Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

 

Representative Deborah Boone
D-Cannon Beach, District 32

Phone: 503-986-1432 900 Court St. NE, H-375 Salem Oregon 97301
Email: rep.deborahboone@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/boone
E-Newsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

As the 2013 Legislative Session winds down, we are getting some major budgets approved.  Last week we approved the $6.75 billion dollar K-12 public education bill, increasing school funding by more than $1 billion dollars over the last biennium.  While we often talk about the funding numbers, the underlying legislation should make the real difference in improving K-12 public schools.  As part of the education package, HB 3231A creates the Youth Development Division in the Oregon Department of education, which will evaluate and integrate youth services with the goal of improving supports for students to be successful and reduce criminal involvement.   HB 3232B specifies targets investments in Oregon Reads, Guidance and Support for Post-Secondary Aspirations, and Connecting to the World of Work, including investments in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.  HB 3233B establishes the Network of Quality Teaching and Learning, aimed at promoting student-centered learning and making educators more effective.   And finally HB 3234B which creates the Early Learning Division in the Department of Education to ensure students have high-quality, early care and learning experiences to serve as a foundation for academic success.

 I’m gratified to see lawmakers supporting the revitalization and restoration of public education in Oregon where our students will benefit from smart, strategic investments that include kindergarten readiness, third grade reading proficiency, high school completion, STEM, workforce readiness, and teacher effectiveness.

The K-12 budget passage means good things for schools throughout House District 32.   For example, in Astoria, the district’s budget is increasing by 8% to just under $24 million dollars, students will have a full 190 day school year, no lay-offs were needed,  in fact a new first-grade teacher will be added.

 Oregon children deserve a quality education, and this session we’ve been able to approve legislation that will provide key investments to improve our school system, giving our children the resources they need to build a better future.
This week the House approved HB 5030, setting the budget for the Oregon Health Authority for the coming biennium.  The budget will open the Oregon Health Plan to low-income Oregonians in 2014, and ending the health care lottery system.   Combined with the launch of Cover Oregon, the state’s health insurance exchange, we are now on our way to 95% of Oregonians having health care coverage which will increase their economic security and reducing medical debt, which will be good for the whole state.  HB 5030 now moves to the Senate side for consideration.

At this point, it is anyone’s guess when we’ll finish up the session and Sine Die will occur.   We will have a short break for Independence Day, and then head back to Salem to finish up the remaining work of the 77th Legislative Assembly.
Even when we are not in session, I’m still available to help if you have an issue or concern regarding a state agency.   If you have a concern or problem that needs a legislative “fix” the interim period is a good time to discuss potential legislation.  Some of the best ideas for new laws come from constituents, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.  You can write, phone or email my office, even when we’re not in the Capitol, we check our messages regularly.  It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Deborah Boone