Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Ways and Means coming to PCC Cascade

Photos and story by Dana Haynes

So, tomorrow promises to be a busy day.

First, I’m testifying for 5 minutes before the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee on House Bill 3300. The bill would require the State Workforce Investment Board to develop plans to promote grown of “green” or environmentally oriented jobs.

Obviously, PCC is providing a wide array of trained workers for green jobs, so, naturally, we love this bill. We offer workforce training in the fields of renewable energy, transportation, manufacturing and sustainable building.

John McKee, division dean for science and engineering at Sylvania, really ought to be doing this. He knows this stuff backwards and forwards. And he makes a great presentation. But he’s busy so I’m subbing for him.

Then, at 6 p.m., PCC Cascade plays host to the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee’s road show. Ways and Means is the budget-writing committee consisting of members of both the House and the Senate.

The lawmakers are traveling around Oregon, taking testimony from citizens regarding the recession and the budget for the 2009-11 biennium. After the six or so hearings – and Tuesday’s is the only one in the metro area – the co-chairs of Ways and Means will craft a budget based largely on what they hear from the citizens.

If you want to go and testify, I’d get there early. It’s in the Moriarty auditorium and it’s likely to fill quickly. There will be a sign-up sheet outside the room for those who wish to testify. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes.

Cheers,

dana