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Dear Friends & Constituents,
We just finished up the 2022 legislative session. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. We worked to address the homelessness crisis, support working families and small businesses, drive down the cost of living, invest in community safety and violence prevention, and build stronger schools.
As your Representative, I have been helping to build an Oregon where everyone has opportunity and is treated fairly under the law. A healthy community for everyone has been my goal since first being elected. I have done my best to keep that at the center of all the work I do on your behalf in the legislature.
As you know, I am retiring at the end of this year. Our district has been broken up into four different districts. Elections are going on right now and I hope you will take the time to learn about the candidates running in your new districts.
Legislative Highlights
Addressing Homelessness
We must urgently address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis with solutions that work. I supported a $400 million investment to address homelessness and connect people with shelter and critical services, build on investments to increase the supply of affordable housing, and keep Oregonians in affordable homes. I also supported investments to help our youth experiencing homelessness and House Bill 4123, which creates a coordinated and regional response to homelessness across the state.
Supporting Working Families & Small Businesses
Working families and small businesses are the backbone of our economy. That’s why I said yes to expanding broadband and increasing access to loans for small businesses from $100,000 to $1 million. I also supported over $200 million in investments in career pathways and programs to retain and attract workers in critical sectors, including healthcare, behavioral health, education, manufacturing, technology, and construction.
Driving Down the Cost of Living
For too many working and low-wage Oregonians, covering monthly and even daily expenses has become a challenge. That’s why I voted in support of sending $600 one-time payments to a quarter of a million low-wage households who qualify for and utilize the Earned Income Tax Credit. This will help cover the cost of daily essentials like prescriptions, diapers, and groceries. I also voted yes to a $100 million investment that will help us stabilize our child care workforce, responding to the growing need for affordable child care for families, and HB 4035, which protects access to affordable health care for low-income Oregonians.
Investing in Community Safety & Violence Prevention
We need to invest in proven solutions that reduce and prevent violence, while fostering safe communities built on trust. I supported several targeted investments in community-based violence prevention programs that will help address the root of the problem and reduce crime. I voted yes on HB 4075, making it easier for victims of crime, including small businesses, to seek restitution and be repaid for economic damages. I also said yes to reducing traffic stops for infractions like broken tail lights that aren’t dangerous, so law enforcement can focus on stopping serious crime in our neighborhoods.
Stronger Schools
Our kids learn best in safe, healthy classrooms five days a week. That’s why I’m committed to keeping our schools open. To do that, we have to make sure our teachers, school staff, and students have the resources and support they need to succeed. This short session I supported a $300 million investment to make our schools stronger. This will go towards summer learning programs and activities for K-12 students to keep them engaged and learning; addressing the workforce shortage to retain educators, school counselors, substitute teachers, mental health professionals and nurses; and supporting school districts impacted by the wildfires.
Priority Bills for 2022
My first priority bill was HB 4106-B, a bill that passed and creates an apprenticeship program to help Oregon train more Surgical Technologists. Like most legislation in the building, it had been around for a few sessions. This time the advocates and those of us sponsoring had worked hard to address past problems with the legislation and remove some of the opposition. This led to a widely bi-partisan bill that passed the Oregon House with 58 votes and none against. Click the picture below to watch my floor speech.
I would like to thank Doug Riggs, the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Medical Association, and all the countless providers and constituents that worked to see this bill to the finish line. HB 4106-B is now awaiting the governor’s signature.
My other priority bill did not survive the perils of the legislative process. HB 4101-A was a bill that started out as a simple expansion of the no smoking buffer around public places from 10ft to 25ft. This would have brought Oregon to same standard as Washington, Utah, and several other states in recognizing that 25ft is a safer distance than 10ft to be from a person actively smoking or a person that was smoking. There is a lot of research out there that tells us that 2nd hand smoke causes cancer and heart disease. Watch my floor speech below. We were able to pass the bill out of the House, but like many bills it died in the Senate.
One passed and one didn’t. That’s about the way it goes during short session. 47% of the bills introduced by both the House and Senate ended up passing.
Constituent Mail
Every session my office gets lots of emails. Here were some of the more popular email topics that constituents contacted me about.
The most prolific email subject was about ending the emergency declaration and mask mandates. Many from constituents were very respectful about voicing their opposition. Many of the emails not from constituents were just plain rude and prone to hyperbole. I think the most disappointing thing about the pandemic was seeing how easily small inconveniences like wearing masks or washing hands were taken as some form of tyrannical overreach by the government. I am hopeful that people will learn from this pandemic because we will likely have another someday. Let’s remember to show each other empathy in times of distress.
Another topic that got lots of emails from constituents in unincorporated Washington County was about recycler Ridwell. Right now, Washington County and Ridwell are in the midst of a lawsuit to determine if Ridwell can still operate their business of recycling items that our current waste haulers will not pick up for us. Think of items like clamshell food containers, batteries, and lightbulbs. I think regardless of how the lawsuit goes Ridwell should be commended for forcing a discussion about how much we as a community want to pay to recycle difficult items and how we can remove items from the waste stream. At the end of the day, that’s what the goal should be, to reduce waste. It’s going to take pressure from all of us to get waste haulers to pick up these items.
A final popular email from constituents this session was about the Emergency Heat Relief bills (SB 1536 & HB 4058). When extreme weather events happen in the summer like the recent heatdome event, many lower income households find themselves without ways to cool down and protect themselves. While SB 1536 did not make it out of Ways & Means committee, HB 4058 was passed with a bi-partisan majority of 49 votes. It “limits restrictions on portable cooling devices in residences by landlords, homeowners associations, condominium associations and local governments. Directs Oregon Health Authority to create program to acquire air conditioners and air filters for distribution on emergency basis to eligible individuals”.
There were lots of email topics about all sorts of bills. Many did not pass, and I am sure in 2023 you see many of these same bills come back for another try. I encourage you to continue your outreach on the legislation you are passionate about.
Constituent Coffee
When: 4/16 8pm
Where: Ava Roasteria Progress Ridge
Address: 15135 SW Barrows Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007
Well, that’s it for this newsletter. I hope you are staying safe and starting to get back out and enjoy seeing friends and family you may have not been able to see over the last year.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1427
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, HS-280, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.SheriSchouten@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/schouten
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