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Jan-13-2009 18:28printcomments

Oregon Session Begins: Commencement of the 75th Legislative Assembly

Senate Democrats welcome new members and new staff.

Oregon State Capitol
The State Capitol on Christmas Eve, 2008
Both photos courtesy: Oregon Legislature

(SALEM, Ore.) - As a gesture of bipartisanship, the Oregon Senate was called to order yesterday at 9:00 AM by Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli.

After the adoption of chamber rules, the Senate unanimously reelected Senator Peter Courtney as Senate President and Senator Rick Metsger as Senate President Pro Tempore.

After his reelection to a fourth consecutive term as Senate President, Senator Courtney urged the Senate to once again work together to find compromise on the challenges facing the state.

"Each of us has lived long enough to know something about life, about politics, about the Legislature," said Courtney in his address to the chamber.

"In the last few sessions we had our bad fights, our fierce debates…but we got along. I hope we can this session. Each of us must and will work very hard to get our people, our Oregon through this."

Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin also recognized the challenges facing the state and reiterated the priorities of the Senate Democratic Caucus as they work to find solutions that work for all Oregonians.

"Just as Oregonians across the state are faced with tough decisions about their budgets, the legislature has a lot of difficult decisions to make," said Devlin.

"That said, our priorities are resolute. We are focused on the education and health of our children, taking care of the most vulnerable Oregonians, the safety of our communities, and economic security for Oregon families. These priorities will be foremost on our mind as Senate Democrats begin their work in the 2009 session."

To see the Oregon Senate Democrats' complete 2009 agenda, click here.

New Senate Democrats

Newly sworn in, from left: Sen. Jackie Dingfelder,
Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, & Sen. Martha Schrader.
Senator Diane Rosenbaum was elected to serve Senate
District 21, which includes Southeast Portland and a
portion of Milwaukie, Oregon.

Senator Rosenbaum served five terms in the House. In 2007, she served as House Speaker Pro Tempore and Chair of the House Elections, Ethics & Rules Committee. In 2009, she will chair the Senate Commerce & Workforce Development Committee and serve as Assistant Majority Leader.

Senator Jackie Dingfelder was elected to serve the people of Senate District 23, made up of communities in Northeast and Southeast Portland. Senator Dingfelder was appointed to the House in 2001 and chaired the House Energy and Environment Committee. This session, she will continue her leadership on environmental issues by chairing the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Senator Martha Schrader was appointed Friday to serve in Senate District 20 which includes the communities of Canby, Gladstone, Oregon City, Milwaukie and surrounding areas. Senator Schrader comes to the Senate after serving five years on the Clackamas County Commission. Senator Schrader is no stranger to the state capitol, having served a seven year stint as the Chief Legislative Analyst to then-Representative Kurt Schrader.

Other Senate Democrats sworn in yesterday include Senator Suzanne Bonamici, Senator Ginny Burdick, Senator Margaret Carter, Senator Mark Hass, Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, and Senator Joanne Verger.

"Our new members exemplify leadership and are the best ambassadors of the needs of their districts," said Senator Devlin. "Senators Rosenbaum, Dingfelder, and Schrader are not only a welcome addition to our caucus, but are proven leaders who know how to deliver results to the people of Oregon."

Senate Majority Staffing Update

With the start of the 2009 Legislative Session, the Senate Majority Office is now fully staffed. New staff include:

Autumn Wilburn, who joined the Senate Majority Office as a policy advisor in November. Autumn is an Oregon native who earned her bachelor’s and master's degree at Idaho State University. She began her career as a lobbyist for her student government association, and then went to work for the Idaho State Controller. She has also worked on various local, statewide and national political campaigns in Idaho and Oregon.

Most recently, Autumn was Deputy Political Director for the Barack Obama Campaign for Change in Oregon. Previously, she served as the Oregon Field Director for the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party of Oregon.

Autumn's major policy areas in the Senate Majority Office include: natural resources/energy/environment, public safety, judiciary, pre-k through higher education, and elections.

Josh Lustig joined the Senate Majority Office as an Outreach Coordinator in January 2009. Josh comes to this position with experience in both political field work and communications.

After earning degrees in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Maryland, Josh worked as a news reporter for several publications. Following his journalism work, Josh led civic education programs in Washington, D.C., and ran marketing campaigns for environmental firms. He settled in Oregon to work as a Field Organizer for Senator Jeff Merkley’s campaign in Jackson County.

Josh is responsible for the Senate Democratic Caucus’ outreach efforts across the state. This includes planning town hall meetings, constituent communications and legislative research.

Adam Meyer is working in the office this session as the assistant to the Senate Majority Office. Adam is a student at Willamette University studying American Politics and working on his senior thesis. A native of Portland, Adam has also worked for Earl Blumenauer in Washington, D.C. Adam is interested in continuing his education in the area of law and public policy.


With the arrival of Autumn, Josh, and Adam, the office is now fully staffed. Here's the entire team:

  • Abby Tibbs, Caucus Administrator/Chief of Staff
  • Amy Fauver, Policy Advisor
  • Autumn Wilburn, Policy Advisor
  • Molly Woon, Communications Director
  • Carol Suzuki, Operations Director
  • Anna Haley, Legislative Assistant to Senator Devlin
  • Josh Lustig, Outreach Coordinator
  • Adam Meyer, Assistant to the Senate Majority Office




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Henry Ruark January 15, 2009 4:37 pm (Pacific time)

Hrump: Your link in another thread came up deficient, on three tries. I informed you, but see no repeat correcting obvious error, however caused. Why NOT repeat, checking this time carefully to make sure we do NOT waste-time again... Awaiting your action on this one, for personal check to allow content analysis to proc eed as for your other redolent stuff...


Henry Ruark January 15, 2009 4:32 pm (Pacific time)

Hrump: Au contraire, sir-Rump ! I've been here more than twice as long, have checkable experience, graduate-competency proof, at least as good and as much tech-skill, and tech-competence --and I sign my own stuff, with public record of what I claim, and checkable sources for all. Once wrote Op Ed titled "You Lie in Your Teeth..." and invite you to consider same title for your redolent, ME/ONLY-Authority stuff here. Please cite anything you've published, your tech and entrepreneurial record, et al, for our careful evaluation. Those of us who write here are already on record giving that information to readers, who have every right to know from whence cometh what they get for their nickel...other than self-aggrandizing self-praise voiced in arrogant tone.


Harumph January 14, 2009 12:18 pm (Pacific time)

As a 20 year continuous resident of Oregon, a follower of it's legislature and politics... employee and employer, a technically skilled and technologically savvy entrepreneur... I can attest to the veracity and truth of what I just posted.


Harumph January 14, 2009 11:33 am (Pacific time)

The axis of "Oregon's most inept, stupid, foolish, and unwise" has just shifted back over it's normal residing spot, from somewhat south of Beaverton, to slightly north of Salem... Oregon's legislature has, over the years, become so completely insulated from reality, that it now is probably the worst threat the people of Oregon face. Add a similarly hostile and malevolent governor, and it's a miracle we're not in contention for the worst state in the union... No matter what the challenges facing the state, both the governor and the legislature can pretty much be guaranteed to do exactly the wrong thing, generally causing more harm than existed before they acted. Undoubtedly, even a 15 year old child could administer Oregon with at least 500% greater competency.

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