ibridgeton

From Rep. Tina Kotek: New Annual Session and Upcoming Town Hall

2012-01-23T18:04:00.000-08:00

Lots of information here - read the whole post

Legislative Town Hall
New Help for Small Businesses
Focus on Child Poverty
Upcoming Events
Legislative Town Hall With Sen. Chip Shields and Rep. Lew Frederick

The new year is off to a frenzied pace as we prepare for our first annual session in an even-numbered year. As directed by Measure 71 passed by voters in November 2010, the Legislature will be back in session on February 1st. We will have 35 days to complete the state's business.

My focus in February will be on:

* Making smart investments to create Oregon jobs, such as helping small businesses have the capital they need to grow;
* Standing up for middle class families, such as helping families who are either facing foreclosure or in the midst of a foreclosure process; and
* Prioritizing the services Oregonians need by making government leaner, more transparent, and more efficient.

The Legislature will also need to re-balance the state's budget because the recession continues to bring an increased need for services but less dollars to provide those essential services. I will fight for a sensible budget that prioritizes the most vulnerable Oregonians and our schools.

Legislative Town Hall, February 4

Please join me, Senator Chip Shields and Representative Lew Frederick for a North/Northeast Portland town hall to hear what's going on in Salem for the 2012 Legislative Session. We look forward to answering your questions and discussing the issues that are important to you.

What: Town Hall Meeting
When: Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: St. Johns Community Center
8427 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

For more information, call or email my legislative assistant, Michelle Rogelstad, at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us or (503) 286-0558 (district).

We hope to see you there!

BizORNew Help for Small Businesses

Businesses in Oregon got an early present this past holiday season. Business Oregon, a state agency that works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses in Oregon, has received $16.5 million in federal funds to help small businesses borrow money.

When combined with other available resources, the funds will inject $165 million into Oregon small businesses over the next four years through the Credit Enhancement Fund, the Oregon Business Development Fund, and the Capital Access Program. These three programs have helped businesses in this state access an estimated $817 million in financing already, and are prepared to help with more.

Helping small businesses in Oregon grow and prosper is a priority for me, and is something that I believe holds the key to Oregon's future economic growth. Whether businesses are small and local, or iconic worldwide companies, we must ensure that we invest in job-creating companies here in Oregon.

Business Oregon has many great financing options and other assistance for small businesses in Oregon. For more information, call my district office at (503) 286-0558 or email me at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us.

LegFocus on Child Poverty

I'm sure many of you saw the cover of the Parade magazine during the holiday season that highlighted the shameful fact that Oregon has the highest rate of food insecurity for children in the country. I recently attended a meeting of the Metro-area school district superintendents and was reminded about the high percentages of children and youth who benefit from free or reduced-price lunches in our schools, especially in east Multnomah County. I know that too many families in North and Northeast Portland are struggling to provide the basics of food and shelter for their children.

This is unacceptable. We all know we can do better to make sure every child has an opportunity to thrive.

In addition to the things many of you do regularly to help out through volunteering and donating supplies to those in need, I hope you will share your ideas of how we can make a dent in child poverty in our state. For my part, I will continue to focus on reviving our state's economy while at the same time protecting critical services for our most low-income families, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). With 60,000 children currently receiving help from TANF across our state, we have to help their parents get back to work and back on the road to self-sufficiency.

As always, it's a pleasure to represent you. I hope to hear from you soon.

This Thursday - Jan 19th - visit the DD

2012-01-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

Have you been checking the weather forecast lately? It looks like snow, then rain - lots of rain! As the rivers and streams around us start to rise this weekend, do you feel safe from flooding?

Luckily for those of us who live near the Columbia River, we've got our friends at the Multnomah County Drainage Districts [DD] to rely on. This Thursday afternoon, you can give yourself peace of mind by learning about the important work they do to keep us safe and dry.

Slough Tour: Water Flow

Thursday Jan 19, 4-5pm
MCDD, 1880 NE Elrod Dr

At this short and casual tour, we'll learn about the people, machines, and structures that keep parts of Gresham, Fairview, and NE Portland from flooding. District Engineer Byron Woltersdorf will talk about the history of water control in the Portland area and show us the levees and pump stations onsite.

Free! Suitable for adults and children 10+, dress for the weather.

Register online at www.columbiaslough.org.

