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It was great to meet with folks from SD 27. It is always great to have people make the trip over the pass to come visit with me at our capitol in Salem.
Last week, I testified in the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bill
574 which would increase the funds available to schools for students with high
cost disabilities. I believe every child deserves access to an education environment
where they belong and succeed. Increasing the resources available for educating
students with special needs will help ensure that all students can grow and
achieve.
The House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce
Development held a hearing last Thursday on House Bill 2782, which will create
bonds to fund the expansion of the Oregon State University-Cascades campus.
OSU-Cascades is a vital job creator and educational resource for Central Oregon
as the only four-year university in the region. I was involved in helping found
and fund what was then the branch campus of Oregon State University. I am
excited by opportunity we have here to improve the economy, education, and the
quality of life for Central Oregonians. |
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As part of working as a legislator, I get the
opportunity to work with many young people who are just learning about
government and the legislative process. One of those young people is my
legislative intern Jason Dudash. Jason attends Corban University and is
studying criminal justice. He had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Senate
Bill 595 which would create a tax credit to offset the cost of student loan
interest for students that stay in Oregon. Jason, who has student loans of his own,
did a great job testifying in committee. I introduced SB 595 to help families
with the ever increasing cost of higher education debt. Thanks to Jason for
handling this hearing. |
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 Wildfires are a major concern for many Central Oregonians and a significant
part of preventing wildfires is adequately “reforesting” areas damaged after
major fires. Between 2013 and 2015, Oregon saw between 53,000 and 104,000 acres
of public and private lands burned by forest fire. Unfortunately, reforestation
can be very expensive, especially after landowners deal with the fire itself and
the damage it leaves in its wake. I introduced Senate Bill 633 this session to
help landowners “reforest” their property. Not only will this improve forest
health and protect the environment, it will create jobs and reduce the risk of future
fires. I testified in favor of the bill last Wednesday and I hope that the Legislature
will take action to help landowners recover from the devastating forest fires.
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Best Regards,
 Senator Tim Knopp
Senate District 27
email: sen.timknopp@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1727
address: 900 Court St NE, S-309, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/knopp
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