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ACTION ALERT: NOTICE OF POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF THE OREGON COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

The following message is making the rounds of various blindness-related e-mail lists. I know Oregon has been hit hard by the current economic situation but having lived in the state for five years and worked closely with several from the commission (both staff and consumers) I know the excellentwork done there and the positive impact on people as a result. This doesn’t strike me as the right way to resolve economic challenges.

 

ACTION ALERT: NOTICE OF POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF THE OREGON COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

 

The Oregon Commission for the Blind was informed by Governor Kulongoski’s office on Friday, May 15, 2009 that he is recommending that the Commission for the Blind be “suspended” as a result of the economic crisis. This would mean that the agency would cease to operate effective July 1, 2009 and the services we provide would somehow be integrated into other programs within state government.

 

We believe that this is not a cost effective decision and that the services that the agency provides to blind Oregonians are at great risk if this recommendation is carried out. The Oregon Legislature will be making the final decision as to whether or not to continue the Commission for the Blind.

 

The agency provides specialized vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to individuals who are blind. It is the only organization in Oregon which provides these services.

 

Only 11% of the agency budget is provided by state general fund used to match federal grants. This represents less than ½ of 1% of the total state general/lottery fund budget.

 

Agency services are cost effective. Successfully employed agency clients pay back the state investment of their rehabilitation program in less than

16 months through their tax contributions and create savings in other programs such as the Oregon Health Plan and other forms of public assistance.

 

The older blind independent living program helps seniors live independently after vision loss and prevents or prolongs the need for seniors to enter into assisted living or nursing homes. Delaying the need for this care by even one year can save the state $36,000-$68,000 per individual.

 

 

The agency felt that it is imperative that we share this information with all interested parties so that they can contact the legislature as soon as possible. Contacts should be made immediately with the Ways and Means Human Services Sub-committee and the Full Ways and Means Committee as a decision could be made within the week. Included is a contact list for your information.

 

The following contains a list of members of the full committee and subcommittee on Human Services. Following on subsequent pages is the contact information for each committee member.

Ways and Means Full Committee Membership:

Sen. Margaret Carter, Co-Chair

Rep. Peter Buckley, Co-Chair

Sen. Betsy Johnson, Vice-Chair

Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Vice-Chair

Sen. Alan C Bates

Sen. Fred Girod

Sen. Rod Monroe

Sen. David Nelson

Sen. Joanne Verger

Sen. Vicki L Walker

Sen. Doug Whitsett

Sen. Jackie Winters

Rep. David Edwards

Rep. Larry Galizio

Rep. Bill Garrard

Rep. George Gilman

Rep. Bob Jenson

Rep. Betty Komp

Rep. Tina Kotek

Rep. Dennis Richardson

Rep. Chip Shields

Rep. Greg Smith

 

 

Human Services Subcommittee Membership:

Sen. Alan C Bates, Co-Chair

Rep. Tina Kotek, Co-Chair

Sen. Margaret Carter

Sen. Jackie Winters

Rep. Mitch Greenlick

Rep. Bill Kennemer

Rep. Dennis Richardson

Rep. Carolyn Tomei

Senator Alan C Bates

Party: D District: 3

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1703

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-205, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.alanbates@state.or.us> sen.alanbates@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/bates>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/bates

 

Representative Peter Buckley

Party: D District: 5

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1405

Interim Phone: 541-488-9180

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-286, Salem,, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 71 Dewey Street , Ashland, OR, 97520

Email: <mailto:rep.peterbuckley@state.or.us> reppeterbuckley@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/buckley>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/buckley

 

Senator Margaret Carter

Party: D District: 22

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1722

Interim Phone: 503-282-6846

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-209, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: PO Box 3722, Portland, OR, 97208

Email: <mailto:sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us>

sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter

 

Representative David Edwards

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member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: D District: 30

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.davidedwards@state.or.us> rep.davidedwards@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/edwardsd>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/edwardsd

 

Representative Larry Galizio

Party: D District: 35

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1435

Interim Phone: 503-350-0804

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-282, Salem,, OR, 97301 Interim Address: P.O. Box 231161, Tigard, OR, 97281

Email: <mailto:rep.larrygalizio@state.or.us> rep.larrygalizio@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/galizio>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/galizio