2 Important Meetings In January

2012-01-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

There are two joint meetings with East Columbia Neighborhood

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School in the Bus Driver’s meeting Area

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

The NEW Study of Crashes on Marine Drive

We will have an opportunity to talk to the agencies managing the study. We need to express our concerns about the traffic problems on Marine Drive. One of the issues with this study is that it has been done before and some of us would like to see the money obtained for the study to be applied to some of the previously recommended improvements for Marine Drive. (The bus driver’s meeting area is under the gym in the south east corner of the school.)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

6PM @ Kenton Firehouse

8105 N. Brandon St. (just south of the Kenton Post Office)

Proposed Stormwater Management Fee

This is a Special Meeting to discuss the city of Portland’s plan to charge us for Storm Water Management which is done by Pen2. The proposed fee would be added to the sewer/water bills. It is a huge proposed increase that will not increase our service!! I will send out another e-mail with few more details, but this meeting is your chance to find out what may happen and why.

Please try to attend both of these meetings.

If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to

Leslie Sawyer

Matt Whitney

Bridgeton.neighborhood@comcast.net

Co-Chairs, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

No meeting on December 12th

2011-12-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

There is no neighborhood meeting on Dec 12th

The next Bridgeton Neighborhood Association meeting will be Tuesday, January 10.

We will be holding a joint meeting with the East Columbia Neighborhood to learn about the new study of the Crashes on Marine Drive.

*********
There will also be a meeting held at the Kenton Firehall for all of the people in the areas controlled by the Drainage Districts in January. This is to discuss Portland’s plan to assess home owners and businesses for Storm Water Control in this area.

More information out about this when I know.....

November Meeting

2011-11-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

Monday, November 14, 2011

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

Neighborhood Clean up Review

We hope everyone helps on Saturday the 5th of November

What can we do to improve membership on our board of directors?

Discuss what topics we want at our meetings.

Other things like the CRC

Environmental Evaluation of the Sloughs/West Hayden Island

Police/involved Neighbor Patrols

A Neighborhood Disaster Response Plan

What is happening at Jubitz

If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to

Leslie Sawyer,

Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

parafriend@comcast.net

Matt Whitney,

Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

Wednesday: Test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System scheduled for November 9, 2011

2011-11-07T17:35:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, November 9th 11:00 a.m. P.S.T.

When the test occurs, please DO NOT call 911 unless you are experiencing a actual emergency. The public will hear a 30 second message clearly indicating, "This is a test." The message will be the same across radio, television, cable and satellite outlets. To further avoid confusion, TV outlets may prepare an on-screen “crawl” or other visual reminder indicating this is merely a test. Click here for more information: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm.

The national-level EAS is an alert and warning system that enables the President to address the American public during extreme emergencies. This test will resemble frequently conducted, local EAS tests. However, this is a national event. As such, this test will broadcast to television and radio outlets throughout the country.

WHAT: National Emergency Alert System Test
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

It's Fall Cleanup Time!!

2011-11-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday November 4th is the day to clean up our neighborhood.

From 9 AM to noon you can come out and help...

The roll offs need monitoring, the triangle on Marine/Gantenbein needs work and who knows - you might find a treasure in someone's junque!

Document shredder bins will be at Channel's Edge and a contribution is requested for this service.

Teacher of the Year and Other News from Rep. Tina Kotek

2011-10-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of information here:

In This Issue

Oregon Teacher of the Year

Town Hall Recap

CRC Bi-State Advisory Committee

Portland Financial Planning Day

Cully Main Street & Local Street Plans Project Event

Alzheimer's Disease Telephone Town Hall

November Legislative Days

Quick Links

Contact Me

My YouTube Channel

About Us

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather. While the Capitol is largely quiet during the interim, legislative committee days held every other month ensure that we continue important conversations and stay on top of the people's business (see below for more on this). In addition to sharing some great news about Roosevelt High School and recapping my recent town hall, there are several events that I thought would interest you. Please read on!

Roosevelt Teacher Named Oregon Teacher of the Year

Photo courtesy of Brian Christopher

Last Thursday, I had the honor of attending the ceremony

naming Roosevelt High School's very own Spanish Language teacher Elena Garcia-Velasco as the Oregon Teacher of the Year. The announcement was a surprise to the students and guests assembled in the auditorium, not to mention Ms. Garcia-Velasco herself. She captured the moment perfectly by saying to the students, "If I'm the teacher of the year, you are the students of the year."

