Six Legislators, including myself, took part in the Oregon Bike Summit on April 21st and 22nd. It was good, old-fashioned fun for all of us who attended and there are some photos from the event I wanted to share. Enjoy!

To view the article published by Bike Portland, please click here.

Tomorrow, we are declaring freedom from inflated taxes that cripple our economy and Oregon families! PLEASE join in on one of the Tax Day Tea Parties tomorrow, April 15th, taking place at 19 different locations around the state. Stand up and speak out! I will be taking part in the Salem Tea Party on the Capitol steps between 11:00 and 2:00, along with Senator Ted Ferrioli and Representative Hanna. So grab your bag of tea, a personal picket sign, and help us remind the country how the first Americans used bags of tea to say NO to fees! To find out the Tea Party event closest to where you live, visit www.oregonteaparty.com

 Sen. Jason A. Atkinson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT:  Michael Gay

April 2, 2009                                                                                                             503.986.1955

 Atkinson marks legislature’s 81st day,

still no K-12 budget

Oregon classrooms deserve stability and security

Salem – Senator Jason A. Atkinson (R-Central Point) believes when it comes to funding Oregon classrooms, politicians should start being good to their word.  Atkinson told his colleagues that Thursday marks the 81^st day of the legislative session, and yet classrooms are no closer to funding than on opening day.  Atkinson has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 19 that would make funding education early in session a constitutional requirement. 

To watch Senator Atkinson’s speech on the Senate floor, click here.

“It is time to make education the priority we all say that is,” said Atkinson.  “It is the the 81st day of the 75th Legislative session, and Oregon teachers, students and school administrators still have no idea what their budgets will look like.  We say that education is our first concern, but it is one of the last things we fund. There is no excuse for waiting so long.”

Citing the promises made by many Legislative candidates to put education first, Senator Atkinson today called on his colleagues to follow through and pass Senate Joint Resolution 19. In past sessions, the education budget, which is about 45% of state spending, has been one of the last budgets to pass. School districts often are forced to wait into the muggy days of summer before they can start setting their budgets for the coming school year. 

“Politics have no place in Oregon classrooms,” said Atkinson.  “States like Florida, Washington and Nevada can pass entire state budgets and adjourn in 60 days, we should be able to set a number for schools in 81 days.  There is no reason why we should take more than 200 days to pass an education budget for Oregon.”

Senate Joint Resolution 19 is currently in the Senate Committee on General Government and has yet to receive a hearing.  If Atkinson’s proposal passes it would be offered on the November 2009 ballot.

“The 81^st day proposal is a way we can make government work smarter for Oregon students,” said Atkinson.  “Leading the way on education within the first 81 days takes power away from special interests and puts it back in the hands of the elected representatives, where it belongs.” 

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So, this morning I spoke out on that particular issue at a press conference, along with my House and Senate Republican colleagues. I am still floored by the passage of SB 2157 (signed on Oregon’s 150th birthday by Governor Kulongoski) which disconnected Oregon from the federal definition of taxable income so increased unemployment benefits could be taxed before reaching Oregonians’ pockets. If reconnected, this would give unemployed Oregonians an additional $15 to fill their personal “budget gap.”  I realize Oregonians are hurting and I want to work with the Democrats to provide the BEST possible solutions to the hardships Oregonians are facing. I just dont believe that is what has been coming out of Salem so far in the 2009 session.

The entire ten-point plan, including my bit about taxable income, was released this morning. If you’d like to read more about the highlights in that plan, click here.

This was our first opportunity to meet in person since my accident in July, so we have quite a lot of catching up to do while he’s in town. I jokingly told him when he received the nomination “Congratulations, and you should probably buy your wife a bouquet of flowers since you wont see her for about a year!” I have come to terms with this reality as well and I’ll have to release him to continue doing great work in Washington.

The turnout at the event, held at the Hilton in Portland, was spectacular. I believe it was the most successful fundraiser the ORP has ever had. The theme of the night was getting back to winning elections! Last night was certainly a step in the right direction.[[Show as slideshow]]

My address Saturday afternoon to the delegates went smoothly as well. Overall, many of the dicussions and speeches swung back to emphasize how important it will be to elect a Republican Governor in 2010. This is an opportunity we absolutely cannot miss! Former Governor Vic Atiyeh spoke briefly to the crowd and said he was ready for the burden of being the last Republican Governor in Oregon to be lifted from his shoulders. Many in the audience were fired up to help make this happen.

The next event we will be looking forward to is the ORP fundraiser welcoming RNC Chairman, and personal friend, Michael Steele to Portland. It’s this Thursday at the Hilton Hotel. Be sure to join us if you can!

It’s great to see Oregonians from all over the state filtering into this Convention Center to debate conservative politics. I am looking forward to speaking to all the Dorchester Delegates tomorrow afternoon about transportation issues. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, I’ll be sure to post more pictures and news soon.