Representative Sara Gelser is giving a speech on the House floor in favor of House Bill 2834 which would close the Oregon School for the Blind.  "It's about holding on to the money that goes to the OSB that could be lost when OSB dies a natural death."  "Every student has a right to a free and appropriate public education. This is a very hard bill.  I wish I was not carrying this bill.  This has been discussed for two decades.  This bill contains the best plan developed."  She notes that the school does not provide an academic curriculum and its physical plant is in serious disrepair.  This bill will shift money that presently goes to OSB and put it in an account that will provide money to supplement services in local school districts.

Rep. Sprenger says she will vote yes but does not urge her fellow House members to vote one way or the other.  This is too personal an issue, in her opinion.

Rep. Boone reads a letter from a constituent who has a child at OSB and values it.  She will vote no.

Rep. Maurer speaks against the bill saying that the high cost per student at OSB is not as high as it appears when compared to some costs for students in regular school districts.  He says: "This is not over."

Rep. Clem speaks passionately against closure saying that the school was founded for use by disabled children.  It should remain so.  "I will not be an accomplice in closing this school."  He says that the state is at fault for letting the physical grounds deteriorate.  Equivalent services are not available in the community, he asserts.  He also claims, as did Rep. Boone, that OSB provides the least restrictive alternative for blind students because students in regular schools may receive services in a single school room.  He says that the bill's requirement that services in regular schools be "substantially equivalent" to OSB services is an "unfunded mandate."  Oregon, he notes, would be only one of four states that don't have a school for the blind if this bill passes.  Says that many OSB students may end up in foster care which will limit their ability to go home on weekends.  Rep. Clem agrees with Rep. Maurer that if the bill passes, "This is not over."

Rep. Barton speaks against the bill.  He says he disagrees with Rep. Gelser on this bill but he praises her for her work.  He says that signs were passed out that said "Vote no on Sara Gelser."  Rep. Barton says that this is an inappropriate personal attack.

Rep. Gelser closes, saying that funds will be available to assure that blind students will get the services they need.  She says that she has not received contact from anyone asking to buy the property.  Students, she says, should have the opportunity to learn in a fully accredited environment.  She notes that she is the parent of a child with disabilities and a special education advocate.  She knows the challenges but we must look to the future to provide the best services to blind students for years to come.  She urges a yes vote.

And now for the vote:  Wins 41 yea, 18 nay.