|
|
|
E-Newsletter From Senator Roblan
|
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As your State Senator for District 5, I have consistently promoted a set of priorities and championed legislation that focuses on the needs of middle class families and seniors living in our rural and coastal regions as well as on government transparency. I am pleased to report that, last week, the Senate Democrats released its 2014 agenda, an agenda which embodies these priorities.
They include:
- Improving the economy and accelerating job growth in rural and coastal Oregon.
- Protecting our historic $6.85 billion investment in K-12 education to help stabilize school districts across Oregon and begin to reverse the trend of teacher layoffs and fewer school days.
- Increasing access to higher education by taking steps to make community colleges and universities more affordable.
- Making state government work to meet your needs and expectations.
I remain committed to improving access to quality K-12 and higher education. I also know it is critical to the future of our state and the well-being of our families that we make vocational training and access to a college education easier so that all Oregonians can gain the skills needed to qualify for good paying jobs.
As we embark on this 2014 short legislative session, I want to stress my commitment to working with all of my fellow elected representative, regardless of party affiliation, to find solutions to the issues that are important to my constituents. I encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions with me because, although we may be Democrats, Republicans and Independents, we are all Oregonians first.
Please keep in touch with my office by:
- Following my FaceBook page,
- Emailing us at sen.arnieroblan@state.or.us
- Call me at the State Capitol at 503-986-1705
We are pleased to welcome Anne Johnson to our staff for the February legislative session. Anne was formerly a legislative aide for Senator Verger in District 5 and grew up on the coast in Coos Bay. Please do hesitate to contact Anne at anne.johnson@state.or.us.
Sincerely yours,
Arnie Roblan, State Senator District 5
|
Merkley Ensures Coastal Priorities Addressed in Spending Bill
Fishermen and ports benefit from Oregon’s seat on Appropriations Committee
 WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the omnibus spending bill that just passed the Senate includes several provisions directly benefiting the Oregon coast. The bill was the first since Merkley joined the committee, which shapes the federal government’s annual spending priorities.
“In my role as member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, it’s my job to make sure our spending priorities as a nation reflect Oregon’s priorities,” said Merkley. “This bill helps reduces the hassle and cost to fishermen who are currently required to hire observers to track catches. It appropriately takes the burden of paying for tsunami cleanup away from local taxpayers. And it recognizes the critical role small ports play at the heart of our coastal communities. Smart investments like these matter to our communities and I will keep fighting for them.”
At Merkley’s urging, the bill encourages investment in electronic log books for fisherman, which would replace a time-consuming and expensive compliance process that requires physical observers to be present on fishing boats. The bill also allocates $6 million to helping our communities recoup funds from cleaning up debris caused by the 2011 Japan earthquake, as well as $40 million for small ports. There was no money set aside for small ports last year, and in FY 12 there was $30 million.
The spending bill just passed the Senate today and passed the U.S. House yesterday. It is now awaiting the President’s signature to become law.
|
900 Court St. NE, S-417, Salem Oregon 97301