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2005-04-05 Alert
Quick update
Here's the latest on the annexation front:
First the disturbing news: Rep. Garrard has made an additional appointment to the annexation work group charged with producing a version of HB 2484 that "everyone can live with:" Dennis Mulvihill of Washington County. But we continue to be denied a place at the table with no explanation. We don't know anything about Mulvihill and are hoping some of our Washington County folks can enlighten us.
The good news is that Rep. Jerry Krummel will chair the work group and we have at least two additional allies in Reps. Ackerman and Greenlick. So although I can't help but feel that we've been snubbed without explanation, I'm reasonably confident that the elected contingent of the work group won't allow Ludwig and Mulvihill to destroy HB 2484. Rep. Garrard may feel that we are sufficiently represented by these three gentlemen, and hopefully he's correct. He has directed the work group to have its recommendations together for his committee's 4/18 hearing.
Let me repeat that I have no problem with the inclusion on the committee of our most vehement opponents - they also have a stake in this process. Obviously, we think they're dead wrong in wanting to deny the public a greater voice in the public process but the legislative process routinely involves two directly opposing sides fighting - sometimes viciously - for their respective positions. Ideally, the Legislature evaluates the situation and renders a decision that favors fairness over entrenched power bases. Of course, it doesn't always go down that way. My concern with the work group is that I strongly feel that one of us, as recognized leaders of the citizens' groups who have fought for these bills, should also have been included on the work group.
In other news, SB 887 (island annexation) is slated for another work session in Senator Ringo's committee tomorrow, April 6 at the Environment & Land Use Committee's 3 PM hearing. I will not be able to attend - so if anyone can follow this on the web and report back, that would be appreciated. Our understanding is that 887 will be married to HB 2484. As passed out of committee, 887 includes the Nike language, which I think lessens its chances. Nike needs to be a stand-alone measure.
Still dormant is SB 684 to give Metro cities the ability to use ORS-195. This is also good news, but it could still surface. Most of the bills have now been introduced, but each legislator gets two "priority" bills he or she can introduce late in the session.
We'll pass on more as we learn of additional progress.
Jerry Ritter, Secretary
Oregon Communities for a Voice in Annexations
This page last modified on 2005-11-16 08:29.
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