Frank Morse (Oregon politician)
Encyclopedia
Frank Morse is a politician in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. A Republican
, he represents District 8 in the Oregon State Senate
. He was first elected in 2002, defeating Democrat Barbara Ross in a high-profile race, and was reelected in 2006.
. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1961, and went on to earn degrees from Oregon State University
and Northwest Christian College
. He and his wife, Linda, who he married in 1965, have lived in Albany since 1972. They have two children and six grandchildren. The have attended First Christian Church for over 30 years. Frank has chaired the church's board and has served as an elder.
Morse has also headed the boards of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Cascade Employers Association, Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association, Greater Pacific Bank, Samaritan Albany General Hospital Board, Samaritan Health Services Board, and Northwest Christian College Trustees.
He has also served on the boards of the Albany Boys and Girls Club, the Vern Catt McDowell Corporation, Western Security Bank, OSU Family Business Council, Cockerline Foundation, and Albany Boys and Girls Club Foundation.
in 2002, defeating Democrat Barbara Ross, a three-term member of the Oregon House of Representatives
who had lost her seat due to the term limits then in effect
. It was Morse's first run for political office. The race was one of six that year that were considered likely to affect party control of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
, and that attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions. Ross and Morse raised a total of about $500,000, and were noted for eschewing negative advertising for most of the campaign.
Morse was reelected in 2006, defeating Democrat
Mario Magana with 59% of the vote. He has served on the Joint Ways and Means Committee, the Emergency Board, the Public Commission on the Legislature, the Joint Information and Management Technology Committee, the Senate General Government Committee, and the Oregon Innovation and Technology Council.
In 2006, Morse delivered a speech on globalization, and specifically on Thomas Friedman
's book The World is Flat
, to the Friends of the Albany Public Library. He was criticized for purchasing research for the speech from a firm in India
that was cited as a primary source in Friednman's book.
In 2007, Morse proposed a comprehensive reform to Oregon's tax system, along with Democratic Senators Ben Westlund
, Ryan Deckert
, and Kurt Schrader
. The plan, which would have included a sales tax
, promised to raise more revenue while costing individual Oregon taxpayers less. It would have required a three-fifths supermajority
in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
. It did not pass.
The environmental Oregon League of Conservation Voters gave Morse's Senate votes a score of 0% in 2003, 17% in 2005, and 58% in 2007.
In 2008, the Oregon Legislative Assembly held an experimental session, to explore the possibility of holding annual sessions as a regular practice. Such a change would require an amendment to the Oregon Constitution
. Senator Morse noted some successes of the experimental session, but advised that it would be more effective to shorten regular sessions in odd-numbered years, and lengthen supplemental sessions, such that sessions are closer in length.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A Republican
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
, he represents District 8 in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
. He was first elected in 2002, defeating Democrat Barbara Ross in a high-profile race, and was reelected in 2006.
Early life
Frank Morse was born and raised in Lebanon, OregonLebanon, Oregon
Lebanon is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. Lebanon is located in northwest Oregon, southeast of Salem. The population was 12,950 at the 2000 census and the 2008 census data shows the population at 15,397.-Geography:...
. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1961, and went on to earn degrees from Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
and Northwest Christian College
Northwest Christian College
Northwest Christian University is a private, liberal arts college located in Eugene, Oregon and is affiliated with the Christian Church and the Christian churches and churches of Christ. U.S...
. He and his wife, Linda, who he married in 1965, have lived in Albany since 1972. They have two children and six grandchildren. The have attended First Christian Church for over 30 years. Frank has chaired the church's board and has served as an elder.
Business and community involvement
Morse has been part of the Morse Bros. family business since 1972, serving in the following positions: Albany Division Manager, Vice President of Operations, Executive Vice President, President, and Chairman. When Morse Bros. merged with MDU Resources Group, Frank continued as President until his retirement in 2000. He moved on to a new business, Environ-Metal Inc., and currently chairs its board.Morse has also headed the boards of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Cascade Employers Association, Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association, Greater Pacific Bank, Samaritan Albany General Hospital Board, Samaritan Health Services Board, and Northwest Christian College Trustees.
He has also served on the boards of the Albany Boys and Girls Club, the Vern Catt McDowell Corporation, Western Security Bank, OSU Family Business Council, Cockerline Foundation, and Albany Boys and Girls Club Foundation.
Political career
Morse was first elected to the Oregon State SenateOregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
in 2002, defeating Democrat Barbara Ross, a three-term member of the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
who had lost her seat due to the term limits then in effect
Term limits in Oregon
Term limits legislation – term limits for state and federal office-holders – has been a recurring political issue in the U.S. state of Oregon since 1992...
. It was Morse's first run for political office. The race was one of six that year that were considered likely to affect party control of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
, and that attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions. Ross and Morse raised a total of about $500,000, and were noted for eschewing negative advertising for most of the campaign.
Morse was reelected in 2006, defeating Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
Mario Magana with 59% of the vote. He has served on the Joint Ways and Means Committee, the Emergency Board, the Public Commission on the Legislature, the Joint Information and Management Technology Committee, the Senate General Government Committee, and the Oregon Innovation and Technology Council.
In 2006, Morse delivered a speech on globalization, and specifically on Thomas Friedman
Thomas Friedman
Thomas Lauren Friedman is an American journalist, columnist and author. He writes a twice-weekly column for The New York Times. He has written extensively on foreign affairs including global trade, the Middle East, and environmental issues and has won the Pulitzer Prize three times.-Personal...
's book The World is Flat
The World Is Flat
The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century is an international bestselling book by Thomas Friedman that analyzes globalization, primarily in the early 21st century. The title is a metaphor for viewing the world as a level playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors...
, to the Friends of the Albany Public Library. He was criticized for purchasing research for the speech from a firm in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
that was cited as a primary source in Friednman's book.
In 2007, Morse proposed a comprehensive reform to Oregon's tax system, along with Democratic Senators Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund
Ben Westlund was a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. A Democrat, he was elected State Treasurer in 2008. Previously, Westlund served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as a Republican from 1996 to 2006, as an independent from 2006 to 2007, and then as a Democrat...
, Ryan Deckert
Ryan Deckert
Ryan Deckert is the president of the Oregon Business Association. Prior to this position, Deckert, a Democratic politician from the US state of Oregon, served in the Oregon Senate, representing District 14, which includes parts of Beaverton and the Portland neighborhoods of Garden Home and Raleigh...
, and Kurt Schrader
Kurt Schrader
Kurt Schrader is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.-Early life, education, and early career:...
. The plan, which would have included a sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
, promised to raise more revenue while costing individual Oregon taxpayers less. It would have required a three-fifths supermajority
Supermajority
A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority . In some jurisdictions, for example, parliamentary procedure requires that any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority...
in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
. It did not pass.
The environmental Oregon League of Conservation Voters gave Morse's Senate votes a score of 0% in 2003, 17% in 2005, and 58% in 2007.
In 2008, the Oregon Legislative Assembly held an experimental session, to explore the possibility of holding annual sessions as a regular practice. Such a change would require an amendment to the Oregon Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
. Senator Morse noted some successes of the experimental session, but advised that it would be more effective to shorten regular sessions in odd-numbered years, and lengthen supplemental sessions, such that sessions are closer in length.