Roosevelt is definitely on the rise. PPS Superintendent Carole Smith was on hand at the award ceremony to congratulate students for their improved math and English grades. Roosevelt was also praised by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan before hundreds of business leaders at the Oregon Business Association dinner last week. Go Riders!!! For the latest about Roosevelt, click here.

As Teacher of the Year, Ms. Garcia-Velasco received a $5,000 check and instructional software for her classroom. She will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Obama at the White House. To view the Oregonian's story about Elena, please visit this website.

Town Hall Recap

Thank you to everyone who attended my town hall last month. We had a great crowd. The event was an opportunity to catch up, recap the 2011 Session, and talk more in depth about issues through roundtable discussions with experts. The table topics included: health insurance rate review, hosted by Sen. Chip Shields; how foreclosure affects our communities, led by Rep. Lew Frederick; problem bars and taverns, led by the City of Portland; children and toxic chemicals, hosted by the Oregon Environmental Council; and foreclosure protections, led by Economic Fairness Oregon.

The immediate feedback was that people liked the roundtable discussions because it allowed for more discussion and meeting new people. It was great to hear the feedback from you all on these issues. Knowing what you think equips me to better represent you.

CRC Bi-State Citizen Advisory Committee

The Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is seeking participation from Oregon and Washington residents in forming a Bi-State Citizen Advisory Committee to gain feedback from diverse perspectives. The committee will be composed of approximately 30 members with 12-15 members from each state.

This is a great opportunity to be a part of the decision making process and to advise CRC staff, represent stakeholder organizations, and report back to constituencies. An opportunity for public comment will be provided for each meeting. To apply to be on the committee, please click here. For more information about the committee, please visit the CRC Bi-State Citizen Advisory Committee website.

Portland Financial Planning Day

This Saturday, the City of Portland, CASH Oregon, and the Financial Planning Association of Portland invite the public to attend Portland Financial Planning Day where you'll be able to meet one-on-one with dozens of professional financial planner to discuss your personal finance questions, concerns and interests.

Information and advice is available on a wide range of topics including general financial planning, income tax planning, estate planning; investment planning, insurance planning, retirement planning, and employee benefits. In addition to personalized advice, Portland Financial Planning Day will also feature a series of classroom-style 50-minute educational workshops.

What: Portland Financial Planning Day

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Where: Portland Building

1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2nd floor (map)

Cost: FREE

To learn more about the event offerings and to register to the event, please visit this website.

Cully Main Street and Local Street Plans Project Event

Come join community members and project staff and share your ideas to improve the Cully Boulevard business district and local streets. Free refreshments, child care provided, raffle entry and Spanish interpretation provided.

What: Cully Main Street and Local Street Plans Project

Open House

When: Thursday, October 27, 2011

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where: Rigler School

5401 NE Prescott Street (map)

For more information, please contact the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability at 503-823-6946, the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 503-823-1088 or visit www.portlandonline.com/bps/cullymainstreet.

State Plan for Alzheimer's Telephone Town Hall

The State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease in Oregon (SPADO) Task Force is seeking input to help craft a plan to address the escalating public health crisis caused by the growing number of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The SPADO Task Force involves numerous community partners who are concerned about the impact of Alzheimer's disease on our communities. SPADO Task Force members include state legislators, non-profit organizations, state government agencies, scientific and academic researchers, memory care providers, individual caregivers and others.

What: SPADO Telephone Town Hall

When: Thursday, November 10, 2011

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Where: Your phone! Please RSVP here to participate or call

Jon Bartholomew at 503-416-0202

Upcoming November Legislative Days

The "interim" for legislators is when we are not in session in Salem every day (we won't be "in session" again until next year). During the interim, legislative committees convene every other month to continue work and conversations about issues carried over from the previous sessions and sometimes to start conversations about important issues as they arise. Legislative days are predetermined and do not include floor sessions to vote on bills. The Legislature will convene for full session in February, 2012.

Committee agendas are posted online in advance of the meetings. You can sign up to receive committee agendas and updates here by selecting the committee you are interested in and in the bottom left-hand corner of the committee page, click on the eSubscribe button and enter your email address.

