HB 2867 would establish best practices in awarding public contracts

June 25, 2009

SALEM – House Democrats today voted to adopt stronger accountability measures in public contracting, which will result in increased quality and efficiency in state funded projects. HB 2867 will do so by mandating quality standards and reducing conflicts of interest for contractors, and by opening the books of contractors and state agencies in the auditing of public contracts.

HB 2186 would increase energy security, build the economy and help the environment

June 26, 2009

SALEM – The House of Representatives today passed HB 2186, a landmark bill that reduces dependence on foreign oil by establishing a low carbon fuel standard, after concurring with Senate amendments. Oregon becomes just the second state in the country to enact a low carbon fuel standard.

HB 2510 gives veterans employment preference for public sector jobs

SALEM – The 15-year limit on hiring preferences for military veterans will be removed with legislation passed this morning in the Oregon Senate. HB 2510 guarantees all of Oregon’s veterans a lifetime hiring priority for public sector competitive merit-based recruitment positions.

From the House Majority Office:

April 15, 2009

HB 2763 would give preference to Oregon agricultural products in public bids.

SALEM – The House today passed a bill, championed by Representative Brian Clem (D-Salem), which would allow contracting agencies that buy goods for the public to give preferential treatment to Oregon-based agricultural products.

I wanted to start this newsletter by thanking all of you for your communication with my office. We receive dozens of letters from constituents each day on more topics than you might imagine. In recent weeks, the most popular topics of letters and phone calls have been health care reform, protecting the Metolius River, overwhelming support for anti-puppy mill legislation (sprinkled with letters of concern from responsible local breeders and dog people), and all sorts of education related issues.

To see entire newsletter, click here. For more information, see Sara Gelser's website.

March 18, 2009

Contact: Michael Cox (503) 986-1904

HB 2062 and HB 2063 create the strongest student protection regulations in the nation

SALEM – The House today passed two bills, HB 2062 and HB 2063, aimed at protecting kids from educator and school employee misconduct. The bills each passed by a vote of 58-0.

Discussion of what we can DO to help the Legislature act on its program to improve health care in Oregon. Mitch Anderson, a Benton Co. health care administrator, Mike Huntington of PNHP and Joe Zaerr of Archimedes will give their insights and WE will act.

DPO State Central Committee Meeting

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009 12:00pm - Sunday, March 15, 2009 9:59pm

The Democratic Party of Oregon will hold its State Central Committee Re-Organization meeting
March 14 and 15, 2009, at Linn-Benton Community College. Most DPO activities will take place in North Santiam Hall (NSH) and Forum (F).

SATURDAY

HB 2624 would help economically distressed workers and offer worker training.

SALEM – The House Business and Labor Committee, chaired by Representative Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley), today held its first public hearing on HB 2624. The bill, chief sponsored by Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie), which would create a new category of worker eligible for unemployment benefits and would offer worker training as a new benefit. Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland) has a companion bill moving through the State Senate.

The 6th anniversary of the US attack on Iraq will be observed in Corvallis with a community Silent Procession mourning the deaths of many soldiers and people in today's current wars and attacks. Gather at 11:15am at the parking lot at 12th and Monroe Ave, wear black and walk single file silently to the OSU Quad. Signs optional. All are welcome. Information: LoErna 619-1379.

Documentary film by Amnesty International on "Justice Without Borders" discusses various recent cases where the International Criminal Court has investigated and prosecuted world leaders charged with war crimes. Kelly Erickson of OSU Political Science Dept, will lead the discussion afterwards. Free, open to the community. The Martha Room is downstairs.

The Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) urges us to contact our legislators in support of H.B. 2186, to strengthen what Oregon can do to reduce the state's contributions to global warming. Such action is congruent with our State Platform legislative agenda.

Read the bill at H.B. 2186.

According to the OCN, the Bill would allow strategies such as:

• Lowering the carbon intensity of Oregon's transportation fuel by setting a Low Carbon Fuel Standard which would take into account greenhouse gas emissions from the production, distribution and combustion of fuel. This action would complement Oregon's renewable
  

From the Associated Press:
By JOHN HANNA – 6 Feb 09

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Bush administration turned the U.S. military into a global propaganda machine while imposing tough restrictions on journalists seeking to give the public truthful reports about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Associated Press chief executive Tom Curley said Friday.

Legislature choose jobs over unemployment, according to this Feb 5 Press Release.

Regular monthly meeting. All Democrats welcome. Expect a vote on whether to endorse the Corvallis urban renewal district. Doors open at 6:30.

Business meeting tonight, and discussion of request for support of the Corvallis Urban Renewal District proposal, and a resolution to support the Cluster Munitions Ban & Landmine Ban treaties.