Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

This week the Oregon Legislature met at the Capitol for Legislative Committee Days.  This was a tremendous opportunity to see some of the work of last session come to fruition. 

 One of this week’s highlights was attending the Governor John Kitzhaber’s signing ceremony for the First Responders Appreciation Bill.  Last session I sponsored House Bill 2182 to create Oregon’s First Responder Appreciation Day.  As noted in the Governor’s proclamation First Responders are the first line of defense, and risk their safety on a daily basis to protect the public.  First Responders are ready 24 hours a day to come to the aid of our citizens, and are vital in our communities responding to emergencies and volunteering in our schools and community organizations.   I know how demanding this can be, as I served as a first responder with the Hamlet Rural Fire Protection District for nearly 20 years.  Whether volunteers or employees of agencies that provide public safety services including policing, fire protection, emergency medical services and search and rescue, I’m hoping they all feel honored and appreciated on September 27th, Oregon’s First Responder Appreciation Day.

 
The First Responder Appreciation Day Legislation is Signed into Law

Another major event that occurred in the Governor’s office this week was the signing of the Declaration of Cooperation between the Governor, Coastal Caucus, and the US Army Corps of Engineers for dredging federal navigation channels into Oregon’s small coastal ports.

In his comments, the Governor noted that ports and small coastal waterways are among Oregon’s most valuable assets, proving a crucial employment base in Oregon rural counties while helping to maintain and create jobs across the state.   The Corps budget no longer includes dredging funding for small ports, and without this cooperative effort between the state, ports and federal government, many small ports would have to close over time.   Because of this historic agreement, dredging in the small southern Oregon ports has already begun, and the work will continue in all ports in the coming years.   This was the major effort of the Coastal Caucus in the last session, for February’s short session, our Coastal Caucus goal will be approval of a business plan for the dredging effort.  Long term, we will work with the Governor to see that at least $5 million is included in each biennial budget, to avoid trying to fight for funding every session.

 
Members of the Coastal Caucus and US Army Corps of Engineers joined the Governor as he signed the historic Declaration of Cooperation documents

As always, if you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can also write, phone or email my office.It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

 Sincerely,

Deborah Boone

State Representative District 32