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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
With the end of the legislative session in sight, the House is working hard to get essential bills passed on to the Senate. We've been holding marathon floor sessions to ensure the work gets done, and I am meeting with community groups, constituents, and experts on a wide variety of subjects to make the most informed decisions. I appreciate all of the letters, calls, and emails that have come to my office, and I am proud to represent your interests.
Also this week, I am saddened to hear of the passing of my colleague, Senator Aaron Woods. Senator Woods was a wise and dedicated public servant, and my thoughts are with his family at this time.
Check out these articles to learn more about what's going on in the Legislature!
KGW8 - proposed bill could bring millions to Oregon schools to fund summer learning
KTVZ 21- Oregon House approves bill to limit smartphone use in schools
The Oregonian- Details of Oregon's push for school accountability to sharpen
OPB Oregon Lawmakers cote to limit rent increases for manufactured homeowners.
KDRV- Bipartisan bill expanding access to HIV prevention drugs passes in Oregon House
To receive regular updates about my work in the state legislature follow me on Instagram @rep.dobdson or on Facebook at April Dobson!
On April 15th, House Bill 2251 passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. I am a chief sponsor of this bill to prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day, providing Oregon students with a much-needed break from constant digital distractions. With this legislation, Oregon will join the growing number of states taking action to support students’ mental health and academic outcomes.
The Joint Committee on Transportation has released its framework for the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Program, the major transportation package that will be a focus of the Legislature this year. The framework focuses on safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transit. We need to focus on the basics and making it easier and safer for people and goods to get where they need to go across our state. Crucially, tolling on I-205 is not a part of the package.
The gas tax that we've long relied on for funding our roads and highways can't compete with inflation, and it doesn't cover the wear from more fuel efficient and electric vehicles. If we want to maintain our roads, we'll need to make hard choices to put our transportation budget on a more sustainable path.
I know people are already feeling pinched by increases in the cost of living, and I don't support new taxes and fees unless we can be sure the money is being well spent and reinvested in our community. I may be a freshman, and I may not sit on the Transportation Committee, but I'm going to be taking a very hard look at this legislation as it continues to evolve. I know how important it is for our community that we get this right, and I look forward to your comments and engagement as the legislation progresses.
The Oregon Department of Justice has created an interactive dashboard that tracks ongoing litigation and the work to ensure federal oversight.
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.
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Watch Floor sessions and Committee meetings: Visit OLIS and click on the camera next to the house convenes time, or on each committee's page.
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