Jason Stanley of IB Roof Systems explains to Representative Nathanson how one of their products
is produced and used. |
September 2009
Dear
Friends and Neighbors,
As summer comes to a close we're seeing the last of the outdoor meetings and events for this year, and we're preparing for
our first legislative days of the interim. The beginning of this month I had the pleasure of touring one of Eugene's local businesses, IB Roof Systems, a local company started in 1979 and now serving customers across
the United States. That same week I spoke with a group of professional women from fields ranging from law and banking to engineering and architecture,
describing the work of the legislature "from the inside," recent legislation and Oregon's budget. Just this week I spent a day in Portland to
watch the unveiling of the first electric vehicle made right here in Eugene by Arcimoto, and spoke to a group about funding for Higher Ed, and Oregon's budget. A few of the other recent meetings on my
calendar: Oregon Transportation Commission; Lane County Mental Health; and Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution. I will be heading to Salem
at the end of September for our first legislative days of the interim (between sessions).
Don't forget that no matter how busy we are, I always look
forward to getting messages from constituents. If you need help with a problem or have an idea to discuss, feel free to email me at rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us or call my office at 541-343-2206.
Sincerely,
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Representative Nathanson presents an award at the American Kennel Club Dog
Show.
In this
Newsletter
- Capitol News
- 2009 Interim Committee and Task Force Assignments
- Committee Days
- Tax Amnesty
- The Oregon Encyclopedia
- District News
- EWEB's Community Care
- FYI: Willamette River Bridge Update
- Scam Alert
- Upcoming Events
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Capitol
News
2009 Interim Committee and Task Force
Assignments
Legislative work carries on during the interim, in
part through committees, task forces, and work groups. This interim I continue as Vice-Chair of Joint Ways and Means and will be serving on the
Emergency Board and Health Care Committee. I will also co-chair the Joint Interim Committee on Justice System Revenues, in part an extension of the
work this past legislative session co-chairing a group that reviewed the Judicial Department fees and revenue system. I will also continue to work on
improving government efficiency as a member of the Task Force on Effective and Cost Efficient Service Provision, created by my bill which passed during the 2009 legislative
session with bi-partisan support.
Committee Days
The House and Senate
leadership adopted a new schedule for committee meetings in order to achieve greater efficiency and save money. Committees will convene over a
four-day stretch, starting September 29th. Legislators will be in Salem for legislative days two more times, November 17-19 and January 12-14, before
the expected session in February 2010. So what does that mean for me? Well, it's kind of like being back in session, spending 5-8 hours or more a day
in meetings and adding in various appointments in between.
Tax Amnesty
During this past
legislative session we passed a bill setting up a tax amnesty program to give taxpayers an opportunity to file or amend tax returns in exchange for a
waiver of penalty and partial interest. The tax amnesty will apply to all tax years or periods prior to 2008. Applications must be filed between
October 1, 2009 and November 19, 2009. Please visit the tax amnesty
website for more on qualifications and how to apply.
The Oregon
Encyclopedia
Here's a resource I'd
like to share with you: The Oregon Encyclopedia. If you don't already
know, the Oregon Encyclopedia is an authoritative and free resource on all things Oregon, from the expected to the unexpected.
Learn more about the people, places, events, and institutions that define the history and culture of Oregon. All Oregonians are invited to participate
by suggesting entries, writing submissions, and attending community meetings. |
A volunteer with Arcimoto shows Representative Nathanson the "Pulse", the first electric
vehicle made in Oregon. |
District
News
EWEB's Community
Care
As the weather begins to get cooler,
here's a program in our community that will help those in need to pay their utility bills. In response to the current economic crisis, EWEB created
the Community Care package, which is designed to assist those who are struggling to pay their utility bills due to job loss, cutbacks in work hours
and benefits, or other factors. Community Care is comprised of a variety of bill assistance and weatherization programs that are in addition to EWEB's
low-income assistance program already in place. Each year EWEB helps around 5,000 low-income households and with this group of programs, they look
forward to helping thousands more this year. For a list of the programs and how you can get help, please visit EWEB's website.
FYI: Willamette River Bridge Update -
Detours
Many of you may
already be aware of some recent changes happening around Alton Baker Park due to the construction of the I-5 Willamette River Bridge. To provide safe
connectivity during the construction of the bridge, Oregon Department of Transportation will be making changes to the bike and pedestrian path detours
in the park. These detours will be in effect starting September 28th until the completion of the project in December 2012. East-West path access will
be maintained, but path users may experience intermittent closures and delays throughout construction. Detours will be well marked, and flaggers will
be on the paths to direct bikers, walkers, and runners. You can visit the Willamette River Bridge
website to view a map of the path detours.
Scam Alert - Avoid Mortgage Fraud & Fake
IRS Checks
Attorney General John Kroger unveiled a new program
to help Oregon consumers avoid mortgage fraud and stay in their homes during these difficult economic times. You can visit the Department of Justice website for information on
how to avoid mortgage fraud scams and get counseling help.
The Attorney General's office is also warning
Oregonians about fake Internal Revenue Service e-mails, which ask recipients for personal financial information to receive additional stimulus checks.
The IRS will never use e-mail to initiate contact with tax payers, and will never ask for personal information through e-mail. If you receive emails
of this nature or know someone who has, please forward the email to phish@irs.gov.
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Representative Nathanson joins in the festivities at the annual Eugene Celebration Parade.
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Upcoming
Events
I
hope you can join me for informal conversation in the Jefferson-Westside
neighborhood at the Laughing Planet Café.
What: Coffee
Meet and
Greet
When:
Saturday,
October 10. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where:
Laughing Planet
Café, 760 Blair Blvd, Eugene, OR 97402
Contact: (541)
343-2206, or rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us
Click here to access my legislative website.
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