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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
It's difficult to believe, but we are more than halfway through the legislative session. As a legislature, we have heard countless bills, talked with community and industry leaders, hosted students and workers in our offices, and connected our constituents to life-saving services.
The Ways and Means Committee has released a framework for our budget for the next biennium. With so much uncertainty around federal funding, we are focused on fiscal responsibility, protecting core services, and making strategic investments to grow Oregon's economy and tackle our state's biggest challenges in housing, addiction treatment, and education.
Thank you for your letters, calls, and visits to the capitol to share your stories with me. There is still much to do this session, and I'm proud to represent our community as we continue this work.
Sincerely,
Representative April Dobson
To receive regular updates about my work in the state legislature follow me on Instagram @rep.dobdson or on Facebook at April Dobson!
Check out these articles to learn more about what's going on in the Legislature!
Willamette Week- State Lawmakers consider strict cellphone ban for all Oregon students
NBC 52- Oregon House Committee unanimously approves first-time homebuyer's bill
KATU- Lawmakers discuss improving student success in Oregon schools
The Bulletin- Guest column: Oregon kids can't afford education cuts
The Oregonian- Oregon gun control Measure 114 declared constitutional in major reversal
KATU- Oregon lawmakers unite to tackle alarming rates of chronic absenteeism in schools
Oregon Capitol Chronicle- Gov. Kotek seeks answers from state utility commission amid public outcry over rising utility rates
On March 26th, I testified before the House Committee on Education in support of House Bill 2251, which would institute a bell-to-bell ban on cell phone use in public schools.
The evidence is clear that reducing cell phone use during the school day improves academic outcomes, reduces behavioral issues, and supports children’s mental health. Oregon's educators and students deserve classrooms free from digital distractions, so they can focus on teaching and learning. I am chief sponsoring this bill to create a culture shift in our schools – one where being present and engaged becomes the expectation, not the exception.
On Saturday the 22nd, Representative Hartman and I hosted a joint town hall. We shared updates about our work in the State House and heard questions and concerns from our constituents. It was wonderful to see so many members of the community interested in the Legislative process!
- While the Trump Administration has attacked the Department of Education, I am committed to ensuring that our students continue to receive stable funding. That's why I am a chief sponsor of HB 2953, which would remove the cap on the percentage of students that can receive special education funding. The bill has passed out of the Education Committee and is now being heard in the House Committee on Revenue. Additionally, I supported the passage of HB 2007 out of the House Committee on Education which will secure needed funding for summer learning programs, with a focus on teaching kids to read.
- Attorney General Rayfield joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against numerous federal agencies for conducting illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees. A federal judge extended their temporary order requiring the Trump administration to reinstate federal jobs for 24,000 fired probationary employees while the judge considers whether to make it last until the case is decided.
There are a few ways you can share your opinions on bills and issues!
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Submitting testimony: To submit written testimony for a bill you support or oppose, you can visit the bills page on OLIS and click on "submit testimony."
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Testifying in person: To sign up to testify in person for an upcoming public hearing, click on the "register to testify" button.
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Sign up for bill updates: To follow a bill as it progresses through the Legislature, click e-subscribe at the top right corner of the bill's page.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1439
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-488, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/dobson
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