|
email: Sen.DenycBoles@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1710
address: 900 Court St NE, S-301, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boles
Dear Friends,
2020 was a tough year for all of us. The COVID pandemic and wildfire destruction has brought challenges to our families, our schools, our businesses, and our community that we could have never predicted. Additionally, the events of these past months show us how deeply divided, how frustrated and angry the people in this country remain. For a whole lot of important reasons. The need for a transparent and accessible government has never been greater. I encourage all of us to operate within the law and structures that were laid out by our founding fathers, while not perfect and regardless of our collective failings, give us tools that most of the world has no access to. Please continue to use them.
With the upcoming regular legislative session, agency rules, mandates and information continue to move quickly. As these changes occur, you can find updates at the Oregon Health Authority website - https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19 as well as the Oregon Legislative Information System - https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1. I encourage you to subscribe to email updates for Governor Brown and various Legislators.
The processes of this upcoming legislative session will certainly be something we have not previously experienced. The Capitol remains closed to the public. Earlier this month I shared concerns regarding these proposed rules with the Senate President and my colleagues and include a portion of those comments here:
The Capitol should not completely be closed to the public. The message and precedent it sets is beyond troubling. To continue this practice places the entire legislative process in jeopardy and sends disturbing messages of lack of transparency, elitism, and a government that hides from its people during a time of crisis. Safety measures must be taken, but to continue to completely close the building to the public is a mistake and one that will be felt for a very long time. The repercussions on public trust will be limitless.
I remain hopeful the legislative body will explore creative ways to both balance safety concerns and provide a transparent governing process. I believe it's imperative that they do so.
With this being my last update as your State Senator, I’d like to take a moment to express my profound thanks and honor for serving you these past years, in both the Oregon House and the Oregon Senate. While these have been trying times, the people and families in this community are amazing, resilient, and truly know how to care for one another. These are the qualities that move us forward to better days. I look forward to those times when our paths cross as we continue to work towards healthy and strong communities. Take care.
Thank you and God Bless,
Senator Denyc Boles
| 
