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Maxey Robin MaxeyR@leg.state.or.us

Legislative Leaders to Ask E-Board to Pay for Lead Testing in Oregon Schools
June 9, 2016 at 4:07 PM
- Senate President's Office senatepresidentsoffice@leg.state.or.us

OREGON LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY
June 9, 2016

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO ASK E-BOARD TO PAY

FOR LEAD TESTING IN OREGON SCHOOLS
(SALEM) Oregon legislative leaders united in one voice today to strongly encourage Oregons 197 school districts to
follow the recommendation to test drinking water for lead at all school facilities across the state.
All six leaders in the Oregon Legislature joined in expressing their concern that drinking water in schools across
Oregon could be contaminated with lead.
Senate President Peter Courtney, Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli,
Speaker of the House Tina Kotek, House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, and House Republican Leader Mike
McLane issued the following joint statement:
Making sure students are drinking safe water in school is our top priority. We need to know the
extent of this problem now. If school districts lack the funds to immediately test for lead
contamination, the Legislatures Emergency Board must be ready to step in and make sure all
students have safe drinking water as soon as possible.
The leaders said school officials should follow the recommendations announced Wednesday by the Oregon Health
Authority and the Oregon Department of Education. The leaders said they will ask the Legislative Emergency Board to
pay for the testing with an expenditure when the board meets again in September.
Contact:
Robin Maxey
503-986-1605
Robin.maxey@state.or.us

Rick Osborne
503-986-1074
rick.osborn@state.or.us

Caitie Butler
(503) 680-6944
caitie.butler@state.or.us

Lindsey OBrien
503-986-1204
lindsey.obrien@state.or.us

Scott Moore
503-986-1904
Scott.moore@state.or.us

Preston Mann
(503) 986-1009
preston.mann@state.or.us