Fall Legislative Update

It has been a busy fall for my office so far. I had a lot of legislative work in and out of the Capitol last month. In between sessions we have regularly scheduled Legislative Days when we hold committee meetings to keep informed about issue throughout the year. We often hear about the implementation of legislation that was passed in the last session and get ideas for future bills. This is also a time for meeting with stakeholders about bills for the upcoming short session. In February, we will have our 35 day session to pass a limited number of bills. Each member is given a two bill limit and the process moves very quickly. Legislative Days gives us some time to talk to other Legislators and stakeholders about our ideas for our two bills.

Please continue to read for more information about Legislative Days and other work I have been doing this fall.

Highlights from Legislative Days

House Interim Committee on Business and Labor

• We got an overview of Professional Employer Organizations which are companies who provide workers, by contract and for a fee, to work for a client but not temporary work.
  • We heard from the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), Oregon Employment Department (OED), Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) about how teach state agency interacts with these companies

You can learn more and watch this hearing HERE

House Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services

• We heard from the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) which is a new agency that recently launched.
  • They gave a presentation on Employment Related Day Care. They informed us that the waitlist for this program will begin on November 4^th. Oregon Public Broadcasting wrote about community concerns about this waitlist that you can find here.
• Director Aprille Flint-Gerner from the Child Welfare Division gave a brief overview of the agency’s response to legal cases for temporary lodging of children.
• We learned more about the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program from the Department of Human Services. This program provides housing supports and services to unaccompanied youth ages 14 to 24 experiencing homelessness and unable to reside safely with a parent or guardian
  • We received an update on their progress spending the $18.75 million one-time investment from the 2023 session. Their full presentation can be found here.
• We heard from Katy Brooks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bend Chamber of Commerce, and Mike McNally from the Willamette Valley Wine Foundation about the challenges and solutions for child care services on businesses.
• In a presentation on co-location of affordable housing and child care we learned about the process that Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and DELC went through to implement this program.

You can learn more and watch this hearing HERE

House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care

Wednesday Meeting

• Director Annaliese Dolph from the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission gave an overview of the commission.
  • This commission develops a comprehensive addiction, prevention, treatment and recovery plan for the state. They can make recommendations related to state, local and tribal alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
• We learned more about Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) profits and finances.
  • The Oregon Health Authority gave an overview of the financial status of CCOs. You can get more information here.

You can learn more and watch this hearing HERE

Friday Meeting

• We received an update on Measure 110 implementation.
  • Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Dan Rayfield are announced the creation of a new Joint Committee to seek comprehensive solutions to the drug and addiction crisis. You can read the full Press Release here.
• Dave Baden, the Interim Director of the Oregon Health Authority, gave the committee multiple updates.
  • A large portion of the conversation was about how Oregon is moving forward with redetermination of Medicaid. This is a complex issue. Please visit this site from OHA for more details

You can learn more and watch this hearing HERE

Thanks to Everyone Who Attended the Fall Town Hall

I want to thank everyone who came out to our Fall Town Hall. We discussed each of our priorities from the 2023 Legislative Session which included funding education, healthcare access, and making opioid antagonists more available to the community. We shared some of our priorities for the upcoming short session. My priorities will center around healthcare worker rights and protections along with hospital transparency and accountability.  

Out in the Community

Welcome Back Students!

I had the opportunity to join Senator Frederick at Sitton Elementary School and Cesar Chavez School to welcome students for the school year.

Labor Day Picnics

I had a great time with other Legislators at the greater Portland Labor Day picnic.

2023 SMC Doula Conference

I spoke at the opening of the second annual SMC Doula Conference on the importance of having more Doulas of color in Oregon.

Portland AIDS Walk

I joined other members of Oregon's LGBTQ+ Caucus at this year's AIDS walk. 

It is always a pleasure spending time with legendary drag queen Poison Waters!

PDX Construction Site Visit

I had the opportunity to see the progress being made on the construction at Portland International Airport and learn about the jobs this project has created. 

Meeting with Small Business Owners in North Portland

I sat down with about 25 small business owners from North Portland to hear about some of the struggles they have been facing. I have committed to doing what I can at the state level to help address their business concerns.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference

I attended the 52nd Annual Legislative Conference from the Congressional Black Caucus. I got to meet with other Black leaders from across the country. It was a pleasure meeting US Representative Cori Bush who is also a nurse.

Getting Vaccines

While I was at the AIDS Walk, I received my Mpox vaccine. You can get more information and find out where to get yours here.

On September 12^th, the FDA approved the new COVID-19 booster.  You can find where to get the new booster by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) or visiting Vaccine.gov. You can receive your Flu shot at the same time in most cases.

Showing Support at the Picket Line

I have joined several picket lines this past month. Many union contracts are up for renegotiation and workers want fair contracts that allow them to care for their families. I stand with Unions and will do what I can to support them in the Legislature.

Supporting Nurses at OHSU

I joined OHSU nurses when they announced the results of their strike authorization vote. I am pleased to hear that nurses and OHSU leadership have reached a tentative agreement.

United Auto Workers

The United Auto Workers have held several rallies in Oregon and are currently running a 24/7 picket line on Allen Blvd in Beaverton. I am proud to walk the picket line with them. They sacrificed when the auto industry was struggling and now they deserve fair compensation. Join them if you are able. They would welcome your support!

SEIU Strike Authorized for Kaiser Permanente

I am closely monitoring the bargaining between Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. I will be joining more picket lines at Kaiser locations soon.

ODOT Funding for Trash and Graffiti Cleanup

I have heard your concerns about trash and graffiti along I-5. I joined Senator Chris Gorsek in requesting a meeting of the Legislative Emergency Board to allocate funding to ODOT for clean up. At this time, this request has not been approved. I am committed to continuing to push legislative leadership to urgently allocate funding.

My office will have minimal staff for the next three weeks due to taking some much needed time off. We will be back in late October to start preparing my legislation for the 2024 session.

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​