Budget Update
As you have likely heard, the state is facing a budget deficit of more than $500 million. The Governor has authorized 9 percent across-the-board reductions to help balance the budget. While I appreciate his swift action in addressing the process, I think that across-the-board cuts are not the best course of action. Immediately after learning about the deficit, several of us called for a special legislative session so that lawmakers could come back to Salem and deliberate about priorities and where we needed to focus both savings and potential reductions. Democratic leadership in the building said that a special session wasn't necessary.
Trust me, I am not normally an advocate for extra session days, but when it comes to preventing cuts to vital programs, I think it's important. We can do some of the work necessary through the Legislative Emergency Board (E-Board). E-Board has some emergency money at their disposal and will allocate that this week to restore some critical services to seniors. However, education and public safety are still facing deep cuts which I oppose. I think the Legislature ought to come back to Salem and resolve this problem - waiting for a federal bailout is not a good long-term solution, and the longer we wait to identify a solution, the more painful it's going to be.
Right now we are paying the price for years and years of unsustainable budget growth. I hope that we can work together - Republicans and Democrats, the House and Senate - to identify long-term solutions that will help put Oregon on a sustainable path. I look forward to being a part of those discussions.
On the right side of this newsletter, you'll find a survey relating to the budget. Please take the time to fill it out if you'd like.
Roseburg Relay for Life
I'm proud to be participating in the Roseburg Relay for Life on July 23rd and 24th, which is part of the American Cancer Society's national Relay for Life campaign. As many of you know, this is an issue close to my heart. I will be running/walking the relay with a team of folks who put together Sutherlin's "Nuts for a Cure" annual event. I also want to wish the team from the Roseburg Community Cancer Center, where I serve on the board of directors, good luck.
An interesting fact is that Relay for Life actually started in the Pacific Northwest. It was called the City of Destiny Classic 24-hour Run Against Cancer. Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma surgeon, wanted to raise some money for his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed - running marathons. In May 1985, Dr. Klatt ran 83+ miles over 24 hours. Friends paid to run or walk with him for 30 minutes. He single-handedly raised $27,000 in one night to fight cancer.
During those long hours of running, Dr. Klatt thought about ways for others to participate - and thus, the Relay for Life was born. Though every Relay is different, most start with a Survivors Lap. This is a time for cancer survivors to circle the track together to celebrate the victories achieved over cancer. Most Relay events also include a Luminaria Ceremony to honor people whose lives have been touched by cancer and remember those lost to the disease.
If you'd like to participate by making a donation to help fight cancer or to remember a loved one with a luminaria, you can visit my personal site for the race by clicking here (donations don't go to me... they go directly to the cause). If you'd like details about the event, you can click here to learn more.
With all of us joining together to support those who battle with this disease, we can continue to make advances and lift one another's spirits.
Turning Oregon Teal
On a related issue, I wanted to pass on some information I received from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). OCNA just kicked off itsUnited States of Teal campaign - teal is the color representing ovarian cancer, so their goal is to go across the nation, "turning" every state teal through actions that will raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Since no ovarian cancer screening test exists, OCNA stresses that "until there's a test, awareness is best."
It is estimated that more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,000 will die of the disease in 2010. If ovarian cancer is treated before it spreads, the survival rate is drastically higher. Unfortunately, only 19 percent of cases are found at an early enough stage. That's why I want to help the OCNA raise awareness. You can learn more about the potential symptoms on the OCNA's web site: www.OvarianCancer.org.
I hope you'll join me in recognizing Teal Day on September 3rd by wearing teal to increase public knowledge about this deadly disease. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.UnitedStatesofTeal.com.
Upcoming Events
One of my favorite things about summer is all of the great events, fairs, festivals, markets and other community activities. Here are a few of the upcoming community events I plan to be at, so I hope you will stop by and say hello if you are also there.
Relay for Life - Friday, July 23rd & Saturday, July 24th - Roseburg
Blackberry Jam Parade - Saturday, July 24th - Lowell
Join me on Facebook!
I've found that various online social networking and video sites have become great tools for me to keep people updated and to state in touch. Sharing information with and getting feedback from folks is an important part of my work in Salem. Feel free to find me on any of these pages: my Facebook page, my Twitter account, and my YouTube channel.
I look forward to hearing from you!