Dear Friends,

It has been a distinct honor to serve my community in Salem. This newsletter marks my last missive from the 74th Legislative Session. I am pleased to report we made considerable progress on the key issues facing our state–and in record time. We adjourned yesterday–the first time since 1995 the Legislature has adjourned before July 4th. I wish you all the best on the upcoming Independence Day holiday (I’ll be in Hillsboro’s 4th of July Parade). I am in the process of scheduling a number of public appearances and look forward to seeing you or alternately, hearing from you over the coming days.

On the Road to a Better Future For Oregon

During the 2007 Legislative Session, we began our journey down the road to a better future for Oregon and went farther than anyone expected. This legislative session marks a turning point in our state. We’re finally investing in Oregon families again. We’re committed to a new future ripe with potential for all our citizens. It’s a future that will be brighter for our kids, better for our economy, safer for our communities and healthier for our families. Here’s a snapshot of what, together, we’ve already accomplished.

Putting Oregon’s Children First

Reinvesting in K-12 public schools—Oregon children will receive a better education thanks to and a budget that prevents further cuts, puts more teachers into the classroom, adds back programs like art and PE, reduces class sizes, allows for a full school year, improves achievement and new tools for local districts that help to build and maintain world-class schools.

Improving early childhood education—More kids will come to school prepared to learn and thrive academically and socially through increased opportunity in Oregon’s successful Head Start program.

Taking care of kids’ physical and mental well-being—While at school, kids will have healthier food choices and better protection from a 21st century threat—cyberbullying.

Insuring Oregon’s kids—Oregon can meet its moral obligation to provide affordable, accessible health care to more than 117,000 uninsured Oregon children. The Oregon Healthy Kids Plan, which the Legislature approved, will go before voters in November.

Making Healthcare More Affordable and Accessible

Bringing prescription drug costs under control—Individuals and small businesses will get some relief from financial strain due to the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. Everyone in Oregon can now get lower-cost prescription drugs by using the state’s bulk purchasing power.

Holding hospitals and insurers accountable—We held the health insurance industry and hospitals accountable for rate hikes and confusing costs so that Oregonians will finally have the opportunity to put the brakes on rising healthcare costs.

Eliminating hospital rate discrimination—Low-income, uninsured patients will no longer pay more for health care than those fortunate enough to have insurance. By eliminating hospital rate discrimination against low-income Oregonians, we’ve ensured that hospitals will charge patients the same rate, regardless of how they pay.

Keeping our Communities Safe

Hiring 100 More State Troopers—Traffic and drunk-driving fatalities will decrease and the meth epidemic will get more attention because this Legislature provided funding to add 100 more State Troopers to our highways.

Cracking down on Internet predators—This year, the law caught up to 21st century criminals who solicit minors over the Internet or expose children to pornography. New laws will make it easier to prosecute these predators before they harm our kids.

Combating identity theft—Oregonians can now freeze their credit reports so criminals can’t profit from identity theft. We’ve also required companies who store and use sensitive information to report immediately any breach in security so consumers can protect themselves.

Standing up for victims of rape and incest—We protected the health and well-being of victims of rape and incest by ensuring that all hospitals and clinics provide information about and access to emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors.

Attracting Good Jobs and Investing in Our Economy

Becoming a national leader in alternative energy innovation—Through a package of biofuels legislation approved this year, rural Oregon will see the creation of new jobs and our state will reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

Reviving higher education—After years of cuts, we have taken the first positive steps toward reinvesting in a world-class higher education system in our state. In addition, we made textbooks more affordable for college students, made college more accessible by doubling student aid and provided tools for community colleges and universities to build and maintain world-class facilities.

Identifying innovation-driven growth opportunities—We’ll maximize the state’s competitive advantages and establish Oregon’s niche in the global economy through the Oregon Inc. plan approved this year. Oregon Inc. will aid in the development of signature research centers in areas such as wind energy and bio-pharma research and utilize public/private partnerships to spur entrepreneurial economic development.

