<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> <html> <head> <title>Oregon State Legislature Representative Gene Whisnant E-Newsletter Update</title> <link rel="P3Pv1" href="http://service.govdelivery.com/service/w3c/p3p.xml"> <style type="text/css"> body { font-size: 12px; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; } .physicalAddress { color: gray; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 100; } </style> </head> <body> <!--RSS_SECTION--> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" background="http://www.leg.state.or.us/webobjects/enews/bgrnd1.jpg" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div align="center"> <p>&nbsp; </p> <table bordercolor="#666666" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="600" align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table cellpadding="3" width="100%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#dbdbdb"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="23%"> <img height="130" src="http://www.leg.state.or.us/whisnant/member_photo4newsletter.jpg" width="115" align="left" /> </td> <td valign="center" width="77%"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5"><b>Representative Gene Whisnant</b> <br /><font size="4">R-Sunriver <br />District 53 <br /><font size="1"> <br /></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Phone: 503-986-1453&nbsp; <img height="5" src="http://www.leg.state.or.us/webobjects/block1.gif" width="5" />&nbsp;&nbsp;900 Court St. NE, H-471, Salem Oregon 97301 <br /></b></font></font></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Email: <a href="mailto:rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us">rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us</a> &nbsp; <img height="5" src="http://www.leg.state.or.us/webobjects/block1.gif" width="5" /> &nbsp;Website: <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/whisnant" target="_blank">http://www.leg.state.or.us/whisnant</a></b></font> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#899bb8"> <div align="right"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#ffffff" size="4"><b><font color="#112340" size="5">Whisnant's Weekly</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;June 19, 2009<font size="2">&nbsp;</font></b></font> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #8bd7fd; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman"></font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,<o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Josie and I attended the OSU-Cascade 2009 Graduation ceremony in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bend</st1:city></st1:place> last Saturday. On a beautiful Central Oregon day in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Drake</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>, OSU-CC awarded degrees to 197 students with OSU Masters Degree diplomas and OSU and UofO undergraduate degree diplomas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The graduates included 50 men and 147 women from the age of 25 to 60 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>80 percent of the graduates are from <st1:place w:st="on">Central Oregon</st1:place>. Deschutes Brewery President Gary Fish gave the commencement spee ch discussing his path in the business world and gave a challenge to the students to take advantage of their opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>OSU-CC has now awarded 1,380 degrees since it was founded in 2001. This graduation ceremony demonstrates the importance of the OSU campus in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bend</st1:place></st1:city>. It gives our citizens and economy opportunities to grow. To be sure it grows and succeeds; we must all support the campus and the opportunity and benefits it provides. During a recent video conference with Central Oregon Cities Organization officials, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bend</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> manager Eric King mentioned that an effort was being established to promote and support the OSU Cascade Campus. I encouraged <st1:city w:st="on">Bend</st1:city> and all the public officials and private community leaders from <st1:p lace w:st="on">Central Oregon</st1:place> to get behind this effort. < o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Gene Whisnant<o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="georgia,times new roman,times,serif">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In last week&rsquo;s newsletter, we omitted three zero&rsquo;s in the numerical billion dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Although I voted NO on all three bills, the legislature did send the Governor three bills which totaled over $1,000,000, 000.00 (one billion dollars) of new taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Thanks to those readers who corrected us and for those who realized it really was $1,000,000,000.00 even though we were missing a lot of zeroes.</font> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ffcc99; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black'">JOBS/BUDGET<o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">We have passed all of the education budgets out of the Ways &amp; Means Education Subcommittee now, including the K-12 Budget. I stated on the record there should be more money in this budget. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>I also believe that we need to develop and agree on the K-12 budget as soon as possible during our sessions so the schools may know the numbers they will use to develop their budgets. <o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">The Co-Chairs&rsquo; K-12 Budget has 200 million more from the reserve funds than originally intended. Governor Kulongoski has promised to veto any legislation that requests more funds out of the reserve funds which he believes the state will need for a declining revenue forecast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ffcc99; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black'">BILL/VOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">HB 3013-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> I voted in favor of this bill which outlines a detailed plan and timeline to complete evaluation of six potential marine reserve sites. It establishes two pilot marine reserve projects at Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks. <o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">SB 700-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> Senator Martha Schrader (D-Canby) carried a bill in the Senate this week that will create a task force on Veteran&rsquo;s integration. The task force would develop and design continuing regional programs to help returning soldiers adjust to civilian life. I am a sponsor and will be urging my colleagues for a yes vote when this bill comes to the Floor soon. <o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">SB 982-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) introduced a bill referring to Fetal Homicide Legislation. This bill would expand criminal homicide to include causing death of an unborn child. I signed on as a sponsor to this bill. This was brought up in relation to the death of Heather Snively and unborn child. It was introduced last Friday and was referred to Ways &amp; Means. <o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">HB 2343-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> I voted along with my Republican Colleagues to bring this bill out of committee and onto the House floor. This bill would fix the current law that says if a victim became incapacitated by their own action&rsquo;s, the rapist can only be charged with Sex Abuse in the second degree. This bill first passed through the House Judiciary Committee with unanimous support earlier in the session. This bill did not receive a majority vote to bring it out of committee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ffcc99; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black'">LEGISLATION<o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></span></o:p></span></u> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></span></u></b></font>&nbsp; </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">HB 2510-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> The bill I introduced this session to repeal the 15 year limit for Veteran&rsquo;s to use their preference points when applying for state employment was signed into law by Governor Kulongoski Thursday. This will let Veterans use their points whenever they try to enter the public workforce. I am very excited to see this bill signed by the Governor and help our Veterans.