Tag Archive for 'legislature'

Secretary Brown to announce legislation creating a new corporate entity for sustainable businesses

Published on September 28, 2012 in Headlines, Press Releases, Road Trips and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

SALEM – On Monday, October 1, Secretary of State Kate Brown will be at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland to discuss Benefit Company legislation, at the first annual Oregon Social Business Challenge sponsored by the Oregon University System.

“Together with a group of Oregon Business Leaders we have created legislation that gives Oregon businesses the freedom and legal protection to pursue more than just profit,” said Secretary Brown. “We hope to join the 11 other states that have already passed similar laws meeting the growing needs of entrepreneurs and investors who want to use their business as a tool to solve social and environmental problems.”

Secretary Brown will join more than 1,000 Oregonians at the sell-out event next Monday featuring Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leading thinker on micro-lending, in a bid to show average Oregonians that state higher education is making the world a better place.

Secretary Brown will be available to media after the opening ceremony.

When:              Monday, October 1st, at 12:00 PM

Where:             Oregon Convention Center

777 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Portland, OR 97232

Sec Brown and Sen Courtney honor Oregon’s longest serving employee

Published on October 28, 2011 in Archives, Headlines and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Secretary of State Kate Brown and Senate President Peter Courtney spoke at the unveiling of a special memorial plaque for Cecil L. Edwards. The plaque commemorates his service as perhaps Oregon’s longest serving employee. Cecil started working in Oregon in 1933 as a floor secretary and became the Chief of Staff to Governor Charles Sprague, Chief Clerk of the Oregon House, Secretary of the Senate, and finally Historian of the Oregon Senate. In addition, then-Secretary of State Norma Paulus dedicated the Oregon Blue Book to Cecil in 1983. Photos: http://ow.ly/7cwEJ

Statement from Secretary of State Brown on the Legislative Redistricting Agreement

Published on June 8, 2011 in Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Statement from Secretary of State Kate Brown on the Legislative Redistricting Agreement

SALEM – I applaud the work done by the four lead negotiators on the legislative redistricting plan.

I have said from the beginning that the diverse, unique, and knowledgeable perspectives of the 90 legislators, augmented by considerable public input, could produce a sound and reasonable plan. Having these varied voices at the table is better for Oregonians than one person drawing a map, no matter how much public involvement is included.

I will closely watch this proposed agreement play out through the process and continue to encourage the legislature to meet their constitutional obligation to redraw legislative and congressional districts. If the votes are there, this legislature could do what hasn’t been done in decades.

If both chambers pass the bill and the Governor signs it, Oregonians will have been well- served and I offer my congratulations to the countless members of the public who provided testimony and to the legislators who made this potential agreement possible.  This is an accomplishment each legislator should be proud of – a job well done.

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For more information, please contact:
Gina Mattioda
Director of Communications

gina.mattioda@state.or.us
503-986-2368

Resuscitating the Flag Fund

Published on March 28, 2011 in Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , .

In 1969, the Oregon Legislature gave the Secretary of State authority to provide Oregon State flags to Oregonians serving abroad in the armed forces. However, when the economic crisis hit the State of Oregon, the fund and private donations used to purchase and ship those flags dried up, leaving many service members without.

Secretary of State Kate Brown, along with Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and Representative Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), are hoping to change that.

“Our goal is to raise money to buy enough flags to fulfill all requests and to keep the fund up and running,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “We must express our gratitude to our fellow Oregonians for their commitment, dedication and sacrifice.”

And as dedicated as Secretary  Brown and Senator Johnson are, for Representative Esquivel, this is deeply personal. In 1969, while serving in Vietnam he sent a flag request to Oregon Secretary of State Clay Myers. He wanted to fly the flag at his quarters. The flag did arrive along with a letter from Myers thanking him for his service.

“For me receiving the flag and the letter was one of the few things I remember about Vietnam that will remain with me forever,” said Rep. Sal Esquivel. “I am sure there are many of our brave men and women that would love to hear from our government and receive an Oregon flag for their quarters.”

This office is in the process of collecting donations for the fund. Each flag costs $50, which is also the recommended donation, however no donation will be turned back! If you would like to donate you can call 503-986-2204 or send checks or money orders made out to Secretary of State Flag Fund to:

Secretary of State’s Office
C/O Flag Fund
Business Services Division
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem Oregon 97310

Let’s make sure that our braved service men and women from Oregon can have the opportunity to receive this wonderful gift. Donate now!