The next committee days are scheduled for November 16, 17, and 18. If you can't make it to Salem, committee meetings can be viewed online. Go to this website (the video is live-streaming) and select the committee room you wish to view. If you need additional information on committees, please don't hesitate to email my office.

As always, it's a pleasure to represent you. I hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes,

From the Columbia River Crossing (CRC)

2011-10-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

Community invited to learn more about the Final Environmental Impact Statement
October 12 and 13

The community is invited to attend information sessions on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 to learn more about the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The CRC Final EIS contains analyses of environmental and community effects and describes how a replacement bridge, light rail and other project elements will improve safety and relieve congestion.

The project is hosting four drop-in information sessions. At each session, full copies of the document will be available for review or purchase. The executive summary and DVD of the entire document will also be available at no charge. Technical experts will be in attendance to answer questions.

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 | 2 – 4 p.m. or 6 – 8 p.m.
Vancouver Community Library
901 C St., Vancouver, WA 98660
For transit directions visit www.c-tran.com

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 | 2 – 4 p.m. or 6 – 8 p.m.
Jantzen Beach SuperCenter Community Room
1405 Jantzen Center Dr., Portland, OR 97217
For transit directions visit www.trimet.org

Additional information about the event is available online.

Newsletter from Rep. Tina Kotek

2011-09-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Now that the short-lived summer weather is fading, we have a wonderful opportunity to catch up! I hope that you will join me at an upcoming Town Hall to recap the 2011 Session, discuss the upcoming 2012 Session, and talk about community issues that matter to you.

What: Town Hall Meeting

When: Monday, September 26, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Historic Kenton Firehouse

8105 N. Brandon Ave., Portland, OR 97217 (map)

For more information, call or email my legislative assistant, Michelle Rogelstad, at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us or (503) 286-0558 (district).

Property Tax Deferral Program Changes

A few of you have written to me about changes to the Senior Property Tax Deferral Program. This is a state program where the state pays the property taxes for qualified applicants and then is paid back the money when the property is sold. This program is designed to be self-funding, with the repayment of deferred taxes covering the cost of the overall program. Because of the housing slump, many seniors cannot sell their homes. This has sharply reduced the revenue flowing into the program, leading to a projected $19 million hole for the 2011-2013 biennium. In order for the program to be viable for the long term, a return to more normal housing market conditions is needed.

In the meantime, in order to keep the program sustainable during these difficult times, the Legislature approved changes to the program that limit eligibility, particularly if a homeowner's application involves a reverse mortgage. To view the changes to the Senior Property Tax Deferral Program, please visit the Department of Revenue's website addressing the changes, which you may view here.

I am interested in hearing from you if the changes in the program affect you. The Legislature will continue to review the effects of the changes and consider any possible modifications.

Community Meeting on Responding to Foreclosure

This evening the Oregon Foreclosure Response Project and Economic Fairness Oregon are hosting a community meeting in St. Johns about foreclosure. Please join your neighbors, consumer rights advocates, and foreclosure experts for an informational and community-building meeting.

What: Community Meeting on Fighting Foreclosure

When: Today, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: St. Johns Community Center

8427 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

James John Elementary Walk-a-Thon

In February of this year, a 3rd-grade James John Elementary School student was hit by a car while walking to school. Amazingly, he survived this tragic accident, but he suffered extensive external injuries to his face. As a result, the elementary school and PTA are coordinating a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds for his reconstructive surgeries and costly medical bills and to raise awareness about pedestrian safety. Partners of the Walk-a-Thon include Safe Routes to Schools, the Portland Police and the Portland Fire Department. Making St. Johns a safe place for everyone to walk and bike safely to school and local commerce is important for the vitality of our community.

What: James John Elementary School Walk-a-Thon

When: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:30am

Where: James John Elementary School

7439 N. Charleston Ave., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

To make a donation to the students' medical bills, please send a check made payable to James John PTA, 7439 N. Charleston Ave., Portland, OR 97203 and the PTA will mail you a tax-deductible receipt. For more information, please contact Katie Selby, PTA Secretary, at (503) 756-8436.

As always, it's an honor to serve you and our community in the Oregon Legislature. Please keep in touch.

Best wishes,

September Neighborhood Meeting Agenda

2011-09-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 12, 2011

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School
716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

West Hayden Island Report

Plan Fall Clean Up

Local Police and Safety Issues

What is happening with The Bridgeton Promenade and The Columbia River Crossing Project
The Help
Local Flood Designation Issues

It's "spray the levee" time again!

