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Dear Friends,
The 2016 Legislative Session adjourned today and I'm happy to share that it was a success. While we passed a few new laws that will help Oregonians, we also made many technical adjustments to things that help Oregon work better. And these mundane, boring changes are really the purpose behind legislative“short” sessions.
Here’s a quick rundown of things I was proud to support or sponsor and will become law with the signature of the governor:
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Melissa’s Law: We passed Melissa's law, named after 14-year-old Melissa Bittler. It tackles the alarming backlog of rape kits and requires DNA matches to be entered into the national database immediately. These cases should be investigated in a timely matter.
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Helping Vets: We helped veterans by passing HJM 202. It will ask voters later this year to amend the constitution and allow a portion of lottery proceeds to help pay for veteran services.
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Minimum Wage: We know it’s impossible to stay out of poverty or raise a family on our current minimum wage. We also know that things are different in Portland than they are in Ontario. So I supported the three-tier plan that phases in higher wages in different regions of our state. This was a compromise and it eliminates a much more extreme measure that would likely have appeared on the ballot later this year.
 A visit from my favorite constituent, Sam Hass.
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Calling all math majors: I’ve talked to a lot of people about what may be a crazy idea; what if Oregon’s universities waived tuition for students who majored in … math? Many of the engineers and economists from my area of Washington County don’t think it’s so crazy. They point out the dire need for more engineers and the salaries paid to college graduates with math related degrees. So we passed a measure asking the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to study the feasibility of it and whether there is philanthropic or federal money that could help pay for it. We’ll see.
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Oregon Promise,Take 2: After the successful passage of the free community college bill last year, this session we redirected funds to find more counselors to help high school students navigate the road to college. This will help ensure kids who start a program will finish it. I’m amazed that 12,000 Oregon high school students have already signed up. Experts say 40 percent of them would be going … nowhere this fall. But now they’re going to be trained as medical assistants, paramedics, welders and many other vocations. And many are getting a head start on their four-year degree. That’s the goal. Degrees, not debt.
So, it’s a wrap here in Salem. I’m honored to represent one of the most thoughtful areas in the state. You know I’m easy to find and I hope you’ll call or email on issues or concerns.
Stay tuned for a Town Hall in April. We’ll keep you posted on the date and time.
Sincerely,
 Senator Mark Hass
Senate District 14
email: Sen.MarkHass@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1714
address: 900 Court St NE, S-207, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/hass
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