Gelser calls for tax reform, openness

Rebecca Barrett, Corvallis Gazette Times (original source )

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.”