<o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">HB 3298-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> The bill to declare an Area of Critical State Concern in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> was debated on the House Floor this week. On Tuesday, I spoke in opposition to this bill. The vote was 30-28 and so the measure failed. But the carrier, Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem) tabled the bill. This means the bill may come up for reconsideration at any time to be voted on. There was a long debate on the floor. Speaker Dave Hunt (D-Gladstone) commented to the Oregonian, &ldquo;My &lsquo;no&rsquo; vote was cast because I believe this bill usurps the land-use process that Jefferson County adopted in approving these resorts. It is not our j ob to decide if <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> made the right or wrong decision. In this case, I believe the rules were followed by the county, and the state then changed the rules in the middle of the game.&rdquo; Representative Brent Barton (D-Clackamas) who was one of the Democrats who voted no said, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s not like I want to pave the Metolius, but this process was flawed. We&rsquo;re talking about the sanctity of the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:state> land-use process, the sanctity of the <st1:street w:st="on">Oregon Way</st1:street>.&rdquo; The comments by these colleagues explain my vote. Please <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/press_releases/whisnant_061609.pdf"><font color="#800080">click here</font></a> to read my press release regarding this vote. <o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">HB 2228-</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> This bill passed the House on Tuesday. This will give permission for the Skyline Forest Sustainable Development Area to be set up. There will be land conservation, community forest, and a small development. This has passed both chambers and moves to the Governor&rsquo;s office. Although I voted no on the bill due to other parts, I support the Skyline Forest Project. In fact, Senator Telfer, Representative Stiegler, and I, along with Representative Roblan and Senator Metsger, prepared a stand alone <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Skyline</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Forest</st1:placetype></st1:place> bill in case HB 2228 did not pass. <o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ffcc99; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black'">EVENTS/VISITORS<o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></span></o:p></span></u></strong> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><strong><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt"></span></u></strong></font>&nbsp; </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><strong><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">Let&rsquo;s Pull Together: </span></u></strong><strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>Last Saturday, Josie and I joined other volunteers in the annual &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s Pull Together&rdquo; event to help eradicate noxious weeds in our communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This annual event is organized by Cheryl Howard and sponsored by many organizations including the Deschutes County Weed Control Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Due to our schedule, we were not able to join our <st1:city w:st="on">Redmond</st1:city> friends including Mayor George Endicott at the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Redmond</st1:place></st1:city> locations but helped those working the Bend NW Cro ssing location.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><b><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></span></o:p></span></u></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></span></u></b></font>&nbsp; </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><b><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">CONGRATULATIONS</span></u></b><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></span></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">We want to congratulate all the high school graduates from Sisters, Redmond, and Bend-La Pine, as well as those from the district who graduated from COCC and universities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We are proud of your achievements and wish you much success in your future endeavors.<o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:state w:st="on"><b><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Oregon</span></u></b></st1:state><b><u><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> Valedictorians/Salutatorians:</span></u></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Sisters</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">High School</st1:placetype> valedictorian Drew Herron visited us on Monday as part of an invitation to all <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:state> valedictorians and salutatorians for a day at the Capitol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Drew will attend the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:placename></st1:place> and study graphic arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We enjoyed meeting Drew and discussing his highly successful high school career and his future plans.<b> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ffcc99; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.65in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="638"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black'">CONTACT INFO<o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Please feel free to contact my office on any issues you would like to be brought to our attention, or to give your opinion on any legislation that is before your State House right now. We want to hear from you and make sure we are doing what we can for you here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Salem</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in" align="left"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Our office phone number is 503-986-1453; our email is </font><a href="mailto:rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us"><font face="Times New Roman">rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us</font></a><font face="Times New Roman">; our mailing address is 900 Court St NE H-471 Salem OR 97301. <o:p></o:p></font></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p> </p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: #ccffff; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 215.4pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="287"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Check out the Top 10 Truths about the Budget<o:p></o:p></font></span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><a href="http://www.backtobasicsbudget.com/top10truths.html"><font face="Times New Roman">Click Here</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 263.4pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" valign="top" width="351"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font face="Times New Roman">Watch Session and Committee Meetings at the Capitol<o:p></o:p></font></span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><a href="http://oregonchannel.org/"><font face="Times New Roman">oregonchannel.org</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></o:p></span></b> </p> </td> </tr></tbody> </table></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#899bb8">&nbsp;</td> </tr></tbody> </table> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> </div> </td> </tr></tbody> </table> <!--/RSS_SECTION--> </body> </html>