This is my 22nd year as an Oregon Legislator.  I represent Senate District 24 which includes East Portland and Northern Clackamas County. My wife, Billie, has been by my side for over fifty years and she plays a big part in managing my daily responsibilities. This Session, I’m involved in five committees and subcommittees: Ways and Means, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education (Co-chair), Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development, Transportation Preservation and Modernization, and Business and Transportation. I am also a part of leadership in the Senate.

I am working on an omnibus transportation package that involves roads, highways, bridges, transit, and safe sidewalks and bikeways. This also includes Tri-Met, safety, and elderly and handicap transportation. I believe it’s important to keep sidewalks safe for children going to school and to have more access to safe bikeways. I believe transportation in Oregon is very important and I have been a part of every developing Tri-Met light rail line since the 1970s.

Currently in Oregon, all citizens must register to vote no less than twenty calendar days before an election.  If voters change addresses, they lose their right to vote. I would like to change this with Senate Joint Resolution 2, which would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow citizens to register to vote no later than the day before an election. I strongly support the Senate Resolution because I believe that it will take away roadblocks that primarily affect the more mobile younger generation. A hearing on the Senate Joint Resolution 2 will be held on March 1st and I am hopeful about the outcome. If it passes it will be on your ballot next November.

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I’m a lifelong educator- I spent ten years on the board of David Douglas School District, eight years on the board of Mount Hood Community College, and fifteen years on the board of Warner Pacific College. As a retired history teacher, and a proud grandparent of twelve-year-old Miles Monroe, education is very important to me. I will be working hard this Session to put more money back into our public schools statewide.