The 2016 legislative session ended today. Below is a press release sent out by the House Democratic Caucus with some highlights. Please join me for a post-session town hall on Wednesday March 9th from 7 to 8:30 PM at Ride Connection, 9955 NE Glisan.
Productive Short
Session Comes to a Close
2016
session helped working families, responded to emergencies
Today,
the final gavel fell on a successful, productive Legislative Session that
responded to emerging crises and will deliver real improvements in the lives of
working families.
The
hallmark of the 2016 session was the historic bill to raise the minimum wage for
tens of thousands of Oregon workers. The uniquely Oregon approach will put more
money into the pockets of hard-working Oregonians this year while phasing in
the full raise gradually over the next six years. It also creates a regional
approach that recognizes different costs of living across the state.
“For
thousands of working families, raising the minimum wage starting this year will
mean more money for things like rent, food, and school supplies,” says House
Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson. “And in the longer term, this approach
will play a big role in rebuilding a middle-class economy that works for
everyone.”
Along
with raising the wage, the legislature voted to expand the Earned Income Tax
Credit for working families with children under the age of three, as well as
passing a series of bills that will protect low-income renters and expand
affordable housing units statewide. These policies build on important victories
from the 2015 session, like Paid Sick Leave and the Oregon Retirement Program,
to protect those who’ve been left behind by the economic recovery.
The
2016 session also saw landmark work to reduce Oregon’s dependence on fossil
fuels. Senate Bill 1547, the Coal Transition and Clean Energy bill, will move
Oregon off of coal by 2030 and double the use of renewable energy.
“Keeping
Oregon a great place to live for our kids and grandkids will require a
continued commitment to protecting our clean air and water, building an economy
that works for everyone, and leveling the playing field for small businesses,”
Rep. Williamson adds. “In this short session, House Democrats delivered on the
priorities that matter to all Oregonians.”
Through
the budget rebalance, legislators were able to respond quickly to emerging
issues that couldn’t have been anticipated a year ago. In particular, the
legislature voted to fund $6.1 million in emergency assistance for the Umpqua
Community College campus to help them rebuild following the tragic shooting
last year. Another $2 million was set aside to help Harney County recover from
the 41-day occupation earlier this year. And $2.5 million will go to the
Department of Environmental Quality to improve oversight of industrial
emissions.
“Annual
sessions were designed to respond to urgent needs in our community that can’t
wait,” says Rep. Williamson. “Over the past five weeks, we’ve begun to address
the economic crisis facing many families in our state, and we acted swiftly to
resolve unexpected budget needs. The work we’ve done in this session will
improve the lives of Oregonians for years to come.”
Representative Barbara Smith Warner House District 45
email: Rep.BarbaraSmithWarner@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1445 address: 900 Court St NE, H-487, Salem, OR 97301 website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithwarner
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