April 2019 Government & Community Relations Update

Oregon Legislature Update: Week 15


The Oregon Legislature is in week 15 of the legislative session. With just more than two months to complete their work, lawmakers are making progress on passing education budgets.
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Dear Colleague round-up: Oregon delegation supports research budgets


Members of the Oregon delegation routinely support funding for student aid and federal research agencies. Evidence of that support comes in the form of “Dear Colleague” letters, one of many tools used by members of Congress to advance budget and policy priorities.
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Congress is working on the FY20 budget but many obstacles remain


The process for developing the federal budget for FY20 is in full swing. The Trump Administration submitted its request to Congress last month which included deep cuts to key programs. Members of Congress are circulating “Dear Colleague” letters in support of their funding priorities.
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Joint Committee on Student Success releases first draft of revenue and expenditure plan


On April 4, the Joint Committee on Student Success (JCSS) released the first conceptual amendments to House Bill 2019. The JCSS toured the state over the last year examining needs and solutions to fix Oregon’s lagging K-12 graduation rate and improve student outcomes.
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University presents budget options to Ways & Means


The University of Oregon, along with the six other public universities, made their case on March 28 to the Legislature’s key budget-writers about why investment in operating funding for college students is critical to a bright future for Oregon.
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Oregon Legislature reaches first bill deadline


The 2019 Oregon Legislature reached its first bill deadline on Tuesday, April 9.
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Prison education program would get a boost from pending legislation


This article first appeared in Around the O on April 9.A University of Oregon program that brings classrooms into the state’s prisons would be expanded under a bill now before the Oregon Legislature.
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Bill would expand the UO's Oregon Research Schools Network


First appeared in Around the O on March 29.A bill that would expand a UO College of Education pilot program focused on improving high school graduation rates is currently moving through the Oregon Legislature.
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Legislature considers funding for new OIMB research vessel


 First appeared in Around the O on March 29.A bill now before the Oregon Legislature would allocate $500,000 in state funds to build and outfit a new ocean-going research vessel for the UO’s Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.
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