The Oregon Legislature convened today to mark the beginning of what promises to be an action-packed 2015 Legislative Session. Known as “Organizational Days,” this three-day meeting begins with the traditional swearing-in of new members and the Inauguration of the Governor.
In his remarks this morning, Governor Kitzhaber acknowledged his strong support for the goals of the Oregon Business Plan (which includes two core AGC priorities- increased investments in Career Technical Education and a robust transportation funding package).
Other events included the re-election of longtime Senator Peter Courtney (D-Salem) as Senate President, as well as Rep. Tina Kotek (D-Portland) as Speaker of the House. The following two days will be filled with mandatory orientation and training for the nineteen new and seventy-one returning members of the legislature.
Meanwhile, AGC’s lobby team will be sorting through the first stack of 1400-plus bills released to the public. To provide some perspective, those 1400 bills represent only one-third of the total bills typically filed in a normal “long session” legislative year. Following this three-day organizational meeting the legislature will not meet again until February 2, when committee hearings begin in earnest.
The AGC blog will be a primary source of legislative news during the session, so check back here for updates!
If you would like additional information on AGC’s legislative priorities and core policy positions, please contact Public and Strategic Affairs Director John Rakowitz at 503-317-1781.