Burdick, Galizio hold town hall meeting in Portland

State Senator Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, and State Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, offered their assessments of the most recent legislative session over the weekend at a town hall meeting in Portland attended by roughly fifty of their constituents.

Burdick described the session as one of the most productive and enjoyable ones she has experienced throughout her decade-long tenure in the Senate, and credited the increased level of organization and efficiency to a refreshing new climate of bipartisanship.

“Certainly in the Senate, and to some extent in the House, we really did have bipartisan cooperation – it was the most wonderful session I’ve ever had,” Burdick said.

Galizio, who is up for reelection next year, took on some of the fundamental procedures of the legislature, suggesting that they should meet every year, as opposed to odd years only.

In February, the legislature will convene for a short, supplemental session, but Galizio argued that they should make a habit out of meeting annually.

“Budgeting two years out is problematic and extraordinarily difficult – we always need to make some adjustments,” Galizio said.

Both Burdick and Galizio cited anti-discrimination legislation, a smoking ban in bars that will take effect in 2009, and a domestic partnership law as highlights of the 2007 session.