Lane SGA President Nikhar Ramlakhan gives a speech at the Oregon Student Association led lobby day. Photo courtesy of Lane SGA instagram.
Oregon legislatures are considering several pieces of legislation that will affect Lane Community College including the Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget that would increase funding for community colleges and universities, the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the Oregon Tribal Grant. In support of those policies student government groups from around the state gathered for a lobby day in Salem on May 11.The lobby group was led by the Oregon Student Association and included student government representatives from University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Pacific University, and many others. Nikhar Ramlakhan, LCC’s student body president shared with The Torch how the day went.
Ramlakhan’s lobby group, which included two representatives from University of Oregon and two representatives from LCC — Ramlakhan and Ilhan Hanif — met with Representative John Lively, Springfield District 7, and Senator Dick Anderson who represents all of Lincoln County and parts of Benton, Lane, Douglas, and Coos counties. They also met with staff of Representatives Paul Holvey, Eugene District 8, and Annessa Hartman of District 40 representing Gladstone, Oregon City, Johnson City, Jennings Lodge, and Oatfield.
Ramlakhan also personally endorsed HB 2002 because it has funds earmarked for the LCC Health Clinic, which is currently facing threat of closing down in the fall. HB 3089, the Hunger Free Campus Bill was also a priority for the lobby group. Ramlakhan led a speech outside the capitol saying he was “privileged and honored to speak.”
He said that the day was an “eye opening learning experience.” Ramlakhan expressed that several of the senators and representatives were concerned about the LCC Health Clinic. Rep. Lively attended LCC and was upset about the controversy around the health clinic. A staff member of Rep. Holvey said that he was “mad” about what’s going on with the clinic. Rep. Lively is also a strong supporter of the Higher Education Budget and HB 2002.
Unfortunately, the Oregon legislature is at a stand still right now because several Republicans are continuing their staged walkout in protest of multiple bills including HB 2002. Senate Republican leader Tim Knopp released a statement saying that the Republican senators will return to the capitol on the last day of the session, June 25, to pass “lawful, substantially bipartisan budgets and bills.”
The legislation supported by Lane SGA would increase funding to the school, including increased funding for the Health Clinic through HB 2002, and increased funds for grants and scholarships through the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Oregon Tribal Grant.
Governor Tina Kotek is prepared to schedule a special session to pass a budget but the bills Ramlakhan and other lobbyists fought for are at risk of a legislative death.
