Friends,
Just as the smoke cleared (or was it steam?) from the 2011 session, we are preparing for the historical "short" session that begins in February of 2012.
It's historical because the legislature now meets annually, thanks to a voter approved measure in the last election. That measure allowed for an off year session so lawmakers could come in tweak budgets, make adjustments in law without having to wait 18 months, which was usually the case in the old system. The new annual sessions law limits the short session to no more than 35 days. This means major policy issues aren't likely to go anywhere. There's just not enough time. One exception to this may be economic development initiatives, which are being drafted now. Most of the work, however, will be technical adjustments ranging from technical tax code changes to budget re-balances for state agencies.
Most of my work as Chair of the Senate Education Committee will be to oversee the implementation of the higher education reform legislation that passed earlier this year. In addition, the committee will work on a potpourri of technical changes necessary in our K-12 system.
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to voice your opinion on any of the issues mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at sen.markhass@state.or.us or at 503-986-1714.
Sincerely,
Senator Hass and Theresa Barnes of Goodwill Job Connection share the stories they heard during the Senator's first Job Fair on May 14th, 2011.
