Capitol News

Fourth graders from Howard Elementary learn about life at the Capitol.

Policy work is being wrapped up, and budget work continues going strong. The state constitution requires us to have a balanced budget, and also to complete all legislative work by June 30th. Some of the 50+ separate budgets have already been approved by the House and Senate, but others are still being negotiated.  To give you an idea of the kind of separate budgets that must be reviewed and adopted:  Budgets already approved by both chambers (House and Senate) include, for example, the Board of Dentistry, State School Fund, State Marine Board, and Public Utility Commission. Others that have already passed subcommittees and full Joint Ways and Means include Water Resources Department, Oregon Racing Commission, and Office of Secretary of State. Several of the "major" budgets that take longer to get through the process include departments such as Forestry, State Police, Business Development, Transportation, Energy, and Education. 

Meanwhile, since policy committees are now completing their work, members are being asked to suggest topics that would be discussed in the interim, before the next legislative session.  That's a good opportunity to complete work on ideas started but not finished in just four months, and delve into new ideas or concerns still not addressed.  One that I'm eager to continue work on is putting a damper on the easy market for stolen gold jewelry ("cash-for-gold").  After hearing from a constituent who was the victim of a home burglary, I followed up with law enforcement to learn about what we need to do to plug the holes in current law.  I drafted an initial bill, and we'll keep working on refining it to bring to the next session.

I have written and spoken publicly many times about the need to make government work smarter and better. In 2009 I championed legislation to create a Government Efficiency Task Force that ultimately identified nearly two dozen practical recommendations for how to reduce red tape, save money, untangle bureaucracy and improve public services for Oregonians.

KVAL news interviews Rep Nathanson about emergency preparedness.

A number of bills introduced this session were based on the recommendations of the task force. The legislature has already passed three, and this week two additional bills, including the bill to re-authorize the Task Force, passed the House and are heading to the Senate. Several more are still working through the process.

As Co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means General Government Subcommittee I have the opportunity to dig into certain agency budgets and ask questions. During testimony on the Department of Administrative Services budget I became concerned about some questionable, costly contracts and suggested to the new head of the Department that he review the testimony. At a time when we're looking at serious cuts, we can't afford to pay for things that are not necessary or that we're paying more than we need to.

The Department launched an investigation, which was covered by both the Oregonian and the Statesman Journal, and ultimately decided to remove two employees from their jobs. The department did the right thing. It takes appropriate oversight by the legislature and leadership dedicated to improvement -- and we can make government work better.

Here's a quick look at the past couple of weeks, not including regular committee meetings, hearings, and routine appointments about budget requests, policy bill advocates and foes:

• Testified to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee about using abandoned federal property and infrastructure for new high energy output solar power production.
• In touch with District Attorney and retired Judge on public safety policy issues.
• Interviews with Oregonian editor on improving information available for voters.
• Disappointments: losing an important protection for mobile home park residents, losing proposals to ramp up Oregon's work on improving freight and passenger rail.
• Cheers: Bills passing in the House or Senate; some were my individual ideas, some I championed for the GETF, and another at the request of Lane County. Appreciation for support from City of Eugene on several bills!

District News

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of touring the newly restored Delta Ponds. About 20 constituents and Eugene area residents joined me, with Eugene Parks and Open Spaces staff describing the project which reconnects the Delta Ponds Natural Area with the Willamette River.

Eugene Parks & Open Spaces staff show a map of the Willamette River and Delta Ponds area.

Over five decades ago gravel mining cut off the natural area from the flow of water from the Willamette River. Now water once again runs freely, creating 2.2 miles of valuable habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon and a variety of other species. Habitats for a variety of animals and native vegetation have been restored with 70,000 plantings. A tour participant explained the benefit of replacing blackberry bushes with other vegetation, since blackberries are in fact a very poor habitat for birds, since they don't provide either nesting opportunity or year-round nourishment.

We saw ducks and geese, of course - also osprey and a mink!  Another of the participants made a great comment to sum up our walk and what we learned: We're here; we need to learn to live harmoniously with this environment.