East County Voices - Working for Homeowners and Students

Friends,

We’re getting closer to the end of session and we’re beginning to pass budget bills. Most notably, the House has passed the K-12 budget that increases support to our schools by $1 billion over last biennium’s budget.

K-12 Budget Strengthened

The Education Subcommittee of Ways and Means has passed a $6.75 billion budget for K-12 education. This adds $1 billion to our schools over the next two years. One of my top goals in this legislative session has been to increase funding for our schools. This budget helps accomplish this goal.

Important News for Homeowners

A new pilot program to help underwater Multnomah County homeowners began taking applications yesterday. This program is designed to aid homeowners whose mortgage debt exceeds their home’s value and is based on a proposal by Sen. Merkley. It will allow about 50 underwater homeowners, who haven’t missed a mortgage payment, to refinance into a 30-year loan with a fixed rate of 5% or a 15-year loan with a fixed rate of 4%.

Click here to apply for the program.

Click here to read more about this program.

Working for our Students

Fairness for students
I am calling on Congress to support U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren's Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, which would give students the same interest rate big banks can get. We should be doing everything we can to support young people who want to improve their opportunities in life by going to college. It’s time for Congress to put students before big banks, which is why I introduced House Joint Memorial 19.

Social Media Privacy
The House passed SB 344, which bans universities and colleges from requiring students or prospective students from providing the school with access to the student’s personal social media accounts.

In the News

Don’t let student loan rates rise
Senator Merkley and I joined students from Portland State University to call attention to the student loan crisis and what it would mean for millions of students if Congress lets interest rates double on July 1, 2013.

Click here to read the story in the Albany Tribune.

An Audit of TriMet
I amended House Bill 3316, the TriMet governance bill, and it now calls on the Secretary of State to conduct a full audit of TriMet’s performance and operations. Questions have been raised about TriMet’s finances, operations, and transparency. These questions deserve answers and the audit by the Secretary of State will provide the public with greater insight.

Click Here to read the article in the Oregonian.

Join me for coffee

I will be hosting a constituent coffee on Sunday, June 23 from 1-2:30pm at Stomping Grounds Coffee House. I will be there to talk about what’s going on in Salem and to answer questions you may have. Stop by anytime.

What: Coffee with Rep. Gorsek
When: Sunday, June 23 from 1:00 – 2:30pm
Where: Stomping Grounds Coffee House
Address: 21825 NE Halsey St. Fairview, OR

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