President, Speaker Invite Oregonians To

‘A Citizen’s Guide to the Legislature’

Office of the Senate President

Office of the House Speaker

900 CourtSt.,N.E., Room S-201

Salem, OR    97301

www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres

News Release

Contact:

Robin Maxey                  

(503) 986-1605

robin.maxey@state.or.us

Jared Mason Gere

(503) 986-1204            

jared.masongere@state.or.us                                                                                      

SALEM— Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek are inviting Oregonians to learn more about the process used to create laws in Oregonduring a special presentation next week.

The event, “A Citizen’s Guide to the Legislature,” will take place in Hearing Room B on the first floor of the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, 6 to 8 p.m.

“This is one way to help make the legislative process more transparent and accessible," said Kotek. "I hope Oregonians will take advantage of this opportunity to get more involved.”  

“Oregonhas one of the most accessible capitol buildings in the nation. We have one of the most open and publicly accessible legislative processes in the nation,” Courtney said. “Our process encourages people to get involved. It encourages the public to come to the Capitol and testify. The Citizen’s Guide program is a great introduction to the way business is conducted at your State Capitol.”

Kotek (D-Portland) and Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn) will be joined on a legislative panel by House Republican Leader Mike McClain of Powell Butte and Republican Senator Jackie Winters ofSalem.

The panelists will offer insight into the legislative process and answer questions from the public about how best to engage with the Legislature.

Following the panel, legislative staff will show participants how to research and track legislation, listen to or watch a committee meeting, submit testimony, and testify before a committee. Included will be an introduction into the new Oregon Legislative Information System.

Those who are unable to attend can watch the meeting on-line at http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/asx/HRB.asx .  Questions for the Legislative panel during the event can be sent to AdministrationLeg@leg.state.or.us.