Lynn Howe for state representative

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Two years ago, we endorsed Medford Republican Sal Esquivel for a second term representing Medford's District 6 in the Oregon House, mostly for his willingness to cross party lines in the bitterly divided Legislature. While he showed some of that independence again in his second term, we are less impressed with his list of priorities for the future, and his puzzling decision to sponsor a divisive anti-gay rights ballot measure leads us to question his judgment.

Esquivel's opponent this year is Democrat Lynn Howe, a thoughtful, intelligent retiree with a 25-year background as a health-care administrator — experience that will be invaluable as lawmakers tackle health-care reform in the 2009 session.

Howe moved to Medford from Michigan less than two years ago with her husband, who grew up here. Ordinarily we would question a newcomer's ability to know the needs of the community, but Howe has learned quickly.

When county funding woes led to the closure of the public libraries, she sprang into action, organizing five town-hall meetings on the county funding crisis. During her campaign, she has rung doorbells tirelessly in the 6th District, listening to voters' concerns. She says lost jobs and the mortgage crisis top the list.

She exhibits a clear grasp of the major issues facing Oregon and the Rogue Valley, from land use and transportation to education and health care. She says she would be an advocate for small- and medium-sized businesses and the education infrastructure necessary to provide them with a quality work force.

Esquivel points to the state's rainy-day fund and rewriting the rules of the House to treat minority-party members more fairly as his major accomplishments. While he played a key role on the rules question, the rainy-day fund was largely the work of majority Democrats.

Esquivel says his goals for the future are creating a dedicated funding source for the Oregon State Police, something he unsuccessfully pushed last session, and an ambitious tax restructuring plan that would replace most property taxes with a 5 percent sales tax.

Oregon certainly could use more state troopers, and the tax system has needed a major overhaul for decades. But the next Legislature likely will face severe budget constraints because of the faltering economy. More money for anything is likely to take a back seat to the reality that there will be less money for everything. And sweeping tax reform, especially if it includes the dreaded sales tax, is simply a non-starter in the midst of a recession.

Speaking of the economy, Esquivel says Oregon's is stable. We don't know if that reflects misguided optimism or ignorance on his part, but we find it troubling.

Then there is his inexplicable decision last spring to become a chief petitioner on the attempt to overturn Oregon's civil union legislation. The petition drive did not succeed, but Esquivel's participation was unnecessary and divisive.

Esquivel has served two moderately productive terms, but his plans for a third leave us underwhelmed.

We recommend Lynn Howe for state representative in District 6.

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