House Democrats vote to preserve Oregon jobs

Oregon House Democrats voted last week to help struggling Oregonians retain their jobs. HB 3140, sponsored by 30 members of the Democratic caucus, expands the successful Work Share program, which encourages businesses to keep Oregonians employed rather than lay them off.

“This bill benefits everyone,” said Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie), who was one of the bill’s chief co-sponsors. “Employers retain skilled workers, avoid hiring costs and improve employee morale. Employees retain their jobs, benefits and save the state money by not using their full unemployment benefits.”

Every Democrat present was in favor if this important common sense legislation. Not only does it boost employment at a time when Oregon is number two in the nation in terms of percentage unemployed, it saves the state’s valuable resources, freeing money for other essential services. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

» May 5, 2009 - Read More & Comment (0) -

Tobacco or Kids: Easy Call

On April 22nd, Democrats in the Oregon House voted for healthier children and a tobacco-free future. House Bill 2672 prohibits tobacco companies from using cartoon characters and billboards to market smokeless tobacco, and prevents distributors from handing out free samples. Rep. Sara Gelser, one of the bill’s sponsers, stated “This bill will stop kids from taking up another dangerous habit that today falls outside the tobacco master settlement agreement regulating advertising aimed at teens.”

The bill also increases the tax on cans of smokeless tobacco that weigh 1.2 ounces to a flat $2.14. This needed revenue is estimated to bring in approximately an extra $5 million starting this year, money that will be matched by the federal government. It has now been sent to the Senate for consideration.

In a clear detraction from the values of his district, conservative Republican Scott Bruun voted against the bill. Bruun was joined by fellow GOPers Kevin Cameron, Sal Esquivel, Tim Freeman, Bill Garrard, Vic Gilliam, George Gilman, John Huffman, Wayne Kreiger, Ron Maurer, Andy Olson, Dennis Richardson, Sherrie Sprenger, Kim Thatcher, Jim Thompson, Gene Whisnant, Matt Wingard and Republican Leader Bruce Hanna.

» April 27, 2009 - Read More & Comment (0) -

House Democrats 2009 Road Map

Charting Oregon’s course through these turbulent times requires real leadership and a responsive state government willing to tackle challenges brought on by rising food and gas prices, failed federal policies, and the fallout stemming from the home mortgage crisis. Oregonians expect their Legislature to confront the tough issues of today by putting the interests of our children and families first as we invest in our future.

Our agenda is to establish an educational system second to none, create new family wage jobs, guarantee access to quality health care regardless of income, promote a healthy environment that focuses on combating climate change and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and ensure that government is responsive and accountable to its citizens. In 2007 we began that journey. Now, as we approach the 2009 session we continue on course, moving Oregon forward.

Democrats will move Oregon forward by putting children and families first:

In 2007/08 – House Democrats delivered on promises to put families first by passing a landmark $6 billion K-12 public education budget, expanding access to Head Start, ending years of cuts to higher education and helping working families afford child care.

IN 2009 - House Democrats will further advance those educational investments, as well as focus our efforts on improving access to our community colleges and public universities.

* Provide every Oregonian an opportunity to attend our state universities, community colleges or vocational schools by controlling tuition costs and expanding financial aid opportunities.

* Help Oregon’s combat veterans who are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan so they have the support they and their families need to resume their lives.

* Reduce the tax burden on Oregon’s working families and small businesses by ensuring that corporations pay their fair share by addressing the $10 corporate minimum tax.

Democrats will work to create more family wage jobs in Oregon:

IN 2007/08 – House Democrats invested in innovations to generate good paying jobs for more Oregonians. We made Oregon a national leader in renewable energy. We aided rural communities and agriculture by addressing future water and land use needs.

IN 2009 – We’ll expand opportunities for working Oregonians through targeted investments, giving workers the skills they need to succeed in a globally competitive job market, and helping Oregonians weather the downturn in the national economy.

* Create more good paying jobs for Oregonians by investing in worker training programs in skilled trades and growing industries.

* Expand our targeted investments aimed at attracting jobs in Oregon’s renewable energy and innovative technology sectors.

* Reduce congestion on Oregon’s roads to improve air quality, shorten commute times so parents have more time with family, provide better emergency service and safely move goods by modernizing our out-of-date transportation system.

