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Dear Friends,
I hope you all had an amazing and restful summer. I enjoyed spending quality time with my family and being in our communities to share the accomplishments from last legislative session.
With the leaves turning color and early rain beginning to fall, I have spent the first few weeks of autumn supporting my kids at their sports events, working in the Capitol, and meeting with folks all over Senate District 19 - often on walking meetings in beautiful Tryon Creek State Park.
In the District
Tuesday night marked the conclusion of Lake Oswego School District’s “back to school” nights. As the volunteer Chair of the Lake Oswego School Board, I’m so proud of our students, teachers, staff, and engaged parents. Following passage of the landmark Student Success Act, all of Oregon’s schools will receive transformative investments from the State in the years ahead. Community engagement in every single district is an expectation for investment to be successful. All of our school districts need to hear from you. More information on the Student Success Act is available here.
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With State Representative Andrea Salinas and LOSD Superintendent Dr. Lora de la Cruz. |
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At a September town hall with State Representative Prusak. |
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Meeting with first generation college students at a Future Connect Class - Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus. |
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With Governor Barbara Roberts at the Girl Scouts of Oregon & Southwest Washington Women of Distinction Luncheon. |
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 29th, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, Joint Town Hall with Senator Ginny Burdick. Save the date!
Saturday, November 9th, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Coffee & Conversation at Blue Moon Coffee in Lake Oswego.
In the Capitol
Protecting Vulnerable Youth
In 2018, a constituent made me aware of a blind spot in Oregon’s laws. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) protects young people who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents or guardians. SIJS allows that person to acquire a work permit, keeps them from being deported, and grants them eligibility to apply for permanent residence. Oregon’s statute is currently misaligned with federal requirements, leaving vulnerable youth at risk of being deported. During the 2020 Short Legislative Session I will be introducing a bill to fix Oregon’s statute so that these youth can safely remain in our communities.
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After a hearing on SIJS in the Senate Judiciary Committee during September Legislative Days.
Pictured left to right: Susan Dussault, Virginia Maynes, Isaac Alley, and Frank Garcia.
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Committee Assignments New and Old
I was recently appointed to the Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development. Oregon is in the middle of a housing crisis. I have policy experience pertaining to housing from my previous work with the National League of Cities in Washington D.C., as well as serving on Lake Oswego’s first Housing Availability Task Force. I am honored to be joining this committee and to continue to address homelessness and housing insecurity in Oregon.
Senate Education
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I am committed to working towards a better, more equitable education system for all of our students. When I am talking to students, I hear time and again about the many obstacles on the pathway to success in college and career. I look forward to addressing these issues in 2020 in order to make college and career training more accessible and more affordable for all Oregonians.
New Chief of Staff
Please welcome my new Chief of Staff, Gordon Levitt! Prior to joining my office, Gordon worked for my colleague Senator Arnie Roblan, as the Legislative Coordinator for the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, as a Climate Law Fellow for Our Children’s Trust, and as a Natural Resources Policy Fellow for Governor Kate Brown. I am excited for you to meet him and help him learn about the amazing communities that I represent. He looks forward to hearing from you about happenings in Senate District 19 and to helping you engage with the legislative process at the Capitol.
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Gordon was born in Portland and grew up in the Columbia River Gorge outside of Mosier. He earned his J.D. and M.S. in Conflict and Dispute Resolution from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2016, and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College in 2012. His Master’s thesis explored climate change policy strategies for local governments in Oregon and his undergraduate thesis explored the rise of American climate change denial. |
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Gordon, his wife, and their cat Jefferson live in Salem. When he’s not working, Gordon enjoys exploring the varied landscapes and cultures of the Pacific Northwest, writing mediocre poetry, and cultivating an unruly garden of succulents and cacti. |
¡Finalmente, se habla espanol! Si tienes preguntas o comentarios sobre el Distrito, nuestras comunidades, o legislaciónes y las Políticas, por favor contacten a nuestra oficina. Estamos a tu servicio. ¡Muchas gracias!
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
State Senator Rob Wagner
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-215, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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