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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we near the end of February and the 2020 Legislative Session, we have found ourselves in a sad but familiar circumstance. The Senate Republicans have decided once again not to show up to work because they did not want to vote on a bill to address the climate crisis.
Senate Bill 1530, the Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative, is the result of tough negotiation, input and expert review and an extensive amount of public hearings. Now is the time to pass comprehensive legislation to address climate change in order to uphold Oregon's strong tradition of environmental protection and provide a healthy place for future generations to thrive. We are already seeing the negative impact that climate change can have on our planet and in Oregon: from debilitating wildfire smoke to unsafe drinking water; from the acidification of our oceans to disastrous flooding in Eastern Oregon. This will only get worse. The time for action is now. I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that Oregon becomes a model for other states on how to responsibly reduce greenhouse gas and carbon emissions while creating new clean energy jobs.
This is not the only bill that is jeopardized by the Senate Republicans' refusal to show up for work and fulfill their oaths of office. There are many important policy and necessary budget-related bills in play that would greatly benefit Oregonians. Just a few examples:
House Bill 4005, the gun safety bill known as secure storage, is waiting for a vote in the House. A similar bill died last year due to the first Republican walkout over the Student Success Act, a monumental investment in Oregon schools and our students. HB 4005 requires gun owners to safely secure and store their firearms to prevent access by children and those in crisis. My office has spent hours speaking with advocates and opponents of this bill to make sure that every side was heard and that the bill was well understood. This bill would be another important step in ensuring that firearms are stored safely and accessed responsibly in Oregon. HB 4005 deserves to be voted on. We cannot keep delaying life-saving gun violence prevention measures!
I want to thank all of you who have made your voices heard on SB 1530, HB 4005 and all the other bills that are still before us in the Legislature. Every legislator was elected to do the hard work of running this great state. I am proud of the Senate Democrats and grateful for their dedication to their jobs. We are committed to being here and doing the job that you elected us to do. This is why I come down to Salem every day, to make my voice heard and to represent the voices of all of you. I will be here every day for the rest of the 2020 Legislative Session and every day after that until we specifically take action on climate, gun safety and all the other issues of crucial importance to my constituents and all Oregonians.
All the best,
 Senator Ginny Burdick
Senate Majority Leader
District 18
email: Sen.GinnyBurdick@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1718
address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/burdick
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