I just read a press release from Republican Leader Wayne Scott and I wanted to share it:
REP. SCOTT TO HOUSE DEMOCRATS:
FOCUS ON OREGON ISSUES, NOT IRAQ GRANDSTANDING
SALEM— House Republican Leader Wayne Scott (R-Canby) had the following to say regarding the House Democrats’ non-binding resolution opposing military escalation in Iraq:
“Before session, House Majority Leader Dave Hunt told the press that House Democrats would not bring up ‘divisive issues’ this session. I can’t think of many issues as divisive as the Iraq conflict.
“And now, after four weeks in session, the House Democrats have advanced Iraq to the top of their agenda. The House has not voted on any single item in the House Democrats’ 2007 agenda.
“Now is not the time to continue the campaign. Oregon faces a long list of serious issues to resolve, including improving schools, growing the economy and strengthening public safety in our state.
“House Democrats need to stop wasting time on political grandstanding and get to work.”
# # #
I can't believe how much time and energy is being spent in the Oregon Legislature on an issue that can only truly be handled by the President and U.S. Congress. Meanwhile, we here in Oregon still have issues like crime, education, meth, senior citizens, and mental health to work on. Why don't we actually work on them?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Disabled veterans need health care reform
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive health care.
“We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health Plan,” Representative Nelson stated. “Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed from regional V.A. medical centers. But because these brave men and women are eligible for V.A. benefits, they are denied use of the Oregon Health Plan.”
There are an estimated 40,000 disabled veterans living in Oregon. For many medical procedures, veterans must travel to either the Portland or Roseburg V.A. medical center in order to receive V.A.-funded treatment. Representative Nelson explained, “this proposal would allow those who have sacrificed so much to receive treatment locally, rather than at clinics half-way across the state.”
Greg Warnock, the President of the Oregon War Veterans Association, believes this plan is long overdue. “Veterans living in rural communities have suffered long enough,” said Warnock. “If disabled veterans had access to the Oregon Health Plan, their medical needs could easily be met from within their own communities.”
Other veterans groups support the idea. “Allowing disabled veterans to join the Oregon Health Plan would provide a valuable resource for disabled veterans in rural areas,” said Kevin O’Reilly, the government relations director for Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Many of these veterans have difficulty in accessing health care through the V.A. due to extended travel times. Plus, those with limited incomes can face a huge financial burden meeting travel costs.”
Other states, such as Illinois, provide health insurance programs for certain veterans who have no other form of coverage. Oregon would be the first state to provide a comprehensive medical plan for all disabled veterans.
###
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive health care.
“We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health Plan,” Representative Nelson stated. “Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed from regional V.A. medical centers. But because these brave men and women are eligible for V.A. benefits, they are denied use of the Oregon Health Plan.”
There are an estimated 40,000 disabled veterans living in Oregon. For many medical procedures, veterans must travel to either the Portland or Roseburg V.A. medical center in order to receive V.A.-funded treatment. Representative Nelson explained, “this proposal would allow those who have sacrificed so much to receive treatment locally, rather than at clinics half-way across the state.”
Greg Warnock, the President of the Oregon War Veterans Association, believes this plan is long overdue. “Veterans living in rural communities have suffered long enough,” said Warnock. “If disabled veterans had access to the Oregon Health Plan, their medical needs could easily be met from within their own communities.”
Other veterans groups support the idea. “Allowing disabled veterans to join the Oregon Health Plan would provide a valuable resource for disabled veterans in rural areas,” said Kevin O’Reilly, the government relations director for Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Many of these veterans have difficulty in accessing health care through the V.A. due to extended travel times. Plus, those with limited incomes can face a huge financial burden meeting travel costs.”
Other states, such as Illinois, provide health insurance programs for certain veterans who have no other form of coverage. Oregon would be the first state to provide a comprehensive medical plan for all disabled veterans.
###
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
One step forward
HB 2459, the English Language Bill, has been assigned to the House Committee on Elections, Ethics, and Rules.
I hope that my colleague, Rep. Rosenbaum, will schedule this bill for the public hearing it deserves.
I hope that my colleague, Rep. Rosenbaum, will schedule this bill for the public hearing it deserves.
Friday, January 19, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
English Language Bill Generates Overwhelming Support
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) has received overwhelming support for HB 2459, the bill to make English Oregon’s official language.
Phone calls and e-mails to the Representative have been almost universally positive, providing feedback from all over the state. “I’m getting calls from Pendleton to Medford to Tillamook,” said Representative Nelson. “I’m grateful to hear from so many Oregonians – and I encourage everyone calling in from outside my legislative district to let their legislators know the importance of this bill.” Incoming e-mails have been approximately 95% favorable, with support coming in from Oregon Democrats as well as Republicans. “While I am a Polk County Democrat, I would back a bill to make English the official language of Oregon,” wrote Terri, from Dallas. “I think you will see a lot of public support on this.”
The English Language Bill is gaining momentum in both chambers of the Legislature. “I am in support of Rep. Nelson's proposal to adopt English as our official language,” said Representative Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), one of the co-sponsors of HB 2459. “It is our official language and we need to protect the American culture by maintaining English as the first method of communication.” Two Senators, Gary George (R-McMinnville) and Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point), have also signed on to the bill.
