For More Information Contact:

Patrick Brennan 503-986-1674

Rep. Brad Witt 503-986-1431                                                                               

Disaster Aid Hearing Scheduled for Jan. 14

Coastal Leaders will testify before committee chaired by Rep. Brad Witt

CLATSKANIE -- Coastal community leaders harmed by the recent floods will be on hand to testify at a public hearing of the House Interim Workforce and Economic Development Committee chaired by State Rep. Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) on Jan. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Senator Betsy Johnson and State Rep. Deborah Boone will lead the hearings with Witt.

“The residents of my district, as well as Oregonians throughout the coastal region, were battered by this storm. As we prepare for the February session, this hearing will give us the chance to assess the state’s response and consider options we can pass in the upcoming session to aid these families and communities as they seek to rebuild,” said Witt.

The day-long hearing will feature testimony from law enforcement, school officials, county and city elected officials in the impacted areas, all of whom will share their experiences with the committee.

“As we help these communities recover, we must also look to the future, to see what we can do to react more swiftly and effectively in helping people through the next disaster. Then we need to look at how we can better help them recover once the danger has passed,” said Witt.

This will be the first chance lawmakers have to hear directly from community leaders in these affected areas, said Witt. Also scheduled to testify are Governor Kulongoski's emergency response coordinator, along with representatives from other state agencies that were part of the disaster response.

For more information, contact Rep. Witt’s office at 503-986-1431 or rep.bradwitt@state.or.us.

AGENDA

HOUSE WORKFORCE &

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Monday, January 14, 2008

8:30 AM

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Response and Recovery Efforts Following December Storms in Northwest Oregon

8:30 AM - Opening comments from committee members

9:00 AM - State Agency Reports Regarding Response and Recovery Efforts

12:30 PM  LUNCH

1:30 PM - County and Local Officials Reports Regarding Response and Recovery Efforts

4:30 PM - Lessons Learned and Community Response

6:00 PM - Legislative Response and Committee Discussion

7:00 PM - ADJOURN