C.O. lawmakers discuss issues on session’s eve

State lawmakers discussed statewide and regional issues Tuesday night at Deschutes Brewery in downtown Bend, days before the 2015 Legislature is gaveled into session in Salem.

New State Rep.-elect Knute Buehler, Sen. Tim Knopp and city of BendlLobbyist Erik Kancler were on the panel for the Bend Chamber’s Town Hall and the 2015 Oregon Legislative Outlook.

Topics such as health care, education, job creation and affordable housing were all big issues Central Oregonians came ready to discuss.

“With the increase in health care costs that we’re seeing, we’re finding it harder to find employees and skilled employees,” said Katie Anderson, owner of Aperion Management Group. “So our main concern is having a resource here in Central Oregon of a qualified workforce.”

In the town hall-style meeting, the panelists opened with what they hope and plan to address during the legislative session. After each panelist spoke, community members were given the opportunity to ask questions.

“I think it was a great night,” Buehler said. “(There were) a lot of great people, great questions, and a lot of people in Bend feeling passionate about making our community better.”

The representatives head to Salem this weekend to begin the session on Monday.