Hello Friends,
The 2015 Legislative Session has been action packed and full of
scandal and partisanship. Governor Kitzhaber resigned under federal and state
investigation and Secretary of State Kate Brown was sworn in as Oregon's new
Governor. She will serve a two year term and will run for re-election in 2016.
Brown appointed a former Senator Jeff Merkley staff member, Jeanne Atkins, as the new
Secretary of State. She is the place holder for now as she has announced she will not run
for re-election. Leadership in Oregon
continues to fast track a legislative agenda that is Portland –centric and has
little to no benefit for the rural areas of Oregon.
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The Session began with talk of bi-partisanship that could have
created a good legislative agenda for Oregon. Instead it quickly turned into a
Democrat freight train going full speed ahead to move controversial bills
through the process. Bipartisanship was
dealt a deadly blow the first day of the Legislative Session. The following are
the most egregious of the bills passed by the Majority Democrats: |
SB
324-A,
Also known as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) passed on a
partisan vote. I carried the opposition to the bill with scientific evidence
outlining the shortcomings and failures of this bill. The LCFS could cost
Oregonians muti-millions or more per year in increased fuel costs with a
negligible impact on carbon emissions. I
offered a "Minority
Report" to the bill that referred the LCSF to a vote of the
people of Oregon; it was rejected by the Democrats. I also wrote an
opinion article which you can read on Oregon
Live.
This Senate Bill mandates changes in Personal Injury Protection
coverage in auto insurance policies. The bill will raise auto insurance
premiums between $55.00 and $100.00 per year per vehicle. This is a bill
promoted by trial lawyers that will be sure to put more money in their pockets
at the expense of the consumer. The Senate Republicans offered a Minority
Report to minimize the financial impact on consumers but, once
again, it was soundly defeated by the Democrats.
HB
2177
Also called the "Motor Voter" bill would require
persons to be automatically registered to vote when they apply for a driver’s
license in Oregon. This is a violation of your privacy and the right to choose
whether or not you want to be registered to vote. This bill also allows the
inter-agency transfer of your personal and private information that will leave
people vulnerable to hackers and identity theft. We have already seen the
Secretary of State's website compromised and shut down due to hackers.
This is just the beginning of the passage of bills by the
Democrats that will raise your cost of living, infringe on your privacy and
diminish your personal freedom and they are just getting started.
HB
2700
This bill directs 50% of the unclaimed or unpaid damages awarded
in a class action lawsuit to the Oregon State Bar for funding of Legal
Services. It allows the court discretion to allocate the other 50%. Guess who else
gets a bigger paycheck, that's right, the trial lawyers. The Senate Republicans
offered a Minority
Report to responsibly reform class action lawsuit rules without
harming vulnerable and low-income Oregonians and it would dedicate funds to domestic
violence and family law programs The Minority
Report was voted down by the Democrats.
As always I am committed to supporting your second amendment
rights and opposing any new gun legislation or legislation that will diminish
your hunting and fishing rights. As you might already know my top priorities
are Education, Jobs, and Accountability in Government. I have introduced
several bills to increase Education Budgets,SB642, SB647, SB923 and SB435 to provide transparency in the
legislative process. Other legislation I have proposed will require accountability for the Energy Trust and assist
small business. I will report on the
progress of my agenda in the following newsletters.
I want to thank you for your support and assistance in allowing
me to serve you for another 4 year term as your Senator. I will continue to represent the best
interests of my constituents. As always,
my door is open to you.
Yours truly,
Senator Alan Olsen
Senate District 20
Email: Sen.AlanOlsen@state.or.us
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1720
District Phone: 503-266-4599
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-425, Salem, OR 97301
District Address: 675 Northwest 2nd St., Canby, OR 97013
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/olsen
Senator Olsen's Committees:
Vice Chair of Senate Committee Environment & Natural Resources
Vice Chair of Senate Committee Human Services & Early Childhood
Senate Committee on Veterans & Emergency Preparedness
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