Priorities

Economic Recovery
We will be rebuilding our economy for many years. In doing so, we must support small businesses and workers, encourage local entrepreneurs and incubators, and invest in workforce training. I am also working to reduce the cost of child care, health services, and housing to help boost family budgets as they recover from the pandemic. At the same time, prudent use of state resources will be critical, and I am committed to strengthening our state's infrastructure and increasing the predictability of how and where our cities and counties grow. I addition, I strongly support development of the clean energy sector and local jobs that help protect Oregon's natural legacy.

Safety and Equity
Community safety and an equitable justice system are vital priorities. Our enforcement resources should focus on preventing violent crime and protecting our neighbors. I support our BIPOC communities who seek redress from historic discrimination, and have voted to pass bills increasing accountability and transparency of law enforcement in the state. I also support the professional officers who are making the changes necessary to do their jobs better. In addition, houselessness is a community crisis that requires a multi-part response. This will include more affordable housing, beefing up shelters and support services, discouraging urban camping, and more.

Natural Resources
Growing up in Oregon, I developed a deep respect for our state's natural resources. My career as a land use attorney also served to strengthen this appreciation. As a legislator, I strive to promote sustainable land use and protect the rights of current and future generations to a clean, healthy, and livable environment. As Chair of the Oregon Legislature's House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, and Water, I strongly believe that our work on climate change is not done. Snowpacks are declining, and we must ensure abundant clean water for people, fish and wildlife, and uses like agriculture and industry. I will continue working hard to get that balance right and meet the diverse needs across our state.

Robust Education
I was proud to help pass the Student Success Act to invest $2 billion per biennium in our PK-12 education system. These resources are helping to reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates, expand technical education, increase access to early learning and behavioral health services, and much more. In addition, I am committed to building stronger science and technology programs in our schools to ensure our students have the skills needed for the evolving workforce. While the pandemic has required flexibility, we need to get our schools back to normal. That means keeping facilities open, supporting teachers and staff, and prioritizing safety and face to face learning for students on school campuses where they can learn and thrive.

Healthy Communities
All Oregonians deserve access to reliable health care, and paying for coverage should be made easier for both families and small businesses. I am also committed to reducing the exposure of citizens to toxins in consumer products and the environment. Similarly, we must support our frontline workers and remain vigilant to protect the health of our citizens through continued attention to safe home and work environments.

Examples from Legislative Portfolio

Supporting Our Children
In 2019, I joined in passing the Student Success Act, investing $2 billion per biennium in our PK-12 education system to ensure all children have access to the education they deserve.

Protecting the Environment
I carried the Oregon Environmental Protection Act to passage in 2019, directing agencies to monitor federal rollbacks so we can fill gaps as necessary to protect public health and the environment.

Funding Infrastructure
In 2017, I joined in passing House Bill 2017, a historic funding package investing $5.3 billion in infrastructure improvements, maintenance, transit projects, and congestion reduction.

Preventing Gun Violence
In a bipartisan vote in 2018, I helped pass House Bill 4145 to prohibit those convicted of stalking and domestic violence or under restraining orders from buying/owning firearms and ammunition.

Ensuring Access
to Health Care
Everyone should have access to medical care and medicine when needed. My colleagues and I passed House Bill 2391 (2017) and House Bill 2010 (2019) to help protect and expand health care coverage for millions of Oregonians.

Protecting Wildlife
from Poaching
I have championed a series of anti-poaching bills to protect Oregon's fish and wildlife for the public, including House Bill 3035 in 2019 to prevent senseless spree killings of wildlife.

Making Housing
More Affordable
In 2019, I helped pass Senate Bill 608 to prevent sudden rent spikes and limit no-cause evictions. Similarly, I proudly supported House Bill 4007 in 2018, raising $90 million per biennium for homelessness prevention and affordable housing needs.

Assisting Low-
Income Families
During 2016, I sponsored
House Bill 4110, which increased Oregon's Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families with young children, helping them to pay for basic needs.

Oregon's Outdoors
and Public Access
As an avid outdoorsman, Oregon's natural landscapes are critically important to me. In 2019, I Chief Sponsored House Bill 2835, one of the few bills in recent memory that proactively protects access to Oregon's public waterways.

Supporting
Small Businesses
I was proud to support small businesses by sponsoring Senate Bill 1589 in 2016. This bill expanded opportunities for businesses to access capitol from the Credit Enhancement Fund.

Safe Passage for
People and Wildlife
I championed the creation of Oregon's Wildlife Corridor Action Plan in 2019, followed by a $7MM investment in wildlife road crossings in 2022. Now, the state has the direction and funding to improve the safety of our roads for all.

Fostering a Clean Energy Economy
I was honored to vote yes on Senate Bill 1547 in 2016. This landmark legislation eliminated coal power from our state's energy supply and doubled our renewable portfolio standard.

Video Clips

Please take a moment to watch a few video clips of Rep. Helm discussing a variety of important legislative issues.

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Ken Helm for Oregon

Examples from Legislative Portfolio

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