|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
As the end of the session approaches within the next week or so, we are moving quickly through the final bills that are coming from the House, and from Ways and Means. It is clear that funding this session is tighter than it has been for several previous sessions. In addition, the federal Budget Reconciliation bill, which is officially being called “One Big Beautiful Bill” by the current federal administration, would mean a significant drop in funding for services here in Oregon. This would hit the middle class, those with lower incomes, and rural areas the hardest.
What does this mean for this Legislative Session? It means that the Legislature is being forced to make very hard decisions about what to fund going forward, and what that means in practice is that not only are state agencies not being given increases to address inflation, they are also being asked to make cuts to current service levels. This means cuts to things like funding to prevent evictions, to support early learning and care, and other urgently needed services. It also means that really great organizations might not receive governmental support this year. It is truly a difficult time to be serving on the Ways and Means Committee, which is the committee that makes these final decisions.
My work on policy committees – Healthcare, Housing, Early Childhood and Behavioral Health, Labor and Business – has wrapped up for this session, but I continue to meet with the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures, and the Joint Committee on Administration. We recently heard a report in the latter committee that the Capitol Building will be fully open again to the public by the end of September, and the holiday concerts will resume in the Rotunda this year.
I’m pleased that a number of my policy bills have passed this year, and it has been a pleasure to hear from so many of you about these issues, as well. I’ll send a summary when the session ends about the work we have been able to accomplish this session. For now, please know that we will continue to work together, to do what we can to make Oregon a place that works for everyone.
Best regards,
Deb
Juneteenth Celebrations Near You
The Oregon Black Pioneers have assembled a website with information about Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday, and ways to celebrate here in Oregon. Learn more here.
Honoring the Legacy of Andy Bromeland
On June 17th, the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 37, which honored the life and legacy of Andy Bromeland, who had served in the Secretary of State’s Audits Division for 31 years and was a firm believer in grassroots democracy and in encouraging the involvement of those around him to be informed and involved in the civic realm. We were pleased to welcome his wife, LeAnn, to the Senate floor for the vote on the resolution, which was Chief Sponsored by Rep. Paul Evans and myself. Andy was a man who exemplified the best of what Oregon is – a beautiful place where neighbors care about neighbors, where people’s life work can give meaning and purpose not only to themselves, but to others as well, where one can spend one’s days in working for the good of all.
The Urgency to Lower Costs
This year, Senate Democrats made the commitment to bring down costs to ease pressure on family budgets. This can be seen through the passage of House Bill 3546, Senate Bill 926, and Senate Bill 605. HB 3546 and SB 926 protect energy affordability, and SB 605 keeps medical debt off credit reports.
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
| 
