The Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization will be meeting around the state this summer to discuss needs and priorities for a transportation package in the 2017 session.  We strongly encourage County Commissioners to attend and testify on your local transportation needs and what you would like to see out of the 2017 session. A list of meeting dates, times and locations are 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 are included in the list below. Regardless of whether or not you are an ACT member, the Joint Committee will want to hear from you and local business leaders. 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, County Road Officials were asked to begin developing a county specific list of projects for use of any additional funds.  It would be great for you to share some anecdotes regarding specific road, bridge or culvert projects that could be completed and what that would mean to your constituents.

If the Joint Committee will be in your area, staff will be contacting you in advance to help you prepare for the meeting. If you plan on attending one or more of these meetings, please contact Emily Ackland or Daniel Hauser.

Thank you for your attention to and participation in these important meetings, which are critical to the preservation of our state’s transportation infrastructure system.

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 from 2-4 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 (TBD), 5:15 p.m.
Hearing Room F
Oregon State Capitol
900 Court Street NE, Salem