Environmental preservation, smart management of resources, mitigation of forest fires, and air & water quality all go hand-in-hand. As a state representative, I’m passionate about preserving and protecting Oregon’s natural resources for generations to come.  One of my priority bills, HB2256, relates to the land use process of buying privately owned land for conservation purposes. Due to an array of barriers, conservation groups often face significant delays which can also result in the loss of important funding. The goal of HB2256 is to remove obstacles for conservation work and to make it easier for land trusts in their conservation efforts. I’m grateful to be working with the McKenzie River Trust and its executive director, Joe Moll, on this bill. 

One of the ideas I spoke about frequently in my campaign last year was that our state-wide economy needs to support working families.  As your state representative I’m committed to making Oregon an affordable place to live, learn, work, raise a family, & retire.  This means ensuring working people have access to good paying jobs. HB2669, for which I am a chief co-sponsor, aims to address the current disparity in pay for part-time faculty at community colleges. Currently, part-time faculty aren’t paid the same rate as full-time faculty, even if the effort and time spent is exactly the same. This bill seeks to change that inequity and ensure that part-time faculty no longer need to struggle with food and housing insecurity. Thank you to the faculty members from Lane Community College who showed up to testify in support of HB2669.  

Each Oregon Legislator is assigned to two or more committees. Committees do the important work of vetting bills that will potentially be passed to the floor for a vote.  Here are my committee assignments for the 2025 session! 

As a former educator, strengthening our workforce and education institutions is incredibly important to me. I’m excited to serve as Vice-Chair on this committee. Community colleges and Universities are critical pathways to opportunity and provide for important workforce opportunities. On this committee, I will champion legislation that provides the resources, support, and staffing that institutions and students need to be successful, as well as trade and apprenticeship programs to strengthen Oregon’s workforce.  

Housing and homelessness are some of the issues I hear about most from constituents. As an educator and school board member, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts housing insecurity as on the lives of families and students. Breaking down barriers to affordable and safe housing is critically important for our state & community. We need more housing of all types, pathways to home ownership and affordable rental opportunities, and programs to ensure families can stay in their homes-- these are things I will be fighting for on this committee.  

Every Oregonian has the right to be safe in their workplace and to benefit from a living wage for the work they do.  I’m excited to serve on this committee because of the opportunities it allows to work on improving opportunities like Paid Leave Oregon, ensuring workplace standards are protected, and strengthening basic rights like the ability to organize a union.  I’m committed to building an economy that benefits working families and small businesses, not just big corporations. The House Labor committee also looks at apprenticeship opportunities, something I’m passionate about. 

I also want you to know that Democrats in the Oregon Legislature are actively addressing the challenges posed by chaos at the federal level. The current federal landscape brings a host of challenges, and I know that people in my district are deeply concerned and even fearful. I’ve heard from many of you.  That’s why my office is working to support specific constituents as they reach out, and I am committed to working with others to defend & strengthen the programs & laws already in place that protect and serve Oregonians, particularly our most vulnerable community members. 

My office is here for you to answer questions and hear your thoughts or concerns. It is important to me to be accessible and transparent as your State Representative. My office is also available to assist with any difficulty you may be having with government agencies, so please reach out if you are in need of assistance. Please note the various ways to get in touch at the bottom of this newsletter.  

I would like to invite you to my first Constituent Coffee! This is an opportunity for me to hear in-person the concerns of my constituents. I will be doing this on a monthly basis.