2009 Accomplishments
Bringing Lifesaving Technology to the Public
I am proud to announce the passage of Senate Bill 556, which requires Automated External Defibrillators (AED) be available in public places. This legislation is a continuation of work I did in 2005, which required AEDs be available in health clubs.
I was first made aware of the need for AEDs in 2000, when twelve-year-old Graeme Jones, of Beaverton, drowned at a public pool. Two doctors who were at the scene said this tragedy could have been prevented if just one AED was available.
And that is just what Senate Bill 556 does. It requires that one lifesaving AED be available in all commercial and public buildings greater than 50,000 square feet.
Like fire-extinguishers before them, AEDs are now available in the event of an emergency. And like fire-extinguishers, AEDs can be operated by first time users. Audio instructions walk the user through instructions and prevent any possible misuse.
Having these affordable and widely available devices in public places will save Oregonians' lives.
Keeping Toxins out of our Homes
DecaBDE is a carcinogen and environmental toxin widely used as a flame retardant in furniture, mattresses and other household products. Over time, it gets into our rivers and accumulates in our bodies. And just like already banned PCBs, DecaBDE lingers in our environment for years.
I sponsored Senate Bill 596, which establishes a phased in ban of this toxic chemical.
Before we took any steps towards this ban we made sure safer and economically feasible alternatives were available. And they were. The alternative RDP, is required by Washington State to be used it in place of DecaBDE.
With Senate Bill 596, Oregon has followed suit taking decisive action cleaning up our environment and protecting the health future generations of Oregonians.
With the full backing of Firefighters, environmental groups, doctors, and parents groups we passed this landmark legislation.
Giving Back to Veterans
Since 2008, I have been working closely with Oregon Veterans groups establishing a program allowing the families of our fallen veterans to attend college free of charge. The program grants family members a tuition waiver to attend any of Oregon's State Universities. However when it was originally passed in 2008, only widows and orphans of those who served post 9/11 were able to participate.
With the passage of Senate Bill 595 we have lifted the 9/11 restriction, opening the program up to more of our fallen veteran's families.
I am proud to have sponsored this legislation. And I extend a tremendous amount of gratitude to the families of those that have sacrificed so much for our Country.
Educating our Kids
Full day kindergarten is a crucial part of education. The research is indisputable. The lessons and skills that students acquire during this time have profound effects on their reading levels, retention, social skills and performance.
With that, I am proud to announce the passage Senate Bill 44. This legislation establishes a committee and timeline for the implementation of full day kindergarten.
Making College Affordable
Senate Bill 442 saves taxpayers money and lowers the cost of tuition at Oregon Universities.
It does so by streamlining the administrative operations in the Oregon University System, and puts that cost savings into a fund. This fund will go towards lowering the cost of tuition for our students.
In order to prepare Oregonians for their future, college should be within reach. I was proud to champion Senate Bill 442.
Year Round School Access
With the passage of Senate Bill 484 Oregon begins the process towards year round education. Yes, year round. That means adding days in the summer, moving our calendar from 170 days to 200 or 210 days.
This bill allows pilot programs in schools and encourages districts to add summer school to the school year.
The research on this is stunning. Experts say the regression that occurs in most students when they return to school in September takes four to eight weeks to recover. Over a 12 year span that's a loss of more than a year.
Yes, it's more expensive - but remember many fixed costs are already there - buildings, administration. Increasing the number of days by20 percent may only cost ten percent - that's exactly the kind of values we need more of in education.
China, India, Japan and Germany all have year round education. We can't expect to compete globally if we continue to ignore the global competitive realities.
Strengthening Oregon's Tax Code
Strengthening our volatile tax code will bring increased stability to Oregon's economy
That is why I am excited for the passage of House Bill 2067. This new law streamlines certain tax credits by setting clear dates when they must sunset. This simple adjustment represents a major step towards a stable Oregon tax code.
I worked tirelessly on this legislation as part of the Senate Revenue committee and am proud of the outcome.
Protecting all the Al the Alligators in Oregon
And finally, remember Al the alligator? Al was just a baby when he won the heart of a Beaverton resident. As the years passed, Al grew. He grew from a small lizard size, to a four foot long snarling beast. One day Al escaped and put Beaverton residents on high alert. Al was eventually found, in a residential neighborhood close to death.
With Al's story in mind, the City of Beaverton asked me make sure this doesn't happen again. With the passage of Senate Bill 391, wild animals will no longer be permitted to be owned as pets. I believe wild animals belong in the wild, not in our basements.
Senator Hass and Theresa Barnes of Goodwill Job Connection share the stories they heard during the Senator's first Job Fair on May 14th, 2011.