2011-09-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

If you looked in the BNA boxes on the road you might have seen the flyers that were left by the Drainage District - but if I had not been alerted - I would not even have looked!

So I am alerting the readers of this blog!

The Drainage District has contracted with C&R Reforestation to cut and treat the levee. The cutting was done back in July and it's now time to apply the herbicide.

The spraying is to happen on or around September 12th and notifications signs are to be posted 48 hours before the spraying and removed 48 hours after the spraying. If you remember from last year, the signs were rather small and just stuck in the ground on the levee side of the street.

And, personally, I believe it is safer to keep your pets away from that side of the Street for the 48 hours post spraying.

[Supposedly the info about the Garlon is on the MCDD website [mcdd.org] under "hot topics" but I could not find it - maybe it's just not there yet.]

Public Meeting on the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) ordinance

2011-07-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

This is from Rep. Tina Kotek.

I just got her email and the meeting is tonight at 6PM in Kenton!

Bridgeton itself has no bars or taverns but you might go to areas that do - and those areas may have ones with "issues."

If you want to learn about the proposed liquor regulation changes - this is a meeting to attend.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Dear Friends,

As you know, the issues of community livability and public safety relating to bars and taverns have been a big priority of mine for legislative action. Even as we work to hold liquor licensees accountable with better laws, municipalities have an important role in enforcement and city ordinance. Pursuant to this role, the City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement is holding a public meeting to get input on changes to the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) ordinance, which allows the city to regulate local liquor licensees.

What: Community members are invited to a public meeting to learn about the proposed changes to local regulations of liquor licensed establishments, ask questions and submit testimony or comments.

When: July 19th, 2011 at 6pm

Where: Kenton Fire Station

8105 N Brandon Ave

You can view the proposed changes via the Office of Neighborhood Involvement's website . If you are unable to attend the public meeting, you can also comment via email to theresa.marchetti@portlandoregon.gov by July 22 at 5 PM.

Many of you have helped us work on laws fighting dangerous bars and taverns in the past, and I know that this issue affects many people in our community. I hope that you will also get involved in the City of Portland's efforts!

Best wishes,

End of Session Meet and Greet With Rep. Tina Kotek

2011-07-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Stop by Pattie's Home Plate Cafe in St. Johns on Saturday to say hi to Rep. Kotek and catch up with her about what happened during the legislative session! Please support this fabulous local business while you visit.

End of Session Meet and Greet

Who: Representative Tina Kotek

What: Available to answer questions and chat about session

When: Saturday, July 9, 10 AM- noon

Where: Pattie's Home Plate Cafe

8501 N. Lombard Street

Portland, OR 97203

Have a Safe 4th of July Weekend

2011-07-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that Oregon bans the possession, use or sale of fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches into the air. The banned list includes bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers.

Authorities may seize illegal fireworks and fine offenders up to $500 per violation.

If you bought yours in Washington, the chances are they are not legal in Oregon.

And the annual plea from our neighborhood:

Please do not set fireworks/rockets/bombs off over the moorages. Moored boats often have fuel tanks and the houseboats are not flame retardant!!

We know it looks pretty to set off your high traveling fireworks down over the River - but

1- it is illegal and

2 - it is dangerous to those living on the water

Many of us have the scorched roofs and decks to prove it.

You can no longer see all the Vancouver fireworks from the levee. You must go to Ft. Vancouver to get the best view - and your fireworks are legal on that side of the bridge.

Thank you for understanding that the police might be called if it gets dangerous on our road or the river!!

Sunday Parkways

2011-06-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

The North Portland Sunday Parkways is soon! June 26th!!

Information and a map can be found here: http://www.portlandsundayparkways.org/

June Neighborhood Meeting

2011-06-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 13, 2011

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

Update from the Bureau of Sustainability and Planning on proposed zoning overlays for the Bridgeton area and activity on West Hayden Island

Current status of the Columbia River Crossing Project with the newest proposals for MLK and Hayden Island

Local Police and Safety Issues

Any other issues residents bring to the meeting

Yard Sale info

2011-05-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

I know it's only been a few days since I put the post up about a yard sale - but it's been a busy month for me and I suddenly realized it's planned for 2 weeks away!!

