State and federal aid payments to local governments have grown explosively over the last fifteen years. One reason for this growth is that the donor governments can alter a local government's budget choices through grants. Grants have not remedied social problems, however, because the local governments' responses to grants were not anticipated. Economists have broadened our understanding, but debates remain about the proper modeling of local buur grant impact knowledge. Accordingly, this study examined the effects of thdgeting and, because researchers used aggregated data, gaps exist in oree types of mental health grants on the budget allocations for Oregon counties. The theoretical literature on the expenditure effects of grants was first reviewed. The constrained maximization, median voter, and budget maximization models of local fiscal decision-making were described and then compared as to their predictions about the effects of different grants. It was concluded that too little was known about budgetary processes to use or compare the models' predictions. Empirical studies were then reviewed. Researchers, largely using demand frameworks, found that grants significantly affected local spending and that different grants induced different spending responses. Their estimates of the stimulus differed, though. Moreover, little or no research was undertaken on the employment, wage, and output effects of grants. The theoretical and statistical problems with these studies were examined. These problems were: (1) the misspecification of aid variables; (2) the aggregation of government units and public services; (3) the lack of institutional and political realism. A theoretical model of Oregon counties' expenditure and production decision-making for mental health services was developed based on the insights and criticisms of existing models. The model consists of eleven equations; some describing the "expenditure stage" of the budget process, others describing the "output stage". It was argued that county commissioners make the expenditure decisions, and that mental health administrators make the production decisions. The framework allowed us to examine the effects of mental health grants on expenditures, wages, staff numbers, patient numbers, and output and to study the determinants of grant participation. Using regression analysis, the equations were estimated from the observations for 31 Oregon counties in fiscal year 1975-1976. Ordinary least squares was used in the expenditure and grant participation equations. Two-stage and three-stage least squares were used in the rest. Regressions were run for western and eastern Oregon counties when possible. For all observations, the major findings suggested that a dollar of state matching mental health aid per capita stimulated per capita mental health expenditures by $1.37, increased the professional staff by .556 to .762 persons per 10,000 county residents and increased average professional salaries by $2,173. A dollar of federal matching aid per capita appeared to have an expenditure effect of $1.03, an employment effect of .722, and no salary effect. A dollar of non-matching aid per capita had an estimated expenditure effect of $1.00, an estimated employment effect of .35, and no salary effect. In eastern Oregon, the major findings indicated that the marginal expenditure effect of federal aid was $1.41, the marginal expenditure effect of non-matching aid was $.96, and that state matching aid had no expenditure effect. In western Oregon, a dollar of state matching aid per capita had an estimated expenditure effect of $2.23, a professional employment effect of 1.25, and no significant salary effect. A dollar of non-matching aid per capita had an estimated expenditure effect of $1.67, and no significant employment or salary effects. In all regressions, the mental health grant estimates were not statistically different from one another. Finally, a production function for mental health services was unsuccessfully estimated and discussed. / Graduation date: 1979

This thesis, although dealing specifically with Oregon Agricultural cooperatives, has significance for agricultural cooperatives on a national basis when discussing equity financing. The central issue is whether a patron may in effect transfer his cooperative equity holding to another person without impairing the total function of the cooperative? To answer this question it is necessary to further define the nature of cooperative equities and also provide clearer information into the legal, tax, accounting and operational techniques used in cooperative equity financing. This study examined cooperative bylaws which make specific references to the handling of equities including transfers under different circumstances. The Internal Revenue Code provisions and specific IRS rulings with regard to equity issuance, transfer and redemption are dealt with in depth and summarized into probable tax consequences. Securities regulation with respect to cooperative equity allocations are also examined. Existing statute and regulation as well as proposed reforms are reviewed and summarized. Alternate methods of equity transfers are then identified and analyzed with respect to cash flow and taxation. Alternate methods of equity transferability are identified and thoroughly analyzed with respect to taxation, investment opportunity and cash flow. Comparative illustrations are utilized to present differences in holding various equities versus transferring equities at a discounted value given assumptions of tax rates, investment opportunities, revolving periods, etc. In conclusion, a number of decision criteria must be considered prior to evaluating a program of equity transferability which are as follows: 1) Cash Needs of Patrons - Cooperative patrons generally have a need for on-farm capital and may face a substantial opportunity cost in holding equities. 2) Distribution of Equity Holding - Certain patrons may be personally well-capitalized and willing to finance equity holding while undercapitalized patrons, former patrons, and estates of deceased patrons may seek to redistribute equity holdings. 3) Establishment of a Market - Methods and standards of equity valuation in transfer which could be established in a market may lead to both beneficial and costly effects for the cooperative and patron in both the long and short term. 4) Cooperative Benefits - A number of benefits accrue to the patron through operation of a cooperative such as the effect on the market structure, economies of scale, farmer participation in ownership and control, etc. These benefits should be understood and evaluated when considering tradeoffs caused through potential costs associated with equity transferability. 5) External Considerations - Perhaps the most important single factor is the effect of costs associated with potential alteration of government control or regulation of cooperative taxation, securities regulation, and marketing practices. Recommendations in the area of equity transferability are intended to improve cooperative service and response to cash needs of patrons while limiting cooperative exposure to adverse or costly regulation. It is suggested that a judicious program of equity transferability may be feasible for "tax-exempt" (as defined by I.R.S.) cooperatives. Cooperative bylaws and operating procedures should be reviewed to assure the handling of transfers, the scope of transferability, the rights of non-patron equity holders, and adequate disclosure of information meets the approval of directors and/or legal counsel in limiting potential problem areas. Consideration is also given to alternate capital programs and methods of equity distribution which may meet both cooperative and patron goals. / Graduation date: 1978

