Dear Friends,

We can report to you that we have completed one week of the 2009 75^th Legislative Session.  The opening day was full of ceremonies and speeches to encourage us to work together for the people and allow the opposition to be heard.  However, the Governor did caution us that the economy may worsen which will present the Legislature with difficult challenges.  I plan to use one of his sound bites with which I strongly concur.  He said, I want to improve our economy so that those “unemployment checks become payroll checks.”  I believe and will work to improve the economy which creates the jobs with the pay checks and the taxes to help us provide the critical and essential services for education, public safety, seniors and our most needy. 

The Legislative members received orientation and training on “conflicts of interest,” mandatory child abuse training, and sexual harassment training.  We have had two floor sessions for first readings of bills.  Most of these bills were introduced by State Departments.  After first readings, the bills are sent to committees where the real work begins. 

Please let us know if the information we are providing is helpful.

Sincerely,

Gene Whisnant

Committee Meetings

As a member of the Ways and Means Education subcommittee, I attended a joint meeting with House and Senate Education Committee members and the Joint Ways and Means Committee members to receive a report on the Education Design Team presentation on the Education Enterprise concept.  I was a sponsor of the bill which established this effort.

The House Judiciary Committee met on Thursday for an informational meeting.  Members of the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals discussed how they interpret “legislative intent” in statutes and how constitutional issues are addressed by the courts.

On Thursday evening, I attended the State Commission on Children and Families (CCF) meeting which featured a presentation on the development of the Gladstone Center for Children and Families.  This is a collaborative effort by the school district, the DHS office, and the County CCF which consolidated services in one building.  This is a great example for other communities to work outside their silos to provide services quicker and more efficient.

Bills of Interest

We have received several of our drafts from Legislative Counsel and will begin seeking sponsors and working the bills.  Again, I am proud to be working a bill for a constituent.   Brenda Pace from Bend contacted me because I have been a strong advocate for programs to address noxious weeds and invasive species.  Brenda over one year ago suggested a bill to me which would add “removal of noxious weeds” to the ODOT “adopt a highway” program.  After several meetings with Cheryl Howard, “Let’s Pull Together” coordinator; Deschutes County Weed Control Manager, Dan Sherwin, and Brenda; we drafted the bill.  On January 14th, Brenda even helped get sponsors on our bill which will be co-chief sponsored by Rep. Brian Clem, House Agriculture Committee Chair.

Events/Items of Interest

Josie and I were honored to join his family and friends last Sunday at the La Pine Grange Hall to celebrate the 95^th Birthday of Ray “Trapper Sam” Johnson.

We did several interviews District television and radio stations discussing the Governor’s budget and the beginning of the session.

Sesquicentennial (Oregon’s 150th birthday):  On Friday, January 16, 2009, I had the honor of opening the House Session and reading the first report to the members on the History of Oregon beginning with the discovery of the Columbia River on May 11, 1792 by British Captain Robert Gray sailing the “Columbia Rediviva.”

Also, on Friday, I had the pleasure of introducing Dr. Jack Kiekel, my friend and pastor at Sunriver Christian Fellowship church, who delivered the invocation at the House session.  Jack is also a friend of Speaker Hunt.     

For South Deschutes County residents:  I’ll be reporting to you on the session every Tuesday morning @ 7:15 AM on KITC 106.5 FM.

Another reminder, you may follow our committee meetings and floor sessions on http://www.oregonchannel.org/rams.htm.  Also, our mailing address is 900 Court Street NE, Room H-471, Salem, Oregon 97707; phone is 503-986-1453; and email is rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us