Connecting Oregon’s economy to the world—The state’s major industries—manufacturing, forest products, agriculture, fishing, technology, and tourism—depend heavily on a sound transportation network. Our landmark Connect Oregon II plan will improve links between key transportation systems that connect Oregon industry to national and international markets, spur job creation and contribute to a lasting prosperity in our state.

Creating a More Accountable, Transparent State Government

Saving for a rainy day—We created the state’s first ever savings account–a Rainy Day Fund that will protect Oregon from drastic cuts in education, public safety and social services during the next recession.

Cutting Government Waste—Oregonians can be assured that their tax dollars are being used wisely as a result of increased funding for aggressive audits of state agencies. And, thanks to new laws to streamline regulations, we’re cutting down on government red tape that costs taxpayers time and money.

Closing the “revolving door”—Former lawmakers will no longer be able to turn public service into personal gain by using their legislative office to acquire lobbying jobs. Legislators will now have to take a two year “time out” before lobbying their former colleagues.

Toughening ethics laws for public officials—We enacted some of the toughest ethics laws for public officials in the country, limiting gifts from lobbyists and stiffening penalties for ethical violations, to ensure your representatives are representing you—not special interests with deep pockets.

Restoring efficiency and bipartisan fairness to the legislative process—We set and met clear timelines for the completion of our work in the Legislature and brought back the rights of the minority party to fully participate in the democratic process.

Restoring Oregon’s Reputation as a Steward of the Environment

Bringing Oregon’s landmark “Bottle Bill” into the 21st century—We added plastic bottles used for water and flavored water to those that carry a five cent recycling deposit. The change will mean the recycling of millions more beverage containers, keeping those containers out of landfills and conserving energy and resources.

Recycling Oregon’s “e-waste”—We fought to keep computers and consumer electronics from overwhelming Oregon’s landfills and polluting soil and groundwater with toxic chemicals by creating a free-statewide electronics recycling program.

Supporting Oregon’s Families

Promoting family in the workplace—Bills passed by the legislature this session will make the workplace friendlier to Oregon families. New mothers will be guaranteed a break time and a private place to express milk while at work. Workers who need to take family leave from their jobs can now use paid sick days as part of that leave while they care for a loved one or recover from an illness. And, when workers have used all their sick or vacation time, they will be eligible for paid family leave under a new state insurance program.

Guaranteeing family health parity—The Access to Birth Control Act will give women and families greater access to prescription contraceptives through their health insurance plans. Contraception is basic health care for women, but—until now–many insurance policies have routinely excluded it from their prescription drug coverage. Now, all women will have fair access to basic health care services.

Protecting Oregon Consumers

Prohibiting predatory lending—Oregon consumers who patronize check cashing services, payday loans and car title loans will be better protected from unscrupulous lenders who charge outrageous interest rates and trap working families in a spiraling pattern of debt. This legislative session we set limits on interest rates and check cashing fees and closed lending loopholes that allowed predatory lenders to operate outside conventional lending laws.

Protecting the value of gift cards—Those who receive gift cards from friends and family will no longer have to worry about excessive “inactivity fees” or expiration dates that rob consumers of the opportunity to use the card’s full value. Gift cards will no longer expire and retailers can’t charge inactivity fees—a plan that has been called a win/win for retailers and consumers.

Ending price gouging during emergencies—We want to make sure no Oregonian has to live the kind of nightmares Hurricane Katrina victims encountered. During a natural disaster, our citizens will have protection for the first time from unscrupulous businesses under a new state law that will prohibit excessively high prices for basic necessities during a natural disaster, crisis or human-created emergency.

Kind regards,
David

Oregon Legislators Reinvest in Education

Dear Friends,

Our K-12 public school system is back on the right track following the approval of a $6.245 billion combined budget for the Department of Education, the State School Fund, and the School Improvement Fund. On June 12 th, I joined with my colleagues in the House to provide some long-needed reinvestment in our public school system that has been sorely neglected by the Republican controlled legislature over the past sixteen years.

