Ore. gubernatorial candidate pushes for creation of lieutenant governor position

John Lim

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Lim of Gresham, who visited La Grande Saturday, is convinced of it.

Lim pushed for the addition of a lieutenant governor position during portions of his 11-year tenure in the Legislature. He is not making this a focal point of his campaign, however. He said Saturday in La Grande he would work to have a lieutenant governor position created should he be elected. Lim points out Oregon is one of a handful of states that does not have a lieutenant governor. The state needs one in part because of its growing population, which is approaching four million, he said.

“The governor is too busy (to handle all of the responsibilities of the office),’’ Lim said.

Sometimes too busy to do things like meet with visiting dignitaries from other countries who want to establish trade with Oregon.

“If the governor is unavailable to meet with them they are not happy,’’ Lim said.

These officials, Lim said, would be glad to be greeted by a lieutenant governor.

Adding the position would not cost taxpayer dollars since the individual could assume the responsibilities of those now in positions like that of the director of international trade, a post whose responsibilities the lieutenant governor could assume.

Trade with Pacific Rim nations such as Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand would be an emphasis of Lim as governor. Lim, who moved to Oregon from South Korea 44 years ago, said he is qualified to make connections with the leaders of Pacific Rim nations because of his cultural heritage and experience in working with those countries. His experience includes four years as international adviser to the president of Pyung Taake University in South Korea, a position he has held since 2005.

Lim, a businessman, served n the Oregon Senate from 1992 to 1999 and in the Oregon House from 2004 to 2008. He won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in 1998 but lost in the general election to Democratic incumbent Ron Wyden. Lim’s initial statewide campaign was in 1990 when he first ran for governor. He lost in the GOP primary to Dave Frohnmayer, receiving 11 percent of the vote.

Lim said he is enjoying his third statewide campaign.

“It’s a lot of fun and rewarding.’’

Lim is struck by how many people he meets in Eastern Oregon who are upset with how the west side dictates what happens here.

“We have two Oregons, but we should be all one Oregon,’’ Lim said.

He wants leaders on the more populous west side to have a greater awareness of this region’s needs.

“I love democracy. It is the best form of government. We should not, however, be in a position in which the majority dictates to the minority. The majority should be sensitive to the issues of the minority on the other side of the mountains,’’ he said. “We should go the extra mile to understand the issues (of Eastern Oregon).’’

Lim said that as governor he would focus on Eastern Oregon, which he noted has higher unemployment and lower average income than the rest of the state.

“I would give special attention to those east of the Cascades, ‘’ Lim said.

The gubernatorial candidate said he would work hard to help Eastern Oregon market what it produces.

“I would be the number one sales person for products (in Eastern Oregon),’’ Lim said.

The Gresham businessman is seeking to become Oregon’s first Republican governor since early 1983 when Vic Atiyeh left office after serving eight years. Lim said a Republican governor is needed because the state House and Senate are controlled by Democrats.

“Without a Republican governor there are no checks and balances,’’ he said.

Lim also pointed out that just one member of Oregon’s congressional delegation, Congressman Greg Walden, is a Republican. Lim also notes that all of Oregon’s elected statewide officials, including the secretary of state, the state superintendent of public instruction and attorney general are Democrats. He said he believes Oregon citizens want more balance.

“People want change from one-party rule. It is not what is best for our state,’’ Lim said.

Oregon’s system for funding state programs, heavily dependent on income taxes, is also not best for the state, Lim said. The reason is state revenue drops dramatically when an economic downturn hits.

“Our current system is not sustainable,’’ Lim said. “We need a tax system that can sustain us.”

Lim said that the answer is not a sales tax, at least not one that would be an addition to the state’s present taxes. A sales tax that is part of a dramatically revamped system might be part of the solution, though. Lim said that as governor he would bring parties together to hammer out such a plan.

He would work for reduction in property taxes and the elimination of the state income and capital gains taxes. Once these steps were agreed to “We could begin discussing a sales tax.’’

Altering the state’s funding system would take courage on the part of those involved. Still, the issue must be addressed, Lim said.

“We can’t put it under the rug. We need to discuss it.’’

Lim is opposed to tax hikes like the ones the Legislature passed earlier this year. The increases, which voters will have a chance to repeal in a statewide January election, would boost rates for high income individuals and corporations. Now, Lim said, is not the time to force people to fork over more money to the government.

“To ask people to pay more taxes in today’s economy is unconscionable,’’ Lim said.

Lim, who came to the United States “without a penny in my pocket’’ and later founded the successful American Royal Jelly Co., said he would be a major supporter of small businesses, which are an integral part of the state’s economy. He explained that Oregon per capita has more small businesses than most states. As small business goes, so goes Oregon’s economy.

“Small business lays the golden eggs,’’ Lim said.

Lim is one of two candidates in the Republican primary field. The other is Allen Alley, a businessman and politician from Lake Oswego. The Oregon primary election will be conducted May 18, 2010.