fund the police. attract good citizens.
The Oregon State Police has been our state’s only budget item that has seen real cuts. Democrats in Salem have had other funding goals. Daniel Bonham, while the House Deputy Republican Leader, consistently pushed for more General Fund dollars to be directed toward OSP.
Local law enforcement has been even more hamstrung - both in rural and urban areas. Unfunded mandates imposed by politicians have decimated budgets at the local level, contributing to a lack of funding for basic needs like fighting crime.
Finally, there is the question of who is moving to Oregon? And who is moving out?
Policies like the early release of violent criminals, decriminalization of hard drugs, and softness in the face of cartel encroachment into Oregon, have simply begun to change our demographics here. Good citizens are more frequently moving away.
During his time in the legislature, Daniel Bonham has consistently understood this. He has always taken strong positions to stand up against crime, even when liberal colleagues and the media had other priorities.