Majority Leaders Brown and Scott to Offer Legislative Wrap-Up at Sept 9. City Club Forum

Portland, OR (PRWEB) August 27, 2005

At its weekly Friday Forum luncheon on September 9, City Club of Portland presents guest speakers Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland) and House Majority Leader Wayne Scott (R-District 39, serving Oregon City, Canby, Barlow, Mulino and surrounding areas) in a program titled “ 2005 Legislative Wrap-Up: Policy and Politics.”

Pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth production, now will require a doctor’s prescription. Civil unions for same-sex couples made it out of the Senate but died in the House. And the challenge of education funding had mixed results, with moderate funding for higher education that will limit dramatic tuition increases and $ 5.24 billion for K-12, though that’s a level that school advocates say is still inadequate. Veterans benefits, transportation improvements and mental health coverage all received attention, as did the lottery, campaign finance reform, a pesticide use reporting system, and extra graduation requirements. Action was taken to increase medical marijuana allowances and require seat belt use in taxis, shuttle vans and rental limos, but left in the dust were measures regarding prescription drugs, medical malpractice, cigarette taxes, biofuel, abortion and banning junk food in Oregon schools, among other items.

How were these decisions made? Why did some measures succeed and others fall short? And what challenges remain for our state … and the next session of the Oregon Legislature?

City Club’s Friday Forum, which is open to the public, will be held in the Governor Hotel (614 S.W. 11th Ave.). Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at 12:15 p.m. and concludes at 1:15 p.m. Luncheon reservations must be made online at www.pdxcityclub.org or by calling 503-228-7231, ext. 103 or 102, by 2 p.m. Wed., Sept. 7 (members only may call 503-241-9242). Luncheon tickets are $ 20 ($ 16 for members of City Club). Coffee/tea table tickets are $ 5 at the door. General seating, available at the door, is $ 5 (free for members of City Club).

A NOTE TO MEDIA

Media are encouraged to attend and are invited to sit in general seating. Please sign in at the registration table on the day of the forum. For broadcast media, an audio press patch will be available, and a riser for videotaping can be provided with advance notice. Contact Tim Krause at [email protected] or 503-228-7231, ext. 102.

ABOUT CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND

City Club of Portland is a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic affairs organization that promotes civic engagement and active citizenship to build a stronger community. Through unbiased research and compelling programs, City Club connects citizens with ideas and issues that affect our community. City Club is open to everyone who wants to interact with other citizens and shape the future of our city and state. For more information about City Club of Portland, visit www.pdxcityclub.org or call 503-228-7231.

ABOUT KATE BROWN

Kate Brown began her career in the Oregon Legislature in 1991. After serving three terms in the House of Representatives, Brown was elected to the Senate in 1996, representing portions of Northeast and Southeast Portland and Milwaukie. In 1998, Senator Brown was elected Democratic Leader. When Senate Democrats took control in 2004, Brown was selected by her caucus to serve as Senate Majority Leader Oregon’s first woman Senate Majority Leader.

After spending most of her childhood in Minnesota, Senator Brown earned a B.A. in Environmental Conservation with a certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After college, she went on to earn her law degree and Certificate in Environmental Law from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College. Professionally, Senator Brown has practiced family and juvenile law and has taught at Portland State University.

ABOUT WAYNE SCOTT

Wayne Scott, currently serving in his second term as State Representative for Oregon’s House District 39, represents the people of Oregon City, Canby, Beavercreek, Barlow, Mulino and surrounding areas. Furthermore, Representative Scott also serves as the House Majority Leader.

During the recent legislative session, along with his duties as Majority Leader, Scott also held the position of Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. In this capacity he was responsible for prioritizing and balancing our state’s budget for the 2005-2007 biennium.

Scott has owned and operated his own business for over 35 years. He began with a local delivery service in Portland and today his business has grown to include interests in construction, fireworks distribution and the hospitality industry. A longtime resident of Clackamas County, Wayne served nine years as a member of the Canby School Board and is an active member of the Canby Rotary Club. From 1966-1970, Wayne served in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He attended Clackamas Community College and Portland State University.

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