Forum on state budget in Portland

The Oregon House Joint Ways and Means Committee will be visiting Portland tonight to discuss their proposed budget and hear testimonies and concerns from Portland-area citizens.

The hearing will be located at Jefferson High School, near PCC on 5210 N Kerby Ave, at 6:30 p.m.

The Joint Ways and Means Committee reviews and alters a proposed Oregon budget by the governor, then submits its own budget to the state Legislature. Recently the co-chairs of the committee proposed a budget that reduced over $30 million from the governor’s proposed Oregon University System Budget, directly affecting PSU.

“We’re going to voice our opinions about the new budget,” said Kento Azegami, president of the PSU College Democrats. “The budget as it stands will not meet the needs of Oregon students. We are going to let our legislators know how important higher education is.”

Student Body President Courtney Morse sent an e-mail to PSU students asking them to attend in order to lobby the legislatures about the importance of a fully funded university. Morse also said she will collect testimonies from students and present them if they are unable to attend.

The committee also visited Oregon City High School last night, and will be in Corvallis on April 10, Eugene on April 11, Bend on April 12, Medford on April 13 and Coos Bay on April 14.

For additional meeting information contact the Legislative Fiscal Office at 503-986-1828.