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Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Here at the Oregon Capitol, I have been working hard for our district. From fighting for increased education funding to upholding health and safety, I am grateful for the opportunity to be your voice in the Oregon Senate. In addition, I am advocating for the wise stewardship of our environment, care for our animals, and consumer transparency. To find out more about what has been happening at the Capitol and share your thoughts with me personally, I invite you to come to our upcoming town hall.
What: Constituent Town Hall with Sen. Monroe, Rep. Vega Pederson, and Rep. Reardon
When: Saturday, June 13th, from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Where: Rose Initiative – 16126 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97233. Click here or on the below map for directions.
Thursday's revenue forecast confirms what many of us see around the state – Oregon’s economy is steadily growing and picking up steam.
Additional resources projected in the forecast will allow us to make targeted investments in critical state services, bolster our education budget, and set aside a prudent funding base for the future.
 I am especially happy that early childhood education and head start programs will receive additional funding as well as community colleges and universities, thus reducing college expenses and debt. At least forty percent of the additional resources will also be dedicated to the K-12 budget. We will have over $105 million more for our schools, bringing the total K-12 budget to an historic $7.361 billion.
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While I am pleased with this news, we must not lose sight of our obligation to make sure all Oregonians share in this economic recovery.
In the remaining months of session, I am focused on building an economy that works for everyone – especially those Oregon families and small businesses that are still struggling to get by.
Facing the death of a domestic violence victim nearly every month in Oregon, on April 30th I joined the Senate to unanimously pass Senate Bill 3, a domestic violence victims protection measure. This bill increases the penalty for violating a Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order, if there is a substantial risk of physical injury to the victim and gives judges the discretion to put violators in jail in the most dangerous cases. A public hearing and work session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19th in the House Judiciary Committee.
On Tuesday, May 12th the Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2601 which improves the reporting of missing or kidnapped children. It requires members of law enforcement agencies, who have probable cause to believe custodial interference or child kidnapping has occurred, to notify the Oregon State Police missing children clearinghouse within 24 hours. Currently, House Bill 2601 is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
On Monday, May 11th, the Senate approved House Bill 2546, which establishes rules to protect kids and public health. This legislation bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and extends the requirements of Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act – of which I was the original sponsor – to e-cigarette use. Thus, individuals' health will not be endangered by secondhand "vaped” nicotine, cannabis, or other substances from e-cigarettes in their work, restaurants, or public places.
Extremely important legislation, House Bill 2546 addresses the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among youth, and sets state standards for the highly unregulated product.
The next day, May 12th, the Senate also passed House Bill 3139, which increases the ability of mobile medical clinics to treat rural patients. Both of these crucial public health bills are awaiting the Governor’s signature.
The demand for rhino horn is the leading cause of the black rhino's endangerment and about 35,000 elephants are killed every year for their ivory via well-financed and heavily armed poaching rings. To combat this cruelty to animals, and join the growing movement to fight ivory trafficking, the Senate voted to ban the buying and selling of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn in Oregon, with certain exceptions. On Wednesday, May 20th, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on this bill, Senate Bill 913.
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On May 5th, I proudly carried House Bill 2532 on the Senate floor to insure that reverse mortgage companies tell the truth in advertisements. Click on the picture below to watch my floor speech about it.
 A February 2015 report found that many consumers do not fully understand the terms of reverse mortgage contracts and have had disputes with loan services over the application of contract terms relating to refinancing, paying off reverse mortgage debt, and foreclosures due to non-payment of property taxes or homeowner association dues. Occasionally, this confusion results in seniors loosing their homes.
House Bill 2532 passed the Senate unanimously and was signed by the Governor on Monday!
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Allow me to introduce my amazing staff for the 78th Legislative Session.
 From left to right: Bethany Janzen, Billie Monroe, and Titi Ngo.
 Whether at town halls, at the Capitol, or through phone or email, I always enjoy hearing your input. You can keep in touch with my office by following my Facebook page, by emailing us at Sen.RodMonroe@state.or.us, or calling us at the State Capitol, at (503) 986-1724. I hope to see you at my town hall!
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Best regards,
Senator Rod Monroe
Senate District 24 – East Portland and North Clackamas County
email: Sen.RodMonroe@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1724
address: 900 Court St NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/monroe
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