Telfer, Knopp Square Off in Second Debate

The incumbent and challenger vying for the Republican nomination for Oregon Senate District 27 squared off Tuesday night at the Shilo Inn in Bend.

State Sen. Chris Telfer is fighting to stay in office as former state representative Tim Knopp has decided to challenge her.

COTV’s Talk of the Town moderated the debate put on by the Bend Tea Party.

Questions ranged from the inheritance tax to how best create jobs here in Central Oregon.

“At the initiation of a company in California, thinking of moving to Central Oregon, I got legislation passed that opens the gate for them,” Telfer said. “That’s 1,000 jobs in Central Oregon within three years, created here in Central Oregon.”

Knopp says one way to create jobs is to lower the tax rate.

“Giving a tax credit to lower and middle-income families would also go a long way towards creating jobs,” Knopp said.

Though there was not a lot of sharp differences during the debate, the two had different ideas when it came to giving small businesses a tax break for hiring new employees.

“About 80 percent of our jobs come from small business,” said Knopp. “Those folks are the ones that because we are so income tax-dependent are really paying the taxes.”

Telfer says lawmakers have looked at the issue, and it’s not right for Central Oregon.

“You don’t save $2,500 when you have a $30,000 payroll,” Telfer said, “That person doesn’t have any work to do anyways.”

The debate was fairly mild until closing statements when Telfer made her pitch to keep the position.

“I can tell you as an employer, why in the world would you fire an employee who’s doing a good job?” said Telfer, “then hire someone that you don’t know what’s he going to do, and his track record isn’t that great?”

But Knopp told the crowd that he can do better than what Telfer has done.

COTV will air the debate on April 2 at 6 p.m. Ballots for the May primary go out April 27th and a winner will be decided on Election Day, May 15th.