Friends and neighbors,

 

I wanted to send you a reminder that there will be town hall meetings on redistricting held in Portland and Gresham on April 8th and April 9th. I urge you to attend one of these two meetings so you can have your voice heard on this once-per-decade issue.

 

These hearings are two of 12 that will be held across the state to provide Oregonians an opportunity to discuss the redistricting process, what defines a “community of interest,” and how legislative and congressional districts may change as a result of population changes since 2000. By law, the criteria for redistricting require that each district, as nearly as practicable, shall:

•          Be contiguous;

•          Be of equal population;

•          Utilize existing geographic or political boundaries;

•          Not divide communities of common interest; and

•          Be connected by transportation links.

 

Here are the details:

 

Portland

Gresham

Friday, April 8th

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Portland State University

OUS Chancellor’s Office Boardroom

1800 SW 6th Avenue

Room 515

Portland, OR 97201

Saturday, April 9th

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

Mt. Hood Community College

Room 1710

26000 SE Stark St.

Gresham, OR 97030

 

 

I hope that you will be able to attend one of these two meetings and let the House and Senate Committees on Redistricting know your thoughts on our communities.

 

Sincerely,

Rod Monroe

Oregon State Senator

 

Video: The Importance of Full-Day Kindergarten

 

Education has been my career, my top issue, and my strongest focus here in the 2011 Legislative Session. So I am happy to report that the Senate recently passed a bill that will make full-day kindergarten Oregon policy across the state starting in 2015.

 

As a former teacher it’s obvious to me: our children will do better if they can spend more time in the classroom. The science is undisputable: kids who have the advantage of full-day kindergarten are more likely to be stronger readers, and less likely to drop out later on.

 

As the bill was being debated, I rose in support of full-day kindergarten and gave a speech on the Senate floor explaining just how critical it is. To watch a video of my speech, please click below:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pSd1F56fGA

 

Video: Help on the Way for Unemployed Oregonians

 

I’m so proud that the Senate recently took swift action on two bills extending unemployment benefits to Oregonians who continue to struggle with finding work in this tough economy.

 

Senate Bill 637 provides an extension through the federal Extended Benefits and High Extended Benefits program, helping an estimated 50,000 eligible Oregonians. Senate Bill 638, concerning Oregon’s Emergency Benefits Program, will help an estimated 15,000 claimants.

 

These extensions are the right thing to do. They will help our struggling families put food on the table while they look for work. If you want to hear my remarks on the Senate floor on just how important this is, please click below:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0yHcuBZ5Io

 

 

Oregon State Legislature