Friends and Neighbors,

I'm writing an “extra” newsletter this week, to make sure you know about my upcoming coffee event with Jackie Dingfelder, our State Senator. Find details below—I hope to see you there, especially if you weren't able to attend our Town Hall last week. We can continue our conversation about the upcoming special session in February, and anything else that's on your mind right now.

Since I'm sending this email out, I also want to provide you with some updates on other issues, including the H1N1 “swine flu” virus that is likely headed our way this fall and winter.

Joint Constituent Coffee with Jackie Dingfelder

THIS Saturday, October 10th

9:30-11:00 AM

@ Manhattan Cafe, 27th & NE Broadway

Walking the Neighborhoods

 

Over the last few weekends, I’ve been continuing to walk the District neighborhoods door-to-door, handing out my end-of-session newsletter. The weather has been great, so I’ve had the chance to talk to quite a few constituents who are out working in their yards or just enjoying being outside. It’s amazing how many I remember from my time on the campaign trail. After the craziness of the session, it feels great to be back “on the ground,” hearing people’s concerns. A number have been asking about the special election on revenue reform that’s going to the ballot in January, and it’s been a good opportunity for me to share information about those measures.

 

I love doing this, but realistically, I’m going to need more help. Thanks to help from volunteers, I’m up to around 4,000 doors hit over the last few weeks. That’s great, but we’ve got about 20,000 doors in the district, so there’s a ways to go. If you can help, it’s very easy work—in many of our neighborhoods, you can do 100 doors in just a little over an hour. If you can spare an hour or two to walk your own neighborhood, get in touch with my office by replying to this email. We'll bring the newsletters to you, and let you know how you can help out!

 

We'll also have another canvassing opportunity for you to pitch in and distribute newsletters.  This time we'll be meeting up at my house, 3224 NE 25th Ave. (just south of Fremont).  Join me on October 24th at 10 AM, and we'll blanket the neighborhood with newsletters!

The Word On H1N1

Last week during the Human Services Committee hearings, we got to hear an update on the H1N1 flu virus from Dr. Mel Kohn, Oregon’s Public Health Director. We’ve been getting periodic updates on the virus and efforts to prepare for it since its initial outbreak at the end of April.

In case you don’t know, Oregon has one of the top-rated Public Health departments in the nation, and of course one of their primary charges is to prepare for potential pandemics like the one we are currently facing. Dr. Kohn reported that this virus lasted throughout the summer (the usual seasonal viruses tend to go dormant during the summer), and we are now seeing an uptick in its incidence with children going back to school and young people to college. (Young people are more susceptible to H1N1.)

Vaccines for the virus will begin to become available over the next couple of weeks, and we have been assured that enough vaccines will arrive for all who need them. The highest risk population for this particular flu are pregnant women and young people age 6 months to 24 years old. Unless they have allergies that prevent them from having vaccines (e.g., egg allergies), they are being encouraged to get a vaccine. So are people aged 24 to 65 who have chronic illnesses, healthcare providers, caretakers of children younger than 6 months (who are too young for the vaccine themselves) and front-line public safety personnel. Interestingly, people over the age of 65 are at a lower risk of contracting the virus because it resembles another virus that they would have been exposed to when younger.

As usual, though, seniors should be getting the regular seasonal flu virus vaccine. They and others who usually get a seasonal flu shot should do so ASAP, as Public Health is anticipating unprecedented demand for it this year.

I’ve gotten some emails from constituents who are concerned that the H1N1 vaccines are dangerous and that they will be forced to take them. Dr. Kohn told us that the new vaccine has been tested throughout the summer and so far there have been no more problems from this strain of vaccine than with the regular seasonal flu vaccines. It's also important to note that the state is not requiring anyone to be vaccinated.

We got lots more information on contingency plans and recommendations, and I’d be happy to try to answer any questions that you may have.

But your best bet would be to go directly to the website that Public Health has set up—www.flu.oregon.gov—it has a wealth of information about the disease and prevention efforts in Oregon and around the nationwide. You can even test your “Flu IQ,” and I’d encourage you to do so!

I’ll share more information as it becomes available to us.

2009-11 Budget Analysis Is Out

The nonpartisan Legislative Budget Office (LFO) has just released its analysis of the budget that we enacted in this past session. You can check out what happened to the agency budgets that interest you by clicking on http://www.leg.state.or.us/comm/lfo/

The tables include each agency’s budget (including allocations to schools, colleges, and universities) for the 2005-07 biennium, for the 2007-09 biennium, and for the 2009-11 biennium. It also includes the “EBL” for 2009-11. The EBL is the Essential Budget Level, or what it would cost to offer the same services that were provided in 2007-09 adjusted for inflation. As you will see, in most cases the final budget allocation from the General Fund (funded through the income tax) is a lot less than the EBL. In some cases you’ll (fortunately) see increases in the Federal Funds line to help mitigate the cuts. This is federal stimulus money anticipated to arrive during the next two years.

If you have any questions about any of these budgets, please call or email, and we’ll get you the information you seek.

Gratifying Recognition at The Wheelies

I just returned from a gala celebration for the Oregon Bus Project, a great organization that promotes progressive activism among young people. There were uplifting stories, great music, creative and hilarious videos, and awards (“Wheelies”). One of the awards was the Bipartisanship Award, and it went to HB2939, the Tuition Equity Bill, which I co-Chief Sponsored. This was the legislation that would allow qualified graduates of Oregon high schools whose parents were undocumented to attend state universities at in-state tuition rates.

 

It’s not surprising that I would be the Chief Democratic Sponsor of the bill—I know first-hand how much these students have to offer and how worthwhile it would be to invest in them. What’s more surprising and inspiring is that my two co-Chief Sponsors on the Senate side are both rural Republicans—Frank Morse, businessperson from the Valley, and Dave Nelson, a rancher from Eastern Oregon. Their leadership helped push this effort much further than it has ever gone before and makes me feel confident for the future. We owe them a great deal of admiration and gratitude.

 

I should also mention that Alex Berke, who was one of my two legislative assistants during the session (she’s now working in that capacity for Rep. Tina Kotek), was nominated for another “Wheelie” award—this one for Best Supporting Activist. She was nominated in large part due to her efforts in putting together the wonderful Town Hall On Wheels that Sen. Dingfelder and I held back in May. Congrats, Alex!!!

 

Best,

 

Michael