Included in this broad reinvestment is $39 million to fund Oregon’s Head Start pre-kindergarten program, $260 million for the School Improvement Fund, and substantial funds for programs and provisions aimed at increasing student achievement. I worked diligently to help this budget through the Ways and Means Committee, and was proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill on the House floor today.

This is the first step towards fully repairing our education system and giving our educators and children the support they need to excel.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

Visit our multimedia section to view the latest videos.As a member of the freshman class in the State Legislature, I’ve been proud to join with my colleagues to make this legislative session one of the most productive in recent history. With your help, we have made substantial progress on meeting many of the most pressing challenges we face. Here are only a few of the House’s recent accomplishments:

A Prosperous and Green Oregon: On May 23rd, I was proud to cast my vote in favor of SB838, the Oregon Renewable Energy Portfolio. This legislation mandates that 25% of our energy come from renewable sources by the year 2025. While the positive environmental impact of this bill will greatly benefit the ecological sustainability and general health of our state, there are also substantial economic benefits to the Renewable Energy Portfolio. This measure will foster the creation of new industries, add stability to energy prices currently dependant on fossil fuels, and bring needed entrepreneurial investments into rural communities. We are already seeing the positive benefits of this legislation at home. Soon, we will be welcoming Solar World, a German photovoltaic cell manufacturer, to Hillsboro. This new addition to our community plans to manufacture solar panels for installation here in Oregon and around the world, and the company forecasts a workforce of up to 1,000.

Expanding the Bottle Bill: On May 24th, I voted with my colleagues in the House to update Oregon’s historic bottle bill. The original bottle bill has succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations in reducing litter, promoting recycling, and saving taxpayer dollars that would otherwise go to cleaning up public spaces. By modernizing the bill to include water bottles, we will continue to enjoy the positive benefits of the bottle bill for many years to come. The bill also establishes a task force charged with evaluating and recommending future changes including recycling processes and types of containers covered.

Ending Golden Parachutes: On May 22nd, I spoke in favor of and helped pass SB384, which ended extravagant benefits and severance packages for school administrators. These so-called “golden parachute” packages have been known to include luxury cars, and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for work that is never performed. Curbing this practice is critical to renewing the public’s trust in our local school districts and in the State Legislature. As many of you know, our community is experiencing incredible growth. Accordingly, our need for new and renovated schools is unprecedented. By using our tax dollars more efficiently we help ensure our public schools receive the broad based support they deserve.

Reinvesting in State Police: On May 25th, I voted in committee to recommend passage of a bill that would provide funding for 100 additional State Troopers, which represents a historic percent increase. With these new officers on patrol, our state can better curtail traffic accidents, reduce the number of highway fatalities, and bolster efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking. I also authored a motion in committee to create a special appropriation for consideration near the end of the session that would support 24/7 patrols on our highways. The state has a moral obligation to ensure public safety on our highways and this bill represents a critical first step to strengthening a chronically under-funded agency.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

I’m happy to report that we have been making good progress here in the State Legislature. I’ve been working with my colleagues to tackle the tough issues facing Oregon and ensure a better future for all of us. Here are just a few of our recent accomplishments:

Reducing E-Waste: On May 15th, I was proud to join with members of both parties to pass HB2626 on the House floor. This legislation will dramatically reduce the impact of obsolete computers, televisions and other discarded electronics in our landfills by using new recycling programs to dispose of electronics. This program promises to be as influential to 21st century Oregon as the bottle bill was to the 20th. It will not only reduce the amount of garbage taking up space in our landfills, but will also curb environmental and groundwater contamination by various metals like lead and mercury, which are commonly found in consumer electronics.

