Two of the longest serving members of the Oregon Senate are stepping down from their seats.
Democrat Richard Devlin and Republican Ted Ferrioli have been appointed by Gov. Kate Brown to serve as Oregon’s representatives on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The agency is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration. It helps develop strategies to balance power production and wildlife conservation in the Columbia River basin. ?
Serving on the council is a full-time job and it means the pair will have to step down from the Legislature, where they’ve both served since 1997. Devlin is the top budget-writer in the Senate, and Ferrioli is the head of the Senate Republican caucus. ??
“I can say with all sincerity that I will miss them both,” said Democratic Sen. Ginny Burdick, who’s served in the Legislature with Devlin and Ferrioli for the past 20 years.
“They have both been incredible participants in the process,” Burdick said.
Devlin and Ferrioli’s appointment will have to be confirmed by their colleagues in the Oregon Senate.