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Dems deliver for oregon in 2009 session

2009 Session Accomplishments:


This was not just a session of budget challenges, but also an opportunity to address many issues important to Oregonians. Democrats stayed focused on issues that needed to be addressed even in these trying times. Here are a few of the most noteworthy accomplishments from the 75th Legislative Session:

 

Rebuilding Economic Security for Working Families

  • Repairing and modernizing Oregon’s aging transportation systems: Keeps commuters and commerce moving by making a historic investment in transportation systems across the state while creating 4,600 jobs each year for five years. (HB 2001)
  • Go Oregon! State jobs stimulus plan: Creates jobs in Oregon by funded critical maintenance and energy efficiency projects at state-owned buildings, including community colleges. (SB 338)
  • Fighting for tax fairness and preserving vital state services: Raises the $10 corporate minimum tax to ensure that corporations pay their fair share and asks the highest income Oregonians to pitch in a little more to protect vital state services. (HB 3405, HB 2649)
  • Strengthening consumer protection: Gives the Attorney General power to go after unscrupulous debt collectors, cracks down on rogue debt management agencies, and provides foreclosure assistance to Oregonians at risk of losing their home. (SB 328, HB 2191, & SB 628)
  • Expanding unemployment insurance: Permits low wage workers to get training for better paying jobs while receiving benefits, counts the most recent work experience when determining eligibility, and extends relief for all workers facing an end to benefits. (HB 3483, SB 462)

Education Excellence for All Oregonians

  • Ensuring a full school year for Oregon kids: Funds a $6 billion K-12 budget, giving parents and students certainty by preventing drastic cuts in the classroom. (SB 5520, SB 5554) 
  • Investing in early childhood education: Maintains critical investments to Head Start, helping over 6,500 three- and four-year-olds prepare for success in school. (SB 5519)
  • Increasing access to higher education for veterans: Provides in-state tuition to returning veterans and funds Veterans Services Officers at Oregon’s universities and community colleges. (HB 2571, HB 2178)

Affordable and Accessible Health Care

  • Efficient health care delivery and smart cost containment: Streamlines state health functions and implements reforms to promote electronic health records, develop an end-of-life-care registry, establish evidence-based clinical guidelines, and plan for workforce needs. (HB 2009)
  • Expanding access to quality affordable health care:  Funds medical coverage for 80,000 children and an additional 35,000 low-income adults. (HB 2116)
  • Protecting access to in-home and community-based care: Increases funding for Oregon Project Independence, allowing seniors to stay in their homes. (SB 5529)

Strong and Sustainable Oregon Communities

  • Cracking down on meth-related crime: Creates significant obstacles to persons who have long used the sale of stolen scrap metal to finance their drug habits. (SB 570)
  • Keeping troopers on patrol: Maintains 24/7 coverage of Oregon’s major highways. (SB 3508)
  • Housing opportunity and jobs for Oregonians: Significantly increases resources to address Oregon’s affordable housing crisis and provides jobs for Oregon’s construction sector. (HB 2436)
  • Addressing climate change: Creates a low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (HB 2186)
  • Managing our water resources: Continues work towards a statewide water strategy. (HB 3369)