Capitol Report - May 11, 2007

As we enter the final seven weeks of the 2007 Legislative Session, we're spending major blocks of time on the House floor debating and voting on House bills.  It's been exciting to watch so many of my personal legislative priorities, so many bills in the House Democratic "Roadmap" package we promised to enact last year, and so many budget bills pass the House with bipartisan support -- accomplishing far more in far less time than in recent sessions.  Despite a few people who try to distract, delay, and block this progress, I remain focused on rebuilding Oregon's schools, health care, economy, public safety, infrastructure, ethics, and public trust in their government.

Stopping Metal Theft & Meth 

Yesterday I proudly voted to pass a bill I co-sponsored to crack down on metal theft.  As the methamphetamine epidemic has escalated, so has the crime of metal theft.  Rising prices for copper and other metals have caused meth addicts to fund their addiction by becoming thieves and trade in stolen metal parts for cash.

 

I've heard from business owners, farmers, utilities, telephone companies, nurseries, developers, windmill farms, salvage yards, firefighters, churches and cemeteries who have reported copper and metal thefts.  Gladstone Police Chief Frank Grace told me how one of his officers eventually caught up to a thief who had been stealing metal park benches and tables from Meldrum Bar Park.  This problem affects us all.

 

HB 3026 aims to stifle the market for this stolen metal by requiring scrap metal recyclers to maintain a metal purchase record for every sale that includes a useful description of the metal load, a copy of a valid driver’s license of the person selling the scrap metal, and a video surveillance record.  Metal recyclers who knowingly accept stolen material will be required to pay stiff penalties.  This bill marks a key victory in the battle against the methamphetamine epidemic.

 

Preventing Cyberbullying

As the convenience and functions of personal electronics grow, we often find our kids at the forefront of the technological learning curve.  This will most likely always be the case -- putting parents, teachers, and school officials in a difficult position.  I Chief Sponsored HB 2637, which will add cyberbullying to school districts' official policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying.  This bill will raise awareness and help to ensure that students aren't bullying one another using cell phones, digital cameras, instant messaging, or websites like YouTube and MySpace.  My bill passed the House unanimously on Monday.

Town Hall Meeting

Mark your calendars for my next town hall meeting.  Everyone is welcome, and as always, please come prepared with your questions, suggestions, and feedback:

What:  Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Dave Hunt

 

When:  Monday, May 21st, 7:00 pm

 

Where:  Homewoods on the Willamette Retirement Community

            17971 SE River Road

            Milwaukie (Jennings Lodge) -- map

On Tuesday, the House passed SB 400, which restores the rights of fire fighters, police officers, and corrections officers to negotiate with employers on safety issues.  After weeks of negotiations, we reached a compromise bill that won the support of the League of Oregon Cities.  Members of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council joined me in the Capitol to celebrate the bill's passage.  I was proud to again vote to protect those who protect us everyday.

Representative Dave Hunt

House Majority Leader

900 Court St. NE H-295

Salem, OR 97301

 

503-986-1900

rep.davehunt@state.or.us

Democratic Legislator Profile: Rep. Tina Kotek

 

I work with an amazing group of legislative colleagues.  Each week, I'll briefly introduce you to one of them, starting with our freshmen members:

 

Before her election to the Oregon House of Representatives representing North and Northeast Portland last year, Tina Kotek advocated for kids, working families, and a strong human services budget in three previous legislative sessions.

 

Tina was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania in the south-central part of the Keystone State.  Although her mother sadly died earlier this year, her father and two siblings still live there.  Tina moved to Oregon in 1987, finishing her undergraduate degree in religious studies at the University of Oregon in 1990.

 

While a graduate student at the University of Washington, she was elected  president of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, representing 9,500 graduate and professional students.  She won domestic partner benefits for students with same-sex partners and led an effort to bring a child care center for student parents to campus.  She received her master’s degree in international studies from UW in 1998.

 

Tina lives in the Kenton neighborhood with her partner Aimee and their dog Maya.  It's been a pleasure to know Tina for many years (she succeeded my wife Tonia as Policy Director at Children First for Oregon) and to work closely with her this year on children's health insurance and civil rights legislation.