|
Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has the opportunity to reflect on who they are most thankful for this year. I am truly thankful to live in Oregon and be surrounded by Oregonians who are empathetic and kind toward their friends and neighbors. Oregonians always demonstrate compassion, care, and understanding, foster community and are generous to those less fortunate.
If you are traveling to be with family, please travel safely. I'm no meteorologist, but it’s nice to see some blue skies as the weather in Oregon seems about as good as we can hope for in the middle of fall.
I hope we can all rest this weekend and remind ourselves of what's most important in life and what brings joy to our lives.
Now that we're through election season, it's more important than ever to continue our conversations with members of the community about the issues that are most important to us. I was glad to be able to spend some time over the past few weeks engaging with folks on a variety of topics as we prepare for the 2025 legislative session.
West Linn Town Hall
Of the many town halls I have done since becoming Senate President, the participants of this month's town hall in West Linn asked the most questions and about the most diverse topics yet. Rep. Jules Walters, Rep. Daniel Nguyen and I were only able to get through a portion of them, but we had a great conversation about transportation, public education funding, food insecurity, and preparations for the 2025 session. Thanks to everyone for coming out and helping us legislators do our jobs better, and thank you to West Linn Mayor Rory Bialostosky for hosting us.
 Always enjoy spending an evening with my colleagues chatting about important the issues in our community.
Courthouse Renovation
I was offered the opportunity with several of my legislative colleagues to tour the replacement courthouse for Clackamas County. We were told the project remains on-time and on-budget and it was great to see the progress the teams have been making. The Legislature stepped up to help fund this project which will be a pillar for our communities for years to come.
 Enjoy throwing on a hardhat and a hi-vis vest with Rep. Jules Walters, Rep. Hoa Nguye and Sen. Mark Meek to see what all that's being built with Oregon tax dollars.
American Council of Engineering Companies-Oregon
Stabilizing our transportation systems is going to be one of the biggest issues facing us in the upcoming legislation session. I had the pleasure of speaking as the keynote to the American Council of Engineering Companies-Oregon at their legislative preview event about this and many other important topics.
Technical experts with on-the-ground experience are going to be invaluable resources for legislators as we work together to address this issue. I'm looking forward to continuing to engage with stakeholders on this topic in the coming months.
 This legislative preview event had a distinctive holiday vibe.
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 my journey along the way.
This month I made a trip to Southern Oregon and stopped at a number of the sites along the coast region, including Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, Cape Blanco State Park, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Illinois River Forks State Park, Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site, Valley of the Rogue State Park, and Fort Lane State Heritage Site.
I was struck by the diversity of the landscape, even in such a relatively small geographic region. Each of the sites and state parks have a rich history and dedicated people who commit their time and energy to ensuring Oregonians can experience these places for years to come.
Pictured above is Dr. Mark Tveskov, Southern Oregon University Professor of Anthropology, who guided me during my tour around Fort Lane State Heritage Site. There is so much history and beauty in Oregon and I'm going to keep doing what I can to expand access to the outdoors for all Oregonians.
|
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Oregon Rep. Salinas introduces bill to allow federal money for furniture banks
Reasoning that a house without a bed, chair or table isn’t a home, a U.S. representative from Oregon introduced a bill to allow federal funding for the nonprofit organizations that provide free furniture to people moving out of homelessness.
OPB: Oregon lawmakers will hold emergency session to pay wildfire bills
Oregon legislators will meet for a brief special session next month to approve emergency spending to cover bills for this year’s unprecedented wildfire season.
Statesman Journal: Why national election results are pushing Oregon to keep emergency stock of abortion drug
Oregon will continue keeping an emergency supply of a medication used for abortion under an agreement between the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health & Science University.
Oregonian: Oregon coastal tribe has hunting and fishing rights restored under a long-sought court ruling
Drumming made the floor vibrate and singing filled the conference room of the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, on the Oregon coast, as hundreds in tribal regalia danced in a circle.
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
| 