Funding State Police: Over the past several weeks, many of you wrote to me expressing your concerns regarding funding for our state police. I am now pleased to report that on May 15th a budget that provides 100 additional Oregon state troopers was approved in committee and now heads to the House floor for a vote. More importantly, I moved that our Legislative Fiscal Office prepare a Special Appropriation that will include supplemental funding; this motion, approved nearly unanimously, will allow us to add another 39 troopers and accordingly, provide 24/7 state police coverage on our highways, help curb traffic fatalities, and fight the meth epidemic.

Making Education a Priority: I have always been a firm supporter of higher education, and many of you have taken the time to contact me recently about the urgent need to adequately fund our primary and higher education systems. With the revised revenue forecast, my colleagues and I are diligently working to ensure that Oregon’s education system receives the much-needed funding it deserves including $200 million for capital construction. Quality Oregon schools represent the future of a world-class workforce, however this funding legislation is only a temporary solution. I will continue to work towards a sustainable funding mechanism for Oregon’s education system in the Legislature.

Town Hall Meeting: I would appreciate your attendance at my next town hall meeting. The topic will be creating world-class public schools, and I will be joined by a panel of distinguished guests. The meeting will take place Thursday, May 24th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Hillsboro Civic Center (150 E. Main St.). For more information, please contact Sarah Pope at (503) 235-2305. I look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

I’m pleased to report that the 2007 Legislative Assembly continues to make substantial progress on addressing the key challenges we face. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to vote on several important bills designed to keep our state clean, safe and prosperous.

Fixing Predatory Lending Practices. On May 3rd, I cast my vote in favor of placing a cap of 36% on the interest rates for consumer loans. During my campaign, I pledged to end these predatory loan practices. HB2871 will stop loan companies from charging astronomical interest rates on loans to Oregon’s neediest citizens. Unreasonably high interest rates have locked many of our fellow citizens into a seemingly inescapable cycle of poverty and debt, and placed additional strain on our state’s health and welfare systems. By standing up for less fortunate Oregonians, we strengthen our community and our economy. I’m proud to have cast my vote in favor of this legislation.

Putting Education First. HJR13, which I sponsored and voted for on May 1st, will help rapidly growing school districts deal with overcrowding and the costs of construction and renovation projects. Many rapidly growing communities like Hillsboro face the prospect of sending their children into cramped or outdated classrooms in dire need of modernization and proper management. By providing matching funds to school districts for these projects, Oregon students can continue to count on an excellent education, teachers can count on a manageable class size, and Oregon taxpayers can count on a relatively low-cost way to supplement education funding. This legislation enjoyed broad bi-partisan support, and I was pleased to be able to work with Democrats and Republicans to pass this bill.

Clarifying Measure 37. On Friday, May 4th, I voted in favor of HB3540B, a proposed referendum that clarifies and streamlines certain provisions of Measure 37. It is imperative we ensure that Measure 37 works the way voters intended. This measure constitutes a reasonable compromise that provides a fair chance for claimants to develop their properties, and at the same time, maintain the integrity of Oregon’s farm and forest land. This measure ends the confusion surrounding Measure 37. It provides certainty to claimants, neighbors and developers. To be fair to all citizens, this legislation will be referred to voters for approval.

Fighting Meth. Oregon’s meth epidemic is severely straining our state’s law enforcement agencies, as well as devastating the lives of many Oregon families. HB3026, which passed the House on May 10th, is one of many ways the state is fighting back against meth. This bill clarifies the procedure for collecting scrap metal, as well as modifies the penalties for doing so improperly. Oregon has seen an alarming rise in the theft of metal and scrap metal for the express purpose of being sold to buy meth, and help finance meth labs across the state. These crimes not only hurt homes and communities, but cause immense financial damage to many businesses as well. During my campaign, many of you expressed your alarm at the toll meth is taking on our community and I wholeheartedly share your concerns. This bill provides another tool for law enforcement to protect us from the meth scourge.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to vote on legislation that fulfills some of the key goals I outlined during my campaign. Working closely with my colleagues, I voted in favor of the following:

• Amending double majority voting requirements. HJR14 amends the Oregon Constitution to exempt double majority voting requirements in property tax elections. I was pleased to co-sponsor this bill because it closes a fundamentally unfair loophole in our electoral system. Under the current double majority rule, bond measures for schools, parks, police, and fire service districts on local ballots can be passed only if a majority of registered voters participate in the election and the measures receive a majority of “Yes” votes. This rule essentially counts non-participating voters as “No” votes, violating what I consider a basic rule of democracy. By closing this loophole, we will ensure the will of the majority of engaged citizens will be reflected in law and at the same time, encourage greater civic participation. As a proposed constitutional amendment, this bill will be referred to the voters later this year for approval.
• Protecting Oregonians from discrimination based on sexual orientation. SB 2 bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, while HB 2007 grants legal recognition of same-sex domestic partnerships. As you may have heard, there was considerable discussion about the religious exemption clause in SB 2. After meeting with representatives from the faith community, I advocated strongly for new religious exemption language designed to ensure all bona fide religious institutions have the freedom to operate on the basis of their particular creed or doctrine. The new language was ultimately adopted and after the bill passed the House, the Senate concurred with our changes.I feel strongly that all Oregonians, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, should be entitled to the same rights and responsibilities. These historic bills will help ensure our state gives all citizens the means to make the most of their lives.Expanding prescription drug coverage. SB 362 simplifies and expands coverage under the Oregon Prescription Drug Program. Following Governor Kulongoski’s signing of the bill into law last Thursday morning, all Oregonians, along with small businesses, are now able to sign up for the program and receive discounts on prescription drugs, whether or not they have existing coverage. Expanding the program to include greater numbers of Oregonians means lower costs for all participants. Currently, program participants save up to 60% on their prescription medicines. Next year, Washington State will join this prescription drug pool, giving us greater negotiating power with pharmaceutical companies. This bill represents another step towards containing health care costs.
• Repealing the Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM) and the Certificate of Advanced Mastery (CAM). HB 2263 repeals the unfunded mandates for the CIM and CAM standardized tests and portfolio packages. While these certificates were intended to encourage higher academic standards and student achievement, they never achieved their desired ends. Over the years, the certificates have come under fire from students, parents, teachers and administrators for their lack of relevancy and efficacy. Accordingly, I voted to replace the CIM and CAM system with more rigorous academic standards linked to new course requirements for high school graduation.
• Making sure all Oregon children have health insurance. There are about 117,000 children in Oregon without health insurance—about one-in-eight children under the age of 19. HB2201-B, the “Healthy Kids Plan,” would extend health care to all Oregon children residing legally in the state. The funding for this new program would come from a proposed 84.5 cent cigarette tax. As you may have heard, this bill failed on the floor of the House on a largely party-line vote with Democrats in favor and Republicans against (with the exception of Rep. Vicki Berger). House Democrats remain committed to meeting our moral obligation to provide health care for all of our state’s children this legislative session. This is a simple choice between the health and well being of our children and the special interests of big-tobacco. It’s my hope that after this divisive vote, my Republican colleagues will choose to side with kids and rejoin constructive discussions about how to achieve the goal of caring for all of Oregon’s uninsured children.

In addition to these landmark bills, I’ve been working on a number of economic development and government accountability proposals. These efforts include: a plan to bring an allied health professions campus to downtown Hillsboro; a bill that would provide tax credits to Oregon businesses that make investments in plant and equipment; a plan to restructure the state’s economic and community development department to maximize its effectiveness as a catalyst for business growth; and a bill that would give the state’s Legislative Counsel department the authority to commission independent performance reviews of state agencies.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any pending legislation, feel free to contact me.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

During my campaign, I promoted a number of ideas that were realized over the past two weeks or so. More specifically, I helped pass several landmark bills that will:

