Lawmakers set budget public hearing in Madras

Oregonians in eastern and central regions of the state will get the chance this week to voice their opinion on the state’s next two-year budget as the Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee hosts a pair of town hall-style public hearings in Hermiston and Madras.

The committee will welcome the public to the Main Commons at Hermiston High School from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday night and then travel to Madras for a hearing at the Performing Arts Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday .

The events are the third and fourth in a series of seven scheduled hearings across the state as the committee seeks input from Oregonians on the 2017-19 state budget. The committee’s co-chairs released an “Existing Resources Budget Framework” in January, explaining the state’s $1.8 billion budget shortfall and outlining potential cuts to programs.

This week’s hearings:

Friday, February 17 — Hermiston

5 to 7 p.m.

Main Commons

Hermiston High School

600 S 1st St, Hermiston

Saturday, February 18 — Madras

1 to 3 p.m.

Performing Arts Center

Madras High School

412 Buff Street, Madras