Supporting Working Families
As we rebuild our economy, prioritizing working families and small businesses is paramount. In recent legislative sessions, we have invested millions in career pathways and programs to retain and attract workers in critical sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, construction, and technology. Similarly, I have supported broadband expansion and greater access to capital for small businesses, and championed local development in the clean energy sector. I'm also working to reduce the cost of child care, health services, and housing to boost family budgets as they recover from the pandemic. This includes a recent $100 million investment to stabilize our childcare workforce, the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families, and stimulus payments to qualifying low-wage households. Prudent use of state resources remains critical, while also building on past bipartisan infrastructure investments that support local economies and create jobs across the state.
As we rebuild our economy, prioritizing working families and small businesses is paramount. In recent legislative sessions, we have invested millions in career pathways and programs to retain and attract workers in critical sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, construction, and technology. Similarly, I have supported broadband expansion and greater access to capital for small businesses, and championed local development in the clean energy sector. I'm also working to reduce the cost of child care, health services, and housing to boost family budgets as they recover from the pandemic. This includes a recent $100 million investment to stabilize our childcare workforce, the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families, and stimulus payments to qualifying low-wage households. Prudent use of state resources remains critical, while also building on past bipartisan infrastructure investments that support local economies and create jobs across the state.
Investing in Education
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. It also includes addressing workforce shortages and retaining educators, school counselors, mental health professionals and nurses. In addition, I have supported investments in summer learning programs and activities that keep K-12 students engaged and learning. Throughout my service, I have always supported the strongest possible public education budgets, including helping to pass the landmark Student Success Act that addressed chronic underinvestment with billions of dollars in ongoing funding for our PK-12 education system. These resources continue to help reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates, expand technical education, increase access to early learning and behavioral health services, and much more.
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. It also includes addressing workforce shortages and retaining educators, school counselors, mental health professionals and nurses. In addition, I have supported investments in summer learning programs and activities that keep K-12 students engaged and learning. Throughout my service, I have always supported the strongest possible public education budgets, including helping to pass the landmark Student Success Act that addressed chronic underinvestment with billions of dollars in ongoing funding for our PK-12 education system. These resources continue to help reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates, expand technical education, increase access to early learning and behavioral health services, and much more.
Prioritizing Our Environment
Growing up in Oregon, I developed a deep respect for our state's natural resources. 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. Serving as Chair of the Oregon Legislature's House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, and Water, I work hard to ensure abundant clean water for people, fish and wildlife, and uses like agriculture and industry. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Oregon's natural landscapes are extremely important to me. I have championed legislation to protect access to Oregon's public waterways, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on our roadways, prevent poaching and senseless spree killing of wildlife, and accelerate our state's transition to clean energy. I also established the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund to better protect our state's iconic landscapes, species, and outdoor opportunities for all. In recent sessions, I carried two historic forestry bills to passage on the House floor, creating the Elliott State Research Forest and formalizing the Private Forest Accord to improve management of private forestlands.
Growing up in Oregon, I developed a deep respect for our state's natural resources. 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. Serving as Chair of the Oregon Legislature's House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, and Water, I work hard to ensure abundant clean water for people, fish and wildlife, and uses like agriculture and industry. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Oregon's natural landscapes are extremely important to me. I have championed legislation to protect access to Oregon's public waterways, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on our roadways, prevent poaching and senseless spree killing of wildlife, and accelerate our state's transition to clean energy. I also established the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund to better protect our state's iconic landscapes, species, and outdoor opportunities for all. In recent sessions, I carried two historic forestry bills to passage on the House floor, creating the Elliott State Research Forest and formalizing the Private Forest Accord to improve management of private forestlands.
Promoting Safety and Justice
Community safety and an equitable justice system are vital priorities. In recent years, I helped increase state capacity to combat the concerning rise of drug cartel activity and related crimes. We also unanimously passed legislation to make it easier for victims of crime, including small businesses, to obtain restitution for economic damages. In addition, we funded restorative justice programs and services that keep people out of the justice system in the first place. 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 law enforcement professionals who are making the changes necessary to do their jobs better. We are best served when enforcement resources are focused on preventing serious crimes and protecting our neighbors.
Community safety and an equitable justice system are vital priorities. In recent years, I helped increase state capacity to combat the concerning rise of drug cartel activity and related crimes. We also unanimously passed legislation to make it easier for victims of crime, including small businesses, to obtain restitution for economic damages. In addition, we funded restorative justice programs and services that keep people out of the justice system in the first place. 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 law enforcement professionals who are making the changes necessary to do their jobs better. We are best served when enforcement resources are focused on preventing serious crimes and protecting our neighbors.
Fostering Healthy Communities
All Oregonians deserve reliable and affordable health care. Throughout my service, I have worked to make it easier for both families and small businesses to qualify for and obtain coverage. This has included supporting bills to protect and expand coverage for millions of low-income Oregonians, bipartisan legislation to ensure every child is covered regardless of residency, and efforts to establish health care as a universal right under our state Constitution. We must also support our frontline workers and remain vigilant to protect the health of our citizens through continued attention to safe home and work environments. Similarly, I am committed to reducing toxins in consumer products and the environment and investing in local transportation options that improve health and safety for all.
All Oregonians deserve reliable and affordable health care. Throughout my service, I have worked to make it easier for both families and small businesses to qualify for and obtain coverage. This has included supporting bills to protect and expand coverage for millions of low-income Oregonians, bipartisan legislation to ensure every child is covered regardless of residency, and efforts to establish health care as a universal right under our state Constitution. We must also support our frontline workers and remain vigilant to protect the health of our citizens through continued attention to safe home and work environments. Similarly, I am committed to reducing toxins in consumer products and the environment and investing in local transportation options that improve health and safety for all.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
We must urgently address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis with solutions that work. In recent sessions, I have supported investing hundreds of millions of dollars to help connect unhoused individuals with shelter and critical services, increase the supply of affordable housing, and keep Oregonians in their homes. I also supported resources to assist youth experiencing homelessness, as well as to create a coordinated and regional response to homelessness across the state. This builds on past housing security efforts, including legislation to protect tenants from sudden rent spikes and no-cause evictions. In addition to investing in critical support systems, we must continue working to reduce urban camping and alleviate related impacts. Houselessness is a community crisis that requires a multi-part response and ongoing prioritization.
We must urgently address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis with solutions that work. In recent sessions, I have supported investing hundreds of millions of dollars to help connect unhoused individuals with shelter and critical services, increase the supply of affordable housing, and keep Oregonians in their homes. I also supported resources to assist youth experiencing homelessness, as well as to create a coordinated and regional response to homelessness across the state. This builds on past housing security efforts, including legislation to protect tenants from sudden rent spikes and no-cause evictions. In addition to investing in critical support systems, we must continue working to reduce urban camping and alleviate related impacts. Houselessness is a community crisis that requires a multi-part response and ongoing prioritization.
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