• Establish a state savings account (or rainy day fund) that will end the practice of spending every dime and bring fiscal discipline to Salem. The rainy day fund will smooth out the highs and lows of the business cycle and help protect essential services like public education, health care and public safety during the next recession. And the fund will save Oregon taxpayers $10 million a year by improving the state’s bond rating.You may have received a postcard or automated call claiming my support for the rainy day bill raised your taxes. This claim is patently untrue. The campaign was launched by an out-of-state organization as a way to mislead you about my vote. The supposed tax increase referred to the one-time redirection of the corporate kicker. This redirection was supported by every major business association in the state. That’s because most businesses recognize that putting the state on better financial footing during a recession is more important than a one-time tax windfall. I am proud to have carried this bill to the floor—meaning, I had the privilege to make the case to my colleagues on the house floor.
  
  • Read newspaper articles
  • Read my Op-Ed in The Hillsboro Argus
  • Read transcripts of floor speeches
  • View videos of floor speeches

• Provide business incentives to make Oregon a leader in biofuels. The main purpose of the biofuel bills that passed earlier this month is to build a new industry out of seed crops such as canola and mustard, grass seed like switchgrass and woody biomass (aka, deadwood), all of which can be used to create biofuels. Together, these measures will create incentives for the production of biofuels and other sustainable energy sources, create new agricultural opportunities, spur manufacturing growth, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help preserve the environment. Urban and suburban areas alike will benefit.
  
  • Read transcript of floor speech
  • View video of floor speech

• Create a statewide health insurance pool for school employees so we can save money on overhead and put more money in the classroom. Using the so-called ‘Costco theory’ of bulk purchasing to ‘buy down’ the cost of health insurance, this pool will save the state an estimated $50 million per biennium—money that can be used to reduce class sizes and provide schools with more resources to teach our kids.

• Ensure greater access to birth control and emergency contraception. The ABC—or access to birth control—Act will increase fairness in women’s health care by expanding access for Oregon women to prescription birth control. It also guarantees victims of rape or incest access to emergency contraception. Affordable access to contraception is essential to women because it allows them to plan their families and take care of their health. But nearly half of all health insurance plans don’t provide this basic coverage, leaving many women to pay out of pocket expenses for these prescriptions.This bill makes good business sense, too. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that employers who exclude this type of coverage are open to lawsuits on the basis of gender discrimination. This legislation limits the liability of Oregon businesses while allowing female employees better control over their health.

These bills are part of a Democratic roadmap for a better, more prosperous future for all Oregonians. Upcoming Roadmap Bills include the Healthy Kids Plan, which will provide access to health insurance for all uninsured children in the state.

Upcoming Events

Please note that on Wednesday, March 21st, I’ll be participating in a panel discussion on health care. The event will take place at the Shute Park Hillsboro Library at 775 SE 10th St. The discussion begins at 6:30pm. You’ll be invited to share your thoughts on several legislative proposals as well as to propose any new, innovative ideas. For more information, please call 503.986.1430.

Thanks for your continued interest in working for a better Oregon. I consider this office a sacred honor and feel privileged to serve you and other Oregonians around the state. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Kind regards,
David

Dear Friends,

Welcome to my bi-weekly rendition of capitol events! We-meaning the Legislative Assembly-have adopted an accelerated pace for this Legislative session. Today, the Full Ways & Means Committee (of which I’m a member) passed out budgets for several state boards and commissions. In contrast, last session, the committee approved its first bills in early May. In any event, here’s a brief primer on the legislative process and the highlights from the last two weeks…

Highlights

• The Legislative Process
• Consumer Protection Bills
• Biofuels Bill
• Town Hall
• Contact Info

The Legislative Process

In the Oregon Legislature, proposed state laws can be initiated by state agencies, members of the Legislative Assembly (the Oregon State House or Senate) and the governor’s office. Bill concepts or proposed drafts are first sent to Legislative Council (LC), a department of professional bill drafters (aka, lawyers). The last day to submit bills to LC was Monday, January 29th, which means that no new bills may be drafted except by special request. Early estimates indicate over 4,000 proposed bills will be drawn up for this session.

