|
We are now 15 days into the 2016 “short” legislative session
and have a constitutional maximum of just 20 days to go. Here’s a brief Salem update:
Legislation
Updates
My bill creating Children’s Special Districts, Senate
Bill 1545, is scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow, February 16, at 8:30
a.m. in the Senate Finance & Revenue Committee. Children’s Special
Districts would pick up where the Commission on Children and Families left off
by providing services for school-aged children in Oregon. I’m looking forward
to the public hearing tomorrow and excited to have the opportunity to discuss
the merits of this bill.
My other priority bill this session, Senate
Bill 1546, is heading to the Senate Rules Committee. SB 1546 helps protect
Oregonians from predatory towing practices. We held a public hearing and work
session on this bill in the Senate Business & Transportation Committee last
week, and a few technical issues came up with the bill’s language. I’m working
with Legislative Council and the Attorneys General’s office to make sure we get
the language right so we can get this bill passed this session.
Stay tuned for continued updates on my priority bills for
this session!
Announcements
I’m excited to announce that on January 26, 2016 I was
appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services (GCSS). The GCSS is
dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all older
Oregonians. Through cooperation with other organizations and advocacy, GCSS
works to ensure that seniors have access to services that provide choice,
independence, and dignity. I’m proud to serve as the legislative representative
from the Oregon Senate on the GCSS – learn more about the Commission here.
Community Events
On February 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pacific University’s
Center for Gender Equity and the Center for Peace and Spirituality will be
having a presentation and panel discussion on sex trafficking. The event,
“Human Trafficking – What is it?,” will explore the dimensions of human sex
trafficking and the ways that it is being conceptualized and addressed. Before
and after the program there will be a “How Can I Help Fair” were you have the
opportunity to get involved in the work to eliminate sex trafficking. This is a
free event open to the public. For more information, please email Laurel
Gregory at laurelgregory@live.com.
Another free community shredding event is coming up! Beaverton
PD is offering free shredding of confidential materials on Saturday,
February 27, at Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 N.W. Cornell Road in
Beaverton. Help keep your information safe from identity theft! Each car is
allowed to bring three bankers boxes of personal documents to be shredded for
free.
In case you hadn’t heard, the Secretary of State is inviting
all Oregon school children to participate in the Oregon
Constitution Challenge. Due to security and preservation concerns, the
original Oregon Constitution is almost always stored in the state archives,
except on rare occasions when it is displayed publicly. The Constitution
Challenge asks Oregon’s schoolchildren to contribute the $60,000 needed for a
professional restoration so that the Constitution can be publicly displayed. If
each of Oregon’s 600,000 students contributed just 10 cents, the fundraising
goal would be met. Additionally, each school that contributes at least $250
towards the project will have their school’s name engraved on a plaque that
will be placed alongside the restored Constitution. Contact the Secretary of
State’s office with any additional questions about how you can participate!
Snapshots
 I want to thank everyone who came out to my
Constituent Coffee on January 23rd. We had a really great turn out,
and I appreciated hearing questions and concerns from so many members of our
community. And a big “thank you” to Manaia Coffee House and Island Grill for allowing
us to use their space.
|
 Thank
you to the members of the Oregon Food Bank who came by to share their stories
with me on February 2nd.
|
 On
February 9th I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from
the Virginia Garcia Clinic to discuss the importance of school-based
healthcare.
|
 On
February 10th I met with a group of students who were here to
advocate for additional protections for wolves. It’s great to meet with young,
passionate students – they are our future!
|
Stay in Touch!
We want to stay in contact with you! If you are not already subscribed, please
visit my legislative website and enter your email address into the
“e-Subscribe” box at the right so that you never miss a newsletter. You will also find me on Facebook, or you can follow me on Twitter to stay up to date with what my office is up
to. Or, you can always check the events calendar on my legislative website!
As always, I am here to serve you.
If there is something I can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to
reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
 Senator Chuck Riley
Senate District 15
email: Sen.ChuckRiley@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1715
address: 900 Court St NE, S-303, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/riley
Connect with me on Facebook
Connect with me on Twitter
| 
