Chip's Clips
News from Senate District 22 - N/NE Portland
Greetings!
In the movies, it's always one person who saves the day. In real life, it's people working together who solve our problems. That's why I've been spending as much time as possible connecting with you in your homes, at PTA and neighborhood association meetings and at my office in the district. I want your help in crafting my legislative agenda for the 2011 session.
With the 2010 special session behind us, there's a lot of work to be done. Our recent budget announcement showed that Oregon is $577 million in the red. Oregon, like the rest of the country, is still suffering from the worst economic decline since the Great Depression.
I know that one of the things you need to weather this economic storm is steady income. That's why I'm focusing on helping Oregonians obtain and keep living wage jobs here in North and Northeast Portland, and around the state. I'll be hosting a series of town halls later this summer to talk about this. You'll be hearing more from me about this later in the summer. In the meantime, keep your suggestions and ideas coming on how we, together, can improve lives.
In this newsletter, I'm featuring two articles of interest. The first piece is on the importance of accuracy when states are reviewing rate increase requests. The second piece is about prison-based gerrymandering.
As always, if I
can ever be of service to you or your
family,
please don't hesitate to call me at 503-231-2564 or e-mail at sen.chipshields@state.or.us. I look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sen. Chip Shields
Living-Wage Jobs Town Hall at Solaicx Solar - Save the Date!
Friday, August 20th from noon to 1:30 PM on the plant floor
I'll be hosting a series of jobs-related town hall meetings beginning in August. The first town hall will be on the plant floor of Solaicx at 7832 N Leadbetter Road, Portland 97203 Friday, August 20th from noon to 1:30 PM.
Solaicx manufactures high-quality materials for the solar industry. If you're interested in learning more about working in the solar industry, want to make job contacts or want to see if you have the skills to work at a business like Solaicx, please come!
Oregon, like the rest of the country, is hurting. But Solaicx is doing well in part because of leadership from the Governor and laws passed by your Oregon Legislature.
Other companies that are hiring will be represented at the Town Hall, too.
Protecting Job Seeking Oregonians
Limiting use of credit history to deny jobs
Senate Bill 1045, also known as the Job Applicant Fairness Act (JAFA), limits employers' access to a job applicant's credit reports. It went into effect July 1, 2010. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation.
A number of factors can significantly impact personal credit ratings, including medical debt, foreclosure and paying bills late. Use of credit scores in hiring decisions has also been shown to disproportionately affect people of color.
The Oregonian ran a story about it in yesterday's paper.
A Strong Health Insurance Rate Review Process Protects Small Businesses
WellPoint Inc. withdraws 39% requested rate increase after California's Department of Insurance discovers significant errors
A recent Wall Street Journal article brought to light the very real need to have a strong health insurance rate review process. WellPoint Inc. - one of the country's largest health insurance benefits companies - was slated to increase its rates by 39% in California. That state's Department of Insurance hired an outside actuary, which found a number of mistakes. This led to significant questions about the integrity of the filing. WellPoint Inc. went on to withdraw its request.
This is a lesson we should pay attention to. Oregon's Insurance Division recently adopted new rules that make filings for individual health insurance rates transparent and open to the public. But Oregon can do more to force health insurance companies to justify their rate increases. Under federal law, states will have access to $250 million to increase their ability to scrutinize insurance rate filings for accuracy. I am working closely with Oregon's Insurance Division to take that important step.
End Prison-Based Gerrymandering
Make sure your representation isn't diluted
The U.S. Census Bureau does not count prison inmates at their home addresses, but rather in the districts where they are incarcerated. That method results in super-representation if you happen to live near a prison and diluted representation elsewhere. In April, Maryland became the first state in the country to change that trend by passing legislation that ensures incarcerated persons are counted as residents of their home addresses.
I believe that inmates should be counted as residents of communities they call home, not as constituents of far away towns where they do not intend to live. That is why I'm re-introducing SB 1028 in the 2011 session. This bill would end prison-based gerrymandering and help ensure equitable representation for communities across Oregon.
I wrote a piece for BlueOregon earlier this spring that includes inspiring information about what's happening in other states. Let me know if you'd like to be a part of ending prison-based gerrymandering here in Oregon.
Environmental Forum Was A Success!
Community turns out to voice its concerns and ask tough questions on air and water quality
I put together a community forum last month in response to concerns from people around the district about environmental problems in North and Northeast Portland. I know that low-income and people of color suffer disproportionately from pollution and environmental degradation. It is my goal to make sure that those communities have a voice and know that they have power to hold polluters accountable.
Along with Reps. Tina Kotek and Lew Frederick, I was very pleased to welcome approximately 50 members of the community to spend an hour with the Oregon Attorney General's Office and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to discuss air and water quality concerns. Given the long history of industry in N/NE Portland and growing urban density, air and water quality are issues that we will all be dealing with for years to come.
If there's an issue I should know about, please feel free to call my office at 503-231-2564. You can also contact DEQ directly by visiting their website at here, or by calling them at 503-229-5393. They have an on-line system where you can submit a complaint form.
Teacher Appreciation Week at Peninsula Elementary
A chance to walk in the shoes of a teacher
As your state senator, I really value the chance to get out into the community. In May, I had the pleasure of celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by being a "Teacher for a Day".
I spent the morning at Peninsula Elementary in North Portland. It is an invaluable experience to walk in another's shoes, and I always jump at the chance to be in a classroom. There are great things going on in our neighborhood schools. K-12 is my top priority and I'm committed to doing everything in my power, despite the world-wide economic downturn, to support our kids.
Portland Public Schools did a piece about the day, so click here if you'd like to read more!
Lower the Boom this Fourth of July
Respect vets and pets. Use consideration and common sense when lighting fireworks.
During the 2009 session, I introduced House Bill 2539 on behalf of constituents who were concerned about excessive use of fireworks outside of the Fourth of July. The intent was to reign in the use of fireworks because they cause fire, are mistaken for gunfire and traumatize people and animals. I heard from therapists and others who expressed concern about the effects of fireworks on veterans dealing with combat stress symptoms.
So while you're enjoying time with family and friends this upcoming Fourth of July weekend, please remember to do so legally and safely.
Portland Fire and Rescue is partnering with local agencies for their fourth year of "Operation: Lower the Boom" to make sure that this season is a safe one. They have great information on their website and I would encourage you to take a moment to read it. It includes information on permitted fireworks, contact numbers to report illegal or dangerous use and safety tips.
Chip in the Community
Where I've Been. Where I'll Be.
Over the winter and spring, I've been working hard to
get to know the other half of Senate District 22 in North
Portland. Please call my office at
(503) 231-2564 if
you'd like me to attend your group or meeting
in North
or Northeast Portland.
Here are some of the groups and events I've had the pleasure of participating in since March:
- Bridgeton Neighborhood Association
- Boise Elliot PTA
- Peninsula PTA
- Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association
- Portsmouth Neighborhood Association
- East Columbia Neighborhood Association
- Oregon Food Bank Annual Conference (keynote speaker)
- NW Pride Parade
- Pangaea Project
- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Food Pantry in North Portland
- Tarr LLC
- Solaicx
- Urban League of Portland Annual Membership Meeting
