SALEM – State Sen. Rick Metsger’s statewide tour to build support for a major investment in Oregon’s highways will bring him to Hermiston Thursday.

Metsger, D-Welches, plans a meeting at 2:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Hwy. 395. It’s part of his Moving Oregon Transportation Tour. His focus is on local transportation needs and priorities. He’s inviting business and community leaders to contribute ideas.

“Senator Metsger would like to hear … how the statewide situation is affecting Hermiston, and how Hermiston wants to see transportation funding work for the future,” said Beka Feathers of Metsger’s office. “He is interested in hearing from everyone, but he is particularly interested in talking with local business leaders, since so much business depends on the state of Oregon’s highways.”

As chairman of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee, Metsger has spent a lot of time addressing Oregon’s transportation problems. During the 2007 Legislature, he heard from many industry leaders, and from city and county officials.

Now, he wants to hear from people in Oregon’s communities about the transportation issues they face every day, Feathers said.

Metsger said he is hearing from concerned citizens from all over Oregon that they are ready to keep the state moving by investing in transportation.

“Our Moving Oregon tour will provide valuable information on what we need to maintain a healthy economy and how we should fund these investments to ensure Oregon’s vitality.”

As he works with Gov. Ted Kulongoski and legislative colleagues to draft a transportation funding plan for the 2009 Legislature, Metsger believes his tour will highlight the need for local input. He has received invitations from business and community leaders, public service organizations, and transportation commissions in 21 communities, and expects that list will grow to more than 30 communities before the tour begins Wednesday in The Dalles.

“A comprehensive and sustainable investment in our transportation system will rely on the efforts of all the stakeholders,” Metsger said. “The input I get from these leaders will be essential as we craft a major transportation funding package that will meet the needs of all road users.”

Feathers said Metsger has been a key player in the major transportation initiatives of the past five years, including the Oregon Transportation Investment Act and Connect Oregon programs. In the 2007 Legislature, he sponsored Senate Bill 566, the Congestion Relief Act of 2007, which the Legislature approved. The bill establishes regional transportation districts, which will develop funding strategies to help maintain and monitor local transportation infrastructure. The bill also requires the Oregon Transportation Commission to identify, evaluate, and rank the top statewide transportation projects needed to keep Oregon moving.