Drazan gives update

HOOD RIVER — District 26 Sen. Christine Drazan made a virtual appearance at the Jan. 12 Hood River City Council meeting to provide an update on last year’s legislative session, and a preview of the upcoming short session in Salem, Feb. 2 through March 9.

“It really is a sprint, not a marathon,” she said of the short session. “I anticipate that this legislative session will be marked by extensive conversations about the budget. I would anticipate the Ways and Means Committee, which is the budget committee for legislature, will discuss cuts up to $500 million in the upcoming session,” and, potentially, use of state reserve funds.

Legislators will be limited to two bills during the session. Drazan’s first will focus on harm reduction by requiring syringe service providers to register with county health departments. The other bill proposes several education reforms, such as restoring the essential learning requirements that the legislature opted out of in 2021, again granting teachers the ability to remove disruptive students from the classroom, and implement reading standards for third grade students, as noted in her presentation and by Oregon House Republicans on social media.

Drazan, a native Oregonian and Republican, said the focus of her work is “to ensure the government does its best to serve the needs of people, and that it is not a barrier to people pursuing their own future and their best and brightest hopes and dreams.”

She encouraged constituents to reach out to her office, by phone or email — 503-986-1726 or Sen.ChristineDrazan@oregonlegislature.gov — or to stop by her office, located at 900 Court St. NE, S-303, in Salem. Her full presentation can be found on the city’s website, cityofhoodriver.gov; click on the city council link.