Public Hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 26 SJR 26 received its first public hearing on February 21st. SJR 26 is the proposed constitutional revision that I have introduced with my Republican colleague Sen. Frank Morse and co-sponsors from both parties. It will create a constitutional rainy day fund that can only be used during documented economic downturns. The public hearing for SJR 26 showcased the wide range of support for this concept. Past and present elected officials, both Democrat and Republican, prominent members of the Oregon business community, and Oregon public school advocates came to Salem to voice their support. A full list of those providing testimony regarding SJR 26 can be found here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/committees/exhib2web/2011reg/SFR/sfr_files/02-21-2011/SFR_022120111307%20HL.pdf
Around the Capitol: Here is a status update on several bills that have received a significant amount of press and citizen interest: Senate Bill 301: This legislation will connect key components of Oregon’s tax code with federal tax code. Senate Bill 301 will align Oregon tax code with the federal tax code for the 2010 tax year. That allows children to stay on their parents’ health plan up to age 27. It will also provide an above-the-line means-tested tax deduction of up to $4000 for tuition and tuition related expenses. The Senate passed SB 301 unanimously on February 17th. It has hit a snag in the House because of issues relating to the 2011 tax year. It is important to get this legislation through quickly so that Oregonians who are currently filing their 2010 taxes can take deductions for tuition, health care and many smaller items. Oregonians who have questions about their eligibility for these provisions or who need help completing their taxes can contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 1-800-356-4222 or visit
http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/taxhelp.shtml. In addition, CASH Oregon and AARP offer free tax preparation assistance for Oregonians. See
http://www.cashoregon.org/taxprep/sites.htm for a list of sites.
Senate Bill 444: This legislation will expand the exemption of homemade beer, wine and fermented fruit juice from the Liquor Control Act. This bill was passed unanimously by the Senate on February 22nd. Senate Bill 444 would allow Oregon Home brewers to enter their beverages in contests and share their beverage creations with neighbors and friends. It is currently in the House committee on Business and Labor, and has been scheduled for a public hearing/work session on March 7th.
Senate Bill 536: This legislation would prohibit the use of single-use checkout bags in many grocery stores throughout Oregon. It received a public hearing on February 8th, and remains in the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee. House Bill 2865: I have cosponsored HB 2865, which would extend immunity to landowners for allowing public entry upon land for public trails. Extending the immunity for landowners who allow public trails to cross their land is essential to the creation and continuation of public trails. Hillsdale residents Don Baack and Glenn Bridger provided detailed and well received testimony for HB 2865 on February 23rd before the House Agriculture and Natural Resource committee. They are leaders of an all-volunteer army of trail builders in the Hillsdale area. HB 2865 will encourage continued development of public trails in Tigard and Southwest Portland and throughout Oregon. How would you balance the budget? Here is a link to a website that poses the question: “can you fix Oregon’s budget crisis?” Oregon is facing a $3.5 billion budget shortfall that will force the legislature to reduce funding to a variety of programs. This website categorically lists a number of programs that are facing budget cuts and lets you decide which to cut and which to keep.
http://oregonbudgetpriorities.com/widget/
Meet My Staff
I am now fully staffed for the 2011 Legislative Session! Jennifer Lewis, Chief of staff:
Jen has been with my office since June of 2010. She is my primary policy advisor, and our resident expert in healthcare and transportation policy. Prior to working for me, she spent the last two years staffing Senator Rick Metsger. In her free time, Jen is completing course work for her Master’s in Public Administration at Portland State University. Kate Grosswiler, Legislative Assistant:
Kate joined my office this January. She focuses on constituent relations, bicycle and environmental policy, and ensuring that I am on time to my appointments – not an easy task. Kate has spent the last few years working for River City Bicycles, and is currently training for the upcoming bicycle racing season. Rounding out our staff are three talented interns from Willamette and Portland State Universities: Zane, Laurel and Jessica. Upcoming Events:
Please join me for a town hall that I am co-hosting with State Representative Margaret Doherty. It will be held on March 9th at 7pm at the Tigard City Hall (13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard Oregon 97223). It was rescheduled after our previously planned Town Hall was cancelled because of weather. Yours truly, 
Senator Burdick
Senate District 18 | 
900 Court St. NE, S-213 Salem Oregon 97301