The Riley Report - April 2007
The Riley Report
April 2007
A Mid-Session Update
By Oregon State Representative Chuck Riley
It’s hard to believe that we’re already half-way through the 74th session of the Oregon State Legislature. In only three short months we’ve managed to pass several major pieces of legislation that will improve life for Oregon families and ensure a better future for our children.
Rainy Day Fund
The single biggest accomplishment thus-far has been the creation of a Rainy Day Fund. For the first time in Oregon’s history we’ve been able to set aside funds for future economic downturn. This will ensure we can still provide basic services like public safety and education in times of fiscal uncertainty.
The fund will also immediately save Oregon taxpayers $10 million a year from an improved state credit rating, and I’m proud to have been a part of creating a new culture of savings in Salem.
Biofuels Package
The Renew Oregon plan, which passed the House in early-March, will decrease our dependency on foreign oil, create good-paying jobs for Oregonians, and help combat global warming.
The plan will create and expand tax incentives for producers of ethanol and biofuels, expand the incentives allowed for businesses that use renewable energy, and provide new incentives to home builders who include energy saving measures in the construction of new homes. It will also provide residential consumers with additional tax credits for the use of multiple energy efficient appliances, fuel cells, and wind generation.
Saving Money for our Schools
For years I have been talking about pooling Oregon school health insurance plans, and I’m proud to say that it’s finally a reality. Senate Bill 426, which passed the House in March, creates a pool for our school health insurance plans and has the chance to save our state millions of dollars which can be put back into the classroom.
Ethics Reform
We passed several pieces of ethics reform legislation that will go a long way to restoring the public’s trust in our institution. That includes closing the revolving door to restrict former legislators from lobbying their former colleagues, making committee meetings more accessible to the public, and banning lobbyist gifts over $10.
The Work Continues…
Those are just a few of the many pieces of legislation we’ve passed in the first three months of session. But, we have even more hard work to do in order to provide stable funding for education, make healthcare more available to all Oregonians, add more state police, and attract good jobs and investments to Oregon.
On a Personal Note…
Last month I introduced my Plain Language Proposal, House Bill 2702, which requires state agencies to eliminate bureaucratic jargon from their communications with the public. The resulting national attention culminated in my appearance on national news as a guest on Fox News Live. I'm proud to report that on Monday, April 9, the bill passed the House by a 57-1 margin. It now moves to the Senate and one step closer to becoming law.
I’ve continued to work to increase access to affordable prescription drugs by submitting a bill that would allow Oregonians with health insurance that doesn’t cover needed medicine to buy those drugs from the Oregon Prescription Drug Plan. I’ve also continued working to eliminate outrageous school administrator benefits known as “golden parachutes” in order to get more money into the classrooms.
I’ve sponsored bills that will stop state government contractors from outsourcing jobs overseas, crack down on internet predators, and bring economic development to Washington County. I continue to forge strong working relationships with colleagues across the aisle.
During the first three months of this session, I spent a great deal of time in Hillsboro, Cornelius, and Forest Grove by holding six constituent coffees and three town hall meetings to listen to citizens of my district. I will continue to be available by hosting at least eight more coffees and at least three more town halls in the months ahead. Stay tuned to my find out when and where these events will be held.
It continues to be an honor to serve you in the legislature. Please don’t hesitate to contact me about any issue. I am always eager to listen to the ideas and opinions of the people of my community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your State Representative!
Sincerely,
State Rep. Chuck Riley
House District 29
|
|
Rep. Riley Will Tour Rural Oregon Counties
Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley and Senate President Peter Courtney have asked State Representative Chuck Riley (D-Hillsboro) to be part of a delegation touring counties affected by the potential loss of federal dollars from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, commonly known as the “county payments” law. The act expired last year, and Congress has not yet reauthorized the program.
Thirty-two of Oregon’s thirty-six counties will lose federal dollars if the county payments program is not renewed. Some rural counties in Oregon rely on the program for more than sixty percent of their discretionary general funds.
“Senator Wyden and the entire Oregon delegation have done a superb job of putting this issue front and center on the agenda in Washington,” said Rep. Chuck Riley (D-Hillsboro). “But Congress has given us every indication that the program will not continue forever. This is only a five year reprieve, and we need to help Oregon’s rural counties establish a long-term plan for self-sufficiency.”
