Funding the Needs of Oregon

Yesterday, the Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released with promising numbers. The forecast puts us in a good spot but we need to keep in mind raising costs and the impact of inflation on all Oregonians. We must address the top issues Oregonians care about most: homelessness, behavioral health, education, community safety, and access to health care. This statement was released by the BIPOC Caucus to share our thoughts on the budget. You can learn more about May revenue forecast here.

I have several bills and funding requests that are currently in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. You can read more about my priorities below.

My Budget Priorities

• HB 2918 and HB 2925
• Fixing issues with HB 4052 from the 2022 legislative session which directed the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Advocacy Commission Office to set up mobile health units and look at solutions to address racism as a public health crisis. HB 2918 adds additional funds to the mobile health unit pilot program to help implementation. HB 2925 continues funds and the work of the state agencies and affinity groups. This will allow for work to continue until the final report is due in June 2026.
• HB 2918 Cost: The measure appropriates $4 million General Fund to the Oregon Health Authority for the 2023-25 biennium to continue providing grants to the mobile health unit pilot program.
• HB 2925 Cost: For the 2023-25 biennium, total fiscal impact is estimated to be $785,092.
• HB 2927
• Establishes Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease.
• Cost: The total fiscal impact for the 2023-25 biennium is $598,321.
• Healing Hurt People
• Community violence has threatened the lives of Oregonians all across the state for far too long. Healing Hurt People is a culturally-specific hospital-based violence intervention program that serves people of color impacted by violence. This important program provides critical services that provide victims with the support they need the most, at the time when it is needed most. Such assistance can include finding safe housing, medical follow-up, and connecting victims with substance-use disorder treatment. In 2022, the Legislature recognized the important work that Healing Hurt People does by passing HB 4045. This bipartisan bill allowed this program to receive Medicaid reimbursements for the services they provide.
• Cost: $750,000 in one-time resources to continue providing lifesaving care through Healing Hurt People. A one-time appropriation of $6 million to POIC will allow this grant program to further allow organizations across the state to combat violence in their local communities.

After three young men were gunned down in my district, I spoke up about the need for more gun violence prevention and the great work that Healing Hurt People does in our community.

• HB 3313
• Requires Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office, Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Commission on Black Affairs, Commission for Women, and Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs to each employ at least one paid intern each. 
• Cost: For all six positions, the estimated cost of these positions, including related services and supplies, is $617,931.
• SB 1089
• Establishes Universal Health Plan Governance Board and directs board to create comprehensive plan for implementing Universal Health Plan beginning in 2027.
• Cost: The total fiscal cost of the 2023-25 biennium is $1,818,704 with $1,405,834 from the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and $412,870 from the Oregon Health Authority.

I testified on the need for Oregon to move towards a Universal Health Care system.

• HB 2697
• Requires hospitals to establish technical staff and service staff staffing committees to develop staffing plans, in addition to nurse staffing committee.
• Cost:  Further fiscal analysis needed.

My testimony on how safe staffing saves lives.

• Building a Pipeline of Health Care Workers
  
  • $40 million package meets two critical goals, to leverage federal dollars and to target two significant barriers in growing the health care workforce: a lack of clinical education capacity at Oregon’s hospitals and health care facilities, and the significant need for additional nurse educators to grow the number of nurses graduating in Oregon.
• SB 776
• Establishes a task force on reparations for Oregonians of African-American descent. Directs task force to study and develop proposals for financial and non-financial reparations, develop appropriate methods for educating the public about the task force findings, and recommend appropriate remedies based on task force findings.
• Cost: Legislative Policy and Research Office will have total cost of $298,611 using existing General Fund resources. Legislative Assembly has an estimated per diem and travel reimbursement costs $26,800. This is assuming the task force meets 24 times during the approximate 12-month period until its report is due September 15, 2024.

Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project

HB 3622 would provide important financial support for Multnomah County’s Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project and other important local bridges in our state. Our aging infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the transportation needs of our growing community today and are unequipped to support our community after the major earthquake, which could hit at any time. Local and state bridges are interconnected, and both play an integral role in ensuring a reliable and efficient statewide transportation system. Funding these local bridges now is critical to the resiliency and sustainability of Oregon.

None of Multnomah County’s old downtown bridges are expected to withstand earthquakes with a magnitude of 8+, and there is a 1-in-3 chance of a 8+ magnitude earthquake hitting Oregon in the next 50 years, with none of the nine downtown bridges expected to be usable following the event of an earthquake. This video shows what would happen to the current Burnside Bridge if the Cascadia earthquake with the current bridge. 

This is a rendering of what would happen to the Burnside Bridge if there was a Cascadia Earthquake seismic event. Click on the image to learn more about Multnomah County's Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge.

An earthquake resistant Burnside bridge is crucial to provide a path to first-responders, disaster response and regional recovery, as the bridge is located next to Portland’s Fire Station #1. The bridge serves as a multi-use path for pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, and streetcar and transit-only facilities. The bridge is in an Historically Disadvantaged Community, which helps further advance Oregon’s equity goals. Jobs created from the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project is projected to bring $545 million into the Oregon economy, with 20-35% of those job years going to minority, women, or other businesses and apprenticeships. 40-60% of materials will be sourced within a 100-mile radius of downtown Portland.

This past summer, I joined Representative Grayber and folks from Multnomah County to tour the Burnside and Hawthorn bridges to learn about the need for seismic upgrades to this important infrastructure. 

Today is the 13^th day that Senate Republicans have refused to show up to do the work that their constituents elected them to do. With the current budget environment, it is even more important than ever that they show up to pass remaining bills and state budgets.

I am still hopeful that Senate Republicans will listen to the voters and return to the Senate Floor. There are several Senators who have now surpassed 10 absences and will not be eligible to run for their seat in future election. Ballot Measure 113 passed with 68% of voters voting to approve this constitutional amendment.

I remain committed to doing what I can to get these priorities over the finish line. It is our constitutional duty to be in this building, advocating for our constituents, debating, and voting in full view of the public. Walking out on our democracy is unacceptable.

I will continue to keep you updated on the status of the Session in future newsletters.

Best,

Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson​