Senator Jason A. Atkinson

Oregon State Capitol

900 Court Street NE, S-415

Salem, Oregon 97301                                                                                                                               

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       CONTACT:  Michael Gay

April 2, 2009                                                                                                                         503.986.1955

503.781.8559

 

Atkinson marks legislature’s 81st day,

still no K-12 budget

 

Oregon classrooms deserve stability and security

 

Salem – Senator Jason A. Atkinson (R-Central Point) believes when it comes to funding Oregon classrooms, politicians should start being good to their word.  Atkinson told his colleagues that Thursday marks the 81st day of the legislative session, and yet classrooms are no closer to funding than on opening day.  Atkinson has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 19 that would make funding education early in session a constitutional requirement.

Watch Senator Atkinson’s remonstrance:

                                                                  

“It is time to make education the priority we all say that is,” said Atkinson.  “It is the the 81st day of the 75th Legislative session, and Oregon teachers, students and school administrators still have no idea what their budgets will look like.  We say that education is our first concern, but it is one of the last things we fund. There is no excuse for waiting so long.”

 

Citing the promises made by many Legislative candidates to put education first, Senator Atkinson today called on his colleagues to follow through and pass Senate Joint Resolution 19. In past sessions, the education budget, which is about 45% of state spending, has been one of the last budgets to pass. School districts often are forced to wait into the muggy days of summer before they can start setting their budgets for the coming school year. 

 

“Politics have no place in Oregon classrooms,” said Atkinson.  “States like Florida, Washington and Nevada can pass entire state budgets and adjourn in 60 days, we should be able to set a number for schools in 81 days.  There is no reason why we should take more than 200 days to pass an education budget for Oregon.”

 

Senate Joint Resolution 19 is currently in the Senate Committee on General Government and has yet to receive a hearing.  If Atkinson’s proposal passes it would be offered on the November 2009 ballot.

 

“The 81st day proposal is a way we can make government work smarter for Oregon students,” said Atkinson.  “Leading the way on education within the first 81 days takes power away from special interests and puts it back in the hands of the elected representatives, where it belongs.” 

 

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