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Dear friends,
As we head into the final month of the 2009 session, I want to share with you some thoughts and important developments. As Oregon deals with the worst global economic crisis in a generation, this session has presented a lot of challenges. Unfortunately, this continuing crisis will affect many aspects of our lives for a while.
 Regardless, I truly believe there is much for us to be optimistic about. However daunting they might seem, the challenges that Oregon faces are not insurmountable if we are willing to work together. Below I've written about several exciting pieces of legislation that will help get Oregon back on the right track through investment in our infrastructure, our environment and by protecting those most vulnerable Oregonians who need our support now more than ever.
Senator Joanne Verger in Committee
 In this issue:
Landmark Transportation & Jobs Package Moves Ahead
Last month, I was proud to join my Senate colleagues by voting to support a bipartisan transportation and job creation package that gives a much-needed boost to Oregon's businesses, commuters and economy. House Bill 2001 is estimated to create 23,000 jobs in Oregon during its first five years of implementation through projects to repair and modernize our aging roads, highways, bridges, and public transportation systems. These jobs will get Oregonians back to work while also addressing issues that have long plagued our state.
Oregon's transportation system has been neglected for decades; causing gridlock on many of our most-traveled roads and immeasurable frustration for commuters. HB 2001 represents a significant step towards updating these outdated transportation networks and easing traffic. Importantly, these improvements will also help Oregon businesses get their goods to market, allowing them to better compete in the global marketplace.
It is also worth noting that HB 2001 is the most progressive transportation package in Oregon's history, containing several provisions that will help Oregon work toward statewide targets. This package also provides for projects across all corners of the state, projects of particular importance to our coastal communities include $192 million for State Highway 99W from Newberg to Dundee, $10 million for crucial maintenance on Highway 42, and over $4 million for county construction projects.
Moving a transportation package of this size with bipartisan support is a significant achievement. As we continue to build a strong future for Oregon, I am encouraged by this kind of cooperation. With a strong coalition of business and citizen interests at the table, Democrats and Republicans were able to come together to do the right thing for Oregonians across the state. I am optimistic that these investments in our future will fuel job creation for the next decade and help Oregon move ahead into the 21st century.
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Revenue Package Advances
If there was ever a time for the Legislature to promote tax fairness, it is now, when so many Oregonians are trying to make ends meet. That's why I voted in support of House Bills 3405 and 2649. This legislation is a tremendous step forward to bringing fairness to Oregon's tax code and protecting our ability to educate our children, provide human services and keep our communities safe.
As Oregon's families tighten their budgets in the face of the worst fiscal crisis in a generation, the Legislature has had to do the same. The Legislature's plan to get us through these tough times is based on a balanced approach that cuts state spending by approximately $2 billion. This will mean furlough days for state employees, and scaling back and even discontinuing some state programs. At the same time, we're also asking big corporations and the highest 2.5 percent of earners to pitch in a little more to maintain essential services, like schools and courts.
HB 3405 raises the $10 corporate minimum tax, which hasn't changed since 1931, in a way that protects small businesses. Businesses that are struggling to turn a profit will not be affected and out of all the proposals from business associations and interests across the state, the Legislature's compromise is the friendliest to small businesses.
HB 2649 asks for more fairness in personal income tax rates, adding a modest increase for households earning more than $250,000 a year and only on the income over $250,000. Families with a net income under $250,000 will not be affected in any way by the legislation.
These bills are a victory for working-class Oregonians across the state, who for years have been carrying the weight of a revenue system that pits working families versus big corporations. It also goes toward fixing the long-term problems of our state's fiscal health through an additional bill stating that after 2013, all revenue from these increases will be deposited into Oregon's Rainy Day Fund, a savings account that protects critical public services during economic downturns.
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Domestic Violence Specialists - Keeping Families Together
Iam proud to announce that the Senate voted this week for an important bill that will help keep families together. HB 3273 allows the Department of Human Services child welfare offices to contract with domestic violence specialists who provide the in-depth services victims of domestic violence and their children need.
DHS statewide statistics show that domestic violence is a safety threat in 25 to 32 percent of child abuse cases in Oregon. A Portland State University analysis of pilot programs similar to the provisions in HB 3273 showed positive results, such as victims having better access to services and caseworkers being better able to keep children with their parent. The placement of domestic violence advocates in child welfare offices is a nationally recognized practice that will help keep families together.
HB 3273 will help battered women and children, the most common victims of domestic violence, get more specialized help in child welfare cases and I applaud its passage.
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A balanced approach to Marine Reserves
 Last month, the House of Representatives voted unanimously for HB 3013, a bill outlining a detailed plan and timeline to complete evaluation of six potential marine reserve sites recommended by the Governor's Ocean Policy Advisory Council. In addition, the bill establishes two pilot marine reserve projects at Otter Rock near Depoe Bay and Redfish Rocks near Port Orford and prescribes a process to evaluate the potential for reserves in four other areas of the coast.
The Governor and the Co-Chairs of Ways and Means Committee have included this bi-partisan bill in each of their budgets, identifying surplus settlement funds to be used from the grounding of the New Carissa cargo ship. Sponsors and supporters agree that funds generated from an oil spill settlement should be used on the Oregon Coast.
As a long-time coastal resident and active member of the legislative Oregon Coastal Caucus, I could not be more excited about this latest development. HB 3013 was crafted by an extremely diverse group of stakeholders including fishermen, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, citizens groups, and environmental groups. The end result of this hard work will help preserve not only the interests of an economically-viable Oregon coast, but also protect our fragile ecosystem for future generations.
I am encouraged about this bill and I look forward to it moving through the legislative process in the Senate. To find out more about Oregon's process to establish marine pilot project reserves go to www.oregonmarinereserves.net.
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How to Contact Me
Thank you for your continued support of my work as your Senator for the past four years. I ask you to join my voice in the next four as together, we work to "set the pace" for the future of the Oregon Coast. If you ever have questions, comments or concerns about my work in Salem, please contact my office at (503) 986-1705 or by e-mail at sen.verger@state.or.us to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Joanne Verger
E-mail: sen.joanneverger@state.or.us
Web: http://www.oregonsenatedemocrats.com/members/verger
http://www.leg.state.or.us/verger
Phone: 503-986-1705
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