Democrats will improve Health Care access and affordability:

IN 2007/08 – The Legislature passed the Healthy Oregon Act, providing a blueprint for improving Oregon’s health care system that lowers costs, improves quality and assures every Oregonian affordable health care. We also passed legislation paving the way for consumers to challenge insurance rate increases.

IN 2009 - House Democrats will continue expanding quality health care to more Oregonians, holding insurance companies accountable for their premium increases, and investing in cost-effective forms of health care delivery like school-based health clinics.

* Increase accountability and transparency in the health care system by requiring health insurance companies to limit administrative spending and follow consistent pricing guidelines.

* Fund in-home care programs, adult foster care and assisted living so that seniors and people with disabilities are not forced into more costly nursing homes.

Democrats will fight to keep our neighborhoods safe and secure:

IN 2007/08 – House Democrats authorized hiring 139 new state troopers to make our highways safer, and passed laws making it easier for parents to protect their children from Internet predators.

IN 2009 - House Democrats will continue our investment in providing 24-7 trooper coverage on Oregon highways, aggressively combating the impact of meth in our communities, and protecting Oregonians from being abused or ripped off.

* Help Oregon’s families by strengthening privacy protections and securing credit, banking and medical information; protect future homeowners from fraudulent lending practices; and ban the sale of dangerous products such as toy-like cigarette lighters.

* Crack down on the theft and illegal reselling of scrap metal, which is commonly used by meth abusers to support their addiction.

* Protect seniors and our most vulnerable citizens from financial scams, fraud and sexual abuse by improved investigative processes, better court access, and tougher penalties.

Democrats will create a smarter and more accountable state government:

IN 2007/08 - House Democrats passed Oregon’s first Rainy Day Fund. We passed bills to cut red-tape, made the state’s Administrative Rules process more efficient, expanded audits and implemented an on-line permitting system for the construction industry.

IN 2009 – House Democrats will ensure that government is responsive and accountable to the needs of Oregonians, particularly during moments of crisis, and we will continue to be fiscally responsible.

* Improve our ability to respond to a natural disaster, a terrorist attack or a public health crisis by upgrading state emergency plans, improving emergency communications and increasing protections for coastal communities.

* Continue to manage the budget with fiscal responsibility by setting more money aside in the Rainy Day Fund to protect Oregon

* Keep children safe by requiring better enforcement and training on mandatory child abuse reporting laws, and ensuring school districts screen new employees to keep those with a proven history of abuse away from students.

Leading Oregon to a Better Future:

The issues facing Oregon -- from the failure of the federal government to live up to its obligations to challenges with our state economy – are immense, but not unmanageable. The policy priorities in this document represent commitments for action by House members in the next legislative session, but are only a part of the broader discussion.

We pledge responsiveness, integrity and innovation as we work to create jobs and economic growth, combat climate change and respond to the needs of our children and most vulnerable citizens. We have not reached the end of our journey yet. In fact, we have just begun. But Oregon House Democrats are leading Oregon in the right direction.

» December 3, 2008 - Read More & Comment (1) - News

Rep. Peter Buckley will be the new House budget commitee co-chair

From the Oregonian:

Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, will become the new co-chair of the Legislature's Joint Ways & Means Committee.

Buckley was a bit of a surprise choice. Rep. David Edwards, D-Hillsboro, and Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, had also been mentioned. The job is among the most powerful in the Legislature as Ways and Means is responsible for writing the state's two-year budget at a time when revenues are dropping.

House Speaker-elect Dave Hunt said Buckley has the "ability to dig deeply" into the issues.

The Senate will also have a new co-chair, to be announced later today. It is widely believed to be Sen. Margaret Carter, D-Portland. Stay tuned.

Complete Article

» November 26, 2008 - Read More & Comment (1) - News

Meet Our New Members

The Oregon House Democrats are excited to welcome the newest members to their caucus!

Chris Garrett (Lake Oswego, HD 38) Chris Garrett has the experience to hit the ground running as our next State Representative. Chris also has the top-notch legal training and experience. As well as a record of giving back to the community. Chris is the former senior policy advisor to Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney. Representative-Elect Chris Garrett will be an exciting addition to the Democratic Caucus.

