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Capitol Update
State Senator Jackie Dingfelder
Senate District 23
Northeast and Southeast Portland
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
While most of us are ready for winter to end and
spring to begin, it looks like the light dusting of snow
that fell this week means winter is still with us. With
the pace we keep in Salem, it's often difficult to find a
moment to look out the window, let alone enjoy a
walk - or bike ride! - in these last cool days of winter.
This week marks the end of the second month we
have been in session, and once again budget news
dominated our discussions as the state's Economist
informed us of Oregon's gloomy economic outlook.
The new economic forecast has forced the legislature
to consider a new round of budget cuts for the 2007-
2009 budget and conduct a reevaluation of future
spending. This means we are going to have to cut
budgets or find ways to raise revenue.
My staff and I are happy to field your questions about
state programs and pending legislation, or resolve
issues you may have regarding state agencies and
actions. Thank you for subscribing to Capital
Update. You may unsubscribe at any time by using
the link at the bottom of the newsletter. As always, I
am honored to represent you.
Jackie Dingfelder
State Senator
Senate District 23
In This Issue
- 2007-2009 State Budget Revised
- Bills to Fight Hunger Introduced in the Senate
- Housing Opportunities Bill Passes Both House
and Senate
- Pharmaceutical Take Back Bill Introduced in the
Senate
- Upcoming Events
2007-2009 State Budget Revised
Last week, Oregon's Economist revised the state's
financial outlook. As we anticipated, revenue for the
current budget is expected to fall over $855 million
short of what the State needs to maintain current
service levels. This past Wednesday, February 25th,
the co-Chairs of the Joint Ways and Means
Committee took public comment and met with leaders
from both parties to discus reductions to the 2007-
2009 budget. When deciding on these reductions, the
Committee prioritized protecting jobs, minimizing
harm to children, seniors, and the disabled,
maximizing the use of federal money, and addressing
the long term implications of cuts. The spending cuts
will be voted on by the full Ways and Means
Committee next week. This legislative session
requires difficult budget decisions. As the budget
processes moves forward, I encourage you to share
your opinions about what policies need to be adopted
in the face of the economic crisis.
Bills to Fight Hunger Introduced in the Senate
This legislative session, I am supporting a set of bills
developed by the Hunger Relief Task Force. Our
state's rate of hunger is staggering and the current
economic conditions will only exacerbate the problem.
I am committed to supporting these proposals and
making sure that no Oregonian has to go hungry.
This week, in conjunction with the Task Force, I
submitted legislation to expand Oregon's school
breakfast program. Many students who qualify for
reduced price breakfasts still must skip that meal
because even at reduced prices, they cannot afford
both breakfast and lunch. Under this legislation,
federally subsidized school breakfasts will be free for
qualifying students. When Washington State
implemented a similar program, use of the school
breakfast program increased nearly fifty percent. I am
proud to serve as chief sponsor of this bill, which
should receive its first reading next week.
In addition to being the chief-sponsor of the school
breakfast bill, I am supporting the other policy
priorities of the Hunger Relief Task Force. These
include:
Housing Opportunities Bill Passes Both House and Senate
This week both chambers of the Oregon Legislature
passed House Bill 2436, The
Housing Opportunity Bill. This bill will add $15 to the
cost of recording a title transaction for real estate and
is expected to raise $19.6 million over the 2009-2011
biennium. The majority of this money will be dedicated
to developing housing for low income families,
seniors, and those with disabilities. Homeownership
and foreclosure prevention counseling will receive
fourteen percent of the funds and ten percent of the
funds will be dedicated to preventing homelessness. I
am proud to have supported this bill and I look forward
to the Governor signing it shortly.
Pharmaceutical Take Back Bill Brought to the Senate
On Monday, February 23rd, Senate Bill 598, the
Pharmaceutical Take Back Bill, was given a first
reading by the President of the Senate. This bill was
introduced by the Human Services and Rural Health
Committee, at my request. This bill will require the
makers of pharmaceutical drugs to maintain a
program, approved by the Department of Human
Services, for consumers to return unused prescription
drugs. This program will keep harmful prescriptions
out of our drinking water, while helping to keep
unneeded drugs out of the hands of children. Please
contact my office if you'd like more information about
this bill.
Upcoming Events
I am currently planning my next town hall, for late
March or early April. The focus of the town hall will be
on the budget. More information will be sent out soon.
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