2016 Legislative Report Card

2016 Legislative Report Card

A Step In The Right Direction SEIU members have won major victories for our families and our communities during the last two sessions of the Oregon Legislature. The 2015 and 2016 sessions, taken as a whole, were major steps in the right direction for our state. However, there is still much to be done. SEIU Oregon State Council’s 2016 Legislative Report Card looks back at the major achievements that legislators made in 2015 and 2016, while also looking forward to critically important issues that our state will need to address in the coming years.

Many legislators championed critical issues in 2015 and 2016, and many more voted to help fix the economy and give working people a fair shot to succeed. The scope of this report does not represent a legislator’s entire body of work, but rather their commitment to SEIU and our partners’ priorities.

Fair Shot For All

SEIU members champion issues that help everyday Oregonians make progress towards a better life, so they don’t have to struggle for life’s basic amenities. In this spirit, we joined over 20 community and labor organizations to form the Fair Shot for All Coalition – with the belief that Oregonians need to do more than just get by, they need a way to get ahead.

The coalition’s agenda during the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions resulted in landmark policy changes that will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. The coalition will continue to pursue unfinished business, such as wage theft, in the next legislative session.

Raise The WageSB 1532 PASSED!

Paid Sick DaysSB 454 PASSED!

Retirement SecurityHB 2960

Ban The BoxHB 3025

End ProfilingHB 4003, HB 2002

2015 and 2016 Fair Shot Legislative Agenda

PASSED!

PASSED!

PASSED!

Stopping Wage Theft 2017

Major Victories In 2015 and 2016

SEIU and our coalition partners helped to achieve major victories for workers and all Oregonians in 2015 and 2016.

Raise The WageWith the passage of SB 1532, hundreds of thousands of people in Oregon will get the raise they so urgently need. While the new minimum wage may not be everything that workers need, the law is an important step in our ongoing work to lift Oregonians out of poverty.

Paid Sick LeaveWith the passage of SB 454, hundreds of thousands of people will not have to fear losing their job or their paycheck if they get sick.

Qualified Rehabilitation Facilities (QRF) ReformDue to HB 3248, QRFs now allow workers to keep their jobs if contractors change.

Ban The BoxWith the passage of HB 3025, a person’s past criminal history will no longer disqualify them from getting through the first round of a job application process.

Retirement SecurityAs a result of HB 2960, workers who previously had no access to retirement at work will now have a chance to save money for their future, if they choose.

Expanding ERDCWith expanded funding for Employment-Related Day Care, more families will be able to access the program as their careers progress, and caregivers will receive a much needed wage increase. Investing in Oregon’s Universities The 2015 budget expanded funding for Oregon’s public universities.

Ending ProfilingBy taking the first step with HB 2002 in 2015, the Legislature made progress toward ending the practice of profiling by law enforcement. In 2016, the legislature passed HB 4003, which requires the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to issue a report with recommendations on how to identify, record, and correct instances of profiling. While it’s exciting that progress is happening, there is still more to do on this important issue.

Protect Child Welfare Workers With the passage of HB 3391, child welfare workers will get support from the Department of Justice when their personal safety is threatened as a result of their work.

The 2015 Budget

The 2015 budget played a role in improving the lives of everyday Oregonians. The Legislature funded critical services and the workers that provide them, and began the process of reinvesting in higher education. These improvements did not happen by accident. Legislators made a deliberate choice to start investing in the programs that make a difference in the lives of everyday Oregonians.

Just look at the benefits.• Increased funding for Employment Related Day Care, which increased access, quality and worker pay for child care providers• Increased funding for universities and community colleges• Funded caseload in child welfare • Increased access to services for seniors and people with developmental disabilities • Funded schools so they can hire more teachers and bring down class sizes• Increased funding for front-line state workers • Increased training and a path to $15/hr for homecare workers

Representative Buckley, Senator Devlin, Speaker Kotek and President Courtney deserve credit for prioritizing kids, seniors, working families and other vulnerable populations. In spite of these investments, we still have much to do to create a budget that provides a safety net for all Oregonians who need it, increases access to colleges and universities for middle class families, and fully funds our schools.

Long-Term Revenue Solutions

We need a game-changing solution to the revenue shortfall in Oregon that provides long-term stability and addresses our state’s significant corporate tax loopholes. We can no longer settle for short-term fixes. While we have seen some victories in recent years, that progress will be lost without a long-term solution. There is still so much more to do.

• Due to a lack of funding, the waiting list for Employment-Related Day Care has been activated.• We still have the third largest class sizes in the nation and one of the shortest school years.• More than 400,000 Oregonians don’t have access to health insurance, including 13,000 children.• Since 2008, there has been a 29% increase in the number of seniors living in poverty.• Parents are still being forced to decide between going to work or caring for their kids because the cost of

childcare is simply out of reach for many working families.• Oregon has the lowest corporate taxes in the country. Hard-working Oregonians are paying their taxes,

but out-of-state corporations aren’t paying theirs. • Oregon has some of the least affordable housing in the country, driving working families further and

further away from their jobs.

These important services are underfunded because large and out-of-state corporations don’t pay their fair share in Oregon taxes. Some of the world’s largest corporations such as Comcast and US Bank use credits, loopholes, and accounting tricks to dodge millions of dollars in Oregon taxes. Meanwhile, everyday people and small business are left holding the bill.

A long-term revenue solution is a critical step toward funding the services that give everyone a fair shot.

How The Grades Were Determined

How The Grades Were Determined Our union graded legislators on their work to help everyday Oregonians make progress toward a better life. The following grades are based on a legislator’s votes, their organizing and bargaining work on behalf of SEIU members, and their leadership on key issues.

