Bill Kennemer was recently featured in the Clackamas Community Land Trust Annual Report. Bill got the chance to discuss his connection to Calckamas County, the many positive benefits of home ownership, and the important work of the Clackamas Community Land Trust. Check out the entire article below:

Click the image to see the full article

Independent voters recently received an invitation in their mailboxes to vote in the Independent Party of Oregon’s online candidate nominating process. I hope you will accept this invitation by going online today and supporting Bill Kennemer for State Representative.

Saying I have an independent voice for Oregon is not just rhetoric. During my first session representing you in Salem in the House of Representatives, I proved myself by having one of the most independent voting records of all 90 legislators and achieving a 100% voting record with the Independent Party.

Here are examples of the promises I made when I was campaigning and honored when I was elected:

Rein in government spending by introducing legislation (HB 3275) to require independent, performance audits of agencies.  As taxpayers we should expect efficient and cost-effective programs.

Voted against excessive unfair taxes and fees that harm Oregon citizens and employers.

Stood up for local schools in an effort to help prevent the lost school days we are facing today and better protect local classrooms.

Voted to call the legislature into special session to reopen and prioritize both the state budget and the use of taxpayer dollars.

Disappointingly, my opponent ran one of the most negative, personal, and disingenuous campaigns local voters have ever seen in 2008; sadly, he has returned to challenge me again this year. Your online vote will help defeat this opponent again and send a clear message that voters want integrity in elected officials.

My promise to you is to do my very best to represent you in an effective, independent and common sense way in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Please take the important step of being heard. Go online today and vote for Bill Kennemer for State Representative.

Thank you for the honor of serving and representing you.
Bill Kennemer

PS – The Independent Party of Oregon nominating convention is 100% online. To vote, use the unique identifier on the postcard you recently received in the mail and cast your vote for Bill Kennemer today!

SALEM— Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City) today voted to protect funding for the most essential state programs by supporting the official call for a special session to rebalance the 2009-11 state budget. Rep. Kennemer said a special session is necessary to prevent the Governor from imposing across-the-board cuts to fix a $577 million budget shortfall.

“This significant shortfall is the result of poor budget planning and the Legislature’s unsustainable spending,” Rep. Kennemer said. “Across the board cuts are another wrong solution because they will protect non-essential programs at the expense of our schools, law enforcement and our most vulnerable citizens. A special session would give us the opportunity to re-prioritize spending and find new savings in the budget.”

Unlike the February “supplemental” session, Rep. Kennemer said the $577 million budget shortfall meets the constitutional requirements of a special session. He said legislative action is needed to avoid dramatic cuts, such as a $3.1 million reduction to Oregon City schools and a $1.9 million reduction to Canby schools.

“While I’m always reluctant to support special sessions, this is a time when we need to prioritize cuts and be wise stewards,” Rep. Kennemer said. “Difficult decisions must be made, but there are enough resources to hold education and other critical services harmless. By re-directing excess agency cash balances, enacting common sense policy changes, and by reducing state personnel costs, we can rebalance the budget in a fiscally responsible way.”

Please see our media section for new photos!

The 2010 Oregon Special Legislative Session began on Monday morning with a series of ceremonies and procedural motions.

We will be covering a broad swath of issues: protecting and creating family wage jobs; trying to improve the economy and business outlook; retaining employees; emergency funding for high unemployment; improving education; controlling health care costs; enhancing the environment and sustainability; providing for extra services during this severe recession, and holding government accountable.

Clearly, while this is a brief one month session, as the old expression goes: “No one is safe while the legislature is in session.”  I’ll be watching and doing my best for you and the Oregon we all love!

For those wondering about the injury, I recently fractured my shoulder in a ladder accident over the interim, but I’m doing alright now!

As the Legislature today convenes for a month-long special session, Rep. Bill Kennemer said he will focus on helping families survive by putting Oregonians back to work.

“In addition to job creation and retention, my priorities will include helping the over

one in five Oregonians who can’t find a job, are working fewer hours or simply given up looking for work,” Rep. Kennemer said. “I’ll work hard to pass solutions that create family-wage jobs and help our small businesses succeed and retain their employees.”

“Over 130,000 private-sector jobs have been lost over the past year, so we must improve the business environment so that more employers will hire and locate here, especially in Clackamas County,” said Kennemer.

