APRIL 28th, 2023 NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you enjoyed this week's much-needed sunshine! Here's what we were up to in Salem this week:

Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor

Committees in Review

• House Committee on Business and Labor: we held a public hearing on SB 184A, which strengthens our laws regarding child support enforcement. We also heard testimony on SB 1047, which makes it easier for small businesses to enter into procurement contracts with the state.  
• House Committee on Higher Education: we held a hearing on SB 523A to address our nursing shortage by expanding educational opportunities at community colleges. We also received testimony on SB 273A which would increase student representation on the governing boards of public universities in Oregon. 
• Joint Committee on Semiconductors: we referred SB 5, which would create a research and development tax credit for businesses in the semiconductor sector, to the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures for further consideration. 
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development: an informational meeting was held on Affordable Housing Finance. We also held work sessions on the budgets for a few agencies, like the Department of Aviation and the Employment Department. 

HB 2008 Held for a Public Hearing!

This week, I testified in front of the House Committee on Rules in support of one of my chief sponsored bills, HB 2008, the Family Financial Protection Act of Oregon. This bill provides a much-needed update to our debt collection statutes to (1) prevent people from falling into an ever-worsening debt trap, and (2) crackdown on misconduct within the debt collection industry. I am deeply grateful to the individuals who came to the hearing to share their stories and explain how our current laws aren’t doing enough to protect Oregonians.

Healthcare Worker Lobby Day w/ SEIU

A huge thank you to the healthcare workers from SEIU that met with me during their lobby day. They were in the building to support my bill HB2008: the Family Financial Protection Act of Oregon. We also discussed the need for increased staffing support in hospitals and how to protect the financial wellbeing of patients. It was a great meeting! 

Upcoming Events in and Around HD 30

• Saturday, 4/29-- Global Youth Services Day with Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council (9 am-12 pm @ Rood Bridge Park)
• Saturday, 4/29-- Fossil Fun! (10 am-12 pm @ Jackson Bottom Welands Preserve)
• Saturday, 4/29-- Opening Day! Downtown Hillsboro Farmers Market (9 am-1 pm @ 150 E Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124)
• Sunday, 4/30-- Community Spring Plant Swap (11 am-2 pm @ 233 SE Washington St, Hillsboro, OR 97123)
• Tuesday, 5/2-- Hillsboro Art Walk: First Tuesday (5-8 pm @ Cultural Arts District)
• Tuesday 5/2-- First Tuesday at the Walters (5-8 pm @ Walters Cultural Arts Center)
• Tuesday, 5/2-- Downtown Hillsboro E-Waste Round-Up (9 am-12 pm @ 233 SE Washington Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123)
• Friday, 5/5-- Intergenerational Craft Time (10-11 am @ Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve)

May's Constituent Coffee

I will be holding my monthly constituent coffee for May at the Starbucks near Top Golf on Saturday, 5/6, from 9am - 10:30am.  The address is 5222 NE Brookwood Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

I look forward to discussing the issues that are of importance to you and your families and updating you on the 2023 legislative session thus far.

I hope you will stop by, say hello, and join me for a cup of coffee.

Don't forget to contact my office with any questions or feedback. You can do so via email at Rep.NathanSosa@Oregonlegislature.gov or by phone at (503) 986-1430. Feel free to also stop by in-person at office H-280. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Take care!

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430

Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-280, Salem, Oregon 97301

Email: Rep.NathanSosa@oregonlegislature.gov

Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sosa​

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RepresentativeSosa