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Dear Friends,
The final week of the 2024 Legislative Session has concluded, and I am excited that so many of my legislative priorities have passed. My main goals for this session were centered on making Oregon’s health care system more accessible, fair, and affordable, and on being an advocate for the needs of my district.
We passed many important healthcare bills that will help Oregonians get the care they need. This includes the passage of SB 1506, which lowers the insulin copay cap to $35 for a 30-day supply and prohibits the use of discriminatory QALY measures in determining what services are covered under the Oregon Health Plan. SB 1506 had overwhelming bipartisan support and passed with nearly unanimous votes in both the House and Senate!
My office also worked with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to quickly implement a Medicaid code that allows for comprehensive cognitive assessments and care planning for people showing signs of early onset dementia. This proposal had strong bipartisan support in both chambers, and I am excited to share the code is now officially open for providers to bill. OHA will be working with healthcare providers and CCOs to raise awareness of the code so providers can make use of it when seeing patients.
I am also proud to have secured millions of dollars this session for projects in Monmouth, Independence, and Salem. The largest amounts are focused on expanding addiction treatment and social services here in our district, including $11.5 million to Bridgeway Recovery Services to build a sobering center and additional substance use disorder rehabilitation beds in Salem. This also includes $3 million to the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties to build a cross-sector social resource center to connect people in need with a wide range of coordinated support services.
Other exciting news includes funding in SB 1530 for city infrastructure projects to support shovel-ready housing production, including a combined $2 million for the following projects in our district:
- $500,000 to the City of Independence for sewer infrastructure for Polk Community Development Corporation on Gun Club Road;
- $1,200,000 to the City of Monmouth for water, sewer, and stormwater improvements for Riddle Road development; and
- $300,000 to the City of Salem for an affordable veterans housing development in West Salem.
I am grateful to my incredible staff, Megan Wai, Cindy Kimball, and Samy Reyes, for all their hard work this session. I also want to thank all the constituents who contacted my office to share their input on all the bills we considered this session. It is an honor to represent you in the Oregon State Senate.
Best regards,
Deb
Protecting Oregon Consumers
This week, the Oregon State Legislature passed two major bipartisan consumer protection laws, the Family Financial Protection Act (SB 1595) and the Right to Repair Act (SB 1596). To modernize laws around unfair debt collection practices and establish Right to Repair in Oregon.
The Family Financial Protection Act strengthens economic protections for Oregonians who are working to pay back their debts and provides recourse for Oregonians subjected to unfair debt collections practices by:
- Increasing the amount of wages that are protected from garnishment,
- Protecting $2,500 in someone’s bank account so they can pay for their basic needs, like rent, while paying off debt,
- Increasing protections to prevent Oregonians from losing their homes during debt collections,
- Improving protections for consumers under the Unfair Debt Collection Practices Act,
- Extending the amount of time consumers have to file a complaint to 3 years from the date of injury, and
- Protecting consumers from unfair attorney fees resulting from civil lawsuits for unlawful collections practices.
The Right to Repair Act requires manufacturing companies to make diagnostic tools, information, and replacement parts available to consumers. This will help consumers, small business, and the environment by:
- Allowing Oregonians to more affordably fix their products like phones, computers, and appliances,
- Providing more choice for users, reduce environmental impacts, and support small business growth, and
- Closing the digital divide and maintain the quality and safety of electronic gear with proper safeguards and standards.
These bills now head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
The College Tour, an award-winning TV series from Amazon Prime, is featuring Western Oregon University on May 28. This series focuses on different US colleges or universities in each episode and includes stories of multiple college students’ experiences. Filming for Western’s episode took place last September and students were encouraged to audition for the episode. Ten were selected to be featured in the episode, each with unique backgrounds and stories. The episode is compiled into one 30- minute video and is also divided into ten segments, one per student. "I am excited that we now have the opportunity to share our unique story with a nationwide audience through this exceptional episode," expressed President Jesse Peters. "Western holds a special significance, particularly for first-generation and historically underrepresented students and those seeking a personalized education that equips them for success in life.” This episode is now available on Western’s The College Tour website and will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime on May 28, 2024.
For more information click here!
Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Golden Honored with Gwen VanDenBosch Award
For more information click here!
Kenna West, Independence City Manager, Presented Wes Kvarsten Award
For more information click here!
Responding to Homelessness in Salem
Thank you to the City of Salem which offers many services, including the Salem Outreach and Livability Services (SOS) Program.
The SOS Team continues direct outreach to those living unsheltered, to share resources and alternative options to assist property owners with those who may be trespassing on private property, and to pick up trash where it can be easily accessed. Working alongside outreach, specialized law enforcement teams, and other partners, residents should see a focused response to conditions in the following areas:
- Wallace Marine Park and Marion Square Park
- 45th and Market
- Along Fisher Road
- Private property near intersection of Lancaster and Macleay Road SE
Expanding Housing and Shelter
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Salem Housing Authority was recognized by the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance as the first agency statewide to use resources from the Governor’s Emergency Order to assist people with rapid rehousing. Their work continues to access housing for those who qualify.
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Salem Housing Authority’s Sequoia Crossings has opened, and residents are moving into its 60 new units. Referrals for the program are coming from temporary emergency shelters.
- The Safe Parking Network partners with local communities to provide legal parking spaces on their property for those who are unsheltered to stay in their vehicle overnight. C@P's goal is to help transition those in our Safe Parking program to permanent housing as quickly as possible. Call 971-375-7491 or email safeparking@church-at-the-park.org .
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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