Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update on my work as your State Representative.
On Thursday, April 20th, Senator Kim Thatcher and I will
host a town hall meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the
Wilsonville City Hall, located at 29799 Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville, OR
97070. Senator Thatcher and I will
provide a mid-session update to talk about what is happening in Salem. I am
specifically interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas about addressing our
region’s transportation challenges. We
hope to see you there!
SB 754,
known as Tobacco 21, passed in the Senate on March 23rd. I am proud to serve as
a Chief Sponsor of this bill, which raises the minimum age at which a person
may purchase or possess tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems from 18
to 21 years. This legislation will save millions of taxpayer dollars, thousands
of lives, and improve health outcomes for Oregonians. I look forward to
supporting its passage in the House.
HB 2216,
which establishes the Oregon Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights, passed
in the House on March 16th and has moved to the Senate for further
consideration. Sibling relationships are often the closest and most enduring
relationships in our lives. Going
through the foster system can mean big, and sometimes frequent, changes in a
young person’s life. For many of these
children, having a sibling who understands what they are experiencing can be a
valuable resource—and it can be very hurtful if that resource is taken away. This bill ensures that foster children who
have been separated from their siblings are made fully aware that they have the
right to maintain contact with one another.
As a foster and adoptive parent, I was honored to submit an “Aye” vote.
HB 2320,
which requires users of nonmotorized water craft such as rafts and water tubes
to pay for and carry special permits, and to wear safety equipment at all times
or face a fine, received a public hearing in the House
Committee on Transportation Policy on March 1st. Although we need to balance our state’s
budget, I have reservations about this bill.
During the Spring and Summer months, the Tualatin River attracts
many canoers and kayakers from around the region, and I am hesitant to do
anything that might discourage them from visiting the area and contributing to
our local economies.
On March 10th, I was honored to receive Speaker Kotek’s
appointment to serve as a member of the Oregon
Innovation Council. Oregon InC is a
public-private partnership that was created in 2005 to encourage the
development of industry clusters in areas where new technologies hold unique,
national advantages. Examples of
industry clusters that have already started to develop here in Oregon include
nanotechnology, bioscience, wave energy, electric vehicles, and drone
technology. It is my hope that, by
serving as a member of this council, I can use my own experience as a business
owner to advocate for initiatives that create jobs, attract new companies, and bring
federal dollars back to Oregon to strengthen and diversify our economy.
On March 20th, a group of 100 students from Lowrie Primary School in Wilsonville visited the State Capitol to learn more about Oregon’s government and history. It was great getting to meet with some of our best and brightest, and I appreciate the emphasis their teachers place on civic engagement.
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The past several weeks have been filled with busy days at the Capitol
and meetings throughout the district. I
have enjoyed the opportunity to visit with constituents, community leaders, educators,
and members of the business community.
Here is a snapshot of my travels.
On February 23rd, I attended Sherwood Mayor Krisanna Clark’s annual State of the City address at the Sherwood Center for the Arts. Over the next 20 years, about 4,500 housing units are expected to be built in Sherwood West. One of the priorities that Mayor Clark outlined in her speech was to ensure that, as Sherwood grows, it remains a family-friendly, livable city. I appreciate her dedication to our Sherwood constituents and her willingness to serve.
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On March 8th, I met with the Southwest Corridor Republican
Club in King City to give them a mid-session update and to discuss my
legislative priorities. Members
expressed concerns about the budget shortfall and the possibilities for higher
taxes and more regulations. Our state is
receiving more revenue than it ever has before, yet we have $1.8 billion fewer
dollars than what we need to maintain current service levels, according to our agency requests. I believe our state government should
demonstrate that it is exercising fiscal responsibility before asking more of
its taxpayers. Thanks to all who attended
the meeting to express their concerns and ask questions!
On March 9th, I participated in a joint town hall at Beaverton High School with other legislators from Washington County, including Senators Riley and Steiner-Hayward, as well as Representatives Barker, Doherty, Helm, Malstrom, McLain, Noble, and Sollman. The goal of the forum was to gather public input about how legislators should address the $1.8 billion difference between expected revenue and requested budgets. Discussions about funding schools, health care, senior services, and public safety took place. About 150 people attended the meeting. I appreciate that so many of my friends and neighbors took time out of their evening to attend the event and to express their thoughts and concerns as the budget process gets underway in Salem.
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On March 10th, I toured World of Speed, an educational motorsports museum in Wilsonville. The museum is both fun and interesting, and it offers educational courses related to the automotive industry for high school students in the area. These courses keep many at-risk students in school long enough to graduate and, in many cases, they encourage those students to pursue higher education by giving them college credit. If you ever get a chance, head on over to World of Speed for some family fun and to support this great program!
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Click to edit this On March 18th, I had the privilege of addressing about 75 computer science teachers as part of the Oregon Computer Science Teachers Association’s 2017 SuperQuest Spring Conference at George Fox University. Much of the conversation focused on our state’s Career and Technical Education programs, of which I am a big proponent. The conference offered attendees instructional courses on robotics, 3D printing, computer programming, and Android app development. It was an honor to be able to hear directly from educators who will prepare our students for the high-tech jobs and industries of tomorrow. Thanks to OCSTA for having me!placeholder text.
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In case you missed it, my office has set up social media accounts to
keep you updated between newsletters.
Please feel welcome to “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram, using the handle
@reprichvial.
Spring has arrived and
the Capitol Mall is in full bloom. March
18th was Cherry Blossom Day at the State Capitol. This annual event, organized by the Japanese Cultural Society, celebrates the
importance of the cherry industry to Oregon’s economy, as well as the influence
that Japanese culture has had on our state.
As a young man, I spent several years in Japan through my church, so the
event held meaning for me, personally.
The cherry blossoms also serve as a reminder that, as the seasons are changing, so is the legislative session. April 7th, is the deadline for policy committee chairs to schedule work sessions for first chamber measures. The scheduled work sessions must occur by April 18th. Bills in policy committees that are not scheduled for a work session by this deadline cannot receive further action, however, this deadline does not apply to Ways and Means, Revenue, Rules, and other joint committees. From here, the pace of our work intensifies as we prepare to meet our constitutional deadline to adjourn by July 10th.
Thank you for being engaged in the legislative process and for providing your feedback and ideas. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your State Representative. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance, or drop by to say hello when you are in Salem.
Sincerely,
Rich
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1426 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-484, Salem, Oregon 97301 Email: Rep.RichVial@oregonlegislature.gov Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/vial
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