Julie Murray is one of nearly 500 people who work for the Oregon Department of Transportation who will be laid off if the state Legislature does not provide funding to fill the agency’s $350 million budget gap.

The drone pilot and video producer has filmed wildfires, landslides and construction projects to keep Oregonians informed during emergencies, and about major highway and transportation infrastructure work. The department trusts her to be in the most extreme conditions while filming, and it’s invested in dozens of drone, artificial intelligence and safety trainings for her, she told lawmakers Monday at the Capitol in Salem.

“The agency developed me, molded me into a perfect fit, and the layoff will throw all that away,” she said. “My coworkers on the layoff list are also all traine

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