OR Lege: Votes to watch, bills that died and Julie Parrish melts down

Carla Axtman

Last week saw the deadline for chamber of origin work sessions--meaning bills that didn't have a work session died in committee. This naturally sent Julie Parrish into a complete meltdown on Facebook, which frankly appears to be the entire reason for which she uses the platform.

On Monday the House will vote on HB 2199 to improve the security of elections. This bill should be renamed the Sherry Hall Bill, for the Clackamas County Clerk, who runs an exceptionally questionable office.

Things are gearing up around the Co-Chairs' plan to fund schools. The House is expected to vote on Wednesday for both SB 822 (PERS) and HB 2456, ending off-shore tax havens and cutting tax breaks for the rich and corporations.

On the Senate side, still waiting to hear on when the four gun safety bills will get their vote. It looks like the vote is going to be very tight when it happens--so SIGN THE PETITION and please share it with your Oregon friends.

Look for a vote as early as Tuesday on the 'short-term drivers card' bill for Oregonians who lack proper documentation. Proponents say this is about making our roads safer and helping folks get to and from work safely. Opponents say that there's no reason to grant the privilege to people to people who aren't supposed to be working here anyway. SB 833 has two chief sponsors from each party and each chamber. So far it has received lots of support from Democrats and mixed support from Republicans.

Senators and Representatives on Ways and Means are scheduled to visit Portland and Tillamook this week. Details here.

Bills that are moving forward:

SB 838, placing a 5-year moratorium on suction dredge mining in Oregon rivers

SB 401, listing more rivers under the historic "Scenic Waterways" Act for added environmental protections

SB 490, requiring full disclosure of services performed and not performed at so-called 'Crisis Pregnancy Centers'

SB 222, allowing for more high school students to earn 'dual credits' that count as college work, makes higher ed affordable

SB 246 and SB 253, helping to create more industrial land and site readiness within the existing UGB

Bills that died:

SB 250: which would have allowed supersiting of businesses in 'industrial reserves'

SB 850: 'Left Lane Bill' restricting use of the left lanes on highways

SB 553: GOP bill to criminalize abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy

SJR 23: Betsy Close bill that would allow tax credits for religious school tuition (would need to amend the Oregon Constitution for this one, I'm told in a way that would essentially remove the First Amendment clause)

By Carla Axtman April 22, 2013