Rep. David Edwards Fall News
Dear Friends,
I hope this missive finds you in good health and even better spirits. Before I recount my activities over the past several weeks, I just want to encourage you to get the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible. Since September 1, there have been 128 hospitalizations in Oregon from the flu and five deaths. Most, but not all, are attributable to the H1N1 flu. (My youngest son was already missed four days of school because of the flu, though thankfully, not of the H1N1 variety.) As of the publication of this newsletter, a total of 80,000 doses of both nasal and injectable doses are expected in Oregon, with additional doses arriving each week through November. Adults need one shot or spray, while children under ten need two doses about four weeks apart. For more information, please visit www.flu.oregon.gov or call the hotline at 1-800-978-3040.
Despite the bout of flu in my household, I’ve been busy with a variety of new and longstanding legislative assignments. In early-September I accepted an appointment to join the Cultural Trust Board. As you may know, the Board supports arts and culture programs throughout the state. I’m honored to play an active role in improving access to local arts and culture programs. These programs make important contributions to our economy and quality of life, and it’s imperative that we preserve and strengthen them.
In late-September, I was assigned to the House Rules Committee. This vital committee has jurisdiction over the rules of the House of Representatives. In part, the committee’s tasks include determining under what rule other bills will come to the House floor. Additionally, the committee often handles issues related to the election process and legislative referendums.
A number of my interim committees, including the Joint Ways & Means Committee, the Emergency Board, and the Transportation Policy committees, met recently in Salem in preparation for the upcoming supplemental session in February 2010. In general, we adopted rules, received testimony from various agencies and stakeholders on the status of various projects we approved in the latest regular session, and asked pointed questions of our presenters. In the Emergency Board meeting, we approved some fund transfers within the Department of Human Services to better ensure it can maintain programs struggling under the weight of increasing caseloads.
As you may recall, during this last legislative session, I successfully led the effort to create a Green Jobs Initiative with House Bill (HB) 3300. In early-October, I was asked by the Governor to take part in the new Green Jobs Council. The Council will act as Oregon’s State Energy Sector Partnership, directing workforce-training efforts to support the development of Oregon’s renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, which in turn, help fuel strong economic growth. Currently, green jobs account for about three percent of Oregon’s private, state, government and local government employment—one of the highest percentages in the country. The Green Jobs Council will provide guidance for a sought after workforce-training component. A component that is essential for continued job growth in our state.
I was honored by the Oregon Opportunity Network, a coalition of affordable housing advocates, on October 7 for my leadership in passing the Housing Opportunity Act. This Act establishes the first dedicated, on-going revenue stream for affordable housing. Sadly, Oregon is among the top states with the highest rates of homelessness in the nation. In the last year, we have seen a 37% increase in the people identified as experiencing homelessness in our state, many of them children. The new account created by this bill is funded by a $15 increase to the document recording fee pertaining to deeds and mortgage records filed with county clerks. The new fee took effect just last week and is estimated to generate total collections of $15 million in the 2009-2011 biennium and $26.5 million in 2011-2013. The marginal increase in the cost per transaction will have a profound impact on the lives of low-income Oregonians.
On October 11, I joined representatives from the City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, among others, in a meeting with Sen. Merkley to advocate for federal dollars for the Helvetia/Brookwood (formerly Shute Road) interchange on Highway 26. We came away from the meeting with the Senator‘s commitment to help secure federal aid, which will supplement the $45 million I helped secure in the last legislative session. Improvements to this interchange are essential to reducing congestion, improving freight mobility and most importantly, ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure to support an estimated 10,000 jobs across neighboring industrial parks.
Finally, in mid-November, I’ll be participating in the kick-off meeting for creating an applied baccalaureate program in Oregon. This meeting marks the beginning of the work mandated by one of my bills from the last legislative session (HB 3093). It’s designed to provide one or more alternative four-year degrees designed for working adults, displaced workers and/or those seeking mid-career changes. As part of this meeting, the Chancellor’s office at the Oregon University System will be bringing together leadership from community colleges and universities to discuss the opportunities presented by my bill. The meeting will start planning efforts that will occur over the next year. I’m thrilled by the prospect of seeing our higher educational system offer new approaches to obtaining a four-year degree that fit today’s job market. In the coming months, I’ll keep you informed of the progress on this, and other legislative issues.
As always, I’ve been sustained by your community spirit and regular feedback. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent my hometown in Salem. I hope you’re having a pleasant fall and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure progress and prosperity for every generation.
Regards,
Rep. David Edwards