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At this point in the legislative session, most policy committees (committees that make decisions on policy proposals as opposed to budgets) have completed their work, with some policy committees continuing to meet for informational hearings. Budget committees and subcommittees are still meeting to create and fund vital state agencies, programs, and legislation. We would normally be voting on close to a hundred bills a week right now, but due to an unconstitutional Republican walkout, the legislature has largely ground to a halt. However, I’m still working hard, every single day, to represent you in the legislature and build a better Oregon.
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month. This is a time when the LGBTQ+ community - my community - comes together to celebrate the freedom to be ourselves. The origins of Pride are in protest, and it continues to be an opportunity to stand up against hate and fear. During Pride Month, we find comfort, power and joy in spite of tremendous challenges. This is a celebration of the courage to be ourselves when others try to make us feel afraid and the joy of community when others make us feel alone. See this New York Times tribute for more Pride history.
 Watch my courtesy on the Senate Floor to the LGBTQIA+ community.
I am so excited and proud that Senate Bill 628, coverage for treatment for children with PANDAS/PANS, has passed both the Senate and the House unanimously and was signed into law by the Governor. The Northwest PANDAS/PANS network has been tirelessly working for years for the passage of this bill, which provides insurance coverage for life changing treatments for children suffering from Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS), and for children suffering from Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes not associated with the Strep virus (PANS). These conditions are estimated to affect 1 in 200 children.
Senate Bill 629 was also signed into law by Governor Kotek this month. The Oregon State Hospital Board provides oversight and guidance to the State Hospital, related to the safety, security and care of patients. They play an essential role in the care of some of our most vulnerable Oregonians living with serious mental illness. As a member of the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board, I have seen the difficulty that this board faces due to vacant positions and difficulty recruiting applicants. SB 629 makes adjustments to the membership of the board to help reduce vacancies and improve board operations, so that these volunteers can do their critical work.
The Resilient Efficient Buildings Package (Senate Bills 868, 869, 870, and 871) is awaiting action in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, where budget decisions are made. The momentum for this package is still strong. My office has received many emails in recent weeks expressing support of this package and sharing concern for the fate of these necessary investments and other important priorities if our Senate Republican colleagues do not return to Salem to do their jobs. If you want to learn more about why this package is essential for our future, take a minute to check out my Opinion Piece about this package in the Portland Tribune: “Building a Safer, More Resilient Oregon” and a community member’s letter to the editor in The Oregonian: “Oregon Can’t Wait for Climate Action”.
If you’ve been keeping up with the Oregon Senate or news coverage of the legislature lately (see yesterday's Rolling Stone article), you might have noticed that the Senate chamber looks a lot emptier than usual and that the list of bills awaiting a floor vote keeps growing longer and longer. On May 3rd, Senate Republicans and Independents abandoned their jobs and the people of Oregon by refusing to show up for work and conduct business in the Senate. In Oregon, our Constitution requires that we have two thirds of Senators present in the Senate Chamber to conduct business. When this rule is abused to override the will of the majority of Oregonians, democracy itself is at stake.
Republican explanations for the walkout continue to change, but it is no coincidence that this move occurred the day before the Senate was set to debate House Bill 2002 on the Senate Floor. This bill would clarify in state law that Oregonians have the same abortion and reproductive health rights they had for the past 50 years under Roe v. Wade, require that insurance companies cover gender-affirming care, and protect Oregon medical providers' ability to give the best, most appropriate care to their patients. For an in-depth look at some of the moving parts, KGW’s Pat Dooris summed up the issues in May 4th’s segment of The Story.
Every day since Republicans walked out 4 weeks ago, Senate Democrats have been coming to work, meeting with constituents, and attending committees. We have been doing the work our constituents elected us to do. I am committed to protecting the rights of all Oregonians, and not watering down the work we are doing on important issues that a majority of Oregonians support.
Last November, voters overwhelmingly passed Measure 113 and gave all Oregon Representatives and Senators a clear mandate: go to Salem and do the job you were elected to do. I am incredibly disappointed in my Republican and Independent colleagues for their continued effort to bypass the democratic process, ignore the will of the majority of Oregonians, and violate the Oregon Constitution.
 Throughout the legislative session, lawmakers and community members alike have been anxiously awaiting the June Revenue Forecast to give us a better idea of what our budget could look like for the next two years. Thankfully, and to the surprise of many, it looked better than expected. The good news for the legislature is that the projected General Fund and Lottery Resources for the 2023-2025 biennium are up 5.5% from the March 2023 Forecast. This sounds like a small percentage, but that 5.5% represents $1,876.4 million. This means that the legislature has more money this biennium than originally expected to invest in key priorities like community safety, drought and water security, education, and more. However, these vital investments are only possible if our Republican colleagues get back to work and vote on these budgets.
 Representative Dacia Grayber and I hosted our first ever Joint Walking Town Hall late last month, hosted by SW Trails. With the weather starting to get warmer and the legislative session heating up, enjoying nature and connecting with our community could not have come at a better time.
We heard from community members about safe public streets and walkways, the need to support aging adults, thoughts about the new TriMet “Rose Lane” through Hillsdale, and so much more. I appreciate everybody who came out to walk a few miles with us and share your thoughts and ideas on how we can continue to improve our community.
Stay tuned for updates about the legislative session, the walkout, and summer town halls.
Sincerely,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1714
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-223, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.KateLieber@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lieber
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