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Friends,
Tomorrow is May 1 and we have about two months left in Session. Recently we’ve sent bills to Governor Kotek’s desk that help address our climate crisis. You can read about other legislation that we’ve passed and sent to her by visiting my website where we publish these newsletters.
As I have said from the beginning, I am committed to making the world a better place, an axiom of my Presbyterian minister father. A constituent told me the other day that if my father were alive today, I’d be making him proud. I hope that is the case. While you and I might not agree on every issue, I hope you see how I am working hard to make Salem and Oregon a better place for all.
With only two months left in this legislative session, here’s an update about everything happening in the legislature and around our community.
Willie Bell Richardson - A Towering Figure for Equality in Salem
This last week, the House passed my resolution to remember Willie Richardson for her endless work and contributions to Oregon. In Salem, we know Willie as an advocate for education. Willie became the first and still the only Black person to be elected to the Salem-Keizer school board where she served from 1987 to 1991. After leaving the school board, she continued her work by recruiting and supporting Black teachers and administrators, as well as advising school superintendents and staff to ensure that Black and minority voices are included in all decisions regarding education. Known to the community as “Mother Richardson,” Willie was a mentor, advocate, and encourager to countless students, and created opportunities for Black teachers, administrators, and staff to find cultural support in one another.
The resolution - which you can read online - includes her life and work prior to and including what she did for Oregonians. May Willie Richardson live on in our hearts and may we all remember the importance of speaking out for those who are voiceless, just as she did.
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Earth Day(s) and Lessening our Ecological Footprint
Earth Day is in April but for me, every day is Earth Day. I'm committed to moving Oregon forward - addressing the climate crisis, improving our environment, and lessening the impact that we humans have on our outdoor places and spaces.
This week, we sent two environmental bills (SB 545 and SB 543) to the Governor’s desk. They exemplify the changes and steps we need to take in order to lessen our ecological footprint. SB 543 prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers in sales of prepared food. We’re the first state to do this. SB 545 cuts down the use of single-use plastics and will allow for consumers to take their own containers to fill with their leftover food from restaurants. Annually across the country, restaurants spend approximately $24 billion on single-use plastics. These bills save restaurants money and make a positive difference in our environment.
Read about these bills and how I worked to pass them by reading the press release on my website or reading this article in the Capitol Insider.
Bills like these are how, as your Representative, I’m moving Oregon forward.
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Reproductive Health and Gender Affirming Care
I believe every Oregonian should be able to make their own health care decisions. That's why I will always protect the right to an abortion or receive gender affirming health care. Oregon is a leader in access to affordable reproductive healthcare. As other states strip away these rights, Oregon must continue to be a safe place where women have control over their bodies and people can receive the care they need.
House Bill 2002, an important piece of legislation moving Oregon forward as other states go backward, will be discussed on Monday. I wholeheartedly support this legislation. I am committed to maintaining a civil discourse throughout the entire debate on this and similar issues coming before the legislature.
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Gun Violence Prevention
I firmly support addressing gun violence and taking decisive action to protect lives, which is why I voted for HB 2005 when it came before me in the House Judiciary Committee. I will be engaging in productive discussion when this legislation comes to the House Floor this week.
HB 2005 protects our community while still protecting the rights of responsible Oregon gun owners. One component that I’m supportive of in this bill is that it gives local leaders the ability to regulate the presence of firearms in public places and spaces. As a Salem City Councilor, I tried to do this but could not because only the state could do this. HB 2005 allows municipal leaders to do now what I could not do then.
Guns are the number one cause of death for children in our country. As of April 17th, there have been 146 mass shootings in our country this year. It is our job to protect our kids and prioritize public safety. That’s why I’m supporting HB 2005.
Grants for DACA Dreamers
HB 2957 came before me in the Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services. I am a Chief Sponsor. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to establish a program to provide grants to DACA recipients. The goal of this legislation is to help DACA recipients with the renewal fee ($495) every two years as well as legal fees. In the state of Oregon there are an estimated 10,000 DACA Dreamers. In passing this bill, we help relieve DACA Dreamers of yet another obstacle that they face. I strongly believe that this bill is a small step towards making Oregon more welcoming to all those who make this state a great place to live.
Around the Community
Navigation Center Opening
There is a truly community-driven effort to address the housing and homeless crisis in Salem. During my time as a Salem City Councilor, I began working to create a center for individuals experiencing homelessness. This week, that center opened. The Navigation Center is open 24/7 and accepts all genders; pets are welcomed too. The facility has behavioral health professionals on site along with others who can help move people towards stable housing. It is tremendous to see the city and the state come together to address the crisis we have in Salem. It’s my hope that someday, this facility will close because it’s no longer needed. Until then, I will continue my work in the legislature to ensure the Center gets sustained funding as we work on long term solutions to Oregon’s housing crisis.
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Worker’s Memorial Day
April 28th was Workers Memorial Day. This past Friday there was an event put together by AFL-CIO & Oregon OSHA at the Capitol Mall to celebrate and remember the fallen workers of Oregon whose lives were lost while on the job. I value all the hard work that our workers do, may we always remember our fallen workers.
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Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition Event
This is Katina. She said I reminded her of her grandfather and wanted a picture with me. I met her yesterday at an event hosted by the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition. Sitting on the Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services, I have heard first hand from people who need our legislature to do more for those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I’m committed to working in the State House to fund and create programming for those in need.
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Legislative Town Hall About Our Government Working for You
Join me for my first Legislative Town Hall! The event will be held at the Salem Public Library (585 Liberty St. SE Salem) on May 13th 11:00am.-12:00pm. Connect with my office if you have any questions or concerns whenever you have them. The Town Hall provides an opportunity to hear from me directly in our community. I hope to see you there!
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Serving You
Whether it's hearing from your position on a bill or anything else that my office can help with, I’m dedicated to serving you. My staff has prepared a webpage with a list of resources for our neighbors, friends, and community. Make sure to check out this feature! Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Click the following link to access the list of resources we have available.
 Jessica is back from Bhutan! She brought back this hand crafted guardian dragon spirit mask and it holds the power to protect from bad spirits and evil. I put it outside my office in the Capitol. It will look over my staff and me as we work for Oregonians.
This is just a small sample of the artwork I have in my office; I also have artwork by other people from South Salem in my office which I’ll share in a future newsletter. My door is always open for you. Please visit to share what more our government can do for you and our community, or just to see some of the artwork that makes my office bright.
Yours truly,
Tom
Representative Tom Andersen
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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