June 2012 Government & Community Relations Update
Oregon legislature meets for interim legislative days, hears revenue forecast, and passes funding for TrackTown 12 security
Members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly met May 21–23 for regularly scheduled interim legislative days. In a joint session of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee and House Revenue Committee, the state economist released the quarterly economic and revenue forecast. The forecast projected a small increase in state revenues of another $106.5 million for the 2011–13 biennium.
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Governor testifies before Special Committee on University Governance, state board adopts recommendations
On May 22, Governor John Kitzhaber appeared before the Oregon Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee on University Governance to express his support for the process established by the committee to examine institutional boards as well as the concept of providing a pathway for institutional boards for universities that want them.
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Springfield City Council tours Lokey Laboratories
On May 29, the City of Springfield City Council and Mayor Christine Lundberg held a work session on the University of Oregon campus to hear from university research officials and tour UO facilities. Participants heard from Kimberly Andrews Espy, vice president for research and innovation and dean of the Graduate School, who outlined the UO’s mission as a comprehensive research institution.
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U.S. Senator Ron Wyden hosts roundtable on student debt with UO students
On May 30, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and UO Interim President Bob Berdahl led a roundtable discussion with University of Oregon students on student debt and financial aid. They were joined by Laura Hinman, ASUO president, and Nick McCain, ASUO vice president.
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Congress weighs options to prevent budget sequester and student loan interest rate hike
The potential impacts of a year-end budget sequester on U.S. defense spending are prompting some Republicans and Democrats to urge their respective leaders to reach some type of compromise on deficit reduction before the November elections.
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