Vote scoring was based on 19 key bills in the House and 17 key bills in the Senate. Legislators were penalized for voting against these measures. Legislators with a + next to their grade were awarded a bonus for sponsoring and championing a bill on behalf of SEIU members or supporting workers who were organizing or bargaining.

Scoring: 0 votes against: A 1-3 votes against: B4-6 votes against: C7-9 votes against: D10 and over: F

Key legislation in the House: Profiling (HB 2002), Child Care (HB 2015), COFA (HB 2522), Bargaining (HB 2544), University Shared Services (HB 2611), Retirement Security (HB 2960), Ban the box (HB 3025), Privacy (HB 3037), QRF (HB 3248), Protecting Public Workers from Stalking (HB 3391), Cover All Kids (HB 3517), Sick Days (SB 454), Staffing (SB 469), Tuition Equity (SB 932 ), Basic Health Plan (HB 4017), COFA (HB 4071), Tenant Protections (HB 4143), Minimum Wage (SB 1532), Whistle Blower (HB 4067).

Key legislation in the Senate: Profiling (HB 2002), Child Care (HB 2015), COFA (HB 2522), University Shared Services (HB 2611), Retirement Security (HB 2960), Ban the Box (HB 3025), Privacy (HB 3037), QRF (HB 3248), Protecting Public Workers from Stalking (HB 3391), Sick Days (SB 454), Staffing (SB 469), and Tuition Equity (SB 932) Basic Health Plan (HB 4017), COFA (HB 4071), Tenant Protections (HB 4143), Minimum Wage (SB 1532), Whistle Blower (HB 4067).

Note: Because HB 2544 and HB 3517 were never brought to a vote in the Senate, the base grade for Senators is a B.

The House of Representatives

Aloha Jeff Barker (D) A

Central Lane and Linn Counties Phil Barnhart (D) A+

Cove Greg Barreto (R) F

Clackamas County Brent Barton (D) B

Ontario Cliff Bentz (R) F

Cannon Beach Deborah Boone (D) B

Ashland Peter Buckley (D) A+

Bend Knute Buehler (R) F

Salem Brian Clem (D) B

Wilsonville John Davis (R) F

Tigard Margaret Doherty (D) A+

Medford Sal Esquivel (R) D

Monmouth Paul Evans (D) A+

Clackamas Shemia Fagan (D) A+

Portland Lew Fredrick (D) A

Hillsboro Joe Gallegos (D) A+

Silverton Vic Gilliam (R) D

Central Coast David Gomberg (D) B+

Troutdale Chris Gorsek (D) A+

Portland Mitch Greenlick (D) A+

Salem Jodi Hack (R) F

Roseburg Cedric Hayden (R) F

Roseburg Dallas Heard (R) F

Washington County Ken Helm (D) A

Eugene Paul Holvey (D) A+

West Eugene and Junction City Val Hoyle (D) A+

The Dalles John Huffman (R) F

Hood River Mark Johnson (R) D

Oregon City Bill Kennemer (R) D

Portland Alissa Keny-Guyer (D) A+

District Representative Grade

The House of Representatives

District Representative Grade

Woodburn Betty Komp (D) A

N/NE Portland Tina Kotek (D) A+

Gold Beach Wayne Krieger (R) F

Lake Oswego Ann Lininger (D) A

Springfield John Lively (D) B+

Coos Bay Caddy McKeown (D) B

Hillsboro Susan McLain (D) A+

Powell Butte Mike McLane (R) F

Eugene Nancy Nathanson (D) A+

Independence Mike Nearman (R) F

Portland Rob Nosse (D) A+

Albany Andy Olson (R) D+

Tualatin/West Linn Julie Parrish (R) F

Gresham Carla Piluso (D) A+

Keizer Bill Post (R) F

Corvallis Dan Rayfield (D) A+

Beaverton Tobias Read (D) A+

Happy Valley Jeff Reardon (D) A

Heppner Greg Smith (R) D+

Portland Barbra Smith Warner (D) A+

Scio Sherrie Sprenger (R) F

Grants Pass Duane Stark (R) F

Milwaukie Kathleen Taylor (D) A+

Portland Jessica Vega Pederson (D) A+

Yamhill Jim Weidner (R) F

Sunriver Gene Whisnant (R) D+

Klamath Falls Gail Whitsett (R) F

Portland Jennifer Williamson (D) A+

Grants Pass Carl Wilson (R) F

Clatskanie Brad Witt (D) A

The Senate

District Senator Grade

Grants Pass Herman Baertschiger (R) F

Medford Alan Bates (D) B+

Springfield Lee Beyer (D) B+

Dallas Brian Boquist (R) C

Portland Ginny Burdick (D) B

Salem Peter Courtney (D) B+

Portland Michael Dembrow (D) B+

Tualatin Richard Devlin (D) B+

North Eugene, West Eugene, San-ta Clara, and Junction City

Chris Edwards (D) B

John Day Ted Ferrioli (R) D

Corvallis, Albany Sara Gelser (D) B+

Stayton Fred Girod (R) D

Beaverton Mark Haas (D) B

Athena Bill Hansell (R) D+

Scappoose Betsy Johnson (D) D

Bend Tim Knopp (R) C

Roseburg Jeff Kruse (R) D

Gresham Laurie Monnes Anderson (D) B

Portland Rod Monroe (D) B

Canby Alan Olsen (R) D

South Lane and N. Douglas Floyd Prozanski (D) B+

Hillsboro Chuck Riley (D) B

Coos Bay Arnie Roblan (D) B+

Portland Diane Rosenbaum (D) B

Portland Chip Shields (D) B+

NW Portland/Beaverton Elizabeth Steiner Howard (D) B+

Keizer Kim Thatcher (R) F

Hood River Chuck Thomsen (R) F

Klamath Falls Doug Whitsett (R) F

Salem Jackie Winters (R) C