|
Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
It has been a while since we last connected, but the work continued behind the scenes. During the 60 days before the May primary election and the general election, state legislators cannot use legislative communication channels. However, now that the primary election is over, we are back up and running until early September.
Since the end on March I have been traveling around the state doing what I enjoy most: taking off the tie, throwing on my hiking boots, and getting out to reconnect with the people of Senate District 19 and my colleagues around the State of Oregon.
The last few weeks let me get back to the real heart of this work. I've been meeting with partners, visiting projects on the ground, and seeing firsthand how things are shaping Oregon's future. From conversations about economic development in the Silicon Forest to the collaborative efforts around the Reimagine the River event, I'm reminded of why I love Oregon and the work we are doing at the state level to foster a prosperous state for all.
I was proud to join Governor Tina Kotek and community leaders at Moda Center for the signing ceremony of SB 1501, which provides a roadmap for the future of Oregon’s Arena.
For more than 30 years, Moda Center has served as a gathering place for Oregonians, hosting basketball games, concerts, rodeos, graduations, and countless moments that have brought people together. I thought about my own memories in the arena, like receiving my diploma from Portland State University in 1998 and meeting President Bill Clinton backstage that same day.
Modernizing the arena involves more than just keeping a building in good shape. It also supports Oregon’s economy, tourism industry, and identity. Just look at how much excitement and activity the newly launched Portland Fire are generating. A refreshed publicly owned arena will help Oregon attract major national events, drawing visitors to communities across our state and benefiting local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and workers. The Moda Center has served Oregon well for decades. With SB 1501, we are ensuring it continues to benefit future generations of Oregonians for years to come.
Read more: Oregon governor signs bill to fund Moda Center renovation (KGW)
 Sen. Kate Lieber, my chief of Staff Barry Pack, Gov. Tina Kotek, and I.
 Recently I joined my colleagues Sen. Sollman, Rep. Sosa, Rep. Walters, Rep. Pham, Rep. Daniel Nguyen, and Oregon's Chief Prosperity Officer Tim Knopp for a Silicon Forest tour showcasing the innovation and economic strength of Oregon’s semiconductor industry. Throughout the day, we visited facilities at Synopsys, NVIDIA, Intel, and a stop at Lam Research, which I am proud to have located in my district.
The tour provided great insight into the important work happening across Oregon’s Silicon Forest and reinforced how important the semiconductor industry is to our state economy. These companies are creating high-wage jobs, driving innovation, strengthening supply chains, and positioning Oregon as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and technology.
This is something that we need to support moving forward. The Oregon Legislature has an important role to play in fostering that continued growth and partnership. In 2023, we took a major step forward with SB 4, making strategic investments to help Oregon remain competitive in the semiconductor sector and attract future economic opportunities. Discussion throughout the day focused on how we can strengthen relationships between industry, education, workforce development, and state government to ensure Oregon remains a national leader for years to come.
I am an avid outdoorsman, and I try to not pass up on opportunities that highlight the natural beauty of Oregon and best of all Senate District 19. A few weeks back I was invited by former Gov. Kate Brown to speak at the Reimagine the River event hosted by the 1803 Fund, Ecotrust and the Willamette Falls Trust.
The event focused on the connection, collaboration, and restoring access to the Willamette River with exciting projects like the revitalization of Willamette Falls, the transformation of Lower Albina, and the development of the OMSI Center for Tribal Nations. These projects are helping reshape the future of our region while strengthening our relationship with the river that runs through it. There is real power in shared public spaces and in the work happening on both sides of the Willamette. These efforts are not only about environmental restoration, but also about building stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant communities.
 |
|
Architectural rendering of the Willamette Falls Trust public access project |
I also recently had the opportunity to throw on a life jacket with my colleagues Sen. Neron Misslin and Rep. Walters to raft the Tualatin River hosted by the Tualatin Riverkeepers. We began our trek from Shipley Bridge on Stafford Road down to Willamette Park in West Linn. We went under the I-205 Interstate Bridge, over Lake Oswego Corp Dam, and stopped for a group photo at Fields Bridge Park.
It’s hard to believe we were in Senate District 19 throughout the entire paddle! This part of the Tualatin River is seldom traveled due to seasonal water level changes and limited access to the water. It was eye-opening to see the beauty the Tualatin River holds. Special thanks to Glenn Fee, Executive Director of the Tualatin Riverkeepers and Steph Noll, Coalition Director of the Oregon Trails Coalition for the great conversation on the river and for being my raft-partners.
Read more: 12 projects that could transform development along the Willamette River (The Oregonian)
I recently had the chance to sit down with former Senate President John Burns for an engaging conversation about his time in the Oregon Legislature. President Burns represented Multnomah County in the State Senate from 1967 to 1975 and served as Senate President from 1971 to 1973.
Hearing President Burns’ first-hand perspective on leadership, reform, and institutional change was a powerful reminder of the Senate’s rich history and the people who helped shape it.
Watch: John Burns: Oregon State Capitol Foundation Oral History Project (YouTube)
As many of you know, I have a goal of visiting all the State Parks in Oregon, a hearty goal with well over 250 state parks to visit. This interim I have taken upon myself to get back out to visit my colleagues in their hometowns. After visiting Senator Gelser Blouin in Corvallis and heading towards Eugene to visit Senator Prozanski and Senator Manning, I decided to visit Thompson Mills State Heritage Site between I-5 and 99E.
Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site is Oregon’s oldest surviving water-powered grain mill, it still operates with historic turbines that visitors can see during guided tours. The mill continues to run on a water right established before Oregon became a state, supplying the flow needed for milling demonstrations today. I recommend you stop by next time you find yourself in the lower Willamette Valley!
Read more: Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site (stateparks.oregon.gov)
The Oregonian Oregonians won’t see higher gas tax as Measure 120 goes down with strong opposition
Oregonians have decided not to increase a series of transportation taxes that would have bolstered funding for road maintenance and public transit — a long-anticipated result that concludes more than a year of political theater and debate.
KVAL PeaceHealth agrees to extend services with Eugene Emergency Physicians; contract pending
PeaceHealth and Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP) said they are working to reset their approach to emergency department physician services in Oregon after what they described as several challenging months for physicians, caregivers and the communities they serve.
Oregon Public Broadcasting After almost 2-year lapse, Oregon counties get nearly $100 million from Secure Rural Schools
Most Oregon counties are set to receive nearly $100 million from the federal Secure Rural Schools Act after Congress let funding for the 25-year-old program lapse for almost two years.
Lake Oswego Review Election: Measure for new Lake Oswego fire station is expected to pass
Based on initial returns, Lake Oswego voters are poised to approve funding for a new fire station on South Shore Boulevard.
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please use the following options:
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
| 
