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Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox. To contact me, please use my legislative email account: Sen.suzanneweber@oregonlegislature.org
We have made it through week 2 of the short session with so many issues converging on the legislature. Please join me on this week's episode of From the District to hear about a few of those issues. You can watch on YouTube or listen on SoundCloud.
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I always love to get visits from Tillamook natives. Thank you Tricia and family for visiting my office this week. I value your ideas for next session and plan on developing a legislative concept to work towards a fix.
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I enjoyed having Yukon from Neah-Kah-Nie High School join us for the day. Yukon was an honorary page on the Senate floor and was also able to join us for our Water Caucus Lunch and Learn to hear about water rights law. |
On February 14th Senate Republicans Join Democrats in Passing a Class A Misdemeanor for Drug Possession
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously adopted a bipartisan amendment to a placeholder bill recriminalizing public use of illicit drugs on public transit to a Class A misdemeanor. It passed out of committee with a strong 5-0-0 vote and will go to the Senate floor for consideration. “I was proud to cast my vote in favor of a Class A misdemeanor amendment because everyone deserves to feel safe whether they are riding the bus or taking their kids to school,” said Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), Vice-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We need to implement this statewide. If transit can be a drug-free zone, so can the rest of Oregon.”
“Democrats who crafted this amendment obviously recognize the severity of the
widespread drug use in our communities but are only choosing to put a Class A
misdemeanor on government transportation and not in our neighborhoods,” said Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls).
Testimony on the -1 amendment to SB 1553 provided by the Oregon Transit Association clearly supports a Class A misdemeanor to increase safety and accessibility, stating: “In situations where law enforcement involvement proves necessary, this bill will provide them with the tools they need to help keep illicit drug use off of public transportation and send a clear message that transit is a drug-free zone.”
“I am pleased Democrats finally agree that a Class A misdemeanor is the tool law
enforcement needs to get people the help they need and clean up our communities,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “As per the February 13th letter we sent to the Co-Chairs of the Joint Measure 110 Committee, HB 4002 must also include a Class A misdemeanor to make real progress in solving the drug addiction crisis.”
SB 1553 has received substantial bipartisan support. A complete list of sponsors can be found by clicking the bill number here SB 1553.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716 District Phone: 503-300-4493
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-405, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.SuzanneWeber@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/weber/
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