Fishing firms in Oregon operate in a complex and dynamic physical, biological and institutional environment. Within this environment, managers of these firms will attempt to maximize some objective function which may include profit. This maximization is dependent upon the level of output, or the levels of inputs. Given a relationship between output and inputs, production economics theory tells us how to combine inputs so that an optimum level of output is achieved. This study applies production economics theory to commercial fishing firms in Oregon. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether a relationship between output and production inputs could be estimated statistically and provide the marginal value product information to determine the optimum combination of inputs. A second objective was to determine whether a statistical relationship could be estimated which would predict fuel use in terms of physical boat characteristics for the fishing firms in Oregon. Cross-section data were obtained for analysis from a mail survey of the population of 4,462 commercial fishing firms. Response to the survey was excellent, with 45 percent of the surveys returned. The data were used to estimate production relationships among the fishing firms using gross revenue as a dependent variable and independent variables measuring boat length, engine horsepower, hold capacity, fuel consumed fishing in 1979, mandays of labor used, years fishing experience of the skipper, capital investment in electronic gear and capital investment in deck gear. Two functional forms for regression were used; log-linear and linear. It was expected that the log-linear form of the model would provide the best estimate based on its convenient mathematical characteristics and wide use in empirical research applications. It turned out, however, that the better estimate was obtained with the linear form of the model. This estimate was interpreted as a linear approximation to a segment of the production function and was used to calculate estimates of the marginal value products for the production inputs. To investigate whether a better estimate of the production relationship could be obtained by disaggregating the sample, two disaggregations were tried. The sample was disaggregated into groups of firms having similar characteristics of species fished and also boat length groupings. The results obtained from these estimations were statistically inferior to the estimated relationship using the full sample. The conclusion was made that the production relationships were better estimated across all firms in the sample rather than by disaggregation. The estimation of fuel use by boat characteristics was reasonably successful. Again, a linear model was chosen as the best statistical relationship. The model estimated fuel use by boat length, engine horsepower and mandays of labor. A prediction of the fuel used by all fishing firms was made using data on the population of fishing firms from the 1979 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife license file. The predictive equation used only two variables, boat length and horsepower as these are the only characteristics presently available for the population of firms. / Graduation date: 1981

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 1978. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Oregon is now one of only eighteen states that regulate alcohol as a monopoly. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) imposes and enforces rules regulating the sale and distribution of alcohol within the state. The regulations were designed to restrict the availability of alcohols. Beer and wine avoided many restrictions imposed on liquor reflecting an incentive to alter consumption rates in favor of beer and wine over liquor. Many of the reasons to favor beer and wine over liquor were based on scientific claims or beliefs that we now know to be untrue. Updating our regulatory environment to recalibrate the laws based on our current understanding of the effects of liquor consumption depends on the Oregon’s ability to overcome the social stigma associated with liquor and the negative externalities it produces when abused. At stake is the future of an industry that has given Oregon global prominence as a mecca of homegrown beer, wine, and spirits, contributing to business opportunities and jobs in the hospitality and retail sectors.

This thesis was to develop a bone artifact typology for the Oregon coast. This typology was used to test the hypothesis that different geographical regions of the Oregon coast would have different artifact assemblages associated with them. These regions, identified by geologist from landform changes, have been defined as: region 1, from the Columbia River to Tillamook Head; region 2, from Tillamook Head to Heceta Head; region 3, from Heceta Head to Cape Arago; region 4, from Cape Arago to the California boarder. Three criteria were used to develop the bone artifact typology; (1) the artifact must be made from bone, antler, or tooth; (2) the use of the artifact as determined from previous experimental archaeology or ethnography; (3) where artifacts were used for a similar purpose, obvious differences in shape and/ or decoration were used. Fifteen sites on the Oregon coast, two to four sites from each region, were used to develop the typology and test the hypothesis. Some patterns were apparent in the distribution of the artifact assemblages from the Oregon coast sites and there appeared to be some tentative corralation with the geographic regions as stated above. Bilaterally barbed harpoons only appear in sites in region 1. Headscratchers only appear in sites in the southern half of the Oregon coast. Evidence suggested that the composite toggling harpoon was developed in the northern northwest coast and was introduced 3000 or more years ago in region 1, and spread slowly down the Oregon coast until it reached region 3 and 4 only 500 years ago. / Graduation date: 1991

