News From The Legislature

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 
This past two weeks have been very busy at the Oregon Legislature as the deadline to hear bills in their chamber of origin is rapidly approaching and the Legislature is hard at work on the 2009-2011 budget. The Senate recently passed bills to expand health coverage for unemployed Oregonians and deter metal theft. On a personal note, I recently participated in the Annual Focus the Nation Clean Energy Forum and I joined the Oregon Bike Summit on an early morning bike tour of Salem.
In This Issue
 

1. Joint Ways and Means Committee Hearing at PCC Cascade Campus
2. Legislature Expands Health Insurance for Unemployed Oregonians
3. Metal Theft Bill Passes Senate
4. Focus the Nation Clean Energy Forum
5. Roseway Mural Dedicated
6. Bike Summit Comes to the Legislature 
7. Upcoming Events

Joint Ways and Means Committee Hearing at PCC Cascade Campus
 
This past Tuesday, the Joint Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing at Portland Community College's Cascade Campus to hear citizen input on the 2009-2011 budget. Although I am not a member of the full committee, I attended the meetings to hear what Portlanders are concerned about. More budget hearings will be held through May. 
 
Legislature Expands Health Insurance for Unemployed Oregonians
 
On Wednesday the 22nd, the Senate passed House Bill 2433, which will let Oregonians take advantage of President Obama's expansion of COBRA health coverage. The bill is now at the Governor's office awaiting his signature. For more information about this program, you can contact the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services' Insurance Division at 888-877-4894.
 
Metal Theft Bill Passes Senate
 
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted out Senate Bill 570 to the full Senate with a unanimous "do pass" recommendation. I am a co-sponsor of this bill because metal theft is a serious problem throughout Oregon and is often connected with the trade in methamphetamines. This bill will create a system for tracking and regulating scrap metal recycling to deter the sale of stolen metal.
Focus the Nation Clean Energy Forum
 
On Friday April 17th, I participated in a forum on clean energy and climate change at Portland State University. Congressman Earl Blumenauer kicked off the event with a wide array of federal, state, and local officials participating. I also participated on a panel with Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, and Oregon Representatives Ben Cannon, Jules Kopel-Baily, and Jefferson Smith. I am honored to have been invited to participate in this important discussion on the future of clean energy and climate change policy. 

Jackie at Roseway HeightsRoseway Mural Dedicated
 
Last Saturday, I attended the dedication of the Roseway neighborhood mural, located on the corner of NE 72nd and Sandy Blvd. Congratulations to the Roseway Neighborhood Association for their great work! I am pictured here in front of a section of the impressive mural (photo used with permission by Bonnie LaDoe). 
 
Jackie and Jason on Bike Day Bike Summit Comes to the Legislature
 
  On April 22nd, the Annual Oregon Bike Summit was held in
  Salem. That morning, I participated in the Summit's bike
  ride through Salem. I am pictured with Senator Jason
  Atkinson before the start of the ride (photo by and used
  with permission from Jonathan Maus).
 
Upcoming Events
 
On Saturday, May 9th I will be co-leading a bike tour with State Representative Michael Dembrow of House District 45, which makes up the northern half of my Senate District. We will start the ride at 9:30 am which is at Wilshire park at the corner of NE 33rd and Skidmore. There will be a stop at Rigler Elementary to work in their community garden and then on to Hacienda Community Development Corporation to learn about their micro-lending program and sample their wonderful tamales. I hope you can join us for this fun event.

On May 2nd the Hollywood Farmers' Market opens for the season. The market is located on NE Hancock, between 44th and 45th Ave. It is open between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. For more information click here.

May 2nd also marks the first day of the Parkrose Farmers' Market. The market is held on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at 12003 Shaver St. The market will run until October 8th. For more information click here.