Big crowd lobbies Oregon lawmakers for local money

GRESHAM, Ore. (KOIN) — It doesn’t always happen, but Oregon lawmakers will take their budget show on the road across the state to find out, as State Sen. Kate Lieber said, “what they want to see in the budget.”

The first stop on this weeks-long tour was Gresham, where a massive crowd showed up to make sure their local needs get on the radar of the state’s Ways and Means Committee.

Among the topics: guns, gangs, education and a fire station.

Terrence Hayes, a gun violence prevention advocate, said he does “not believe $6 million is a lot of money to address this and to save the lives of our babies. We’ve got to stop burying our kids.”

In a similar vein, State Rep. Zach Hudson from East Multnomah County wants funds for the EMOPI (East Metro Outreach, Prevention and Intervention) program “which works to prevent youth violence and gang involvement.”

But he also wants money for “things like rebuilding Fire Station 74, which is essential to our community.”

Gresham Fire Station 74, built in 1966, has structural issues according to Gresham city councilors. They want $10 million to rebuild the station, which they said is cheaper than fixing it.

“It’s almost 60 years old. It’s falling down. It’s not earthquake safe,” Hudson said.

Education is another high ticket item. With federal money no longer a guarantee, education supporters said it’s time for the state to step in.

“At a minimum the state school fund must be at current service levels. Stand up for public education finally,” said PPS parent Susan Clark.

Reed Scott-Schwalbach, the president of the Oregon Education Association, said they’ve “been able to build some reserves, and now is the time to ensure we are investing with our state dollars into our schools.”

Committee co-chairs Lieber, a Beaverton Democrat, and Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D-North Portland), heard the wishes of these taxpayers.

“Clearly education is a priority in this community,” Sanchez said. “There are many schools that are struggling, there are many infrastructure needs here in the in this area, and in in order to build housing and stabilize communities, they need resources.”

Lieber put it more directly.

“We have to make some really hard choices.”

The committee members will be holding similar hearings throughout Oregon until late April:

Astoria
Friday, March 28, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Liberty Theatre
1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103

Warm Springs
Friday, April 4, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Old Warm Springs Elementary School
1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761

La Grande
Friday, April 11, 5 p.m. – 7:00pm
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339
1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850

Salem (statewide virtual testimony prioritized)
Wednesday, April 16, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Oregon Capitol Building, Hearing Room F
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Klamath Falls
Friday, April 25, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603