So - since I missed the last BNA meeting and no one commented here, the yard sale idea is being downsized!

I am going to do one via Craigslist and on my deck the weekend of June 3/4 and a few in my moorage may join me. Hopefully there will also be sun and open houses that weekend and we'll have a lot of people around!!

If you are doing one that weekend and you'd like me to let people know about yours - contact me!

Yard Sale

2011-05-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Several of us in the neighborhood have "stuff" remaining after the April sale - or we were not able to participate in it.

So - we are thinking of holding a sale on June 4th.

We know that day is during the Rose Festival but our sale will end before the night's parade activities!

If you are interested - please let me [Lynn] know and I will start a publicity campaign with locations and items for sale.

Easiest to let me know by commenting below - which will also help promote the event[s]!

Be sure to let your neighbors know as not everyone reads this blog :-(

I'll also post a notice up at Channel's Edge.

It's May - time for a meeting

2011-05-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

`May Meeting`

Monday, May 9, 2011

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

Report on the Bridgeton Yard Sale and Spring Clean Up

Local Police and Safety Issues

What is happening with The Bridgeton Promenade and The Columbia River Crossing Project

Local Flood Insurance Issues

Follow Up To Rep. Koteks's Townhall

2011-05-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We had a great turnout at our town hall meeting last Saturday.

Thank you to all of you who spent a sunny morning with Representative Lew Frederick, Senator Chip Shields, and me discussing what's happening down here at the Capitol. We had about 100 folks join us in the Moriarty Auditorium at PCC Cascade (thank you PCC for hosting us). I hope the town hall was as informative and valuable for you as it was for us.

In following up from that event, I wanted to share some information about how you can help to shape the future of Oregon through advocacy and involvement. There are lots of opportunities to get involved - whether it's attending a town hall, emailing my colleagues, or volunteering to serve on a board or commission. It's important for many voices to be heard, and it's easy to be involved at whatever level suits you and your schedule.

Update on the Human Services Budget

One of the primary responsibilities of the state legislature is to pass a balanced budget for the next two years. As a Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services, a great deal of my time and effort has been focused on this part of the state's budget. Unfortunately, this is one of the areas where the cuts are likely to be the deepest - and the one where the needs are the greatest.

Since the start of session, I have been meeting with people and organizations who would be negatively affected by proposed cuts. Here's a sampling: Over the past week, I've met with service providers for seniors and people with disabilities who face some of the deepest cuts, parents who need Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to give their kids a safe home, and state hospital workers for whom the budget determines not only the services available to the individuals they care for, but also their own safe work setting. The fact is, every one of these programs deserves state funds at a level that is simply impossible at this time. Our job is to figure out how we can govern as effectively as possible in a very tight fiscal environment.

Alex Berke in my office prepared an overview of some of the proposed cuts in the human services area. This summary will give you some idea of the challenges we face.

Speaking Up, Staying Informed

If you've heard about a bill moving forward that catches your interest, one way to get involved is to testify in front of a committee at a public hearing on the bill. You can find the committee agendas online to find out when a hearing is scheduled. If you want to support a bill, it's often helpful to contact the bill's chief sponsor to let them know you'd like to be involved, and they may have suggestions about how you could be the most effective. If you know an organization or legislator is opposing a bill, contact them for advice as well. Also, the committee administrator (whose number is listed at the top of each agenda) is a great resource for details about the hearing. The Citizen's Guide to the Oregon Legislative Process is chock full of helpful information.

Not everyone likes to speak in public - and not everyone can drive down to Salem for a public hearing. To express your opinion about a bill, you can email, call, or write a letter to the members of the committee to which it was assigned. The Legislature's website has committee membership information to help you find out who to contact. The most persuasive information involves a personal story and some good facts or data. One-line emails from non-constituents are not very effective at getting attention for your issue, so put some time into your letter to make it personalized for maximum effectiveness.

Simply want to read a bill being considered or find out where it is in the legislative process? The Legislature's website makes it easy to track down the information you want.

