|
As a state representative, this session has been a whirlwind of emotions, victories, and disappointments, all in service of my constituents. The journey has been fraught with complexity, but it is the essence of democracy at work.
We celebrated significant wins, bringing tangible benefits to our community. We fought tooth and nail to secure victories for our nurses, hospital employees, and all workers to ensure equitable and safe working conditions, as well as improved access to medical care. Our tireless advocacy paid off, and we can now witness the transformative impact these investments will have on my constituents daily lives.
But not every battle ended in triumph. We faced setbacks and compromises that left us disheartened at times. Some proposals we championed, which aimed to address pressing social issues, did not gain the traction we had hoped for. It is disheartening to witness the persistent roadblocks hindering progress in areas like creating policy that narrows racial health disparity gaps. However, the losses have only strengthened our resolve to continue fighting for a better future.
In this complex legislative landscape, victories and defeats are intertwined. I am proud of the strides we made, yet mindful of the work that still lies ahead. Our constituents deserve unwavering commitment, and I am grateful for their trust and support. Together, we will regroup, strategize, and redouble our efforts to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. This session may have been filled with both triumphs and setbacks, but it is merely a chapter in the ongoing story of progress for my constituents and our great state of Oregon.
Wins of the Session
During the session, I prioritized policy pertaining to healthcare equity and access, worker and consumer protections, and funding organizations essential to North Portland. I’m happy to report that we passed legislation across all of these areas. Down below, you will find all the bills I personally worked to get across the finish line. I’m hopeful that the legislation we passed this session will leave a lasting positive impact on the people of Portland.
 Bills in the above image: HB 2697, HB 2921, HB 3396, SB 523, SB 629
 Bills in the above image: HB 2925, SB 1089, HB 2002
 Bills in the above image: SB 851, SB 907
 Bills in the above image: HB 2922
Funding Wins
The following funding allocations can be found in SB 5506
Healing Hurt People and Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC)- $3.75 million
- Healing Hurt People is an organization that responds to victims of intentional trauma such as gunshots or stab wounds. By investing in victims’ healing when they need it most, we can reduce future crime, trauma, arrests, and emergency room visits while increasing community safety across Oregon.$750k of one-time state funding will fill funding gaps, allowing Healing Hurt People to continue providing their life-saving services.
- POIC received $3 million in funding for a grant program to further allow organizations across the state to combat violence in their local communities.
Levee Project Grant Fund- $10 million
- This grant program provides vital funding to communities around the state to help make critical improvements to their flood safety infrastructure.
Native American Youth & Family Center- $1.15 million
- NAYA campus improvements and building remodel to address urgent health and safety issues.
Small Venue Grants- Venues in North and Northeast Portland
- Alberta Street Pub- $49,892
- Alberta Rose Theater- $107,925
- Atlantis Lounge- $44,811
- Mississippi Studios- $159,522
- Polaris Hall- $99,654
- Portland Institute for Contemporary Art- $101,845
- Portland Playhouse- $46,265
- The Siren Theater- $22,405
- White Eagle- $63,175
Self Enhancement, Inc.- $1.2 million
- Establishing an Underserved and Underrepresented Youth Cohort that will build a pipeline of diverse students who are ready to gain employment in the newly expanded semiconductor industry following the students’ graduation from high school or a post-secondary institution of education.
Making Oregon More Affordable for Working Families
Making Oregon more affordable and driving down the cost of living for working families is integral to the well-being of our community. That’s why I’m proud to support Oregon’s first-ever Child Tax Credit. This proposed $1000 tax credit per child will go to working parents struggling to make ends meet and will give families the breathing room, flexibility, and stability they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2022 that the 2021 expansion of the child tax credit resulted in 5.3 million Americans, including 2.9 million children, being lifted out of poverty. This is part of the Democrats’ $172 million Early Childhood Budget framework, which will address the cost-of-living crisis, help reduce child poverty and support systemic investments in happy, healthy families.
Working families are the backbone of our economy. It’s time we make sure they have the support they need to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and afford daily essentials. These investments will help do just that.
Supporting Nurses at OHSU
I will be joining nurses at OHSU at 5pm on June 29th for an informational picket.
 Representative Nelson joined other at the Providence strike on June 19th.
Local Summer Events!
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
July 14th-17th - Under the St Johns Bridge
Mississippi Street Fair
July 15th - N Mississippi Avenue
Portland Pride
Festival: July 15th- 16th - Portland Waterfront
Parade: July 16th at 11:00 am - Begins from the North Park Blocks
Concluding Thoughts: The Work Continues
My first long legislative session has had many ups and downs but I am proud of what we were able to accomplish. I will be continuing to work on the legislation that didn’t make it through this session. In the next few weeks, I will be taking some time off to do some work in my garden and spend time with family and friends. After a short break, I plan on visiting more parts of the district for tours and meet and greets. I look forward to continuing my work for House District 44.
 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
| 
