2009 Oregon Legislative Session Wrap-Up Report

The six-month 2009 Oregon Legislative Session came to a close at the end of June.

Though it was a year of tremendous challenges and unprecedented economic crisis with tough cuts to important programs and services, AARP Oregon’s Director of Government Affairs Rick Bennett is pleased to report some good and promising news.

“Despite the difficult budget situation, the Legislature saw value in investing in key areas and programs that are essential to the health of Oregon’s citizens and communities and that will stimulate the state’s economy and help it rebound faster and quicker,” Bennett said.

He added that AARP Oregon worked hard to advocate for shared responsibility and a fair, balanced approach of budget cuts and additional revenue that would preserve vital state services that Oregonians rely on and that simultaneously leverage federal stimulus dollars, maintain and create jobs, keeping Oregon working—both in terms of quality of life and in terms of economic activity.

Bennett credited the efforts of AARP members and volunteers for their engagement and making a real difference, from advocacy days at the Capitol to several thousand phone calls and e-mails to policymakers on key issues.

Here are a few of the accomplishments AARP helped make possible:

Started first, key steps toward fixing Oregon’s health care system. With the passage of House Bills 2009 and 2116, Oregon is well on its way toward meaningful health care reform that will contain costs and ultimately provide affordable, quality care for all Oregonians. From expanding health coverage to 80,000 children and 35,000 more adults to establishing statewide health care quality standards and increasing focus on prevention and disease management, the state is a beacon of hope that health care reform can happen.

Stopped many deep budget cuts that would have devastated Oregon’s innovative and cost-effective model of home and community-based care as well as skilled nursing facility care for seniors and people with disabilities, and many other human service programs.

Protected one of Oregon’s flagship long-term care programs—Oregon Project Independence—that help keep vulnerable Oregonians in their home and from entering more costly care options, and secured funding for affordable housing and special needs transportation to help seniors and people with disabilities stay mobile and connected in their communities.

Enacted consumer protection measures that help address the foreclosure crisis and protect Oregonians from unlawful debt collection practices. The legislation gives struggling homeowners the opportunity to meet with their lenders to discuss modifying their home loan and requires lenders to evaluate loan modifications in good faith, and allows the state to pursue and enforce unjust collection tactics against Oregon residents.

“On behalf of the 535,000+ Oregonians who are members of AARP, thank you to all who have been involved in these efforts and to our elected leaders whose community service we appreciate and commend and who we hope will always put progress and positive social change above partisanship,” said Ray Miao, AARP Oregon State Volunteer President. “Though more tough economic times may lie ahead; together, we can prevail, make a difference, and keep Oregon working.”

For more information and ways to get or stay involved, please contact us—we’d love to hear from you.

• On the Web: www.aarp.org/or
• E-mail: oraarp@aarp.org
• Phone: 866-554-5360 toll-free
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