The next session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly opens on February 2. It promises to be a busy and challenging session with the Governor seeking to repeal the transportation measures she proposed in the last special session because of voter pushback and the challenges of dealing with multiple federal funding cuts.

Two legislators representing Springfield: Senator Floyd Prozanski and Representative John Lively, will discuss the upcoming session and provide their insights on what might happen.

Senator Prozanski currently serves on six committees: as chair of the Senate Judiciary and Conduct committees, and as a member of the Joint Committee on Addiction & Community Safety Response, the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the Human Resources Committee, the Joint Conduct Committee, and the Legislative Counsel Committee. In addition, I co-chair both the Task Force on Public Safety and the Justice Reinvestment Grant Review Committee. Finally, I continue to serve on the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC),​ the Oregon Law Commission, the Asset Forfeiture Oversight Advisory Committee, the Task Force on Legal Representation in Childhood Dependency, and the Oregon State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision.​

Representative Lively currently is Chair of the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, a member of the Joint Ways and Means Natural Resources Sub Committee and a member of the House Economic Development, Small Business and Trade Committee.​

Samara Phelps is the President and CEO of Travel Lane County, bringing over 15 years of leadership in destination marketing and tourism development. A Eugene native, Samara began her career in visitor services with Travel Lane County and most recently served as Executive Director of Clackamas County Tourism, where she championed regional efforts for Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. She holds a BA in General Science and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and is a graduate of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and the Chinook Institute for Civic Leadership. Samara is deeply committed to sustainability, inclusion, and community impact – she holds a VisitAble Disability Inclusion Certificate, serves as President of Nearby Nature, and currently chairs the Oregon Destination Association. She is passionate about the power of place and leads with a strong belief in tourism and Travel Lane County’s role in building vibrant, resilient communities.