Bentz assembles team for upcoming session

As a state employee, Dominguez staffs Bentz’s eastern Oregon office, works on research projects, conducts bill research, assists in responding to constituent concerns, drafts press releases, compiles the Senator’s newsletter, and helps manage the flow of legislative matters.

Wayne Lamb, from Monmouth, joins Bentz’s staff as legislative director. Lamb holds a Juris Doctorate from the Lewis & Clark School of Law, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University. He has previously served as a staff editor for the International Journal of Therapeutic Jurisprudence, and served as a legal intern at the Low-Income Tax Clinic.

Lamb will provide policy analysis, bill research, hearing backup, task force process management, and policy development. His salary is paid for from Bentz’s campaign fund.

Olivia Wall, from Salem, will staff the senator’s front office in the Capitol as a receptionist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Corban University. She has previously worked as an intern for the Bud Pierce for Oregon Governor campaign.

As a state employee, Wall will assist Dominguez with legislative process issues, maintain the senator’s calendar, organize email correspondence, and direct the flow of visitors through the Salem Capitol Office.

Dr. Chris Griffin, from Portland, will be a volunteer legislative extern for Bentz’s team during the 2019 Session. Chris holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Oregon Health & Science University, a masters in business administration from Portland State University, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Whitman College. Griffin is currently working on his Juris Doctorate at the Lewis & Clark School of Law, and is an unpaid volunteer.

Andrew Lade, from New Orleans, Louisiana, will also be a volunteer legislative intern in Bentz’s Capitol Office for the 2019 Session. Lade is working towards a master of public policy from Oregon State University. He already holds a master of geoscience from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, as well as a bachelor’s degree in communications from Tulane University. Lade has previously worked as a summer fellow for the Oregon Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights, and will be an unpaid volunteer.

Amy Kraitchman, from Oakland, California, is working on her bachelor’s degree in environmental economics and policy at Oregon State University. She will also be a volunteer legislative intern for Bentz. Kraitchman previously worked at OSU as an Adventure Leadership Institute Challenge course facilitator. She is an unpaid volunteer.

Tucker Craig, from Ontario will round out Bentz’s volunteer legislative Intern team for the 2019 Session. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Oregon. Tucker’s knowledge of the District will be an asset in Salem, and he is an unpaid volunteer.

“I am particularly pleased that I will once again have an outstanding group of volunteers learning about and aiding in the legislative process,” Bentz said in a news release. “It helps enormously that several of my team have experience in the issues that will be at the forefront this Session, including carbon, taxes, and transportation.”

Bentz has been appointed co-vice chairman of the Joint Carbon Reduction Committee; co-vice chairman of the Joint Tax Expenditures Committee; Joint Transportation Committee; vice-chairman of the Senate Finance & Revenue Committee; Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee; and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bentz is also a Senate Deputy Republican Leader.