While serving on the House Health Care Committee, Rep. Kennemer will also focus on making health care more affordable and accessible by allowing individuals and families who purchase their own health insurance to deduct the costs of their premium from their overall tax liability. Holding state legislators and government more accountable through ethics, spending and budget reforms will also be a main concern for Rep Kennemer.

“My commitment to the citizens of Canby, Beavercreek, Oregon City and the surrounding areas is to work hard to address the state’s highest priorities: jobs, health care and government accountability while being available to listen to your concerns and represent your best interests,” Rep. Kennemer said.

SALEM— Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City) will host town halls in Canby and Oregon City on Saturday, February 6. House District 29 residents are encouraged to attend a town hall to share their concerns, ask questions, and learn more about Rep. Kennemer’s priorities for the upcoming February session.

“Now that the special election is over, it’s time for the Legislature to focus on putting Oregonians back to work,” Rep. Kennemer said. “In addition to addressing the economy, I’ll share my ideas for making health care more affordable and holding state government accountable. A representative from the new Oregon Health Authority will also be on hand to answer questions about health care in Oregon.”

The Canby town hall will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Canby Adult Center at 1250 S. Ivy Street.

The Oregon City town hall will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oregon City Pioneer Community Center at 615 5th Street.

Both town halls are open to the public. For more information, contact Rep. Kennemer’s district office at 503-263-4798.

Click here for directions to the Oregon City Pioneer Community Center Town Hall

Click here for directions to the Canby Adult Center Town Hall

Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City) received the 2009 Children’s Champion award from the Oregon Alliance of Children’s Programs at a special gathering in Salem.

Local representatives from The Inn Home for Youth and Parrott Creek Child & Family Services joined the Association speakers in recognizing Rep. Kennemer for his longstanding efforts on improving the lives of children in Clackamas County.  They also acknowledged his work on legislation to encourage state agencies to streamline their oversight of children’s programs and to avoid duplication of efforts.

“While this Award is a great honor and I am humbled by it, the real recognition goes to those advocates and volunteers who work directly with the children to help them achieve the best possible outcomes in their lives,” Rep. Kennemer said.  “There is much work left to be done and I am excited about helping.  Here is another window to make Oregon a little better.”

The Oregon Alliance was first founded in 1917 by a group of Oregon orphanages to assist and advocate for orphans.  Over the years the focus has expanded to work toward the highest level of quality in programs for children, youth and families.  Today the Alliance is a statewide association with 34 member agencies that provide over 250 programs, touching the lives of over 78,000 children and youth each year.   These programs address the effects of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse, homelessness, developmental disabilities, and mental health issues.  Almost 5000 volunteers contribute their time and energy each year.

What a surprise snow storm we had on December 29th!

It was pretty tough on our Campaign Kick-Off Party. About 30 hearty souls braved the snow and ice, less than a fourth of those who had RSVPed. Several parked in lower Oregon City and took the famous elevator or walked up the hill. Others of us had 4 wheelers. But a lot of folks stayed safely home; it was dangerous out there.

Blane Meier provided his great background music throughout the evening. Weatherford’s provided delicious food, especially the crab stuffed mushrooms! Three brave candidates made it, David Newell (for State Representative in West Linn/Tualatin), Patrick Sheehan (for State Representative in Clackamas/Damascus/ Boring/Estacada), and Molalla City Councilor Jim Needham (for Clackamas County Commissioner). I gave a few brief remarks, and Blane accompanied me on two of our trademark parody songs including Auld Lang Syne.

Many of you called to say you couldn’t safely make it. And many said they’d still be sending a check to help kick off our Re-election Campaign. Thank you. We had a lot of fun, a small but mighty group. For those who weren’t able to make it, you can still contribute online by clicking here. We’ll have to see about raising a lot of money.

I am excited about the election and campaign! While the weather threw in unexpected complications, we’re excited that so many of you see the importance of returning me to the House. Cherie and I are getting adjusted to getting another campaign rolling just one year after the election.

With your help and support, 2010 will find the Kennemer Team, again, in the win column!

Two Town Hall Meetings are scheduled for Saturday, Feb 6th in Canby and Oregon City. You can find details by clicking the links. We’ll be in touch as the special session in February unfolds and as the campaign progresses.

May 2010 be a great year for all of us!

God bless you,

Bill (and Cherie) Kennemer

Rep Kennemer was recently named “Rising Star for Nursing” for 2009 by the Oregon Nurses. Rep. Kennemer thanks the nurses for this early campaign endorsement