Friends,
Please join me for a discussion about Oregon's Future and our recent legislative session.
The event - which will take place on Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00 P.M. at the Beaverton City Library Auditorium- will focus on recent legislative achievements including job creation, reforming the Business Energy Tax Credit, and preserving the school year. I’ll be joined by Representatives Tobias Read and Jeff Barker. We will provide a wrap up of Oregon's 2010 February Legislative Session and will have a discussion of what's to come.
During this recently completed session, most of the legislation we dealt with were small technical fixes that while not emergencies, were nevertheless important to address in a timely manner.
There were three notable exceptions that I do want to highlight.
The Access to Business Capital Act (SB 1017) gives small businesses better access to the capital they need through business development funds. Often the largest single impediment to starting or growing a small business is the access to capital. This act will provide more capital to the small businesses that employ Eighty Percent of Oregonians.
The Business Energy Tax Credit was created to give an extra boost to green energy business initiatives that otherwise would not go forward- while helping the state meet it's clean energy goals. Unfortunately, in the 2007-2009 biennium costs skyrocketed out of control. A compromise (HB 3680) was reached with all parties that saved $54 million dollars in the 2009-2011 biennium.
Most important to me, we managed to preserve the full $6 billion dollar commitment to K-12 schools. This means in spite of the terrible economic recession that we are still in, Beaverton schools will have all the money they need for a full academic year. This was no small feat given the deep budget hole the state has faced in this recession.
Finally, we had a great discussion about the huge environmental problem of plastic bags. (SB 1006) I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. If you come, I’ll give you a free reusable grocery bag.
I hope you can join us to discuss these important initiatives and the future of Oregon at our town hall.
WHEN: 7:00 PM Wednesday March 10, 2010 WHERE: Beaverton City Library Auditorium- 12375 Southwest 5th Street Beaverton, OR 97005 WHAT: Town Hall with Sen. Mark Hass, Reps. Read and Barker
I always tell colleagues I'm lucky to have a district that has the most thoughtful people in all of Oregon. I hope that you will bring some of your great ideas and insights to what looks to be an energetic discussion.
Sincerely,
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