Oregon Legislative Assembly
Senate President Peter Courtney
House Speaker Tina Kotek
NEWS RELEASE
April 27, 2016
Contact: Robin Maxey 503-986-1605 or Lindsey O’Brien 503-986-1204
(SALEM) – House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney today appointed a 14-member committee which will develop a transportation package for consideration during the 2017 session – a top priority for the presiding officers and legislators around the state.
Rep. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay) and Sen. Lee Beyer (D-Springfield) will serve as co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) and Sen. Brian Boquist (R-Dallas), will serve as co-vice chairs. The committee will begin meeting in May and meet regularly over the next nine months.
“We need to get an early start. If we wait until session, we’ll get stuck in traffic,” said Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “The committee has a long way to go. It has to identify Oregon’s needs. It has todevelop a plan. It has to build a consensus of support if we’re going to reach our destination.”
The committee’s schedule will include touring transportation trouble spots and holding hearings outside of Salem.
“Improving Oregon’s transportation system is absolutely a top priority for 2017,” said Kotek (D-N/NE Portland). “Our highways, bridges, ports, and rail connections need repair and modernization. This committee will be working hard to develop a transportation package that will strengthen our economy and build a healthier future for all parts of our state.”
Additional 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).
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