Mary Ann Albright, January 9, 2007
SALEM - According to the governor, Oregon is the state of opportunity, and this year more than others in the recent past affords lawmakers the resources to give every Oregonian access to the education, health care and workforce training.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski focused on the “American Dream” Monday in his second
inaugural address and the opening of Oregon’s 74th legislative session.
A wave of excitement rippled through the Capitol, as a changing of the guard put
Democrats in control of both the House and the Senate for the first time in 16 years, and old and new faces joined together, committed to bipartisanship and efficiency.
Monday marked the beginning of a second term and third legislative session for Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany.
“Those are always very enjoyable,” said Morse, whose wife, Linda, sat with him as Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul De Muniz administered the oath of office for the Senate. De Muniz also administered the oaths for the House and Gov. Kulongoski.
Comprehensive fiscal and health care reforms are his top priorities for the session, Morse said.
Morse, who has a master’s degree in general studies from Oregon State University, also is backing a resolution that would move the Legislature from biennial to annual sessions.
Citing the “complexities of today’s problems,” meeting once every two years isn’t enough, he said.
Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, began her first full term as House District 16 State
Representative.
“It is an honor to serve my neighbors in Benton County, and exciting to come into the Legislature at a time of profound change,” Gelser said in a news release.
For Salem resident and citizen advocate Phyllis Rand, opening day at the Legislature is like returning to school after summer break.
Rand used to work at the Capitol. Between that and her volunteer work, she’s been in attendance almost every day of every session since 1959. Rand now is a member of Northwest Senior and Disability Services, and lobbies on the organization’s behalf.
“Coming back and seeing everyone you haven’t seen in awhile, legislators, staff,
lobbyists and other advocates — I just love it,” she said.
For Edward Wright, Morse’s policy advisor, and Laura Campbell, his legislative aide, who both have been with him since 2003, opening day of the legislative session hasn’t lost its freshness and appeal.
“It’s a formal proceeding. It sets the agenda and the mood in some ways for the
whole session,” said Wright of Albany.
“The first day is exciting even for veterans,” added Campbell, who used to live in Corvallis but now resides in Salem.
There is more hope in this session than in previous ones, and having both the House and the Senate under the same party leadership could help eliminate roadblocks and encourage cooperation between the two chambers, they said.
As he swore in newly elected Speaker of the House, Rep. Jeff Merkley, D-Portland, former Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield echoed the importance of putting Oregonians’ needs before party politics.
“Years from now, Oregonians will not remember how many members of the House
were Republicans or Democrats. They will remember men and women of courage,
imagination and unbeatable spirit,” Hatfield said.
Merkley succeeded Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village. As he addressed the House, he
called for “a collaboration of the sensible middle,” and listed public safety, health care, education, the economy and biofuel initiatives among his top priorities.
Merkley was especially happy to be sworn in by Hatfield, for whom he interned in 1976.
Lon and Raelene Fendall of Newberg were among those seated in the galleries inHouse chambers for the event.
Lon Fendall used to work for Hatfield, and Merkley once stayed with him and his wife. The new Speaker of the House invited the couple to attend opening day.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said Lon, adding that Merkley “has a lot more opportunity now” than he did as minority leader.
On the other side of the Rotunda, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, reminded Morse and the 29 other senators, “We are small, but we are huge in our responsibilities to help Oregon find her way.”
The state is expected to have about $15.3 billion available in the 2007-09 biennium, an increase of more than 20 percent from the $12.5 billion budgeted in 2005-07, and that means more opportunity for legislators to make a difference, Gov. Kulongoski said.
The Democratic governor stressed commitment to education from pre-school through college; quality health care; proper stewardship of the environment; economic and environmental sustainability; alternative and renewable energy; and freedom from discrimination for all citizens.
He espoused a shared responsibility model of government, calling for collaboration among legislators, corporations and citizens to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.
“We invest in the individual, and that investment pays for itself many times over for all of Oregon,” he said. “There is only one way that we can take advantage of the opportunity that comes with a growing economy; we must work out our different points of view by working together.”