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It's halfway through the session, and deadlines on hearings and work sessions are quickly coming up. Remember to follow my FB PAGE to receive updates and stories in real time.
Homelessness and housing are a growing problem in Oregon.
Oregon has seen the third highest increase in homelessness nationwide, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2015, 13,100 adults and children experiencing homelessness in Oregon. Of those Oregonians experiencing homelessness, one-in-ten was a military veteran, one-in-seven was identified as having a serious mental illness, one-in-five reported being a victim of domestic violence, and nearly one-in-three were families.
Renters Rights
East Portland is disproportionately impacted by housing issues. Many of our communities are being displaced from their homes, renters are seeing huge hikes in rent increases and being evicted with the use of no-cause evictions. This is why I am a chief sponsor of HB 2004, a bill that transitions us to a no-cause eviction to just-cause evictions and removes the state preemption on rent stabilization programs. The bill passed the house floor and is headed towards the senate.
Housing Crisis
Our office is taking a comprehensive approach to the housing crises. As a social worker, I believe that we must address these issues in a well-rounded way that addresses the root causes of the issue. We must increase funding for mental health services and other wrap around services, increasing the supply of Affordable Rental Housing, increasing the supply of homes and rental units, expand renter’s rights, fund family and transitional shelters, decriminalize being homeless amongst other issues. One of the bills, amongst many others I support, is the Right to Rest Act, which died and is not going anywhere this session, but is a critical component to a comprehensive approach. We received many emails and calls on this bill, which was supported by the ACLU and Sisters of the Road. For these reasons, I am supportive of both the Housing Alliance and the Oregon Opportunity Network Legislative agendas.
Oregon Opportunity Network: Legislative Agenda
The 2017 Housing Alliance Agenda
Media Coverage:
Oregon House Passes Tenant Protection Bill
Rep.
Alonso Leon, Majority Leader Rep. Williamson, and I as co-chief sponsors
testified in support of the FAMLI Act, which will bring paid family and medical
leave to Oregon, aligning us to the living standards of most other developed
nations. House Bill 3087 would give working Oregonians much needed financial
support when they're at their most vulnerable.
Family Engagement
Representative
Teresa Alonso Leon and I testified as a co-chief sponsor in support of HB 3185,
which creates
a task force of education professionals, teachers, parents, and community
organizations to study best practices in engaging families in the education
process, from kindergarten through higher education. The bill passed out of
committee and is headed towards Ways and Means committee. As a first-generation graduate, I know
firsthand how vital it is to have family engagement every step of the way
starting in Pre-K all the way through post-secondary education.
Overview of HB 3185
Oregon Ethnic Studies Bill Update
HB 2845 or better known as Ethnic Studies Bill had a hearing on March 15th and March 20th. As a chief sponsor, I testified, along with Sen. Frederick and Commissioner Joe Gallegos. It is up for a work session next week and this is good news because the bill is still alive and has the votes to get out of committee. The Ethnic Studies Coalition put together a website on the bill, to learn all about it and all its supporters click here. https://orethnicstudies.org/
Media Coverage:
Oregon Lawmakers Consider New 'Ethnic Studies' Curriculum for Schools
David Douglas School Based Health Center
On March 24th I toured David Douglas School- Based Health Center and met Youth Advisory students. It's important this session to not cut School Based Health Centers against each other in order to provide critical health services to children and adolescents in schools.
The Detention of my Constituent
On March 26th, in my
district, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents picked up Francisco
J. Rodriguez Dominguez without a warrant at his home in southeast Portland.
Rodriguez Dominguez, 25, is part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) program since 2013 and works for Latino Network serving low income
families. He was released after an outcry
by the community and support from the ACLU and CAUSA Oregon.
Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Formal
Public Records Request
Representatives
Alonso Leon and I, joined by Speaker of the House Tina Kotek and Majority
Leader Williamson, submitted a request for information from ICE regarding
recent enforcement actions in Oregon. We submitted a Freedom of Information Act
Request to have greater transparency regarding ICE’s actions in Oregon. We are seeking to
understand ICE's policies as part of an effort to reassure immigrant
communities that they're not in danger to go to the doctor's office or to
school.
Media
Coverage
ICE arrests 84 undocumented immigrants in Pacific Northwest
Oregon Elected Officials Ask for Information on ICE Policies
 I
joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Earl Blumenauer at their
press conference where they introduced a bill that seeks to ban federal
immigration agents from courthouses, schools and other sensitive locations. The
latest detentions have occurred in our courthouses and spread a wave of fear to
our communities. This federal piece of legislation by our congressional
representatives is a step in the right direction. Our courthouses, schools and
other sensitive locations need to function and be safe places for our society
to function effectively.
Media Coverage:
Bill seeks to band federal immigration agents from courthouses
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Representative Hernandez joined Gov. Brown in honor of the legacy of Cesar Chavez
Town Hall with Representative Hernandez
Where: Midland Library (large conference room): 805 SE 122nd Portland, OR 97233
Date: Sunday, April 30th; 2:00 pm- 3:30 pm
Focus: Mid-session legislative update and share your priorities and concerns that I'm working on in Salem.
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1447
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-283, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.DiegoHernandez@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/hernandez
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