Dear Friends,
I'm looking forward to spending some time in the district in the next few weeks.  Tonight I'll be celebrating in Sisters at the grand opening of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  Next weekend I'll be returning to Deschutes County to participate in "Let's Pull Together" - the annual noxious weed-pull.  I look forward to seeing you at these events!
In legislative news, my committees - the House Education Committee and House Judiciary Committee - have completed their work on bills for the 74^th Oregon Legislative session.  We passed some good bills for the people of Oregon and we passed others which I believe were unnecessary and/or bad policy.  A Sunriver friend told me when I became a State Representative that the best thing that I could do for the people or Oregon was to do away with as many laws as possible.  I understand what he meant and I agree, however I now understand how difficult it is to eliminate laws.  Although we passed a few bills which help eliminate unnecessary laws, we passed many more new laws.  Now, we must pass a balanced budget to complete our constitutional obligation and finish the 74^th Legislative Session.  In the next few weeks, I'll provide you my summary of the session.
Best, Gene

State Police Funding Bill Passes Legislature
On Tuesday, the House Republicans tried to amend SB 5533 to add $4.2 million to the Oregon State Police budget to provide 24/7 trooper coverage.  The House Democrats rejected our amendment on a straight party-line vote.  We hoped to use one-tenth of one percent of Oregon's total budget to improve highway safety for Oregonians.  Unfortunately, Democrats did not want to provide more funding for the Oregon State Police unless the money came from a new revenue source.  They mentioned the Governor's proposed insurance tax as a way to provide more funding for the Oregon State Police.  I voted for HB 5533, because it will increase funding for State Troopers - but it was with a heavy heart.  We have the revenue to support 24/7 coverage without raising taxes and I don't understand why the House could not agree to do so.  The bill should provide for an additional 100 Oregon State Police officers, which is better than the original Co-Chairs budget proposal, but the bill does not provide Oregon the public safety protection we need - and could have provide with our $2.5 plus billion budget increase.  

House Opposes Tough Crime Bill
Last week, I tried unsuccessfully to pull HB 3429 from the House Judiciary Committee.  HB 3429 increased Measure 11 sentencing for repeat property crimes, including burglary, car theft, and identity crime.  This bill would help us combat meth-related crime.  According to the Portland Police Bureau, meth addicts commit 85 percent of property crimes.  Unfortunately, because the chair of the judiciary committee failed to consult with me, the committee co-chair, this important bill has died.

Judiciary Committee
Our last Judiciary Committee meeting had some difficult and interesting bills.  We passed a bill which prohibits a casino in an incorporated city without approval of electors of the city.  I voted for the bill but expressed my concern about using the legislature to supersede the authority of the city.  Also, the Oregon Constitution must be amended to even allow a non-tribal private casino.  Additionally, we passed a bill concerning non-compete agreements and a bill which makes restrictively confining a pregnant pig an offense.  I voted no on the "pig bill," but it passed 6-3.  Lastly, a bill which would require pedestrians waiting to cross the street to make hand signals, failed to gain support and was voted down. 

Sunriver Police Bill Passes Committee
On Wednesday, I attended the Senate Judiciary Committee work session on HB 3442 which was one of the bills I drafted for Sunriver law enforcement.  HB 3442 needed an amendment after the public hearing last week.  I wanted to be sure that it was passed and did not fail on the last day committees could hear bills.  It passed unanimously and should be on the Senate floor next week.  Thus, it appears that we have successfully worked the two Sunriver law enforcement bills through the legislative process.

Commission on Children and Families Meeting Report
On Thursday, I attended the monthly Oregon Commission on Children and Families meeting in Salem.  I am the only House member on the state commission which also includes: the Superintendent of Education, the Director of State Employment Department and the Director of DHS.  Our agenda included a presentation on how the State and County Commissions can work with the "faith community" and the impact of Reduced Timber Revenues on Counties and their ability to provide essential services.