East County Voices - Make Your Voice Heard on Health Insurance Rates

Friends,

As we reach the middle of May, our focus is increasingly turning toward the budget discussion. I’m continuing to fight for increased funding for the Multnomah County Gang Task force, community colleges, and K-12 education.

In the News

For their two-part investigative story on TriMet, KOIN 6 News recently interviewed me about the legislation I introduced to change the TriMet board.

Part one of the story airs tonight on the 11pm news. Part 2 of the story, including the interview about my TriMet bill, will air tomorrow, Thursday, on the 11pm news.

Your Health Insurance Rate

Insurers recently filed their proposed health insurance rates with the Oregon Insurance Division, something all insurance carriers must do. These rates will be reviewed by the Oregon Insurance Division. Since these proposed rates were posted, two insurance companies have already requested that their proposed rates be lowered. We have one of the strongest rate review and oversight processes in the country, and I will continue to do everything in my power to hold insurance companies accountable for any excessive rate increases, and push the Insurance Division to hold down costs.

Want to make your voice heard on insurance rates?
Click here to view proposed insurance rates and leave your comments.

And click here to view the schedule for the public hearing schedule and to find out how you can testify over the phone and online.

Community Events

MHCC Police Week Candlelight Vigil
Every year, I work with Mount Hood Community College to sponsor a candlelight vigil to honor fallen police officers. This year, the MHCC Police Week Candlelight Vigil will be held on Monday, May 20, from 7:30-8:30pm in Room 1309. Our vigil is part of a series of events that will be held across the country that week to honor the men and women of law enforcement who have lost their lives in the past year. The event is sponsored by the MHCC Criminal Justice Department and is free and open to everyone from the campus and surrounding communities and I’d like to invite you to join me there. Please call my office at 503-986-1449 or email me at Rep.ChrisGorsek@state.or.us if you have any questions.

I Want to Hear From You

I’m doing everything I can to give Oregon businesses the tools they need to thrive and hire more workers. The House recently formed a bipartisan small business task force to focus on existing bills that benefit small businesses and develop recommendations for policy concepts that will help businesses grow and create jobs.

I want to hear from you about a local proposal that could create jobs in our community. Troutdale Energy Center would be a 653-megawatt, gas-fired power plant at the former Reynolds Aluminum site in Troutdale. The proposal is one of more than 30 plans pitched to Portland General Electric Co. in a public process to meet future power needs. Construction would employ around 300 people, the company estimates, and operations would create 25 to 30 permanent jobs, paying close to $100,000 annually. I want to know what you think of this proposal. Would this be good for the economy of Troutdale and greater East Multnomah County, or do you have concerns about this proposal?

Email me with your thoughts at Rep.ChrisGorsek@state.or.us

Legislative Updates

TriMet Accountability
I’ve worked hard this session to address the numerous concerns about TriMet that you have shared with me. I introduced House Bill 3316 to increase local control over the TriMet Board, rather than having the Governor make all of the appointments. This shift would put the board closer to the riders and make them accountable to your local elected officials, making it easier for you to have your concerns heard. I will not stop my work to make TriMet more responsive and accountable to you, its riders.

Photo Radar in School Zones
My bill to allow cities in Oregon to use photo radar systems in school zones passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Yesterday, the bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Business and Transportation, and I will keep working to pass this bill to increase public safety and protect kids as they come and go from school.

Stay in Touch

You can keep up with all the action here in Salem by liking my page on Facebook. Visit my Facebook page by clicking here.

As always, my staff and I love to hear from our constituents and if you have a question or want to let us know what you think about a bill, email me at Rep.ChrisGorsek@state.or.us or call us at 503-986-1449.

Chris