Dear friends,

I hope that you have enjoyed summer so far. I returned to teaching this week after spending much of the summer at home with my wife and our baby Evelyn. Between feedings, diaper changes, and our first airplane trip, I have appreciated spending time talking with constituents regarding the 2007 legislative session and what comes next. To review accomplishments of the 2007 Legislative session, click here.

The summer included several successful outreach events. On July 28th, I held a town hall with Rep. Jackie Dingfelder followed by a community BBQ at Laurelhurst Park. At both, residents of District 46 made it clear that they are still concerned with several issues, chief among them health care. Another area of concern was Oregon's senior citizens. One constituent pointed out that Oregon must stop pitting the needs of the young against the needs of the elderly. It was an interesting point and one that resonates with me: real revenue reform must take place so that we can stop underfunding some programs in order to adequately fund others.

During the month of July, I visited several neighborhood and business association meetings to discuss the 2007 session and plans for 2008 and beyond. If you have suggestions for additional groups that might want to include me on the agenda, please let my office know. At these meetings, the same issues came up: health care and revenue reform. People were also interested in the bottle bill update and had suggestions that I will take with me to an interim task force that will look at further changes to Oregon's Bottle Bill.

I also attended several neighborhood events on National Night Out. From small block parties to big park events with live music, a good time was had by all. It also gave me some time to talk one-on-one to neighbors. The photo to the right is me talking with constituent Jim Barrett at the Foster-Powell National Night Out Event. Most likely, we are discussing alternative energy, a particular passion of his. Thanks to LeRoy Goertz for snapping the photo and Linda Goertz for sharing it on her fantastic Foster-Powell blog.)

Many of you also shared your thoughts through my online dialogue that asked you to review the successes (and shortcomings) of the 74th Legislature. On average, 83% of respondents thought highly of the bills that I worked hardest on this session, stating that we were "on the right track", passing bills that were "long overdue."

A smaller percentage expressed steadfast opposition to the same bills. Some doubt the value of incentives for biofuels and wind power, for instance. Others felt that the session was filled with bills that limited the freedoms of individuals and businesses, with one calling Oregon a "nanny state."

Suggestions for the work that the legislature should be doing next time around included the following:

• "We really could use high-speed rail from Eugene to Vancouver Washington."
• "Punish businesses that hire illegal aliens."
• "A sales tax with certain exemptions such as food, medicine, heating fuel and a few other essential items."
• "Real education reform. Real revenue reform."
• "Help out the working people of this district by fighting for better paying jobs and workers' rights."
• "Campaign finance reform!"
• "Increase transparency so that those who balk at additional funding due to fear of waste can be assured that funds are spent effectively."
• "Take substantial steps to address energy issues with respect to global warming/climate change."
• "Pass a law that sunsets all tax breaks after 12 years."
• "Equal access to health care."
• "We don't need MORE laws and regulation."

It is not too late to take part in this survey and I would love to hear from more of you. Please click here to participate in the online dialogue reviewing the 2007 session.

Finally, I wanted to let you all know that our website now includes practical information about two new laws that passed last session and may benefit you directly. Click here to find out how to take part in the new Oregon Prescription Drug Program Purchasing Pool and click here to learn more about new protections from ID theft.

I hope that you enjoy the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Join me in honoring working men and women on Monday and, as always, be in touch.

Yours sincerely,

State Representative Ben Cannon
1125 SE Madison, Suite 100B
Portland, OR 97214
rep.bencannon@state.or.us
http://www.repbencannon.com
(503) 236-3351