Representative Nancy Nathanson
NN and Becky Kelley
With constituent Becky Kelley in the
House of Representatives

February 2012

Mid-Session Update

Dear Friends,

I'm writing this at mid-point in the month-long session.  The days aren't too long; tempers have not frayed; with a revenue picture starting to turn around the mood is not too dark; and we're seeing how it works to process bills with tight deadlines, unlike a regular session where there's more time to work out problems or objections.

 
Bills and budget discussions are moving very quickly in this short legislative session, so much so that my staff and I can't keep up with responding to all the email messages, in-person visits and phone calls before the bill status changes (for example, passing out of committee, heading for the Senate, etc.).   I'm very grateful to our experienced interns and volunteers who are coming to the office to help meet the additional demands during the session: Daniel Strauss (UO), Lauren Kamachi (Willamette U), and Renee Buchanan.

 

I've enjoyed meeting with Eugene and Lane County residents who have come to Salem to advocate for various programs, on topics such as transportation, children's services, education, health care, billboard regulation, and emergency food.

 

In This Issue
Children's Champion Award
My Legislative Agenda
Education Reform
Health Care Reform
Senior Property Tax Deferral
Prescription Drug Politics
Tax Filing
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Quick Links
Recognition from Alliance of Children's Programs
Children's Champion Award
Receiving the award from Craig Opperman
I was honored to be recognized last month as a 2011 "Children's Champion" by the Oregon Alliance of Children's Programs.  The mission of the OACP is to advocate for the needs of children, youth, and families and for those who provide them services.  The Children's Champion Award recognizes a public official for an outstanding deed benefiting children, in my case for sponsoring and passing HB 2855, continuing the Government Efficiency Task Force, and HB 2856, requiring the Department of Human Services to collaborate with other state agencies and local governments to streamline reporting and audit requirements for human service providers.
Capitol News
My Legislative Agenda
Both of my bills passed muster in the House policy committee where they were heard, and were voted out with "do pass" recommendations. Cash for Gold passed the House unanimously on Thursday and is headed for the Senate. The other, relating to government efficiency and criminal background checks, is lined up for a hearing in Joint Ways and Means

UO 2012 football visit
Honoring the UO football program in the House Chamber
Last week, my staff and I were "working" my two bills really hard: lining up advocates for testimony, processing requests for amendments to clarify language, and preparing supporting evidence.  On the state's birthday, Feb. 14, we enjoyed a piece of cake from the Oregon Wheat Growers League between committee meetings and voting on a few bills in the House.

In acknowldeging the UO Football program for the Rose Bowl win, I requested an amendment that highlighted the success of the team on and off the field.  I think it's important to point out the players' academic achievements and community service, since they are highly visible role models for youth in our community and throughout the state.  I was privileged, then, to carry the bill in the House, and introduce the UO visitors.

Education Reform

Governor Kitzhaber's education reform initiatives are making their way through the Legislature.  Senate Bill 1581 expands on the work of last year's SB 909 which established the Oregon Education Investment Board. The OEIB will oversee a coordinated system of public education for all ages, and ensure that by 2025, 40 percent of adult Oregonians will have a bachelor's degree or higher, 40 percent will have an associate's degree or post-secondary credential, and the remaining 20 percent will have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.

This year's bill creates achievement compacts, which are partnership agreements between the state and a school district (and other institutions of public education) that defines key measures of student success and sets targets for achievement, as defined by the district or institution.   The Chief Education Officer would be authorized to direct other state education officials in the design and organization of the state's unified public education system.  Since passing out of the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development the bill is awaiting a hearing in Ways and Means. 

Another chief initiative is called the Early Learning Council.  To move the work along, the legislature is considering House Bill 4165 to create community based coordinators for early learning, replacing local commissions on children and families, to more efficiently and effectively assess needs of children age 0-6 and coordinate services with a range of available programs.  The work includes areas such as early intervention and special education, Head Start, and access to affordable, quality child care.
Health Care Reform
Visiting an Emergency Room

Oregon has been a pioneer in the delivery of health care services, and this session the Legislature is taking up proposals to change the way health care is delivered for Oregonians.  One measure, Senate Bill 1580, establishes the framework for Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs).  It builds upon HB 3650, which created CCOs to synchronize the health care of Oregon's Medicaid population.  The goal of this "transformation" is to keep costs down, improve delivery of service, and improve health care outcomes.  By bringing together a variety of local health care providers (physicians, mental health experts, dentists, and others) patient care can be coordinated as a collaboration, addressing the whole medical care of the patient, not just separate medical conditions.  The bill passed out of the Oregon Senate on February 14th by a vote of 18-12, and is now being considered in the House.

 

The other measure, House Bill 4164, would give final approval to establish a health care exchange in Oregon, as required by the Federal health care reform bill that passed in 2010.  The goal of the exchange is to help consumers and small businesses shop for insurance online, creating a marketplace that would maximize efficiencies.  The bill made it to the House floor but was sent back to the House Rules committee on a narrow margin due to concerns over future federal funding.   

Senior Property Tax Deferral
The legislature is working on an important improvement for people eligible for the Senior Property Tax Deferral.  HB 4039 expands the scope of the program, providing tax relief to seniors with reverse mortgages who applied prior to February 1st of this year.  As the housing crisis caused a drop in home values and sales and the tax deferral program faced a deficit, legislation was put in place last year to limit the program, restricting those who could qualify, but that left some seniors with reverse mortgages in a terrible position.  The "fix" passed the House a few days ago by a vote of 58-0, and has moved to the Senate floor for a vote soon.  If approved, 1,664 people with reverse mortgages will be brought back onto the program for a two year period.  We were especially pleased to give the news to one of our constituents who had feared loss of her home. With the expansion of the tax deferral, she will be able to stay.
Prescription Drug Politics
Here's an interesting story published by OPB. It uses a real life story about someone unable to get a prescription filled for pain medicine after surgery ... and why.  The problem is related to the role of a handful of very large companies called pharmacy benefit managers that are in the middle, negotiating prices between health insurance companies and pharmacies. A bill to provide some transparency and protect consumer and business interests has died under serious lobbying pressure questioning the proposed solution.  Good information bringing to light what goes on behind-the-scenes in the business world, and in the halls at the state Capitol.
Tax Filing

Tax season is upon us, and the April 15th deadline is less than two months away.  Our office was able to convince the Oregon Department of Revenue to add a link to its website to expand information about and access to free tax preparation assistance. We also want to call attention to the Earned Income Tax Credit eligible for low-income working people and families.  For assistance in filing a tax return in the Lane County area, we have AARP's free Tax-Aide program. Other information available: Vendor list for online filing, and Earned Income Tax Credit Information.