Jules Kopel-Bailey (Portland, HD 42) Jules grew up in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Southeast Portland. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Lewis and Clark College, where he majored in Environmental Studies and International Affairs. Jules currently works as an Economist/Sustainable Development Specialist at ECONorthwest, one of Oregon's oldest and most respected economics consulting firms. Jules has worked on several economic analysis and development projects, including analyzing a state system of carbon taxes for Oregon, assisting a transportation plan for Seattle, and critiquing the relationship between smart growth and housing prices. The Democratic Caucus are excited to welcome Representative-Elect Jules Kopel-Bailey.

Michael Dembrow (Portland, HD 45) Michael Dembrow has been teaching English at Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus for 27 years. He has mentored and taught many students over the years. Michael was the first in his family to graduate from college. Michael was unanimously chosen as the first person to sit on the Oregon State Board of Education as a college teacher advisor he was able to help shape the education agenda for Oregon. Representative-Elect Michael Dembrow’s background in higher education will make him an excellent addition to the Democratic Caucus.

Jefferson Smith (Portland, HD 47) Jefferson Smith is a native Oregonian. He attended the University of Oregon for his undergraduate degree and then received his law degree from Harvard law. Jefferson is probably best known for founding the Bus Project here in Oregon which works to engage young people in community-focused, grassroots politics. Jefferson will be a strong advocate for East Portland. The Democratic Caucus welcomes Representative-Elect Jefferson Smith.

Nick Kahl (East County, HD 49) Nick has spent his adult life volunteering for candidates. He is currently a Precinct Committee Person and Recording Secretary of the Multnomah County Democratic Party. He has worked as a Staff Assistant to Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen. Nick is pursuing a law degree at Lewis and Clark. He chose Lewis and Clark from among many others because it enables him to remain in the community with which he is so deeply connected. Representative-Elect Nick Kahl will be a wonderful addition to the Democratic Caucus.

Greg Matthews (Gresham, HD 50) Greg Matthews has spent the past twenty years serving the Gresham community and helping to keep our families safe. As a firefighter, police officer, and volunteer, Greg has learned firsthand the problems Gresham faces and he’s worked hard on the solutions we need. Every summer, Greg works with at-risk kids at Camp Rosenbaum to show them they can choose to live a better life away from the troubled paths of dropping out of school, crime, gangs, drugs and violence. The Democratic Caucus Welcome Representative-Elect Greg Matthews!

Brent Barton (Clackamas, HD 51) Brent Barton is a third-generation Oregonian. Brent's father went to school in Estacada, where Brent's grandfather worked as a logger. Brent attended Oregon public schools and went on to earn both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Stanford University. While in college, Brent worked for former Clackamas County Commissioner, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley. After college, Brent studied politics at Cambridge University before graduating from Harvard Law School. Brent believes every Oregonian deserves a voice, and has learned the key to using your voice is service. In the past year he has provided more than 100 hours of free legal services to low-income clients and non-profit organizations. Representative-Elect Brent Barton will bring a strong voice for Clackamas to the Democratic Caucus.

Suzanne VanOrman (Hood River, HD 52) Suzanne also served her community on the Oregon City Commission, the South Fork Water Board, Tri-Cities Services Budget Committee, Hood River County Commission on Children and Families, and the Clackamas County Children’s Commission. Most recently Suzanne was made a Committee Member of the Hood River Valley High School Local Committee. Suzanne has spent most of her professional life giving to the community. Representative-Elect Suzanne VanOrman’s dedication to public service will bring an excellent perspective to the Democratic Caucus.

Judy Stiegler (Bend, HD 54) Judy grew up poor, but she put herself through school and became the first woman to practice law in Redmond. She knows a good education is the key to a brighter future and the foundation of a strong local economy. That’s why Judy led efforts to improve the quality of our schools and put more money into the classroom where it belongs. Judy Stiegler spent her professional career fighting to protect Central Oregon’s children as an advocate for abused and neglected children in our courts. As a breast cancer survivor, Judy knows how critically important quality healthcare is to all Oregonians. She will take her record of plain talk and real results to Salem to put our future front and center. The Democratic Caucus welcome Representative-Elect Judy Stiegler.

» November 10, 2008 - Read More & Comment (0) - News