Greetings Friends and Neighbors
Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter. It is with great pleasure that I return to the Oregon Senate for this historic legislative session. I am honored to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue this session. As the 2009 Legislative Assembly gets underway, I will continue to send these updates about our progress here in Salem.

Session Updates
There is little doubt we are in a very difficult economic situation. Families across Oregon are facing the realities of the deepening recession – leaving many with tough decisions to make about their financial future. Lawmakers in Salem are also dealing with these same problems – balancing the needs of crucial state programs against the crippling effects of the global economic slowdown. But however daunting these challenges, I am confident that by working together with you and other lawmakers, we can make it through this trying time.

In anticipation of possible budget problems, I have been working since the fall with my Senate colleagues on a plan designed to keep Oregon on the right path. The first step of this plan began with passage of the Oregon Jobs Stimulus Plan, a landmark bill to put about 3,000 Oregonians across the state back to work on much-needed maintenance and to higher education and community college improvements.

These are smart investments that create jobs while also improving the learning environment of Oregon students. These projects will modernize our classrooms, increase the energy efficiency of our buildings, and expand access by updating facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill represents an important first step to guaranteeing a strong future for Oregon.

Portland State University will see an investment of nearly $20 million for projects including: