STUDENT SUCCESS ACT PASSES!
Both the Oregon House and Oregon Senate have passed the Student Success Act, sending it to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. This $2 billion investment in our classrooms will change lives, ending a devastating 30-year cycle of cuts and layoffs in our schools. It would raise $1 billion per year through a half a percent tax on Oregon's wealthiest businesses via a .057% tax on gross receipts for businesses with $1 million or more in sales. This will likely go to referendum, and we'll be asking your help to uphold the measure.
SUPPORT KEY BILLS IN SALEM
Important bills are working their way through the legislature, so it's time to contact Betsy and Tiffiny with your opinions. Senate Republicans ended a weeklong walkout Monday and returned to the Oregon Capitol after Democratic leadership agreed to major concessions on some of the most high-profile bills this session. Democrats scrapped bills on gun control and vaccines in exchange for Republicans' return to Senate and their agreement not to repeat this maneuver.State Senator Betsy Johnson -- 503-986-1716 Sen.BetsyJohnson@oregonlegislature.gov. State Representative Tiffiny Mitchell -- (503) 986-1432 Rep.TiffinyMitchell@oregonlegislature.gov.HEALTH CARE: Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO), the major organization in Oregon advocating for creation of a single-payer universal affordable health care system in Oregon has called for support for legislation to do just that. Note that our Representative Tiffany Mitchell is a original co-sponsor of this legislation. She could be asked to now support the A4 amendment.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM: Oregon's situation is dismal. To regulate money in political campaigns, we need a constitutional amendment. Voice your support for SJR18-5, which proposes this amendment.
PLASTICS: Call State Rep. Tiffiny Mitchell and urge her to vote YES on S.B. 90 to ban plastic straws. Call State Sen. Betsy Johnson and thank her for her Yes vote on S.B. 90 to ban plastic straws and urge her to vote YES on H.B. 2509, a ban on plastic carry out bags, and YES on H.B. 2883, a ban on polystyrene!
There is a public hearing on H.B. 2883 on May 21 at 1 pm in the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Please plan to testify in support of this ban on polystyrene. If you cannot attend the hearing, email your statement in support of H.B. 2883 tosenr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov
CLIMATE: The Clean Energy Jobs bill (HB 2020) is working its way through the legislature. It's important you call Senator Betsy Johnson to urge a YES vote. She is Co-Chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, and this bill will have to pass through that committee.
IMMIGRATION: HB 2015 would allow undocumented people living and working in our state to become licensed drivers; they would still be screened from voting. This bill is strongly supported by CAUSA and Gov. Kate Brown.
TRANSPARENCY: HB 2762/SB 594 would require candidates for president and vice president appearing on Oregon ballot to disclose the last five years’ tax returns.
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