(SALEM) – Senate President Peter Courtney said Thursday the 2011 legislative session – Oregon’s first annual session – will be remembered for the evenly-divided House of Representatives; overcoming severe budget challenges and the transformational changes lawmakers made to healthcare and education.

Continue reading “Senate President: 2011 Session Accomplishments Extend Beyond Education, Health Care Reforms” »

SALEM – Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum released the following statement this afternoon following the adjournment sine die of the 76^th Legislative Assembly:

“Oregon Senate Democrats faced the state’s financial challenges this session with a clear set of priorities: growing jobs, protecting our children’s future, and looking out for the most vulnerable.  Like most Oregonians, we understand the importance of doing more with less. This session, we took this challenge on as we worked to make Oregon a better place to own a small business and raise a family.”

“This session’s budget challenges gave us an opportunity to change the way government works for the people of Oregon. Despite tremendous obstacles, we balanced the budget, passed many jobs and economic development measures, and approved some of the most significant reforms in our state’s history. From health care to higher education to tax credits, the amount of monumental work that was completed in 153 days to improve Oregon’s future is noteworthy and commendable.”

“In tough times, we worked across the aisle while never forgetting whose side we’re on: the side of middle class Oregonians, struggling families, and our most vulnerable. Legislation like the “Cool Schools” bill, the bottle bill expansion, and the historic agreements on both legislative and congressional redistricting maps are shining examples of collaboration. At the same time, we fought for unemployment extensions, loans for small businesses, protections for homeowners, and funding for early childhood education.”

“When we return in February, Senate Democrats will maintain their commitment to improving our economy and looking out for those struggling to get ahead. We are confident of our track record this session and confident of our ability to get the job done in future sessions.”

###

HB 3650 will transform Oregon’s Health Care system

SALEM – The Oregon Senate approved landmark legislation this evening that creates a new approach to health care, improving the way Oregon serves the state’s 600,000 Medicaid beneficiaries while also cutting costs. HB 3650, often called the Health Care Transformation bill, is the product of many health care experts, the public, and a bipartisan group of legislators who met weekly throughout session with the goal of achieving better health outcomes by integrating and coordinating health care and using a global budget to control costs.

Continue reading “Health Care Transformation bill receives Senate support” »

(SALEM) – The leaders of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees announced today that have reached an agreement on a Congressional redistricting map. If passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor, this would be the first Congressional redistricting map drawn by the Legislature and adopted into law since 1981.

Continue reading “Leaders of Redistricting Committee Reach Bi-Partisan Agreement on Congressional Map” »

HB 3672 biggest change to tax credit system in decades

SALEM – Landmark legislation that implements sweeping reform of Oregon’s tax credit system was approved in the Senate this afternoon. HB 3672 will rein in over a dozen tax credits, saving the state $368 million between now and 2017.

Continue reading “Tax incentive overhaul approved by Senate” »