By State Senator Suzanne Weber
Adoption Day bill passes
I am happy to share that HB 2019 passed and is now waiting for the Governor’s signature. HB 2019 is a life-affirming, hope-filled declaration that adoption is a courageous act and is a tool for couples who want to start families! This bill made August 25th Adoption day in Oregon. I have always thought adoption to be an honorable and loving choice. And after listening to my colleague Rep Elmner testify, along with so many other members who shared their personal stories, I am overjoyed to support the designation of a specific day dedicated to adoption. These experiences affirm that this bill is a powerful recognition and celebration of the beauty and the value of every life, and highlights how adoption is a courageous and loving choice to be shared and encouraged in Oregon.
I would like to highlight some ways that the state can assist with the financial burden of adoption in certain circumstances. Some of that assistance could include:
- Financial costs – Funds to help with adaptive equipment or therapeutic activities that support the child’s needs.
- Legal and one-time costs – Funds to legally finalize the adoption such as attorney legal fees, court costs and pre-placement visits.
- Medical coverage – Health insurance through Oregon or the child’s state of residence. It may be possible to use the medical card as a supplement to private insurance.
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Around the District
Mental Health Awareness Month
As mental health awareness month is coming to an end, I want to share Columbia County Commissioners acceptance of Columbia County Public Health’s challenge to participate in and support Mental Health Awareness Month by getting dowsed with ice water in a rather large way. I hear frequently from constituents how lack of mental health resources contribute to the hard issues we face in all other areas of our lives. Be it housing, drug addiction, health care, school environment and funding, policing and fire services we are all impacted by the crisis that is our lack of mental health care.
Thank you Columbia County Commissioners for sharing in this challenge. You can see the full video here.
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26th Annual Clipping Party
During the legislative session I get many invites to community events that I sadly am unable to attend, due to it being a very busy time. But I still want to acknowledge the hard work done by our community to put on fun events in our communities. And with that being said I was invited to the Nestucca Anglers, in partnership with the ODFW, Cedar Creek Fish Hatchery’s 26th Annual Clipping Party. Nestucca Anglers is a self-sustaining organization that has been raising 100,000 chinook salmon to “release size” smolts each year into the Nestucca basin since 1999. The Members are volunteers and participate in every step of the process, from collection of adult fish in the rivers for broodstock, to rearing, clipping and release of the smolts. The program is also sponsored by the ODFW Salmon and Trout Enhancement (STEP) program.
You can get more information at Nustucca Anglers website.
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Oregon Employment Department Dashboard
I found this new information from Oregon Employment Department to be worthy of sharing with you this week. The new data dashboard helps to track customer service performance, provided by the Oregon Employment Department (OED) as part of their commitment to transparency and accountability to track customer service performance. This new data dashboard as well as the existing Information Dashboard on the OED website can be found under “Public Engagement.” It tracks the Unemployment Insurance, Paid Leave Oregon, and Contributions & Recovery divisions in several key customer-service measures.
You can click on the image below to explore the current data on the new dashboard.
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Join Adam and I as we discuss this week’s updates of the 83rd Oregon legislative session, including the recent second chamber deadline and the status of various bills, particularly those in joint and nonpolicy committees. We explore potential solutions to the high volume of proposed bills and debated the failure of a statewide cell phone ban in schools due to concerns about local control and enforcement. We also touched on ongoing transportation bill discussions, and the nature of budget bills for State agencies. You can watch on YouTube or listen in on SoundCloud. |
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716 District Phone: 503-300-4493
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-405, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.SuzanneWeber@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/weber/
