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Senate adopts resolution praising Aurora State Airport’s emergency‑response role amid land‑use dispute
Summary
The Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 2 recognizing Aurora State Airport’s role in emergency preparedness and response, while some senators noted the measure prompted strong pro and con testimony tied to a separate airport‑expansion debate.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 2, recognizing the role of Aurora State Airport in Oregon’s emergency preparedness and response efforts.
Senator Gerard, the resolution sponsor, told the chamber Aurora is critical for disaster response — including wildfire and a major earthquake — because its runway sits on solid ground and can serve as a staging and transport hub. “Aurora Airport is essential, to all 3 of these if you wanna know the truth,” Gerard said on the floor.
Nut graf: The resolution is ceremonial language recognizing the airport and its first‑responder and aviation support roles. But the measure drew unusually passionate pro and con testimony in committee related to a separate debate over potential airport expansion; Senator Golden said he wanted his vote not to be used as evidence in future land‑use proceedings.
Golden said he supports the resolution’s language recognizing airport personnel but emphasized he is not taking a position on expansion: “I insist that my vote not be used as evidence, in any future procedure, deciding in the future, the expansion, potential expansion of this airport. I'm not in support of that…I'm not in opposition of that. I don't know nearly enough to have an intelligent position.”
Sponsor Gerard said the resolution is about first responders and resiliency, not land use. The resolution cites agencies and organizations operating at Aurora, including Life Flight, the Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team and the Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, and salutes the Aurora Airport Improvement Association.
The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote; the presiding officer declared SR 2 adopted after a roll call showing a constitutional majority.
Ending: While unanimous adoption signaled legislative support for recognizing airport services, some senators and stakeholders urged that future land‑use or expansion matters be handled through separate, explicit processes rather than tied to ceremonial resolutions.
