Recent successes in Salem... SB 637 & SB 638: Unemployment Insurance Extension: I am very pleased to report that the legislature has passed one of my top priorities this session, two bills that will extend unemployment benefits to Oregonians who continue to struggle with finding work in this tough economy. Senate Bill 637 provides an extension through the federal Extended Benefits and High Extended Benefits program, helping an estimated 50,000 eligible Oregonians. Senate Bill 638, concerning Oregon's Emergency Benefits Program, will help an estimated 15,000 claimants. Oregon's recent employment numbers show signs of improvement and hope for those who are still on the job market, but there are still over 200,000 Oregonians who need help surviving in this dire economy. These extensions provide much-needed assistance, helping families keep food on the table and a roof over their heads while they continue looking for work. SB 637 & SB 638 were signed by the Governor on March 24th, 2011. All unemployment insurance (UI) claimants who are potentially eligible under either SB 637 and/or SB 638 will be notified by mail. If you think you might be eligible, please keep an eye on your mailbox, as letters will begin to be mailed out on Monday, April 11th. If you have moved, you will need to make sure your address is up-to-date in the UI claim system. You may update your address on-line by copying and pasting the following address into your browser:
http://www.employment.oregon.gov/. Then click on "Unemployment" followed by "Click here to use the Online Claim system", from there select the appropriate link. Or, you may call your claim center. Senate Bill 742: Tuition Equity: On March 29th the Senate passed SB 742, Tuition Equity, to the House with a bi-partisan vote. I am a proud sponsor of this legislation and believe that Tuition Equity is about continuing our state's commitment to its students. This bill gives students fair tuition rates and will cost Oregon taxpayers absolutely nothing; it's not a free pass to college for anyone. In fact, it will actually bring more tuition dollars into the Oregon University System because students who would otherwise be unable to attend college will enroll. Students will still have to earn their entrance into public universities and in the long run, I believe this bill will help improve our workforce, by allowing Oregon high school graduates to stay in the state and pursue higher education. The students who will benefit from SB 742 have attended a U.S. school for at least five years, graduated from an Oregon high school, and are on the path to citizenship. By allowing these hardworking students to pay in-state tuition at Oregon universities, we're keeping some of our best and our brightest in the state. SB 695: Bisphenol-A (BPA) Ban: I am very pleased to share the exciting news that yesterday, the Senate passed SB 695 with an overwhelming bi-partisan vote. This bill is one of my top environmental priorities for 2011. The bill will ban the sale in Oregon of all baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles that contain bisphenol-A (BPA). Senate Bill 695 also requires the state's Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program to offer only infant formula that has exceptionally minimal levels of BPA, and it establishes the "Oregon BPA-Free Advisory Group." There is now a broad and growing consensus within the scientific and public health communities that bisphenol A threatens children's health and that exposures should be avoided whenever possible. More than 200 peer-reviewed laboratory studies have linked BPA to a host of serious and costly health problems including, birth defects, prostate and breast cancer, infertility, early puberty, brain and heart disorders. I received hundreds of e-mails from you in support of this bill. Banning BPA has been a priority of mine for many years and I am extremely pleased to have been a part of the effort that finally passed this bill. SB 695 now moves to the House for further consideration. | 
