SALEM, OREGON – MARCH 23, 2014: Capitol State Building against a clear blue sky. Cherry Blossom Trees Blooming at Oregon State Capitol State Park in Salem Oregon during springtime. A tourist attraction.
Contributed by: Mary Stern, AOC Transportation Policy Manager
June 1, 2016
The Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, May 25. House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Courtney provided opening remarks. Speaker Kotek informed the group that a transportation package will be the priority of the 2017 Session. Senator Courtney stated that the forming of this joint committee was unprecedented and that their work is the most important work occurring in the building. The joint committee will be meeting around the state this summer to discuss needs and priorities for a transportation package in the 2017 session. A list of meeting dates, times, and locations is below.
Rep. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay) and Sen. Lee Beyer (D-Springfield) are co-chairs of the joint committee. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) and Sen. Brian Boquist (R-Dallas) are co-vice chairs. Other House members of the joint committee are Rep. John Lively (D-Springfield), Rep. Susan McLain (D-Forest Grove), Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany), Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D-Portland), and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner). Additional Senate members of the joint committee are Sen. Chris Edwards (D-Eugene), Sen. Fred Girod (R-Stayton), Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), Sen. Rod Monroe (D-Portland) and Sen. Jackie Winters (R-Salem).
In addition to holding public meetings, the joint committee may meet with area commission on transportation (ACT) members and/or take a tour of local projects. Those possible opportunities for you to interact with joint committee members are also included in the list below. Regardless of whether or not commissioners/judges are ACT members, the joint committee will want to hear from all local elected officials and business leaders. You should be prepared to answer these questions:
- How big of a transportation package can you support?
- What would your county do with additional funds from a package?
- How do you ensure your transportation funds are spent efficiently?
Recently, every county road official was asked to begin developing a county-specific list of projects for use of any additional funds. Your road official will be sharing your county’s list with the board of commissioners and possibly the road advisory committee. It would be beneficial for each county to be able to share some anecdotes regarding specific road, bridge or culvert projects that could be completed and what that would mean to your constituents.
Should you need assistance in preparing for these meetings, please contact Emily Ackland or Daniel Hauser.
June 13, 5 -7 p.m.
Great Hall, Mount Tabor Building
Portland Community College SE Campus
2305 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
(Possible OTC -hosted tour of East Metro issues from 2-4 p.m.)
June 28, 5-7:30 p.m.
Four Rivers Cultural Center Theater
Treasure Valley Community College
676 College Blvd, Ontario
(Possible meeting with SEACT members from 4-5 p.m.)
June 29, 2-4 p.m.
Hermiston High School Auditorium
600 South First Street, Hermiston
(Possible lunch with NEACT from 12-1 p.m.; OTC-hosted tour from 5-7 p.m.)
July 20, 5-7 p.m.
Prince Lucian Campbell Hall Room 180
University of Oregon
1415 Kincaid Street, Eugene
(Possible lunch with Lane ACT from 12-1 p.m.; OTC-hosted tour from 2-4 p.m.)
August 18, 5-7 p.m.
Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center
Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way, Bend
(Possible OTC-hosted tour from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.; lunch with COACT from 12-1 p.m.)
August 31, 5-7 p.m.
Jackson County Library
Medford Branch
205 S. Central Avenue, Medford
(Possible lunch with Rogue Valley ACT from 12-1; OTC-hosted tour from2-4 p.m.)
September 15, 5-7 p.m.
Ballroom
Embarcadero Hotel
1000 SE Bay Blvd, Newport
(Possible lunch with Cascades West ACT from 12-1; OTC-hosted tour from 1-3 p.m.; opportunity for dinner with OTC and CWACT from 7-9 p.m.)
September 19, 5-7 p.m.
Shirley Huffman Auditorium
Hillsboro Civic Center
150 E. Main Street, Hillsboro
(Possible OTC-hosted tour of West Metro transportation issues)
September 2?, 5:15 p.m.
Hearing Room F
Oregon State Capitol
900 Court Street NE, Salem