Once bill drafts have been approved by the requesting party and are assigned an identifying number, they receive a ‘first reading’ on the floor of the House of Representatives (or alternately, the Senate, depending on the chamber of origin). In the case of the House, the Speaker, Rep. Jeff Merkley, then assigns bills to the appropriate committees for the purpose of holding public hearings. A full list of committees and their members can be found here

At that point, committee chairs decide when and if to schedule public hearings. If a committee chair determines that a bill deserves a vote by the entire House, then he or she holds a ‘work session,’ allowing committee members to discuss it. A bill must receive a majority of committee votes in order to move on to the whole House. If a bill passes this initial test, then the committee chair assigns a ‘carrier’-the person responsible for introducing the bill on the floor. (Traditionally, the first Freshman legislator to carry a bill on the floor is subject to a mild form of hazing by his or her colleagues; thankfully, Rep. Gelser made this gallant sacrifice on behalf of her fellow Freshman, including yours truly.)

If there is a bill you are interested in, you can track it on the Legislative website by bill number. If you know the issue, but not the bill number, you can search by keyword.

Some especially important bills are moving rapidly to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration, among them, the following…

Consumer Protection Bills

The Legislative Assembly in general and my caucus in particular is taking additional steps to curb predatory lending practices. Predatory lenders routinely offer short-term loans to vulnerable consumers, often charging in excess of 400% annual interest. Frequently, the loan terms are unclear to the applicants. These loans are marketed to poor Oregonians experiencing severe financial hardship. The exorbitant interest rates associated with these loans leave many consumers worse off than before, making it more likely they will become dependent on taxpayer financed services.

My colleagues have crafted an initial set of laws that will protect consumers from high-interest debt. These bills will accomplish the following:

• Close the loopholes that allow out-of-state and Internet payday lenders to charge higher rates than those with a physical presence in Oregon (HB 2203).
• Place limits on fees charged by check-cashing outfits and payday lenders (HB 2202).
• Limit the rates of interest and fees on car title loans (HB 2204).
• Tighten licensing and other requirements for check cashers and payday lenders (HB 2202, HB 2205).

These bills are likely to be up for a vote of the full House of Representatives next week.

Biofuels Bill

With rising gas prices and too much dependence on politically unstable foreign nations for fuel, I believe it’s time to promote energy independence. During the campaign, I promoted tax incentives to Oregon farmers for growing crops that are used to produce alternative fuels, and to provide a state-subsidized, but market-driven system for developing renewable sources like wind, solar, and geothermal sources.

I intend to make good on these campaign promises, in part, by supporting an initial wave of renewable energy bills (HB 2210, HB 2211 and HB 2212). The main purpose of these bills is to build a new industry out of seed crops such as canola and mustard, grass seed like switchgrass and woody biomass (aka, deadwood), all of which can be used to create biofuels. Together, these bills will create incentives for the production of biofuels and other sustainable energy sources, create new agricultural opportunities, spur manufacturing growth, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help preserve the environment. Urban and suburban areas alike will benefit from these measures. And I plan to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives when they come up for a vote.

Town Hall

Please join me in conversation this upcoming week, along with Sen. Bruce Starr, Rep. Chuck Riley and Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington. This forum will provide an overview of the agenda for the Legislative Assembly and Metro.

Contact Info

If you can’t make the town hall, and have questions or concerns about proposed legislation, feel free to contact my office. By the way, I continue to walk the district on weekends. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be walking the Orenco neighborhood as my schedule allows. If you’re in the area, I hope to meet you on the doorstep.

