Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter. This month I want to announce my upcoming events and share my thoughts on two of Oregon's most important issues: the budget and education.
 
Town Hall Meetings Announcement

As your State Senator, I could not do my job without the support and feedback I get regularly from our district. Because of the financial crisis, it is more important than ever that I receive your input.

I will be hosting two town hall meetings in March. Your ideas guide the work I do every day in Salem and I look forward to discussing them with you at these town halls.

Event details are below:
What: Town Hall with Senator Rod Monroe
Where: David Douglas District Office Boardroom, 1500 SE 130th
When: Saturday, March 14th from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
 
What: Town Hall with Senator Rod Monroe and Representative Jefferson Smith
Where: Midland County Library, 805 SE 122nd, South of Stark Street
When: Sunday, March 22nd, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
 
Even if you can't make it to our town halls, I still want to hear your ideas about the direction of our great state. Please don't hesitate to contact my office to let me know how I can best represent the interests of East Portland and Happy Valley.
 
            By Phone: (503) 986-1724
            By E-mail: sen.rodmonroe@state.or.us
Oregon's Budget Challenges

As most everyone is aware of by now, the Legislature has been faced with a large hole in our current budget as a result of the global economic recession. So far we have been able to lessen much of the damage for this biennium through a combination of federal stimulus money and small program cuts, ensuring Oregon's families will continue to receive the services and educational opportunities they rely on.

However, an even more severe shortfall of over $3 billion for our 2009-2011 budget leaves Oregon with many challenges ahead. My highest priority is the continued prosperity of our families and I am confident that together, Oregonians can work through this difficult economic period.

SB 44: A Full-Day Kindergarten Compromise

As a lifelong educator I realize our children are our most precious asset. It has been my priority for many legislative sessions to support high quality educational opportunities for all Oregon children. In 1981, I carried the original Senate bill that required every district in the state to offer kindergarten at some level. Over two decades later, we are still missing a crucial piece in not providing all of our children with free Full-Day Kindergarten.

Were we in better economic times, Full-Day Kindergarten might have been a reality for students across Oregon this legislative session.

Last week the Senate passed SB 44, which continues to fund half day kindergarten while also creating the Full-Day Kindergarten Implementation Committee to find a way to implement Full-Day programs by 2012. While I am philosophically opposed to the idea of charging tuition for public education, this bill is a compromise given our impossible economic climate. It is my hope that by allowing us to keep our children in school today, we can work toward the future when we can guarantee Full-Day Kindergarten statewide.