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After the longest walkout in Oregon legislative history, the Oregon Legislature will now move forward on bills and budgets that will protect shared Oregon values and take urgent actions on the homelessness crisis, education, public safety, health care, protections to abortion access, and more.
This agreement is a win for the people of Oregon and will make sure we’re delivering major victories this session on our shared values and priorities.
As part of this agreement, the Senate will hold votes on:
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House Bill 2002, after it is updated to affirm standard abortion care practice that has been in place for 50 years under Roe v. Wade.
- House Bill 2005, is limited to a ban on untraceable ghost guns that will make our communities safer and help law enforcement do their jobs.
- House Joint Resolution 16, which refers to voters a constitutional amendment that will allow the Legislature to hold statewide elected officials accountable via impeachment
- House Bill 2757, which will provide funding for 9-8-8, the national suicide prevention hotline.
It’s clear there’s more to do to stop obstruction, protect our democracy, and build trust in our government institutions. That’s why I’m proud to support the Simple Majority Resolution (HJR 30), a fix that will ensure that a small number of politicians aren't able to shut down government by refusing to show up.
While it’s unclear whether this bill will get to the floor, this legislation is critical to getting the conversation started. Oregonians need to have faith that their government will work for them and pass the priorities they sent us here to do.
The Oregon House passed a record $10.2 billion budget for K-12 schools. Included is $2.5 million dollars for schools to install panic alarm systems, a provision I have long championed.
The panic alarm systems keep schools safe by alerting first responders to all types of emergencies, including natural disasters and medical emergencies, and give the exact geo-tagged location to all law enforcement and EMS systems. I have been seeking this funding and policy through HB 3101, Alyssa’s Law.
Alyssa’s Law is named in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who tragically lost her life during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2017. During the shooting, both the fire alarm and the code red signals were set off, giving students mixed messages to both run in and run out of the school. Alhadeff was killed in the doorway of her English class. Emergency panic alarm systems can prevent miscommunications in schools.
Due to the uncertainty of this legislative session, I had to get creative in ensuring our K-12 schools have the resources they need to communicate effectively in emergencies. After a three-year long fight for this, the funding for Alyssa’s Law is now included in the Oregon Schools Budget. HB 5014 is now on to the Senate for a vote.
The Biggest Little Show in the World! I had a great time at the Sisters Rodeo over the weekend. Thank you to everyone involved for bringing together Oregonians from all over the state! The first ever Sisters Rodeo took place in 1940, and has been a mostly all-volunteer run event ever since. Learn more about the history of the Sisters Rodeo here.
Sen. Jeff Merkley Deschutes County Town Hall this Weekend: See you there!
June 17, 2013 @ 12:00pm, Ridgeview High School - Performing Arts Theater - 4555 Elkhorn Avenue, Redmond, OR 97756
Constitutional Sine Die is on June 25th. We have ten days to finish all legislative business this session, and I look forward to continuing the good work of the people until Sine Die, and beyond.
State Representative Emerson Levy
House District 53
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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