Committee Assignments Update

I received my committee assignments last week. The way this works: the Oregon Speaker of the House makes all the assignments for Democrats and Republicans, with input from the Minority Leader (Vikki Breese Iverson, R-Prineville) and after brief interviews with each legislator. The new Speaker, Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis), announced the decision on December 28th. I am very pleased with my assignments, getting most (but not all) of what I had asked for.

Here are my assignments:

• Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee

• Economic Development and Small Business Committee

• Joint Ways and Means – Human Services Subcommittee

• Joint Semiconductors Committee

These will be very busy committees, with some big issues to address.

We are facing a crisis in mental health, drug use, crime, and homelessness. These are challenging, interrelated issues that we MUST tackle. We also continue to face challenges with our health care system, especially a severe shortage of providers. My assignments to the Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee, and the Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee, are an opportunity to shape real, practical solutions that work for all Oregonians. A bedrock principle for me is the dignity of human life, especially for our youth, the mentally ill, the elderly, and the unborn, and it will be reflected in all my decisions.

In addition, Oregon is at an economic crossroads – our policies are stifling business growth and driving good businesses away. Plus, we must do a better job training the next-generation workforce. The Economic Development and Small Business, and Semiconductors Committees are an opportunity to drive business, education, and tax policies that encourage entrepreneurship, business growth, and workforce development. I will fight for economic policies that work for ALL businesses in Oregon. I stand for flatter tax structures and market driven solutions.

My commitment to serve District 17 doesn’t stop with these committees - high on my priority list is real school choice, getting the wildfire relief for our district that was promised two years ago, and reigning in the bloated administrative state that continues to erode our freedoms. In addition, I am working to support local community initiatives wherever I can - for example, finding funding to support a new wastewater treatment facility for Aumsville.

My team and I are ready to get to work!

The 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly will be sworn in on Monday, January 9 and the 2023 legislative session will begin on Tuesday, January 17.

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