June 09, 2009

Representative Peter Buckley
Co-Chair—Ways and Means
Oregon State Legislature

Representative Buckley, we met with Senator Verger (nice meeting) this afternoon regarding the Oregon National Guard emergency fund. I understand, however, that assigned a mere $200,000 for that fund, which has historically received $500,000- and we asked for $850k this session, because they always run out within 18 months.

Senator Verger told me that she thought they were ADDING $200,000 to the fund, but when I told her that the current fund has been depleted now for almost a year, she seemed surprised. The Oregon Military Department's (OMD) hands are tied, because they have to appear satisfied with what the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) tells them they will get. What else can they do then, but rely on advocates like us? When she said that they also put money into the Re-Integration team programs, I reminded her that only re-integrating personnel use those funds, and the families of deployed troops would not have access to them.

I am not entirely sure what is going on down there, but let me assure you that budgeting $200,000 will mean that Oregon National Guard Troops will NOT be taken care of while we are in the biggest deployment in recent history. They'll deplete those funds within 6 months.

Only you can fix this now, since the the matter is back before the entire Ways and Means Committee. Please do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Greg Warnock
OWVA