Budget Advocacy

We have some very difficult budget decisions ahead of us before we adjourn in June. If there is a program or service that's important to you, please speak up and let us know what you think. At the town hall, for example, I spoke with a mother who is concerned about potential cuts to Head Start. Another person spoke about the need to protect programs that help individuals leaving prison to succeed, particularly parents. The Joint Ways and Means Committee is the final budget committee. Here are their names:

Sen. Richard Devlin, Co-Chair

Rep. Peter Buckley, Co-Chair
Rep. Dennis Richardson, Co-Chair
Sen. Betsy Johnson, Vice-Chair

Rep. Bill Garrard, Co-Vice Chair

Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Co-Vice Chair

Sen. Alan Bates, Co-Chair, Human Services

Sen. Chris Edwards, Co-Chair, Natural Resources

Sen. Fred Girod
Sen. Rod Monroe, Co-Chair, Education

Sen. David Nelson
Sen. Chuck Thomsen

Sen. Joanne Verger, Co-Chair, Trans. & Eco. Dev.

Sen. Doug Whitsett

Sen. Jackie Winters, Co-Chair, Public Safety

Rep. E. Terry Beyer, Co-Chair, Trans. & Eco. Dev.

Rep. Jean Cowan, Co-Chair, Natural Resources

Rep. Tim Freeman, Co-Chair, Human Services

Rep. Betty Komp, Co-Chair, Education

Rep. Tina Kotek, Co-Chair, Human Services

Rep. Mike McLane

Rep. Mary Nolan, Co-Chair, Public Safety

Rep. Greg Smith, Co-Chair, Public Safety

Rep. Kim Thatcher

Rep. Gene Whisnant

Serving on Boards and Commissions

Oregon has a lot of opportunities for citizens to be appointed to special boards and commissions. In fact, there are more than 220 boards and commissions that address a huge array of issues. Most appointments require a commitment of 10 to 15 hours each month, with 2 or 4 year terms. Governor Kitzhaber is constantly filling appointments to these positions. If you are interested, you can find all the information you need at the Executive Appointments website. You can also contact Kendall Clawson, the Governor's Executive Appointments Director, with any questions: 503-378-8471 or kendall.clawson@state.or.us.

Senate Bill 766

I've heard from many people about Senate Bill 766, and we had questions about it at the town hall. In brief, the bill creates new designations for industrial projects and places with certain requirements. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Business, Transportation, and Economic Development on April 19, and is now in Ways and Means. The committee adopted the 14th set of amendments drafted for the bill, and you can find the amended version here. I'm studying this issue carefully, and I welcome your thoughts about the bill.

As always, I welcome your feedback on the work I'm doing in Salem. Please be in touch!

Best wishes,

P.S. Thanks to those of you who pointed out the use of "NoPo" in the header of my March 25th newsletter. Like many of you, I'm not a big fan of the term. It slipped by me while proofreading, and I'm sorry to those of you who find it problematic. But, it raises a good question: What's the best way to refer to District 44? I usually say my district is "N/NE Portland," but I'm not sure that term does it justice. I'd love to hear any suggestions, especially considering all the amazing creative resources in district!

Cleanup Reminder

2011-04-20T10:21:00.001-07:00

Spring Clean up

Saturday April 23

9am-2pm.

Please use this opportunity to help clean up our neighborhood. Work parties will clean the triangle at Gantenbein Ave and Marine Drive and along Bridgeton Road and Marine Drive.

NEW RULES!

There will only be three drop boxes. The drop box at the corner of Bridgeton and Gantenbein is for yard debris ONLY! General junk will be accepted only at the other two boxes. Please no yard debris at these boxes!

This year we are strongly encouraging recycling materials.

We will have a special location for recyclable metals, electronics, appliances & for the first time we will accept old paint.

Three secure document shred boxes will be at Channel’s Edge for your convenience.

( A $ donation for the document shredder is encouraged)

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

We hope to see everyone.

Sponsored by

Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

North Portland Neighborhood Services and

Town Hall with Tina Kotek and others

2011-04-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is the same day as the neighborhood cleanup - but you can go to this and help out before or after!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As quickly as things are moving in Salem, our work is always about what's happening in the district. We're bringing the Legislature to you next week...

First, I hope that you will join me at an upcoming Town Hall! Representative Lew Frederick, Senator Chip Shields and I are hosting a mid-session conversation at the Cascade campus of Portland Community College on Saturday, April 23. You are invited to come hear about the work we're doing in Salem and share your ideas and opinions.

Legislative Town Hall

Who: Representatives Lew Frederick and Tina Kotek, Senator Chip Shields, and you!

