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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The legislature will be facing some big
decisions in the weeks ahead as we craft the state budget. As it
stands, Oregon is facing a $1.6 billion budget shortfall, which leaves us
with a simple but very important choice: either cut vital services that
Oregonians rely on every day, or take action to contain costs
and raise revenue so we can finally invest in our schools and
communities.
There are some smart, targeted spending cuts that we can make - but making cuts alone would be devastating. I have heard from parents worried about their children's class sizes of 40+ students; seniors who rely on programs like Oregon Project Independence to stay in their own homes; and public safety officers concerned about having enough resources to keep our communities safe and secure.
Our state budget is a reflection of our values. It should not be balanced on the backs of families and working Oregonians. Oregonians are counting on us to work together and make the hard choices necessary to continue building a better and more prosperous state for all of us. It will not be easy, but I know that it is possible if we come together and work towards a revenue solution.
My next town hall will be on Monday, May 8th at 7:00 PM at the Oregon City Public Library. We will be discussing and taking your questions on transportation issues. I will be joined by experts from Clackamas County, TriMet, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and Oregon City Public Works. It will be a great discussion and wonderful opportunity to ask about any transit-related issues and projects that are important to you.
As always, please reach out to me at any time to share your thoughts or if my office can assist you in any way.
Yours truly,
 Mark Meek
State Representative - Oregon House District 40
On April 17th I hosted a town hall on senior and social services. Keeping promises to our seniors and ensuring they can retire with dignity is so important, and I look forward to continuing my work on this issue. Some great questions and concerns were raised that I will take with me to Salem. Forums like these really help to inform the work I do in the legislature.
Thank you to Gilman Park Assisted Living in Oregon City for providing the space and to our fantastic panel of experts: Brenda Durbin and Kati Tilton of Clackamas County Social Services, John Mullin of the Oregon Law Center, and Steph Delage of the Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman's Office.
Last week I visited the Two Rivers Homeowner's Cooperative in Gladstone. Residents have formed a cooperative and are working with the owners to purchase the property.
 Co-ops like these create housing stability and give people the chance to truly own their future. Thanks to the many community partners who were involved for their leadership on helping to make this project a reality!
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office runs the Clackamas Substance Abuse Program (CSAP) in coordination with the non-profit Bridges to Change. I recently had the chance to visit their facility and learn more about the important work they are doing.
CSAP not only treats their clients' substance dependencies but also assists with connecting them to other services, such as housing, employment resources, and programs for veterans, among others. The clients I met credited CSAP with giving them the tools to succeed and a road map to get there. Keep up the great work Clackamas County!
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1440
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-285, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.MarkMeek@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/meek
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