Legislative Wins

Legislative Wins

When Oregon has a Democratic Majority, we get things done! 

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Legislative Accomplishments – 2022 Session

Bring Down the Cost of Living

Living expenses for poor and working Oregonians have become harder to meet. Oregon Democrats passed $600 payments for 250,000 low-wage households who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit so they can meet everyday needs like groceries, prescriptions, and transportation.  A further $100 million has gone to stabilize the child care workforce to meet the need for affordable child care.

Strengthen Our Schools

Great schools need adequate resources for teachers and staff to help students succeed.  Oregon Democrats passed $300 million for summer learning programs to engage and inspire  K-12, to address workforce shortages for teachers and health and educational support, and to aid school districts impacted by wildfires.

Support Working Families and Small Businesses 

Strong working families and small businesses are needed for a strong Oregon economy.  Oregon Democrats have invested over $200 million to retain and attract workers in critical sectors such as health care and education, manufacturing, technology, and construction.  A further $100 million is being invested in to rebuild critical infrastructure in rural Oregon. Funding for expanding broadband and access to loans for small businesses has been increased from $100,000 to $1 million.

Promote Safe Communities and Take Action to Prevent Violence 

Proven solutions can make communities safer and reduce violence.  Legislation passed by Oregon Democrats will make restitution easier for victims and will address and attack the root causes of crime.  This legislation will also help law enforcement focus on stopping serious crime.

Deal with Problems of Homelessness and Affordable Housing 

Affordable housing and homelessness need solutions that work for Oregonians.  Oregon Democrats have made investments of $400 million to connect people with shelter and critical services, increase the supply of affordable housing, and keep Oregonians in affordable homes.  Legislation to create a coordinated and regional response will help youth experiencing homelessness.

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Legislative Accomplishments – 2020 Session

Child Welfare, Pre-K through 12 Education Programs Maintained or Expanded, Providing Welcome Certainty Amid Uncertain Times

The welfare and education of our children remained a priority in August’s special budget rebalancing session. The $9 billion State School Fund was approved as-is, so K-12 students and teachers were spared budget and program cuts. A total of $6.9 million from the Fund for Student Success was approved to build or expand Child care and early learning programs in four areas. Child welfare programs survived with minimal reductions to maintain multi-biennial investments in staffing, new programs and legal services. Most investments from the 2019 Student Success Act continue, totaling $566 million for early learning and high school programs as well as local programs emphasizing students’ emotional and social health.

Higher Education Funds Preserved, Bonding for Infrastructure Approved

Oregon’s commitment to quality higher education was maintained in the summer budget session. The Community College Support Fund and the Public University Support Fund are protected, and the largest state-funded need-based grant program for college students (Oregon Opportunity Grant) escaped cuts. A total of about $170 million in infrastructure bonding was approved to support renovations and new construction for projects at four of the state’s institutions. These projects will provide good-paying benefited jobs and contractors are required to employ apprentices and recruit women, people of color and veterans to perform the work.

Housing Assistance Maintained, Additional Bonding Approved

Emergency and affordable housing continues to be a challenge in Oregon and nationally. In the recent budget session, housing stabilization programs were maintained and an additional $50 million in bonding was approved for services through the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) for low income Oregonians and for low income Oregonians.

Public Health Programs Protected, Enhanced

Public health has become ever more critical as communities pull together during the pandemic. Funding for a number of programs was preserved in the August budget session, including Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services’ essential programs, services through Oregon Project Independence for Oregonians with disabilities, Oregon Health Plan benefits and eligibility, community mental health and substance use disorder services, Oregon State Hospital bed capacity and Public Health Modernization services. Myriad Veterans’ services are protected by maintaining key positions in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Enhanced health care provider rates previously approved will continue, to further strengthen delivery of services.

Programs Supporting Economic Recovery Maintained

Two key programs positioned to support Oregon’s economic recovery were preserved in the August budget session: lottery allocations to counties for economic development programs and the staffing and agency infrastructure at the Oregon Business Development Department.

Infrastructure, Job Creation

In a win-win-win for good-paying construction jobs, enhanced earthquake safety and improved water systems infrastructure, the legislature approved over $106 million in bonding and cash grant investments August’s budget session. The investment goes towards programs that support water systems improvements/rehabilitation in three areas, as well as construction of seismic stations and seismic upgrades in our state capitol. The latter project sets a new standard for future state contracts by ensuring fair wages through the state’s first Project Labor Agreement.

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What About COVID Relief?

In June, the legislative Emergency Board approved over $247 in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to support Oregonians and small business impacted by the epidemic. This represents meaningful support and will have far reaching impacts on Oregonians. While there is work yet to be done, a dozen funding categories were approved, including:

  • Unemployment and small businesses: Additional support to the Oregon Worker Relief Fund supporting Oregonians not otherwise eligible for unemployment, technical assistance to minority and women-owned businesses, assistance to child care providers and personal protective equipment for small businesses.
  • Housing: Housing stabilization, mortgage and rental assistance plus assistance for those having difficulty paying utility bills.
  • Telephone/broadband: expanded access to affordable service and support for the Rural Broadband Capacity Program to help connect schools, health care providers and businesses.
  • Behavioral health and domestic violence: Enhanced behavioral health services focused on Oregon’s communities of color, federally recognized tribes and vulnerable populations; support for domestic violence survivors.
  • Rural hospital stabilization grants, maintenance of 211 referral services.

 

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Legislative Accomplishments from the 2019 Session

This is what good government looks like when it is working for you!

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

For years, millions of dollars have flowed into Oregon to influence our elections…and nobody even knows where the money comes from. Finally, relief is in sight. In 2019, the Oregon legislature passed bills to require that (1) political ads list who paid for them and (2) super PACs disclose their donors. In another big step toward fairer elections, the legislature will ask voters to approve a Constitutional amendment allowing Oregon—finally—to set limits on campaign contributions. And, to make it easier to vote, we’ll no longer need postage to mail our ballots!

These bills are HB 2716, HB 2983, SB 861 and SJR 18.

STUDENT SUCCESS ACT!  

Our legislature has passed a significant funding increase for our schools.  The Student Success Act will pour 1 billion more dollars into our schools every year.  The result will be reduced class size and more learning time, as well as greater access to hands-on, real-world learning and career and technical programs.    HB 3427 the Student Success Act

EXPAND RURAL BROADBAND

Rural Oregonians have been left out when it comes to high speed internet, so in 2019, our legislature passed a bill to bring broadband to rural schools, homes, and businesses.  This bill will bridge the digital divide between our rural and urban communities.  HB 2173

PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS

Provides basic protections for renters to protect them from evictions without cause and steep rent increases.  SB 608

MAINTAIN HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

Long term, sustainable funding for the Oregon Health Plan to ensure low-income Oregonians continued access to health care.  HB 2010

OREGON OFF SHORE DRILLING BAN

A permanent ban on Off-Shore Drilling to keep our coasts beautiful and clean.  This bill also ensures state agencies don’t approve projects that could assist drilling in the federally controlled waters farther out.   SB 256

Are your representatives representing your values?

Unfortunately, Representative Nearman (R, House District 23) and Senator Boquist (R, Senate District 12, Rural Benton County) OPPOSED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE BILLS.

We thank Representative Rayfield (D, House District 16) and Senator Gelser (D, Senate District 8) for their SUPPORT of each and every one of these great bills.