What: Mid-Session Town Hall

When: Saturday, April 23, 10 AM- noon

Where: Moriarty Hall Auditorium, PCC Cascade

Ways and Means Public Hearing

In addition to the Town Hall, there is another local opportunity for you to have your say in the legislative process on Tuesday, April 19. The Ways and Means Committee is hitting the road, traveling around the state to hold meetings about the budget and hear directly from members of the community. I hope that you will join us in Portland to share your thoughts on how to best address the $3.5 billion budgetary shortfall that Oregon faces this biennium. Many of the cuts proposed might affect you--and we need to hear from you. Please note, the usual protocol is to allow 2 or 3 minute-long testimony, so come prepared to be brief.

Ways and Means: Portland Hearing

Who: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means

What: Community meeting with legislators about the state budget

When: Tuesday, April 19, 5PM-7PM

Where: Portland Community College- Sylvania, 12000 SW 49th Avenue Portland, OR 97219

I hope to see you at one or both of these events!

Best wishes,

Spring 2011 CleanUp

2011-04-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

Spring Clean up

Saturday April 23, 2011

9am-4pm

Please use this opportunity to help clean up our neighborhood. Work parties will clean the triangle & the Bridgeton Slough at Gantenbein Ave and Marine Drive and along Bridgeton Road and Marine Drive.

There will be three drop boxes. One at either end of the neighborhood and one for the cleanup of the corner of Bridgeton and Gantenbein.

This year we are strongly encouraging recycling materials.

We will have a special location for recyclable metals, electronics & appliances.

Three secure shred boxes will be at Channel’s Edge for your convenience.

( A $ donation for the document shredder is encouraged)

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

We hope to see everyone.

Do You Own a Small Business?

2011-03-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

Then read this letter form Tina Kotek, our Stet Rep.

This legislative session has been a swirl of activity. Between testifying on bills, spending long hours studying the budget with colleagues and sitting in Ways and Means committee hearings, I am looking forward to spending time in North Portland for our in-district day this Friday, March 25th.

Small Businesses

Senator Chip Shields' office has taken the lead on hosting a reception for N/NE Portland's small businesses from 3-5pm this Friday that Rep. Lew Frederick and I will be attending. We will be there to hear concerns and share our legislative efforts in helping small businesses in the district. Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided, self-pay bar. All are welcome.

I hope to see you this Friday, March 25th at the Leisure Public House - 8002 N. Lombard Ave- from 3 to 5pm!

Patient Safety & Payment Reform

Three of my health care bills had hearings yesterday in the House Committee on Health Care. I am interested to hear what you think about these ideas.

Patient Safety- HB 2271 requires that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers use evidence-based surgical checklist and prohibits hospitals from charging for "never events." "Never events" are preventable events that are so egregious that they should never happen, but if they do, no patient or a patient's insurance plan should have to pay for them. You can browse through a list of "never events" here.

Primary Care- HB 3246 requires health insurance companies to submit a five-year plan to the Oregon Health Authority that outlines how they will increase pay to primary care providers while decreasing payments to specialists. This is one way to make real investments in primary care, while ensuring that the we are not just continuing to pay for a lopsided health care system.

Payment Reform- HB 3559 requires a standardized way of figuring out how much inpatient and outpatient care costs. The bill would make hospital costs more transparent, an important step in controlling health care costs. The idea for this bill came from the Health Incentives and Outcomes Committee of the Oregon Health Policy Board, a stakeholders group that did extensive work over the interim.

The committee heard testimony for and against each of these bills, and now my office will try to get work sessions scheduled so we can continue to move them through the process. If you have any experiences you want to share related to the issues addressed by these bills, please let my office know!

In the News

Thanks to those of you who are following me on Facebook! I am working on more issues than I have detailed in this newsletter and often just have time to share what the media is saying about them on my Facebook page.

Here are two stories I wouldn't want you to miss:

* The Statesman-Journal shared how HB 2800, the Farm to School bill I am working on with Rep. Brian Clem (Salem) brings together kids, healthy foods and local farmers.

* OPB covered SB 778, my bill to combat predatory refund anticipation loans and checks, highlighting a North Portland resident who wants the sale of these products to stop.

As the session moves forward, I look forward to hearing your comments on these and other priorities - so please keep in touch!