|
Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
Oregon has experienced a historic wildfire season this year, with more than 1.9 million acres burned, the most ever. Our firefighters have done incredible work battling these fires under difficult and often rapidly shifting weather conditions to keep Oregonians and their property safe. Oregon has seen more than 2,000 wildfires this season, stretching resources thin.
It was clear that the Legislature needed to step up to support the Department of Forestry during this challenging time. As part of the Legislature's interim committee hearings last week, the Emergency Board sent $47.5 million to the Department of Forestry to help pay for the costs associated with fighting these wildfires.
This was a bipartisan effort, with Republicans and Democrats agreeing to prioritize the health and safety of our state with this support. The Oregon Legislature will continue to do whatever we can to support the people who work so hard to keep us safe. I'm hopeful the fall rains arrive soon and put an end to the 2024 wildfire season.
After thousands of miles traveled and hundreds of pieces of public testimony received, the Joint Committee on Transportation wrapped up its 12-stop Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour on Thursday and Friday with a pair of final tours in Happy Valley and Hillsboro.
Transportation is a key issue for the Legislature in the 2025 session and I'm grateful to the members of the Joint Committee on Transportation — especially co-chairs Sen. Chris Gorsek and Rep. Susan McLain — for their hard work this interim tackling this complicated topic.
The tour allowed members of the committee to hear from local leaders, community members, and transportation officials about the specific transportation needs in Oregon's various regions and how the state should pay for the systems we need.
The reality is that there are structural issues with the way ODOT is funded. We need to figure out a sustainable and stable way to ensure the agency has the funds it needs to guarantee the safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, bike paths, and public transit.
Based on what I saw on the tours I attended, it is clear the Legislature must act in the 2025 session to stabilize ODOT's funding.
The next step is for members of the committee and stakeholders to pull together all the information they learned on the tour and create a series of consensus recommendations that legislators will use to hit the ground running once session starts. During session there will be a significant public committee process and more opportunities for Oregonians to weigh in on a variety of proposals.
I'm looking forward to continuing to engage on this topic of critical statewide need.
 I enjoyed spending the day with my fellow lawmakers on one of the final stops along the statewide Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour.
I was grateful to be able to spend time with Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, Rep. Khanh Pham and others at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center in Portland. We saw beautiful performances from students and community members and the unveiling of a new mural by Alex Chiu at the community center to mark this milestone.
Established in 1994, PIAFC was the first culturally specific community center focused on the needs of Pacific Islanders and Asians. It provides services to the community and its impact over the years cannot be overstated. Immigrant communities help make Portland the vibrant city that it is and I look forward to seeing the impact PIAFC will have in the years to come.
Celebrating this anniversary also gives me an opportunity to shout out a member of my team who has helped shepherd and grow culturally specific organizations across the region. A big thank you to my deputy chief of staff Carol Suzuki for her decades of leadership supporting the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Oregon. People like Carol and organizations like PIAFC help make our state stronger and more welcoming to all.
|
I graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor's degree in political science, and I am a proud alum of this institution that is so important to the city and all of Oregon. Its motto "Let Knowledge Serve the City" reflects how I view the importance and value of education as an uplifting force in our society.
Over the past couple weeks, I was honored to be involved in several big announcements of new and exciting things happening at the university.
In mid-September, the new Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design started construction. PSU has nationally recognized programs in graphic design and art practice and is one of Oregon's most diverse public art schools. The Legislature was able to supply $81.6 million in public bonds for the school, which is set to open in fall 2026.
As one building started construction, another was celebrating its completion. The grand opening of the new Vernier Science Center was last week, and I joined my colleague Sen. Janeen Sollman, Christine and Dave Vernier, PSU President Ann Cudd and many others to tour and toast to the cutting-edge facility. STEM fields are going to continue to help create the future, and with this facility I know that PSU students are going to be there at the forefront.
Finally, I had the honor of welcoming back to Portland State my good friend Congressman Earl Blumenauer. After years of distinguished public service to the city of Portland, the state of Oregon, and our country, Earl decided to not seek re-election this year. He instead will be joining the university once his term ends to focus on local political and infrastructure issues. The heart of Portland will again be greatly served by Congressman Blumenauer.
 It's always such a treat to come back to Portland State University and see the incredible growth happening at the university.
Oregon has nearly 200 state parks from Tillamook to Ontario, and I am making my way through each and every one of them and sharing the things I learn along the way.
This month, I wanted to take a moment to highlight a state park that is very close to home for folks who work in the Capitol building, and that is State Capitol State Park in Salem. In addition to the iconic cherry trees, the park has three fountains, several statues and a number of small flagstones set into the walking paths that tell the story of Oregon.
When the CAMS (Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety) Project is finished, the walk of flags will be returned to the park as well.
The park has been under the care of Oregon State Parks since 2008 and is a welcome respite from the Capitol building during those long days during the legislative session.
Last week, I attended a small celebration in State Capitol State Park to mark the official designation of the potato as Oregon's state vegetable. This recognition came thanks to the leadership of Sen. Bill Hansell, who introduced the bill in 2023 and spoke last week about the importance of the potato to Oregon and Oregon's farmers.
If you walk around the park, you can now find one of those flagstones celebrating the potato, along with other Oregon state symbols, and each of Oregon's 36 counties.
 During session you can always find lawmakers, lobbyists and anyone else who needs a break from the Capitol walking around State Capitol State Park.
Statesman Journal: Oregon still has money to help homeowners who got behind on mortgages during pandemic
The Oregon Housing and Community Services still has $6.7 million in federal funding for homeowners who fell behind on their mortgage payments during the COVID-19 pandemic and still have not caught up.
Oregon Capital Chronicle: State leaders send forestry department extra $47.5 million to cover mounting wildfire costs
The Oregon Department of Forestry is getting help from the state’s general fund to pay its bills after a record wildfire season.
KOIN: Oregon inches closer to universal school meals
Over the last few years, the Oregon Department of Education has seen a “dramatic” increase in schools offering free meals to all students.
Oregonian: It’s official. Oregon has a state vegetable
This week Oregon got its official state vegetable.
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
If you would like to contact the Senate President's Office, send an email or call and either myself or a staff member will assist you. If you are a constituent coming to Salem and want to arrange a meeting, I'm always happy to meet, so please let us know well in advance as my schedule fills up quickly.
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov
phone: 503-986-1600
address: 900 Court St NE, S-201, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
| 
