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Legislators take seats at leadership table Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Rogue Valley Republicans Rob Patridge, left, and Jess Atkinson, shown here during a lunchtime discussion at the Northridge center in Phoenix, will help give Southern Oregon an increased say in state matters this session in the Legislature as they assume their roles as majority whips of the state House and Senate, respectively. Atkinson and Patridge ready for whip roles By Dani Dodge When the Oregon Legislature meets in January, it will be Rogue Valley legislators counting the votes on everything from redistricting to education funding to possible program cuts. Jason Atkinson, a Jacksonville Republican, will become the Senate whip, and Rob Patridge, a Medford Republican, will become the whip in the House. Traditionally, whips are the people who add up the legislators� leanings before a bill is floated to make sure it has the support to pass. "We�re going to be involved in the leadership positions and then (Lenn) Hannon (R-Ashland) is the co-chair of the Ways and Means on the Senate side," said Patridge. "So, the representation is excellent for our area. We will be at the leadership table helping drive policy to affect the rest of the state." But their leadership posts are not without challenges. The 2000-2001 Legislature has a slimmer Republican majority than last session. It also has a bouquet of thorny issues, including the need to trim the budget. "The deficit � that�s going to be a real issue," said David Nelson (R-Pendleton), the Senate majority leader. "The demand for public service is outstripping the money." Although the Legislature will have more money to play with this year than last, the costs of providing existing services has risen faster than the budget. Current estimates of the budget shortfall differ; most people are waiting until Gov. John Kitzhaber releases his budget on Dec. 1 before they make solid comments about what programs will need to be cut back. But it won�t be as bad as it could have been if some of the ballot measures had passed, said Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village), the House majority leader. "We will have real cuts to make, but it�s much more manageable," she said. "It just means we�ll have to make some tough choices." Both majority leaders said they have faith in their whips to keep things running smoothly in the Legislature, despite the deficit. Atkinson was chosen by the Republican caucus for his post even though this is his first term as a state senator. He served the last term as the assistant whip in the house, along with Patridge. "Things get pretty hectic in session," said Nelson. "Bills come fast and furious, and you need someone on top of things to be the whip. You need someone young and energetic." He said Atkinson (who just turned 30) fits that bill perfectly. He even expects that Atkinson will expand the role of whip from its normal nose-counting routine to one of working out issues. Hannon nominated Atkinson for the post. He said with term limits pushing out some of the more senior members of the Senate, it�s important for younger members to get a taste of leadership. Atkinson said he was honored to accept the post. "We are working out how I will fit in with the majority leader and Senate president," Atkinson said. "I think I�ll have more leadership opportunities than other Senate whips have had." Minnis said she�s glad to have someone like 32-year-old Patridge on the floor making sure things are running smoothly. She said that as an assistant whip last session, Patridge did an "exemplary" job. "Rob has great organizational skills," she said. "He�s strategic in his thinking. And when you are moving bills across the floor, you need someone like that working with members and pointing out contentious issues and making sure we have the votes to get the bills through." Patridge said he�s just pleased that by holding a leadership position he�ll have more chances to put Southern Oregon issues in the spotlight. "One reason I wanted to run was so that Southern Oregon is well represented," he said. "We bring some different perspectives to the state and those issues need to be on the table." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.