Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

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This week I want to talk about Senate Joint Resolution 24, which would add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Oregon Constitution. I co-sponsored this legislation because I believe it is important for our constitution to affirm the equal status of Oregon’s women, and recognize the contributions women from all walks of life have made and continue to make to benefit our state. Oregon

Oregon has been a pioneering state for women’s rights.  In 1912, Oregon was the seventh state to allow full voting rights for women.   In 1973, Oregon’s Legislative Assembly was one of 35 states to approve the federal ERA, but it was not ratified because it did not get the required number of states (38) to pass it before the deadline.  21 states now have a version of the ERA in their state constitutions, and I would like to see Oregon join that list.  I have followed the ERA effort since I was a college student, and believe that adding the ERA to Oregon’s Constitution is long overdue.

Leanne Littrell DiLorenzo, founder of VoteERA.org, has taken up this cause and stresses that the ERA provides constitutional equality for women and girls in the Oregon Constitution.  In instances where there is a discrimination case for things like equal pay, sexual harassment or other discrimination brought to the Bureau of Labor and Industries, the ERA will provide a higher level of review. Currently SJR 24 is in the Senate Rules Committee, and there are a majority of Oregon Senators serving as sponsors and demonstrating bi-partisan support for this effort.     While DiLorenzo hopes for a hearing and work session in the Oregon Senate, VoteERA has already filed a ballot initiative and signatures are being collected to put this measure before voters.  Statewide, a Public Policy Polling effort determined that 80% of Oregonians support the ERA, and if the ERA is on the 2014 ballot, 53% of those polled said they would be “more likely” to vote in the election.

Personally, I’d like to see the 2013 Legislative Assembly affirm equal rights for all Oregonians with the approval of SJR 24.   I don’t think it is necessary to wait another 90 years for equal rights for women!

 
Leanne DiLorenzo of VoteERA.org visits Washington, D.C.

In other news, Monday was Lung Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol, and there was reason to celebrate the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 17, a bill I sponsored at the request of Lorren Sandt of the Caring Ambassadors Program.   HCR 17 brings awareness and attention to this devastating disease.     In 2012, over a quarter million new diagnoses of lung cancer were expected in the United States, with nearly 3,000 of those in Oregon.    Lung cancer claims more lives per year than any other cancer in both men and women, with up to 15 percent of the cases occur in people who have never smoked and 40 percent in those who previously stopped smoking.  Funding for lung cancer research trails far behind funding for research for other cancers.   As is true with most cancers, early detection is key to improve survival rates from lung cancer.   I was pleased when the 77th Oregon Legislative Assembly approved HCR 17, with the commitment to make lung cancer a public health priority.  As a legislative body we will now support advocacy work on behalf of lung cancer patients, those at risk for the disease, and those in our communities that are affected by lung cancer.   I was delighted to celebrate this legislative victory with the health care community, and honored with the presentation of a beautiful floral bouquet to mark the occasion.

Jessica Steinberg, Rep. Boone, Barbara Ferguson

Next Thursday morning, the State Economist will deliver the June revenue forecast.  The financial projections will be released to the House Revenue Committee, with the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee members invited to attend.   Oregon’s Constitution requires that the Legislative Assembly develops a balanced state budget for the coming biennium.   Once we have the projected financial figures, we can approve the state agency budgets for the coming two year period and finish up the 2013 Legislative Session.  

As always, if you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can also write, phone or email my office, or when you’re in Salem, stop by my office in the Capitol.  It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Boone
State Representative District 32