Salem, Ore. – Yesterday Senate President Pro Tempore Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) was appointed chair of the newly created Joint Committee on Implementing Measure 91. The committee will address issues stemming from the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by voters this fall.
“As one of a handful of states to legalize recreational marijuana policy in the U.S., I am eager for Oregon to set a national example on this emerging issue,” said Burdick. “Oregonians are counting on us to regulate marijuana effectively and to tax it fairly.”
Since 2007, Burdick has served as the chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee. Prior to that appointment, she was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for two sessions.
“My experiences as chair of the Senate Judiciary and chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committees will be extremely valuable as we take on this enormous challenge,” said Burdick. “Multiple issue areas intersect with the passage of Measure 91 and we have many questions to answer in the next six months. My immediate priority is to get Oregonians at the table to hear their perspectives on this new issue.”
Burdick cited the need to hear from all Oregonians, include marijuana growers, law enforcement, medical experts, medicinal users and prescribers, business interests, and revenue experts to begin the conversation on how to implement marijuana legalization. The ballot measure takes effect on July 1st, 2015.
“We have to get marijuana right. Other than writing the budget, it may be the most important job the Legislature has in 2015. It’s a legal issue. It’s a revenue issue,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Woodburn/Gervais). “That’s why I appointed Ginny Burdick as the Senate co-chair. She’s chaired Judiciary. She’s chaired Finance and Revenue. She has the experience to balance the competing interests and get the job done.”
Among her other committee appointments for 2015, Burdick will serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Rules and Executive Appointments, and the Joint Legislative Administration Committee.
“No one is better suited to lead us in these uncharted areas than Senator Burdick,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “She has taken the lead on many contentious issues and has repeatedly demonstrated that she has the skills to bring people together and build consensus on complicated and tricky policy.”
The bicameral committee will also be chaired by Representative Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego) in the House of Representatives.
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