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To contact me, please click here: Rep.Farrah.Chaichi@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
Thank you for following the work of my office as we head into my second legislative session. I am honored to represent your voice in the Assembly. My hope is that in these newsletters you can learn more about current legislation, my priority policies, public events, and other helpful resources.
This session I will return to serving on the following committees:
House Gambling Regulation-Vice Chair
House Judiciary
Joint Ways and Means: General Government
In January we held “Legislative Days.” These are the days leading up to the session where we have meetings, meetings, meetings, and work around the clock to prepare to tackle all of the most critical issues facing us across the state.
Fortunately, I am in good company here in Salem and would like to welcome back my wonderful legislative Chief of Staff, Annie Naranjo-Rivera, and new Legislative Assistants John Knight and Nick Hart. As always, reach out anytime and follow along with what is happening, attend committee meetings in-person or virtually, and more on OLIS here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/2024-01-10
Each legislator may introduce two personal pieces of legislation each short session, and I am proud to have introduced legislation in-line with major priorities for our district: access to opportunity through Higher Education and giving local jurisdictions freedom to access the tools they need to address the housing crisis in their own communities. In addition to those two bills, (as there are no limits in short session for co-sponsorship) I signed on to several bills introduced by my colleagues including improving access to culturally responsive and affordable healthcare and supporting newcomers to Oregon.
My priority legislation for the Short Session centers around improving higher education. Higher education by its very nature is rooted in community and mentorship. Whether through the GI bill after World War II or in our current moment, higher education is an investment in our future - and an investment in our society. I believe in the power of Higher Education to elevate individuals and communities around Oregon, which is why I introduced House Bill 4125, which takes a deeper look at how our public Universities are faring and where we need to make strategic investments. The study aims to assess important aspects of our Public University ecosystem and identify areas for smart investments and iterative improvements that uplift Oregon’s higher education students, instructors, staff, and universities. The bill passed through the Higher Education Committee last week and is now headed to Way and Means for funding consideration!
I know firsthand the power of education to increase opportunity and believe in the importance of supporting new Oregonians to ensure that they can thrive in their communities statewide. Access to education is a critical component of setting up new Oregonians for success, which is why I have co-sponsored Senate Bill 1532, that directs the Department of Education to create a statewide education plan, for students who are asylum seekers, refugees or immigrants.
With rent increases continuing to create hardship for families in our district and around the state, I re-introduced House Bill 4126, which would give local leaders the freedom to make decisions about how to best address the ongoing housing crisis in their communities. I am committed to ensuring that all Oregonians have access to safe, affordable housing and continuing the ongoing conversation about local rent control prohibitions in Oregon.
Oregon has made significant improvements to our healthcare system, yet many Oregonians are still without access to culturally responsive and affordable care. I have co-sponsored a pair of bills to improve access to culturally responsive and affordable healthcare. Senate Bill 1578 will connect patients and providers with language interpreters to ensure that all Oregonians are able to receive adequate and accurate medical care. House Bill 4130 will close existing loopholes in the law to prohibit the corporate takeover of healthcare clinics and ensure that the power to lead clinics remains with licensed, independent practitioners, not corporations and private equity firms.
I also support policies that address the root causes of the challenges we face and recognize that these issues disproportionately impact low-income families, small businesses, veterans, and communities of color. As always, that means investing in our future, by addressing poverty and fighting for the working class.
One of my favorite things is having visitors to the building from our district! Over the past few weeks our office has hosted many visors! I really enjoyed the visit from Chris, a constituent who is concerned about climate change and our future investments here in Oregon. He wanted to talk about the COAL ACT, HB 4083, which would phase out our over 1 billion dollars in state investments in coal, a dying industry with declining value over time. Needless to say, I am supportive and signed on as a sponsor. Thank you for the continued advocacy from young people across the state! Your voices matter and your future matters. More info here: https://www.divestoregon.org/COAL-Act
If you would like to meet with me in Salem, please reach out to our office to schedule a time to meet me or drop by the office if you are in town visiting the Capitol.
I am happy to share the news that Washington County has exceeded all of their Executive Order 23-02 goals for shelter creation and rehousing formerly homeless families and individuals! In just one year, they have created 175 year-round shelter beds and helped 542 households into their home. I am so grateful for legislative and voter-approved Supportive Housing Services funds that made this life-changing work possible. Thanks to these investments in housing solutions, we are chipping away at the statewide housing crisis. Read more here.
The Safe Rest Village in Aloha opening was inspirational! The new pallet shelter structures will offer immediate shelter to 30 individuals, with heating and cooling installed to protect shelter guests from the elements. Shelter guests will work with the shelter operator, Open Door Housing Works, and housing case managers to reach long-term housing goals. Having needed services on-sight will be game changing for the residents. I would like to extend many thanks to our Washington County Commissioners for all of your good work in helping to coordinate and make this project a reality. Read more here.
With a renewed dedication heading into 2024, I am continuing to champion human rights issues and fight for policies to make people's lives better, at home in HD35 and across Oregon. We are facing many challenges, and every day my job as your State Representative is to do the work to meet these challenges. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.
Yours truly,
Representative Farrah Chaichi
House District 35
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1435
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-478, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.Farrah.Chaichi@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/chaichi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepresentativeFarrahChaichi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FarrahChaichi
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