Hello everyone,
Yesterday the education subcommittee of ways and means voted for a drastic cut to Outdoor School funding. The cut amounts to about $12 million, a reduction of 20% to what is needed to continue full Outdoor School programming across Oregon.
It’s not too late. Please reach out right away to the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means and your own Senator and Representative to urge them to restore full Outdoor School funding. Key points to mention:
Honor the intent of the voters, who overwhelmingly passed Ballot Measure 99 in 2016.
This year Outdoor School saw record participation across Oregon, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Outdoor School is lottery funded. While the lottery revenue is down a small amount (0.4%), the forecast does not warrant the proposed 20% cut to Outdoor School.
Include your own personal or professional perspective on the importance of full Outdoor School funding.
Also, please encourage the school district leadership with which you work to reach out directly to the Legislature. Their voices are important and powerful.
Below are links you can use to email, write, or call all of the members of Ways and Means. Thank you for your support for Outdoor School, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Full Ways and Means: