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| Dear Diane,
We are now in the fifth week of the 2009
legislative session, which began on January 12
with hope for real progress, despite troubling
news about our economy.
I will be
working hard this session to bring new jobs to our
state, preserve access to education, improve
healthcare, protect workers, fight for tax
fairness, and make sure government remains
accountable to you. I will have an opportunity to
address all of these issues as Senate Assistant
Majority Leader, Chair of the Commerce and
Workforce Development Committee, and member of the
Finance & Revenue and Consumer Protection
& Public Affairs committees.
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. You may
contact Legislative Assistant Megan Osborne,
Policy Advisor Kristie Perry, or myself at
503-986-1721 or sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us.
Outside of Salem, you may call toll free at
1-800-332-2313.
Sincerely,
Diane Rosenbaum
State Senator
Senate District 21
503-986-1721 | |
Tough times call
for
innovative
solutions
In mid-January the Oregon Employment
Department reported that the state's unemployment
rate jumped to nine percent, a one percent
increase from the last report released December
15, 2008.
I am very concerned about
this troubling news for our state and the
hardships facing out-of-work Oregonians. In
response, I worked with my colleagues to
pass an initial $175 million job stimulus package
that will employ Oregonians in all 36
counties. Governor Ted Kulongoski signed
the bill into law on February
5th. Projects in Senate District 21
include deferred maintenance projects and energy
efficiency upgrades to Portland and Clackamas
Community Colleges.
I'm also
pursuing legislation that would increase
educational and training opportunities to
serve the needs of employers and workers in the
renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
In doing so, I'm helping Oregon lead the way to a
cleaner, greener future.
Additionally, as Chair of the Senate
Committee on Commerce and Workforce Development,
I have been advocating for ways we can
modernize Oregon's unemployment insurance program
so that it better reflects the realities of
today's workforce. This will allow Oregon
to take advantage of the funds available through
President Barack Obama's federal stimulus package.
With so many people struggling to find work, we
need to do everything we can to help families put
food on their table and stay in their
homes.
Finally, I'm working
on increasing Oregon's Earned Income Tax Credit,
which provides support for hard-working families
whose low wages leave them barely able to afford
basic necessities. Currently, Oregon's
tax system puts the heaviest burden on those with
the least income. According to the Oregon Center
for Public Policy, the lowest 20% of wage earners
pay 9.3% of their income in state and local taxes,
while the top 1% of wage earners pay only
6.7%.
This is totally unfair. My proposal, captured
in SB 392, had its first hearing on February
4th. If passed, SB 392 would put about $480 a
year in the pockets of struggling families--enough
to pay for a car repair, a community college
class, or a sports program for a young
child. |
Oregon Women's Health
& Wellness
Alliance
As Co-Chair of the Oregon Women's Health
& Wellness Alliance since 1999, I've been
working continuously to advance policies and
programs that ensure the health and wellness of
women and children. My 2009 legislative priorities
will have a profound effect on the health and
well-being of Oregon women and their families.
These include measures that would increase the
number of women who have access to screening and
treatment for breast and cervical cancer, create
an insurance program providing for six weeks of
paid family leave, provide protections for victims
of domestic violence, and get dangerous chemicals
out of our children's toys.
For a full description of the bills contained
in this package, please visit my
website. |
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Legislature seeks your
input on proposed service
cuts
The economic downturn has caused
a shortfall in the current budget period that may
require significant reductions in funding for
vital state services. To weigh in on these
difficult decisions, I encourage you to take
part in a series of early evening hearings being
held this week in Salem.
The Joint Ways and Means Committee will take
public testimony on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, beginning at 4:30 p.m. each day, and
continuing into the evening
hours.
Tuesday evening's hearing will
focus on Human Services including the foster care
system, senior citizens' issues, the Oregon Health
Plan, and others. On Wednesday, committee members
will take testimony on education, including
pre-kindergarten programs, K-12 schools, community
colleges, and the Oregon University System.
Thursday's hearing will focus on issues relating
to public safety, natural resources, and all
remaining agencies.
Those wishing to
testify will be given three minutes to
speak and will be asked to identify on a
sign-in sheet if they are speaking as an
individual or as part of a group or
organization. |
| Town Hall coming in
March
Thanks to all who attended our January
7th Town Hall meeting, where I was joined by
Secretary of State Kate Brown and Representatives
Carolyn Tomei and Jules Bailey. A lively and
engaged crowd of roughly 100 people joined us to
discuss the Iraq War, siting of the LNG
pipeline, global warming, education funding, and
the corporate minimum tax, among other issues.
Our next Town Hall will be held in March.
We'll send news soon on the date and
location. I will be joined again
by Representatives Carolyn Tomei
and Jules Bailey. Plus, we'll have the
opportunity to talk to Attorney General John
Kroger.
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Oregon 150 at the
Capitol
As you may already know, Oregon
turns 150 years old this month. To mark the
occasion, "Family Day at the Capitol" will be held
this Saturday, February 14. There will be
square dancing (the State's official dance),
candle making, pictures with the Gold Pioneer,
building tours, children's activities, a cake to
feed 3,000 people (donated by Fred Meyer), and
more. Festivities start at 10 a.m. with a
commemorative floor session and run until 4
p.m. If you're in Salem this Saturday,
please stop by my office at
S-405.
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Be a Senate Page for a
Day!
For the past 36 years, the Oregon Senate has
supported the "Honorary Page" program, which is
open to Oregon students age 12 to 18.
Page service is a unique honor with
a rich history. Honorary Pages work for one day in
the Senate Chamber or a Senator's office, learning
first hand how the democratic process
works. For more information about
this program, please visit http://www.leg.state.or.us/kids.
To arrange to be a Senate Page please contact my
office at 503-986-1721 or Honorary Page
Coordinator Chuck Bradish at
503-986-1860. | |
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