 

Representative Bill Garrard

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member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 56

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1456

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-480, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.billgarrard@state.or.us> rep.billgarrard@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/garrard>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/garrard

 

Representative George Gilman

Party: R District: 55

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1455

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-493, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.georgegilman@state.or.us> rep.georgegilman@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/gilman>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/gilman

 

Senator Fred Girod

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member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 9

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1709

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-421, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.fredgirod@state.or.us> sen.fredgirod@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/girod>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/girod

 

 

Representative Mitch Greenlick

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ember-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: D District: 33

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1433

Interim Phone: 503-297-2416

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-492, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 712 NW Spring Ave., Portland, OR, 97229

Email: <mailto:rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us>

rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/greenlick>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/greenlick

 

Representative Bob Jenson

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member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 58

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1458

Interim Phone: 541-276-5821

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-481, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 2126 N. W. Despain Ave., Pendleton, OR, 97801

Email: <mailto:rep.bobjenson@state.or.us> rep.bobjenson@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/jenson>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/jenson

 

 

Senator Betsy Johnson

Party: D District: 16

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-215, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us> sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/johnson>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/johnson

 

Representative Bill Kennemer

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member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 39

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1439

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-380, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.billkennemer@state.or.us> rep.billkennemer@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/kennemer>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/kennemer

 

Representative Betty Komp

Party: D District: 22

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1422

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-273, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.bettykomp@state.or.us> rep.bettykomp@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/komp> http://www.leg.state.or.us/komp

 

Representative Tina Kotek

<http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&

member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: D District: 44

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-281, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.tinakotek@state.or.us> rep.tinakotek@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek

 

Senator Rod Monroe

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member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>

Party: D District: 24

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.rodmonroe@state.or.us> sen.rodmonroe@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/monroe>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/monroe

 

Representative Nancy Nathanson

Party: D District: 13

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1413

Interim Phone: 541-343-2206

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-280, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: PO Box 41895, Eugene, OR, 97404

Email: <mailto:rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us>

rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/nathanson>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/nathanson

 

Senator David Nelson

Party: R District: 29

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1729

Interim Phone: 541-278-2332

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-211, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 1407 NW Horn Ave., Pendleton, OR, 97801

Email: <mailto:sen.davidnelson@state.or.us> sen.davidnelson@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/nelson_david>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/nelson_david

 

Representative Dennis Richardson

<http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&

member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 4

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1404

Interim Phone: 541-601-0083

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-373, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 55 South 5th St., Central Point, OR, 97502

Email: <mailto:rep.dennisrichardson@state.or.us>

rep.dennisrichardson@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/richardson>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/richardson

 

Representative Chip Shields

Party: D District: 43

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1443

Interim Phone: 503-231-2564

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-276, Salem,, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 5313 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 97217

Email: <mailto:rep.chipshields@state.or.us> rep.chipshields@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc

 

Representative Greg Smith

Party: R District: 57

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1457

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-482, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:rep.gregsmith@state.or.us> rep.gregsmith@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/smithg>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/smithg

 

Representative Carolyn Tomei

Party: D District: 41

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1441

Interim Phone: 503-653-5180

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-279, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 11907 SE 19th Ave., Milwaukie, OR, 97222

Email: <mailto:rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us> rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/tomei>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/tomei

 

Senator Joanne Verger

Party: D District: 5

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1705

Interim Phone: 541-756-4140

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-401, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 3696 Broadway PMB 344, North Bend, OR, 97459

Email: <mailto:sen.joanneverger@state.or.us> sen.joanneverger@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/verger>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/verger

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Vicki L Walker

Party: D District: 7

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1707

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-309, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.vickiwalker@state.or.us> sen.vickiwalker@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker

 

Senator Doug Whitsett

Party: R District: 28

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1728

Interim Phone: 541-882-1315

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE., S-303, Salem, OR, 97301 Interim Address: 23131 North Poe Valley Rd., Klamath Falls, OR, 97603

Email: <mailto:sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.us> sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.us

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett

 

Senator Jackie Winters

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member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>

Party: R District: 10

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-301, Salem, OR, 97301

Email: <mailto:sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us> sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us

 

Website: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters>

http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters

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