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Two good chances to interact with your lawmakers

Photos and story by Dana Haynes

Some good town halls are coming up, and are worth putting on your calendars.

First, Rep. Ben Cannon, District 46, is doing coffee from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Touchstone Coffee House, 447 N.E. 70th Ave. The primary topic: the recently rebalanced budget for the 2007-09 biennium, and the tough choices ahead for the 2009-11 budget.

See a .

is likely your lawmaker if you live west of Interstate 205 and south of Interstate 84.

How can you be sure? Cool trick. That’s the . Click on “Citizens Guide,” then on “Contacting Legislators.” There’s a button called “Find Your Legislator.” Just fill in your street address, and, Bob’s your uncle, it will tell you your lawmakers.

Next up, , District 47, will join forces with , District 24, for an event set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Midland Public Library, 805 S.E. 122^nd Ave. Topics will include the economy, the state budget for 2009-11 and safety on the MAX transit lines.

“We’ll also be brainstorming for a potential “Take Back the MAX” event we want to help put on this summer,” according to Genna Beier, legislative aide to Rep. Smith and all-around good egg. “The idea is to have volunteer greeters out for a day to reclaim the MAX as a safe space for the community.”

If you plan to attend the Sunday event, send an RSVP via e-mail to rep.jeffersonsmith@state.or.us. That will help them order the right amount of food.

Cheers,

dana