Hi Everyone –
I fully understand if your focus is not on AAUW of OR Public Policy, [given the coronavirus crisis] but in the spirit of thinking ahead I thought I would send you a brief update, including the following points:
- Great Lobby Day – Thanks to the Ashland Branch!!
- The 2020 Session and Related Post-Session Events
- Report from State Public Policy Committee — Public Policy Goals, Priorities and AAUW of OR Policy regarding candidates
GREAT LOBBY DAY – THANKS TO THE ASHLAND BRANCH !!
At least one very positive note — the Ashland Branch organized and presented an excellent Lobby Day this year. Regina Ayars ably served as Chair. Our speakers and panel were informative and provoked much discussion. Job well done!!
THE 2020 SESSION AND RELATED POST-SESSION EVENTS
As to the Session, I will be very brief — it was very disappointing. Of the 200+ bills that were filed, only 3 passed and at least insofar as state policy, they were minor. One dealt with increasing fees for cultural registration license plates, another to create a form for schools to use when a student has a concussion and the third declaring that Happy Valley is no longer part of a county park dispute.
In case you are looking for some background regarding the impasse, the Democrats had a supermajority in both houses (18 in the Senate and 38 in the House), but they also needed 2/3ds of the legislators to be present in order to have a quorum. This meant that 20 Senators had to be present and 40 in the House. The holdup was primarily focused on the cap and trade / climate change bill, although I understand the Republicans were willing to attend on Sunday March 8th, which is sine die or the last day the legislature could have met — with the caveat that only certain budget bills be on the docket. Changing these quorum rules would require a vote by state voters.
Needless to say, there is still some talk about the Governor’s calling a special session, but whether that will happen or not is a decision above my pay grade. As you may know, she issued an Executive Order that curbs greenhouse gas emissions by state agencies, which will assuredly be challenged in the courts. Here is the full text of her order.
As to the budget, it essentially remains the same as was approved in the 2019 Session. The Oregon Emergency Board has the power to re-allocate a certain amount of General Funds, which in this case amounted to $75 million. Here is a good summary about the allocation that the OEB made. (The citation for $75 million is under “Budget Environment” on the third page of the document, including the title page.) For more information on what the Oregon Emergency Board was authorized to do, here you go.
REPORT FROM STATE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
If you are looking for some substance to chew on, the State Public Policy Committee has generated three important AAUW of OR documents. (The first two are proposed; subject to membership vote.):
- A revised set of AAUW of OR Public Policy Program Goals (Subject to membership vote)
- A revised Action/ Communication Plan for 2020-2021 (Subject to membership vote)
- Revised AAUW of OR Policies regarding Candidates (Subject to Board consideration)
[Editor’s note: If you would like a copy of these three documents, please contact Trish and request them.]
So, that’s it for now. Please be safe and stay healthy.
Best,
Trish Garner
State Public Policy Chair,
AAUW of OR
Member National Public Policy
Committee, AAUW