Nearly 19,000 Oregonians will get six weeks more help while they look for work

The Senate Democrats voted this morning to fulfill a major pledge of their February agenda by approving a six week extension in unemployment insurance benefits for out-of-work Oregonians. House Bill 3655 will help nearly 19,000 Oregonians make ends meet while they search for employment.

“The most important thing the Oregon Legislature can do right now is to provide meaningful help for hardworking Oregonians who are struggling to survive in this difficult economy,” said Senator Diane Rosenbuam (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Commerce and Workforce Development Committee. “The emergency unemployment benefits in this bill will allow thousands of Oregon families to put food on the table and a roof over their heads while they continue to look for work.”

The unemployment extension in HB 3655 has the added benefit of providing dollars that go directly into local communities. Checks are often used to pay rent and buy groceries and other essentials.

“Most of these dollars stay in Oregon,” said Senator Rod Monroe (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “This is relief for both out-of-work Oregonians and the communities who will see these dollars put right back into their economies.”

HB 3655 will not affect current employer rates or the unemployment insurance trust fund balance. The extension is estimated to last until mid-April.

“Even with unprecedented unemployment numbers, we’ve been very deliberate and careful in how we use Oregon unemployment trust fund,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “Compared to many states that are looking to the Federal government for a bailout and are kicking people off the rolls, Oregon sets a national example.”

The bill will now go to the Governor’s desk for approval.

House Bill 3613 extends prohibition until the year 2020

Oregon’s coast will be safe from oil exploration for another decade with legislation passed this morning in the Oregon Senate. House Bill 3613 extends similar legislation passed in 2007 until the year 2020.

“Extending this ban sends a strong signal about both how we value Oregon’s coast and our need to move away from oil dependence,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “This represents a significant step in protecting Oregon’s coastal communities, our fishing industry, and our stunning coastal ecological diversity.”

The U.S. Mineral Management Service estimates that under the entire Oregon and Washington outer continental shelf, there are 400 million barrels of undiscovered oil. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, this amount would supply the entire country for only 20 days.

“Off shore drilling is a threat to Oregon’s valuable commercial fishing, aquaculture, tourism and recreational sectors,” said Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5), who represents Oregon’s central coast. “The potential benefits of exploring the Oregon coast for oil is negligible compared to the major threat drilling would pose to Oregon’s coastal communities and jobs.” Read the rest of this entry »

SB 1062 resolves issues around certain types of campaign literature

The Senate approved legislation this morning that resolves questions about the use of sample ballots during elections. Senate Bill 1062 passed off the floor with broad bipartisan support, 27-2.

“This legislation sets high standards for how campaigns use imitation ballots during election season,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), chair of the Senate Rules Committee. “Without taking any tools away, we have added greater clarity and protection to the democratic process.”

SB 1062 was introduced at the request of Secretary of State Kate Brown, who worked with multiple parties in an effort to provide greater clarity and objectivity in the election statute relating to sample ballots. Standards were established that would not inhibit the ability of interest groups, organizations, or political parties to conduct polling or engage in campaign outreach, nor create unnecessary costs for them.

“As Secretary of State it’s my obligation to ensure that we maintain high standards for the electoral process,” said Brown. “Oregonians get a lot of mail during election season and they need to have certainty over the difference between a real and a mock ballot.”

SB 1062 changes the notification statement that is to be printed on the ballot from “NOT FOR OFFICIAL USE” to “THIS IS NOT A REAL BALLOT. DO NOT USE TO VOTE.”  It also requires the statement to appear in boldface, 36-point type.

The bill will now go to the House for consideration.

SJR 41 would ask Oregonians to approve annual sessions in November election

The Senate voted this morning to send a referral to voter’s asking them to approve one of the most important changes to the Oregon’s constitution since statehood with a 24-6 vote. Senate Joint Resolution would place on the November 2010 ballot a constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to meet yearly for limited-length sessions.

“When the Oregon Constitution outlined how the Legislature would work, Oregon was very much a horse and buggy state,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), who co-carried the bill on the floor with Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point). “Times have changed and the Legislature ought to reflect that. SJR 41 would allow the Legislature to effectively execute the responsibilities that require ongoing presence, leadership, and oversight while making better use of taxpayer dollars.” Read the rest of this entry »

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Legislation that will help reduce the risk of radon exposure for homebuyers passed in the Senate this morning. Senate Bill 1025 requires both radon-resistant construction standards for new homes and public buildings in areas with higher radon levels and notification for all homebuyers about the serious health risks associated with radon.

