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Economy growing; additional investments in schools
Prioritizing education
Supporting Oregon business and clean fuels
I-5 Bridge Replacement Project moves forward
Pushing for safer railroad tank cars
Strengthening protections for manufactured home owners
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy 155th birthday to Oregon! Friday also marked the tenth business day of our thirty-five day 2014 Legislative Session, and things are full speed ahead while we work to deliver on Oregon’s priorities and meet all of our deadlines.
We came into this session focused on boosting the economic recovery, strengthening public education, and taking steps to make our government work better for Oregonians. Additionally, I had a goal of improving safety and air quality in North and Northeast Portland. We have made steady progress toward achieving these goals.
Economy growing; additional investments in schools
On Wednesday, the Legislature received the quarterly economic and revenue forecast with an update on economic growth and the state’s revenue projections. Overall, the projections are holding stable, with a slow, steady growth in jobs throughout the state and a small increase in projected revenue. Oregon continues on its path to recovery.
The other good news received was that Oregon has an additional $98 million in property tax receipts which will go to school districts around the state. This will provide an additional boost to K-12 education on top of the record investment the Legislature made in 2013. I’m hopeful this will allow school districts to hire back even more teachers and reduce class sizes statewide.
Prioritizing education
Yesterday, a bill I introduced to strengthen the voice of educators in framing state education policy passed the House. House Bill 4127 ensures that Oregon’s unified education policy board, the Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB), will have adequate input from people with on-the-ground experience in our public schools. Currently, this 12-member board created in 2011 does not specifically require any education expertise to serve on this body. It only makes sense to update the membership requirements to be sure a majority of people on the OEIB have training and experience as educators.
On the community college front, parents who want to further their careers might get some help by a proposal to help reduce the cost of child care for community college students. That bill, HB 4084 is now in Ways and Means.
Supporting Oregon business and clean fuels
Thursday, I joined Governor Kitzhaber and business and labor leaders from across the state for the Governor’s announcement of a new initiative to maximize the economic development potential of clean fuels. The Governor directed the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to implement the Oregon Clean Fuels Program, and created a new advisory committee of business and industry leaders to help oversee efforts to create jobs and investment in the clean fuels sector. This leadership from the Governor is likely to spark millions of dollars of investment in a growing segment of our economy. Read the Governor’s full announcement HERE:
One of my priority bills this session, HB 4107, will be on the floor on Monday. This bill expands the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Fund to allow certain types of private companies in areas of the state with high air pollution levels to access this program. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Revolving Fund is a loan program for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles that have lower emissions.
I-5 Bridge Replacement Project moves forward
Another effort with the potential to pay dividends for our economy for years to come is the effort to replace the outdated and malfunctioning I-5 bridge over the Columbia River. By moving forward on this project, I believe we will grow jobs for the long term, improve safety for all travelers across the river, and reduce pollution in Portland by eliminating the draw bridge which stops traffic on an almost-daily basis (400 lifts every year). After hours of testimony, including support from North Portland neighborhood and small business leaders, the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee advanced HB 4113A to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
The project has been challenging, as any large-scale infrastructure project can be, but if Washington Governor Jay Inslee comes through with the Intergovernmental Agreement that commits Washington State to join with Oregon and the federal government on the project, I believe the Oregon Legislature can move this critical project forward.
Pushing for safer railroad tank cars
Thursday, the House passed HJM 201, chief-sponsored by newly appointed Rep. Barbara Smith Warner from House District 45. HJM 201, one of my top personal priorities this session, calls on Congress to enforce tougher safety standards for rail cars used to transport flammable liquids and crude oil.
Strengthening protections for manufactured home owners
On Wednesday, we passed HB 4038, a bipartisan bill which will offer additional tools to help manufactured home park residents stay in their homes. The bill improves the notice process for residents to learn if their park is for sale and allows them to better compete for purchase of the park. If this bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, it will make the law more beneficial for park owners and residents by creating a simpler process for residents and create a friendlier process for park owners.
In the past two weeks, quite a few constituents have been in the Capitol advocating on a variety of issues. It’s always great to see people from the district, so please let me know if you’ll be in Salem.
As always, it is a pleasure to represent you.
Best,
Tina Kotek
State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House
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900 Court St. NE, H-269, Salem Oregon 97301