Hillsboro Contact Information

Friends of David Edwards
22115 NW Imbrie Dr., Ste. 328
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Mobile phone: 503.880.1872

Salem Contact Information

Rep. David Edwards
900 Court St., Rm. H-373
Salem, Oregon 97301

Session phone: 503.986.1430
Email: rep.davidedwards@state.or.us

Dear Friends,

On November 8^th of last year, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime—a chance to serve our great community in Salem. I’m pleased to say that I prevailed over my closest opponent by 16 percentage points. According to a prominent political observer, I’m the first Democrat in state history to overcome a Republican registration edge of 5% to win a seat in the State House. Clearly, the sentiments of the people were with me and other members of my party. In hindsight, I regard the election as the equivalent of cleaning up a piece of ground—digging out various roots and demolishing old stumps. Now the way has been cleared for new, sensible ideas and a renewed dedication to the common good.

Thank you so much for your generous efforts on my behalf. I’m humbled by and grateful for this chance to serve. I consider this office a sacred honor and am focused resolutely on the future. I’ll always remember that I’m merely a temporary agent of the people, elected to represent your best long-term interests. To that end, I’ve pledged to work across the aisle as much as possible for the greater good of our community and for the state as a whole.

I’m now settled in my Salem office (outfitted in fashionable astro-turf-like carpet) and am eager to make progress on the fundamental issues we face—ensuring quality public schools; reducing the cost of health care; bringing more good-paying jobs to Washington County; and making government more accountable and innovative. I’ve been fortunate to receive committee assignments aligned with these priorities. I’m one of only two Freshmen members of the House assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee, the committee responsible for developing a balanced state budget. I also have seats on two Ways & Means Subcommittees—Education and Transportation & Economic Development. These assignments will give me plentiful opportunities to put us back on a path toward growth and prosperity.

So far, I’m adjusting to life in the capitol rather well. As many of you know, I’m the founder and CEO of a market research-based consulting firm. In that role, I’m privileged to help some of the world’s top high-tech companies develop successful new products, create jobs and stay competitive internationally. As someone who comes from that culture of permanent reinvention, I’m accustomed to managing change.

I’m constantly aware of the history of our state capitol and as a consequence, my responsibility to my fellow Oregonians. On the floor of the House, behind the Speaker’s desk, is a mural showing the historic meeting of Oregon pioneers at Champoeg in 1843, when the provisional government was established. It’s just one of many reminders of the historic opportunity I have to improve the lives of everyday people.

I’ll do my best throughout the legislative session to stay connected to you and the larger community. During the recent Martin Luther King holiday, for example, I canvassed a portion of the district to promote an upcoming town hall. The town hall will take place on Thur., February 15^th at the Hillsboro Civic Center on Main St. from 6:30pm until 8:00pm. I’ll be joined by two of my colleagues from the Legislative Assembly, Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Senate Dist. 15) and Rep. Chuck Riley (D-House Dist. 29). This event will mark the first of many joint, bi-partisan appearances. I invite you to come with your questions or concerns.

This first week or so of working in Salem has been like taking an intense, immersive foreign language course. It’s a highly cumulative process. I’m building up my knowledge base day-by-day. Just like in learning a foreign language, at the beginning, accuracy is more important than speed, so I’m focused on getting things right.

There’s much work to be done and with my party in the majority, it’s incumbent on me to show real leadership. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about pending legislation. Please find my contact information below:

Hillsboro Contact Information

Friends of David Edwards
22115 NW Imbrie Dr., Ste. 328
Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

Mobile phone: 503.880.1872

Salem Contact Information

Rep. David Edwards
900 Court St., Rm. H-373
Salem, Oregon 97301
Session phone: 503.986.1430
Email: edwards.d.rep@state.or.us
Also, as you may know, I have a new Web site: www.friendsofdavidedwards.com. I’ll endeavor to update this site once or twice a week with blog entries, info on upcoming events, press releases, video footage and/or transcripts of floor speeches.

I appreciate your continued interest in the welfare of our community and our state. I can’t thank you enough for your time, your suggestions and your prayers. And I look forward to continuing our conversation in the weeks and months to come.

Kind regards,

David W. Edwards

State Representative House District 30