“Radon is a silent killer,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. “Safe construction standards and testing are the only ways Oregonians can be confident that their homes are safe. This bill will help save lives by increasing awareness about the widespread risks of radon.” Read the rest of this entry »

SB 1045 will restrict job related credit checks, make it easier for Oregonians to get back to work

The Senate gave approval today to legislation that would eliminate unreasonable barriers to employment for Oregon’s jobseekers.  SB 1045 will restrict job related credit checks, making it easier for qualified job applicants to get back to work.

“With massive and prolonged unemployment, thousands of Oregonians are struggling to find jobs and support their families,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Commerce and Workforce Development Committee.  “Senate Bill 1045 will help Oregonians get back to work by allowing them to complete for jobs based on their qualifications, not their credit history.” Read the rest of this entry »

Senate rules committee approves SJR 41 in bipartisan vote

After hearing testimony from legislators, public interest advocates, and members of the Public Commission on the Legislature, the Senate Rules Committee voted this morning to approve a measure that would ask voters to consider annual sessions for Oregon’s Legislature.

“It is crucial that we are responsive and accountable to the people of Oregon,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), the chair of the Committee. “Oregon shouldn’t be one of the few states that can’t respond to the needs of its people in a timely manner, especially when it comes to changes in our economy.  SJR 41 will give Oregon voters the opportunity to consider modernizing how we do business.”

SJR 41 would refer to voters a constitutional amendment establishing fixed-length, annual sessions for the state. The Legislature would meet for approximately 135 days in odd-numbered years and 45 days in even-numbered years, and for no more than 180 days over a two year period. The referral would appear on the ballot during the November 2010 election. Read the rest of this entry »

The Senate gave approval this morning to legislation that will clarify the Legislature’s intent on HB 3508, passed in the 2009 session. Specifically, Senate Bill 1007 addresses unintended consequences by clarifying that violent criminals cannot be granted 10 percent additional earned time.

“Our number one public safety priority is to keep dangerous criminals and sex offenders behind bars,” said Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5). “Senate Bill 1007 addresses unintended consequences and will stop resentencing hearings.”

Senate Bill 1007 has several components, including:

• No more resentencing hearings: Once this bill moves through the Legislature and is signed by the Governor, resentencing hearings for additional earned time will end.
• “Time Out:” Senate Bill 1007 suspends additional earned time until July 2011.
• Expanded list of ineligible crimes: The bill adds to an already existing list of crimes for which offenders cannot be granted an additional 10 percent earned time and ensures that violent criminals and sex offenders cannot receive an additional 10 percent earned time on any crime.
• Independent audit of earned time: During the “time out,” the Secretary of State’s Audits Division will conduct a study of Oregon’s earned time program and issue its findings to the 2011 Legislature.

“Long term, our goal is to have Oregon be one of the safest states in the country, and SB 1007 helps us meet that goal,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), who carried the bill on the floor and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.  “The information collected during the audit will allow the Legislature to make an informed decision during the next regular session about how Oregon uses earned time.” Read the rest of this entry »

Senate Bill 996 gives employees more options for reporting misconduct

Legislation that broadens options for workers to point out fraud and abuse in the public sector found enthusiastic support on the Senate floor this morning. Senate Bill 996 expands protections for public sector employees who want to report waste, fraud, or safety hazards.

“Employees should be able to report misconduct without fear of retribution,” said Senator Martha Schrader, chief sponsor of the bill. “Senate Bill 996 will increase transparency across all levels of government because workers will have more options to air their concerns.”

Current Oregon law protects public employees from disciplinary action if they “whistleblow” on a topic related to the state operations to a State Legislator. Senate Bill 996 extends that protection to an elected official at any other level of government, including local officials, city officials, county commissioners, and government auditors. Read the rest of this entry »

“Nothing is more important to Senate Democrats this session than making sure that we’re creating jobs for Oregonians. However, there is no such thing as a magic wand that will instantly erase unemployment and make the challenges Oregon’s families face disappear.”

“Instead, we have to continue working toward recovery. We will do that by making sure those struggling most don’t fall through the cracks and using whatever legislative resources available to get Oregonians back to work.”

“Senate Bill 1017 will help small businesses on Main Streets across Oregon access capital to grow and create jobs. At the same time, we will continue to monitor the job creation programs passed last session to make sure they’re putting people back to work and using resources efficiently.”

“Our priorities are reflected by the first bill we moved through the Senate, giving immediate help to Oregonians who are struggling most. Over 18,000 Oregonians will be able to feed their families and pay rent because of the unemployment insurance extension we passed last week.”