The legislative delegation will tour Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, and Lane Counties April 19-21. Those counties will be among the hardest hit by the loss of the county payment program. The delegation will meet with county commissioners and other community members to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem and possible solutions.
Courtney and Merkley will lead the Oregon Legislative delegation. House, members of the delegation will include Rep. Chuck Riley (D-Hillsboro), chair of the House Committee on Government Accountability and Information Technology, Rep. Fred Girod (R-Stayton), Rep. Phil Barnhart (D-Central Lane and Linn Counties), Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario), Rep. Terry Beyer (D-Springfield), and Rep. George Gilman (R-Medford).
The Senate delegation will include Majority Leader Sen. Kate Brown (D-Portland); Republican Leader Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day); Sen. Ryan Deckert (D-Beaverton), Sen. Gary George (R-Newberg), Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Welches), and Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro).
You can watch the video of the entire announcement by clicking here.
|
|
Rep. Riley calls on government agencies to cease jargon
Innovative legislation will re-think the way Oregon does business with the public
In March, Representative Chuck Riley announced the introduction of a bill that will radically change how the State of Oregon communicates with the public.
House Bill 2702, a bipartisan effort that has been dubbed the “plain language initiative,” will require agencies within Oregon state government to move towards adopting the principles of communication known as “plan language,” a method that uses everyday words to convey meanings clearly and directly and uses short simple sentences in an easy-to-read layout.
Under the bill, state government letters, forms, manuals, and other written communications with the public will be reviewed and re-written to be more easily understood. The bill has already gained nationwide attention from communications experts and other states currently implementing the changes. “I applaud this bill’s sponsor, Representative Riley, for addressing such an important issue in state government,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist in written testimony supporting the bill.
Representative Riley, Chair of the House Committee on Government Accountability and Information Technology, hopes the change will help save taxpayer dollars and increase the efficiency and convenience of working with the state government.
“Getting a letter from the state or applying for health benefits shouldn’t be a dreaded or confusing experience,” says Riley. “Our government should communicate with its citizens and small businesses simply and effectively in an everyday manner. This bill requires agencies to cut through bureaucratic and legal jargon and reduce confusion. It’s going to save taxpayer dollars, cut waste, and make it easier to work with the government, whether it be applying for veterans benefits, or starting up a small business. This is a common sense idea that is long overdue.”
Aside from making forms and paperwork easier to understand for Oregon’s most-vulnerable citizens and its small-businesses, Riley believes the bill will save state agencies from making repeated contacts and fielding high volumes of customer service calls because of confusing jargon. That, in turn, will save tax dollars.
A similar initiative in the State of Washington has cut government waste, streamlined agency communications, and fostered goodwill with the public. In one agency, re-writing one letter has brought in an additional $5 million in revenue because the letter could finally be understood.
Rep. Riley’s plain language initiative has received attention from around the world and on March 16, he appeared on national television as a guest on Fox News Live.
The bill passed the House of Representatives on Monday, April 9, by a 57-1 margin. It now heads to the Senate.
You can read news stories about Rep. Riley’s Plain Language Bill by clicking on the links below!
KATU News Story
Fox News Online Story
Forest Grove News-Times Op-Ed by Rep. Riley
Argus Leader Story
Corvallis Gazette-Times Editorial
|
Rep. Riley to hold Healthcare Town Hall Meeting in Forest Grove
Mark your calendars!
State Representative Chuck Riley is proud to announce that he’ll be holding a town hall meeting in Forest Grove on Thursday, April 26, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium, 1915 E Main Street.
The meeting will present an opportunity for Representative Riley to listen to questions, comments, and concerns about health care and any other important issues from community members. Everyone is encouraged to attend this public event.
Constituent Coffee in April!
Representative Chuck Riley will continue to hold constituent coffees in the district. These coffees are a relaxed and informal way to meet with Representative Riley close to home to hear what’s going on in Salem and to ask any questions or voice concerns you may have, so grab a cup and head on down!
In April, he’ll be holding two constituent coffees.
- Saturday, April 7, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Starbucks, 102 E Main Street, Hillsboro.
- Saturday, April 14, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Starbucks,1882 Baseline Street, Cornelius
*Please note he will not be holding a coffee in Forest Grove this month due to his tour of Oregon counties devastated by the loss of federal timber payments.
If you have any questions about these coffees, please contact Representative Riley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
