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Friends,
It’s the third month of session and time is flying because I am having so much fun.
On Committees, I ask the hard questions that big corporations or bad actors don’t always want to answer. As a representative, I’ve carried important legislation to the floor for a vote. As your voice, I have met with community members and constituents at the Capitol or by phone. With every interaction, my passion for improving our state and working hard for you grows. Together, we can make the world a better place. That’s what I’m trying to do in the legislature.
Here’s an update about my work for you and some events coming up around South Salem.
Housing and Homelessness
One of the biggest concerns of city residents is to address the needs of our homeless neighbors. On the City Council, I worked to increase the amount of affordable housing in Salem. As your State Representative one of my highest priorities is to continue securing aid from the state government to address the homelessness crisis in Salem.
We need more housing, especially more affordable housing, and we need to address the root causes leading to homelessness. That means addressing rising rent for folks on fixed income, increasing our supply for homes, providing mental health and addiction services for those in need, and making living and thriving in Oregon more affordable. Click here to read more about the Housing Plan introduced in the State House.
I will do all I can to secure added help from the state while supporting changes to state laws that make living here more affordable as we work to increase the supply of housing.
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Salem Streetcar System
We just had a hearing for one of my first pieces of legislation: The Salem Streetcar System Feasibility Study (HB 3224). Salem’s population growth isn’t stopping, we need more ways to get around more affordably, and we need to minimize the environmental impact.
Right now, the state of Oregon has one streetcar system. On the City Council, I began grassroots work to make Salem the second city with a streetcar system.
I believed then as I do now: installing this system will bring a number of benefits to the city. The Salem Streetcar would connect Salem from east to west, while also serving those looking for affordable and easy ways to travel around Salem to Salem Health, Willamette University, the Capitol Mall, and all the businesses throughout the city.
The first step is to study whether or not a streetcar system is reasonable and effective to address these issues. To learn more about the specifics, check out the Oregon State Legislature website, view my Instagram page, or connect with my office!
I spoke with KMUZ host Ken Adams on Monday about this project and other priorities I have for this legislative session. Have a listen!
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Tea With Tom
On February 25, 2023 in Creekside, I held my first Tea With Tom. Tea With Tom is a monthly event during Session to stay connected with South Salem. During Tea With Tom, I discuss issues and concerns of residents of the city, I listen to what my community has to say, and I answer any questions. Last month, I heard from 16 people who talked about education, addressing our homelessness crisis, and working on common sense solutions.
The next Team With Tom event will be on March 18 at the Salem Public Library. Stop by and join me and fellow community members to talk and enjoy a cup of tea. Let's work together to get Salem moving forward.
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Committee Highlights
I love working on the Committees where I serve as a member. Here’s an update about them:
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Early Childhood and Human Services: I am a Chief Sponsor of HB 2872, a bill requiring the Department of Early Learning and Care to develop, implement and administer Oregon Imagination Library Project to improve reading proficiency and high school graduation rates. Reading is very important to me and my wife. Not only is she an award winning author and journalist, but her parents were also reading and literacy scholars. They, as I, believe having reading competence by the 3rd grade is important because it ensures life long success.
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Judiciary: I chaired my first committee meeting ever. This is my first year in the legislature and I’ve been saying: I was thrown into the deep end of the pool but the good news is, I know how to swim. The Judiciary Committee is where this comes into play because I’ve been a trial lawyer for more than 45 years. I know how these laws will impact the lives of everyday people. [insert photo of Tom with gavel]
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Climate, Energy, and Environment: This is some of the most important work I will do during my time in the legislature. We are in a climate crisis and the work in this committee is crucial. Some of the most exciting legislation I’ve seen recently involves the work we’re doing across the aisle to address concerns around preserving and protecting water in our state. This committee does so much. I invite you to visit the committee page online to look into all the legislation we are considering.
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Team Tom Spotlight
I have a full staff and wow, is it nice. They help keep me on track and I’m so grateful for them. I have three interns this Session and this week, I’m highlighting Yajaira Milian-Vargas. She’s a student at Chemeketa where she studies Political Science. She enjoys going on hikes and spending time with friends and family. Best of all, she’s interested in making the world a better place, just like me.
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What’s to come
I’m working to secure funding for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, bring tax dollars back to the City of Salem for their top priorities, and strengthen our municipal and county-level governments ability to serve you. We have a lot to be proud of in Salem where so many of us live and thrive. I’m committed to bringing resources back to our district so it stays that way.
In the weeks to come, we’ll be taking more floor votes, so I want you to keep in contact with my office. My door is always open and while we might not agree on everything, I promise you’ll always be able to know where I stand on the issues that come before me as a legislator.
Sincerely,
Tom
Representative Tom Andersen
South Salem, House District 19
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1419
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-479, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TomAndersen@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/andersen
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