Candidate Name: Floyd Prozanski
What is the #1 priority in your legislative agenda? Please attach or provide links or references to bill drafts or legislative concepts (can be from previous sessions).
"Jobs and the Oregon economy. We need to assist Oregon’s small businesses in expanding their production and services. That will allow those businesses to hire more workers. During the 2010 mini-session, I supported SB 1017, Access to Business Capital Act for Oregon businesses; HB 3698, Building Opportunities for Oregon Small Business Today Fund (BOOST); and SB 5563 & SB 5564, construction projects that created jobs. During the 2009 regular session, I supported SB 338, the Go Oregon! jobs stimulus program; SB 5505 & SB 5506, capital construction bonding; and HB 2001, transportation & jobs package."

Oregon in the 2011-13 biennium is expected to have a $2.5 billion shortfall from meeting the current level of services. This deficit is expected to continue through 2019. What programs would you cut? How would you raise revenue?
"Since the $2.5 Billion projected shortfall is general fund dollars, the program cuts can only come from general fund programs; education, human services and public safety. It will be important for the legislature to prioritize state services. Oregon kids are the future. We must invest in them now. I believe it is essential to maintain funding for education as well as senior and vital services, including Oregon Project Independence. As a prosecutor, I believe in swift, certain and appropriate criminal punishment combined with education, job training and drug/alcohol treatment for offenders who need it. In other words, we need to be smart on crime not just tough on crime. It’s time for the legislature to review existing state tax credits to determine if the credits are still serving their intended purpose. This will lead to ending some of the credits and returning those tax dollars back to general fund programs such as schools and vital services."

What is your best idea to promote economic development in Oregon?
"Working with existing Oregon businesses. We need to streamline permitting processes for small businesses and help new and existing entrepreneurs with venture capital start-ups. We also need to ensure that Oregon businesses have a qualified workforce, by supporting community colleges and universities. Besides the bills listed in my response to the first question, I also supported HB 3627 – Oregon Entrepreneur Investment Act."

As no court has ruled invalid any of the limits on political campaign contributions or expenditures enacted by the voters in Measure 47 (2006), should the Attorney General and Secretary of State be enforcing those limits?
The voters passed M 47 and it should be implemented. But at this time the constitutionality of the measure has been challenged. It is prudent to let the courts answer this question before the state starts enforcing it.

Do you favor amending the Oregon Constitution, if ultimately necessary, to allow reasonable limits on campaign contributions in state and local candidate races?
"If it is necessary for the state constitution to be amended to enact “reasonable” limits on campaign contributions, I would support the referral."

Do you support the current system of allowing a candidate who is nominated for the same office by more than one political party to choose up to 3 party labels to appear next to her name on the general election ballot (sometimes called "fusion-lite")?
Yes. I voted for the “fusion-lite” bill during the last regular session.

Do you support regulation to control health care costs and give the Insurance Division greater power to limit unreasonable rate increases and allow citizen participation in cases involving insurance rate hikes?
"Yes. It is important to ensure access to quality, affordable health care. Reducing insurance costs will help this effort. In 2009, the legislature passed HB 2009. That law now gives the Insurance Commissioner more authority to regulate rate increases. The law also provides individuals a 30-day comment period on rate increases"

Should non-affiliated voters be allowed to vote in the primaries of the major parties?
"No, every voter has the choice to select a political party or not. I believe political parties have the right to select their own candidates without the influence of non-party voters."

Should Oregon adopt a nonpartisan commission of retired judges to reapportion its congressional and legislative districts, based on the 2010 Census?
"I would support a nonpartisan commission model so long as the commission has the resources to do the job, there is a proper “check and balance” procedure in place, and the Secretary of State remains the default if the commission is unable to timely complete its redistricting work."

What is your best idea for making government in Oregon responsive to the public interest and less consumed with satisfying the desires of the special interests?
More transparency at all levels and encouraging every Oregonian to be informed and engaged in the legislative process.