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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Last week, on my way to work at the Capitol, I passed a Scholastic Books truck on its way to a local school to set up for a book fair. I remember, when I was a kid, the excitement of receiving a flyer handed out by the teacher with the opportunity to order books to call my own.
While some of my friends ordered several books each month, our family’s budget did not allow for that. I was, however, grateful for the opportunity to add one book per month to my small bookshelf.
My interest in reading was supplemented by the weekly trips to the library that my mother arranged when we went to town to the grocery store and laundromat. There, with my library card in hand, I was welcomed into a portal to the wider world – other countries, other peoples, other ideas. It was thrilling and instilled a lifelong love of learning and reading for enjoyment.
Some of the libraries in Oregon, including here in Salem, our State’s Capitol, are under real risk of drastic reductions in hours or even possible closures. That’s why I spoke at the City Council budget meeting earlier this week to urge the Council to maintain library services in our community. That’s why I was a Chief Co-Sponsor last year with Rep. Ben Bowman of HB 2872A to expand the state’s investment in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides one free book a month to children in Oregon from birth through age 5.
Literacy is key to a strong democracy. I would urge each of us to do what we can to help the young people in our communities learn to read. There are a number of ways to help. You can donate your time and/or your money to non-profits such as SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) – more at https://smartreading.org. You can also check with your local schools, or organizations such as Boys and Girls Club. And for adult literacy, the Mid-Valley Literacy Program utilizes volunteers and could use your support. More at midvalleyliteracycenter.org.
This Thanksgiving season, I would like to thank all the teachers, librarians, family members and friends, who open the door to literacy across our great State and beyond in so many ways. I salute you all.
And I would like to wish everyone here in Senate District 10 and across the land, a very warm, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to serve with you!
Best regards,
Deb
Welcome to the team, Antonio!
Last week, my office welcomed our new legislative aide, Antonio Martinez. Antonio is a longtime resident of our Senate District, and he joins our team with a bachelor's degree in political science and in-depth knowledge of local issues in our community. We are excited to have him!
After Incineration: What's Next for Solid Waste in Salem?
After 38 years, the Reworld Marion solid waste incinerator (formerly Covanta Marion), north of Salem in the town of Brooks, will cease operations at the end of the 2025. This will have impacts on how our community manages our solid waste, and our community is exploring other alternatives.
As part of this conversation, the Clean Air Now Coalition will present "After Incineration: What's Next for Solid Waste in Salem" on December 7th from 2:00 - 3:30pm at Loucks Auditorium. This community forum will explore the impacts of waste incineration, how the Reworld closure will affect Salem, and alternatives for solid waste management.
Town Hall Last Week
Last week, Representative Paul Evans and I held a town hall in Monmouth to discuss issues we are working on for the upcoming legislative session. I am grateful to everyone who came to talk about issues that matter to them, including funding for the MI Trolley, housing affordability, access to health care, and funding for public education. Many thanks as well to the Monmouth city staff for their help in coordinating and setting up the event.
Public Hearing on Prescription Drug Prices
The Drug Price Transparency program is holding its annual public hearing on prescription drug prices on Wednesday, December 4 from 10:00am to 12:30pm. You can attend in person or through Zoom. The address and information is available here: https://dfr.oregon.gov/drugtransparency/Pages/public-hearings.aspx. If you can’t make it a recording will be available and you can also see videos and documents from prior hearings. Invited speakers will be presenting on these topics:
- Drug advertising – Who really pays for drug advertising and is what you see what you get?
- Drug rebates – Why are rebates necessary and how do they help or harm the consumer? How do they affect what drugs are available?
Oregonians can participate in one of the following ways:
- Share stories about how drug prices have impacted you. These will be included (without your personal information) in the program's 2024 legislative report. Share using this Qualtrics survey link: https://dcbs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byGAiKKDFnltcfY
- Give testimony during the hearing. There will be two opportunities for public comment. If you would like to sign up ahead of time to give public comment, email us at rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.
- Provide written testimony which will be published on our webpage. You can provide that before or after the hearing to rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Questions? Email the Drug Price Transparency program at rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Discussion Groups: LGBTQIA2S+ Abuse Reporting Educational Campaign
The Oregon Department of Human Services is developing an educational campaign to recognize and report the abuse of older LGBTQIA2S+ adults. To inform this work, Metropolitan Group is seeking participants for a series of informal 90-minute discussion groups the week of December 9, including:
- Two in-person groups with older (60+) LGBTQIA2S+ adults to be held in the Portland metro area (exact locations TBD);
- One virtual discussion group with older LGBTQIA2S+ adults from across the state to be conducted via Zoom;
- One virtual discussion group via Zoom with friends and family of older LGBTQIA2S+ adults; and
- One virtual group via Zoom with mandated reporters of abuse.
Participants will be compensated with a $100 gift card. For those participating in-person, food and beverages will be provided.
These groups will be facilitated by trained focus group moderators who are skilled in leading conversations about difficult topics and are attentive to participants’ safety and well-being. Steps will also be taken to guarantee the confidentiality and anonymity of all participants beyond the group discussion.
If you are open to being considered as a participant, please complete the survey at the following link by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 26: https://forms.gle/DVAhUbUA4uvWS9h1A. Individuals selected for participation will be notified by Dec. 3, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Kirsten Gunst at kgunst@metgroup.com.
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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