|
This is the first of what I hope will be many newsletters over the coming weeks, months, and years letting you know what is going on in your state government. As your newly-elected state representative for House District 32, words will never capture what an honor it is to be your voice and to stand up for regular people in state government.
Thankfully, there are a lot of people here in Salem with that exact same aim: to help others. This year, I feel there is a dramatic and palpable shift in the demographics that typically take up space in the Capitol. We’ve got the similar mix of former attorneys, real estate agents, entrepreneurs and business people—but now there are also academic counselors, nurses, restauranteurs, and former civil servants (myself!). While many people know that I had to leave my job in order to assume this position, many of my colleagues in so-called “regular positions” are actually still working during session at their regular occupation during small breaks, lunches, and nights.
I am in awe of these people as my colleagues.
Though all were inspired for different reasons to enter this level of public service, each one of the people in this building are here for truly the right reasons and are juggling busy lives to make that happen. Though there are many critiques of the “citizen legislature” model we have here in Oregon, perhaps for the first time in quite a while, we have a diversity in perspective that truly recognizes the need to change many of our institutions and will be responsive to their constituents’ needs (because they understand the daily grind themselves). And while many of us begrudgingly acknowledge that change can’t happen overnight, we know every step forward, even when deterred by setbacks, makes progress.
Thank you for signing up for the newsletter—and I will do everything I can to keep you up-to-date as the session moves forward. Things may get a little hectic the further in we get, but please know that myself and my office staff are truly committed to helping the district in whatever way we can. I am living full-time in Salem during the session, but plan to be in-district to meet with constituents and community leaders when I am able. We want to hear from you—so please, never hesitate to call the office at 503-986-1432, or email me at rep.tiffinymitchell@oregonlegislature.gov. We’ll try to make it happen.
Your servant and friend,
Representative Tiffiny Mitchell
Newsletter Contents
- Swearing In
- Senate Bill 722 and the Shutdown
- February Lobby Days
- Medicaid Funding Package
- Upcoming Events
Swearing In
On January 14th, myself and my colleagues were sworn in and completed a series of trainings on diversity and civil discourse. I was struck by the commitment of the Oregon State Legislature, even in a time of where Democrats have a super-majority, the desire to find a way to work together and across the aisle. And, despite what you may have read in other news sources, the great majority of legislators in Salem are still committed to and working towards this end. The freshmen in particular share this vision and desire. And while I am excited to work with my fellow Democratic freshmen (Rachel Prusak, Marty Wilde, Courtney Neuron, and Anna Williams), the crop of freshmen Republican women are truly inspirational people with a commitment to their communities and bipartisanship. Where the federal government sees gridlock, we see an opportunity to focus on the values we share. I have made a personal commitment to myself to work towards those shared values, even when we might disagree.
|
Senate Bill 722 and the Shutdown
At the beginning of session, I devoted a lot of time and energy to finding ways to aid federal workers and Coast Guard affected by the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. As everyone knows—Astoria is a Coast Guard station. The shutdown and subsequent non-payment to federal workers, including Coast Guard members who are working every day without a paycheck, was distressing to the entire community.
The injustice is seen here in Salem. For me, I actually come from a background working in unemployment insurance for the State of Utah, so this issue some something I recognized fairly early as being a fix we could attempt to make on a state level. I have been working with Senate President Courtney on Senate Bill 722 that would expand the unemployment compensation program to our federal workers. Even though the shutdown has ended, I want Oregon to be prepared if this ever happens again. There have been a number of road blocks to getting this passed—including extreme resistance from the U.S. Department of Labor—but please know that I and others in Salem are working to help our citizens to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
February Lobby Days
Clean Energy Jobs (HB 2020)
2/6/19
|
|
 |
Oregon Library Association
I donated the children's book, Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, to the Astoria Public Library!
1/12/19
|
Oregon Education Association and the March for Our Students
2/18/19
|
|
 |
Medicaid Funding Package
On February 19th, I was proud to vote in support of House Bill 2010, which helps fund the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). OHP covers 1 in 4 Oregonians, including 400,000 children, and I am so honored that I had the opportunity to vote in support of this legislation. Many people contacted my office and demanded that we fight for health care this legislative session.
I spoke on the State House floor to highlight how this legislation will benefit House District 32:
“Children, seniors, and working families depend on the Oregon Health Plan to provide them with reliable, quality health care. In Clatsop County, where I live, the real face of Medicaid is the more than 9,000 of my neighbors who depend on it.”
I also emphasized the impact of the funding package on mental health and substance abuse services:
“The efforts around mental health services are just scratching the surface. There is more work to do. However, this legislation and the stability it creates is critical to the further development of this work for the good of the community.”
The legislation passed the House 45 to 14, and now moves to the Oregon Senate for consideration.
Upcoming Events
Town Hall
Astoria, Sunday March 10th at 3:00pm, Clatsop Community College (Columbia Hall Room 219)
Follow me on social media!
Facebook: Tiffiny Mitchell for Oregon House District 32
Twitter: @RepMitchell32
|
