Oregon Democratic lawmakers release their plan to help struggling families, small businesses

SALEM -- Democrats serving in the Oregon Legislature say they intend to make struggling families and small businesses their top priority in the upcoming February session. 

"We are united in our goal to get Oregon's economy back on track to prosperity," House Democratic LeaderRep. Tina Kotek said during a capitol press conference Thursday. 

Like their Republican counterparts whoannounced their priority lists Wednesday, Democrats in the House and Senate pledged to focus on the economy and efficient state spending during the 2012 session. 

The Democrats' agenda includes: 

--Making it easier for small businesses to access capital. 

--Increase opportunities for worker retraining and job placement. 

--Protect homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring banks to meet face-to-face with homeowners to discuss their options. 

--Ensure that state contracting is fair, open and efficient. 

--Prioritize state programs serving the elderly, children and the most vulnerable. 

House and Senate Democrats released separate agendas, though the themes were essentially the same.

Some of their proposals have failed to pass in previous legislative sessions. For example, a bill that would have required lenders to explore loan modification with homeowners prior to foreclosure passed the Senate in 2011 but failed to get a hearing in the House. 

Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, a Portland Democrat and Senate Majority Leader, said she hopes there will be bipartisan support to address foreclosure issues because they pose a continued drain on the economy. 

"Clearly this problem in Oregon is not going away," she said. 

--Michelle Cole
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