Newsflash: Great Week for Expanding Opportunity for Families

House Speaker Tina Kotek

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This has been a week of tremendous wins for Oregon families. Read on to find out about the latest progress in our efforts to address longstanding economic inequities and stand up for working families this legislative session.

Paid Sick Time Heading to the Governor

Today, the Oregon House gave final legislative approval to one of my top priorities this session: a statewide policy on earned sick time for working families across Oregon.

Right now, nearly half of workers in Oregon are forced to give up critical family income - or even risk losing their job - to take a day off work to recover from illness or care for a sick child. 

Everyone gets sick, and no one should be forced to make the impossible choice between their job and their family when someone falls ill. This modern workplace protection is an historic step forward that will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Oregon families. 

Senate Bill 454, the Sick Leave for All Oregonians Act, passed the Senate earlier this week, passed the House today, and now heads to Governor Brown for her signature into law. 

Retirement Security on the Move

Also this week, the Oregon House voted to create the Oregon Retirement Savings Board, which will provide Oregonians with access to an easy, effective, portable retirement savings account.

Right now, about half of all Oregonians do not have access to a retirement plan at work and, according to a recent study by Portland State University, nearly two-thirds of Oregon retirees have no income from retirement funds - a situation that is much worse for low-income workers, women and communities of color. As a result, many seniors are at risk of living in poverty when they retire, unable to cover basic living and medical expenses. 

We know that saving now means greater security and independence for Oregonians in the future. House Bill 2960 - which now heads to the Senate for passage next week - will offer Oregon families greater opportunity to save, more control over their retirement security, and increased independence in the future.

Oregonians Still Need a Raise

Raising the minimum wage is another key piece of creating greater opportunity for all Oregon families - and I remain deeply committed to moving that conversation forward. Please watch for details of my new proposal next week, and continue to make your voices heard in support of giving Oregonians a much-needed raise in the minimum wage.

As always, it is a pleasure to represent you.

Best,

Tina

Tina Kotek

State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House

email: Rep. Rep.TinaKotek@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek