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Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my first newsletter! I was already committed to maintaining consistent, open communication with constituents—so hearing back that so many people read and appreciated the newsletter makes this commitment even more important to me. The North Coast is far away from Salem, but these newsletters and receiving emails, letters, and social media comments from constituents helps us stay connected.
Things always move fast in the Capitol – and I can feel the time crunch as we approach the first deadline to move legislation through the House Chamber. Communication is critical as I work with my colleagues to pass bills, on time, that will benefit the North Coast and all Oregonians.
As I am writing this, our legislative momentum has taken a pause to mourn the loss of Oregon’s Secretary of State, Dennis Richardson. I attended the state funeral on March 6th and was deeply moved by those who spoke about Secretary Richardson’s life and his years of service to Oregon. Our state was so lucky to have someone as dedicated as Secretary Richardson.
Thank you again for reading this newsletter. The events from this week have led me to feel especially grateful for my community, and I’m looking forward to connecting with the district in person. This Sunday, March 10th in Astoria, will be my first town hall event. (Details included below.) I’m excited to talk about issues, bills and conversations that are circulating in the community. If you are interested in attending a townhall but can’t make it to Astoria, don’t worry! I will be planning events throughout the district and will do my best to keep you informed. If you have questions in the meantime, never hesitate to call the office at 503-986-1432, or email me at rep.tiffinymitchell@oregonlegislature.gov.
Your Servant and Friend,
Representative Tiffiny Mitchell
The state funeral for Secretary of State, Dennis Richardson, was held on March 6th.
Newsletter Contents
- SB 608
- BRO Lobby Day
- Pharmaceutical Costs
- Steps Toward Banning Single-Use Plastics
- Upcoming Events
SB 608
The following is an except from a speech I delivered in the House of Representatives on February 26, 2019 in support of SB 608 and tenant protections.
"One of the joys of campaigning is meeting people on their doorsteps. Over the months I ran for this office, I knocked on thousands of doors and spoke to over a thousand of my fellow community members. We talked about why we love the North Coast. And we talked about the challenges facing our communities. It didn’t matter which city along the North Coast I was in, I heard consistently that housing affordability was a top concern.
A critical component to the housing puzzle... [is a] lack of units available in the state. 155,000, by conservative estimates. [SB 608] is not the solution, but a mere piece of a massive jigsaw puzzle. The call for additional housing supply is heard loud and clear, and this body will hear about a myriad of credits and incentives we as a state can provide to developers. But 155,000 units will not appear by tomorrow, and thousands of Oregonians need, today, the help that SB 608 will provide to them.
As someone who has spent the last year talking to countless rural Oregonian tenants about the stress they face every day from a rental market in crises, I know how critical this legislation is towards helping them find the stability they deserve."
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Click on the video to view my entire floor speech. |
Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) Lobby Day
On March 5th, Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) organized a lobby day at the Capitol. That day, I had the privilege of meeting Christina and learning about her priorities as an activist. BRO is the primary policy advocacy organization for LGBTQ Oregonian's. One of their legislative priorities for the 2019 legislative session is passing the FAMLI Equity Act (House Bill 3031) as part of the Time to Care Coaltion. I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of HB 3031. |
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Pharmaceutical Costs
Oregonians know that health care and prescription drugs costs are way too high. We have a serious problem when we put the profits of multi-national pharmaceutical companies over the health and well-being of working people and seniors. I heard from constituents about their struggle to afford medications on the campaign trail, and those voices are louder as we move through the legislative session. As a member of the House Health Care Committee, I am fighting to make medication more affordable. I am currently working on HB 2689 and HB 2658, two bills which work to achieve that goal.
I am especially excited about HB 2689, in particular, as it would allow Oregon to import drugs from Canada, that are just as high-quality and regulated, but are significantly cheaper than those sold in the United States. I also believe it is necessary to pass HB 2658 which would require pharmaceutical companies to give 60 days’ notice before increasing prescription drug prices. This bill is important for price transparency and so that people can prepare for cost increases in medication they rely on to live healthy lives.
Steps Toward Banning Single-Use Plastics
The natural beauty of the coastline is an essential Oregon characteristic that not only residents admire, but the entire United States. I’m always saddened when that beauty is marred by plastic waste in the sand and ocean.
I’m proud to see constituents from House District 32 organizing to reduce plastic waste. Members of Indivisible North Coast (INCO), a progressive advocacy group, have done extraordinary work in highlighting the impacts of plastic waste. INCO members are leading efforts to call on city councilors in Gearhart and Seaside to ban single-use plastics bags, and they’re also exploring bans in other coastal communities. Much of the damage from such waste isn’t seen in the public view but is in our oceans, waterways and ecosystems. In response to this, the Oregon Legislative Assembly has also set out to pass several bills (which I support), to combat environmental degradation from single-use plastics.
One prominent bill that I support, HB 2509, seeks to ban single-use bags from Oregon. This bill, while quite simple, would do tremendous work towards the protection of Oregon’s environment. HB 2509 has already had a committee meeting in which numerous city mayors testified for its approval, as well as many others. Additionally, an amendment to the bill has been proposed that has attempted to more explicitly define the size of the ban as to not harm small businesses and restaurants. INCO and Progressive Yamhill sent testimony to members of the House Committee on Energy and Environment in support of HB 2509. Several Oregon cities have already removed plastic bags from their grocery stores. I strongly support this bill because it would benefit the district and contributing to preserving our environment.
Along with HB 2509, the legislation has proposed similar bills that would ban single-use straws (HB 2670) and polystyrene containers (Styrofoam, HB 2883) in effort to reduce our environmental impact.
Image source: vox.com
Upcoming Events
Town Halls
MARCH Astoria, Sunday March 10th at 3:00pm, Clatsop Community College (Columbia Hall Room 219)
APRIL Garibaldi, Sunday April 14th at 2:00pm, City Hall
MAY Tillamook, Saturday May 11th at 2:00pm, Tillamook County Library (Community Rooms)
Follow me on social media!
Facebook: Tiffiny Mitchell for Oregon House District 32
Twitter: @RepMitchell32
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