say that when I left work yesterday, I had finished coding the cost centers for all the weekly invoices, scanned them in, and emailed them out for approvals. I am amazed that co-workers allow things to get so far behind. Makes me crazy...
To add to the frustration, our state legislature - the Senate and the House of Representatives - which only meet for roughly 6 months at the end of a closing biennium to pass laws and approve state agency budgets for the next biennium, hasn't even passed a single state budget. Oregon has a Democrat governor, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The House has taken a second "break", paid of course, and can't even come to the table to try to work things out. The only thing they could agree on was the state fossil, and to pass continuing resolutions so state government could continue to operate. The big problem is that Oregon doesn't have a sales tax, so the only revenue is personal and corporate income taxes, along with user fees like hunting licenses and the like. With the economy as bad as it's been, income tax revenue is down. The major sticking point is school funding, as the state pays for a majority of K-12 funding (kindergarten through 12th grade). Not to mention funding for community colleges and universities. Until they can agree on school funding, they can't pass other budgets because they don't know what's left to spend.
If I thought I'd have a chance, and if I thought it wouldn't make me nuts, I'd actually consider running for office in the House as a Democrat. The reality is that the "good old boy" syndrome in politics and I would not work out. I'd simply call it like I see it, and piss people off. At least I am registered and I do vote. So I can bitch... LOL
My sister Donna has signed the papers for her first place of her own, a nice 2-bedroom condo in a nice complex. I know several folks who live there, and I know she will be happy there. And I'm very proud of her for taking this step. Meeting her there tomorrow morning to walk through and see what needs what.
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