Geographic variation was investigated among 225 locations from five geographically disjunct regions in central Oregon. Characters included: germination speed and uniformity in two test environments differing in stratification period and incubation temperature; weight, three dimensions and three 'angles' of seeds; weight and three dimensions of wings; cone length and scale weight; the relative cover of 14 colors on the seed coat; and three sets of principal components (germination, morphology, color). The major objectives were to investigate: (1) the distribution of character variation within and among locations; (2) correlations among characters; (3) clinal relationships with several location variables (latitude, longitude, elevation, slope/aspect, soil characteristics, associated conifers); and (4) if the three major regions differed in the distribution of variation, correlations among characters, clinal relationships, and character means. In general, the major conclusions are: (1) much of the variation in all characters occurs within locations; (2) variation among locations is greater, and clines are steeper in germination than in morphological characters; (3) regions differ in several seed colors and morphological characters, and in several correlations among germination and morphological characters; (4) the Deschutes region has greater location-related variation, steeper clines, and stronger correlations between germination and morphological characters than do the two major regions farther east of the Cascade Mountain Range; (5) local aspect accounts for much of the variation in germination and morphological characters; (6) soil characteristics account for more variation in morphological than germination characters. Variation patterns are mainly interpreted as adaptive responses to the length of the growing season, which is strongly limited by summer drought in central Oregon. In general, drier locations appear to favor trees with faster and more uniform germination, and with longer, heavier seeds but shorter wings and cones. Seed colors are also correlated with several location variables. Effects of seed predators on seed size, shape and color are also considered. / Graduation date: 1989

Astragalus diaphanus is a rare plant endemic to the John Day River drainage of north-central Oregon. This species has several interesting features, including the dimorphism of its fruit and its geographical isolation from the two nearest taxonomically related species, which occur in Colorado. This study addressed the species' distribution and habitat, the taxonomic relationships between the varieties of A. diaphanus, certain morphological comparisons among the species, possible reasons for the rarity of A. diaphanus, and the population biology of this taxon. Astragalus diaphanus was found to be more widespread in the John Day drainage than was previously known, but its range has shrunk due to habitat loss along the Columbia River. In this study, two varieties are recognized within a single species, based on striking morphological differences in pod forms which correspond to a break in geographical distribution. Other morphological characters are similar between the varieties. Flavonoid analysis and chromosome counts support this taxonomic treatment. Further study is needed to elucidate the relationships of A. diaphanus and its taxonomic relatives in Colorado. A low reproductive rate in A. diaphanus appears to be a potential problem, possibly contributing to its rarity. The species exhibits a combination of annual and biennial lifecycles. Many annual individuals of A. diaphanus perish without reproducing. This may be off-set by a large seedbank, which is replenished sporadically by high production in robust biennials. There is not a need at the present time to provide legal protection to var. diaphanus, the more widespread and common taxon. However, var. diurnus has a very limited distribution along the South Fork of the John Day River and is represented by few populations. Many of these are marginally viable, and there are active threats to the existence of the latter variety. Astragalus diaphanus var. diurnus should be afforded legal protection as an endangered species. / Graduation date: 1991

Seven streams, one of them permanent, were studied in western Oregon, USA. The research was designed to assess the value of summer-dry headwaters for conservation oriented landscape management. Streams were categorized primarily according to exposure (forest versus meadow sites) and secondarily according to flow duration (ephemeral = short-flow versus temporary = long-flow sites). Ephemeral streams have discontinuous flow and last less than three months annually. Temporary streams have continuous flow for more than five months each season. Ephemeral forest streams were highly efficient at filtering road-generated sediment. Uptake lengths for suspended sediment were short (36 m-105 m) at moderately elevated input concentrations. As a result of the filtration mechanism, filtration efficiency is expected to increase as annual flow duration decreases. Injection experiments yielded nitrate uptake rates of almost 1% per m of temporary stream channel. Exchange with subsurface flow was the most important route for nitrate removal from the water column. Biological uptake was insignificant in a light-limited forest stream, whereas a considerable amount of nitrate was retained by the biota a nutrient-limited meadow channel. At least 207 insect species were collected from the summer-dry streams. Species richness recorded from temporary forest streams exceeded that in an adjacent permanent headwater and there was high overlap between the fauna of the permanent and the temporary streams. Species richness in ephemeral channels was only 1/4 to 1/3 of that in long-flow forest streams. Multivariate analysis of community structure revealed flow duration and microhabitat pattern (riffle-pool) as the most important environmental factors determining faunal composition in temporary forest streams. Summer drought conditions at the sample sites also were important. By providing habitat and contributing to water quality in permanent downstream reaches, summer-dry streams have the potential to serve multiple purposes in conservation management. Their value from a conservation perspective is unexpectedly high. Landscape management therefore should be directed toward the preservation and protection of ephemeral and temporary streams. / Graduation date: 1993

Graduation date: 1995