Recent surveys show strong public backing of English as an official language. A January 18 survey from Portland television station KATU showed 92% of respondents favor English as Oregon’s official language. A 2006 Zogby poll indicated 84% of Americans favor English as the official language of government.
House Bill 2459 is getting attention from as far away as our nation’s capital. “It is good to see Oregon’s legislators are recognizing the importance of making English the official language,” said Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for Washington, D.C. based grassroots organization U.S. English, Inc. “Declaring English the official language is something we need to ensure unity within our diverse society.”
The English Language Bill has received its first reading in the Oregon House of Representatives, and now awaits committee assignment from Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley. Public hearings on HB 2459 may be scheduled once a committee is assigned.
###
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) has received overwhelming support for HB 2459, the bill to make English Oregon’s official language.
Phone calls and e-mails to the Representative have been almost universally positive, providing feedback from all over the state. “I’m getting calls from Pendleton to Medford to Tillamook,” said Representative Nelson. “I’m grateful to hear from so many Oregonians – and I encourage everyone calling in from outside my legislative district to let their legislators know the importance of this bill.” Incoming e-mails have been approximately 95% favorable, with support coming in from Oregon Democrats as well as Republicans. “While I am a Polk County Democrat, I would back a bill to make English the official language of Oregon,” wrote Terri, from Dallas. “I think you will see a lot of public support on this.”
The English Language Bill is gaining momentum in both chambers of the Legislature. “I am in support of Rep. Nelson's proposal to adopt English as our official language,” said Representative Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), one of the co-sponsors of HB 2459. “It is our official language and we need to protect the American culture by maintaining English as the first method of communication.” Two Senators, Gary George (R-McMinnville) and Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point), have also signed on to the bill.
Recent surveys show strong public backing of English as an official language. A January 18 survey from Portland television station KATU showed 92% of respondents favor English as Oregon’s official language. A 2006 Zogby poll indicated 84% of Americans favor English as the official language of government.
House Bill 2459 is getting attention from as far away as our nation’s capital. “It is good to see Oregon’s legislators are recognizing the importance of making English the official language,” said Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for Washington, D.C. based grassroots organization U.S. English, Inc. “Declaring English the official language is something we need to ensure unity within our diverse society.”
The English Language Bill has received its first reading in the Oregon House of Representatives, and now awaits committee assignment from Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley. Public hearings on HB 2459 may be scheduled once a committee is assigned.
###
Thursday, January 18, 2007
HB 2459
It's been a busy day - office phone was ringing off the hook, KATU stopped by the office, radio stations and newspapers want statements - all over HB 2459, my English Language Bill.
E-mail into the office has been about 10-1 in favor of the bill. What makes me sad is that the negative e-mails, rather than addressing actual issues, have been almost entirely mean-spirited ad hominem attacks. Funny thing is, people like to make comments about my attitude towards minorities or the Spanish Language without realizing that I've travelled to 178 different countries on business in my life (where I learned first hand the difficulties of not having a common language) or that my mother was a Spanish teacher...
Oh well, when you make a principled stand on a controversial issue, you have to expect that sort of treatment.
Keep your eyes on KATU tonight to see the story!
E-mail into the office has been about 10-1 in favor of the bill. What makes me sad is that the negative e-mails, rather than addressing actual issues, have been almost entirely mean-spirited ad hominem attacks. Funny thing is, people like to make comments about my attitude towards minorities or the Spanish Language without realizing that I've travelled to 178 different countries on business in my life (where I learned first hand the difficulties of not having a common language) or that my mother was a Spanish teacher...
Oh well, when you make a principled stand on a controversial issue, you have to expect that sort of treatment.
Keep your eyes on KATU tonight to see the story!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Make English our Official Language
NEWS RELEASE
January 12, 2007
Contact:
David Gulliver
(503) 986-1424
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) announced a proposal to make English the official language of Oregon’s government.
“With the recent passage of Arizona’s new English-language law, there are now 28 states that have made English their official language,” said Representative Nelson. “Oregon should follow the lead of such other progressive states as California and Massachusetts that have enacted similar laws.”
According to the most recent United States Census, at least 138 languages are spoken in the State of Oregon. “While our diversity makes us strong, it takes a common language to bring diverse people together.”
Jim Ludwick, the Director of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, agrees. “America is the greatest and most successful experiment regarding the integration and assimilation of people of differing cultures, languages and religions,” said Ludwick. “Speaking one language, English, is one of the reasons for that success.”
In addition to the English-language proposal, Representative Nelson will be introducing measures to improve our Troops to Teachers program, strengthen sentencing under “Jessica’s Law,” and promote new energy sources.
###
January 12, 2007
Contact:
David Gulliver
(503) 986-1424
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) announced a proposal to make English the official language of Oregon’s government.
“With the recent passage of Arizona’s new English-language law, there are now 28 states that have made English their official language,” said Representative Nelson. “Oregon should follow the lead of such other progressive states as California and Massachusetts that have enacted similar laws.”
According to the most recent United States Census, at least 138 languages are spoken in the State of Oregon. “While our diversity makes us strong, it takes a common language to bring diverse people together.”
Jim Ludwick, the Director of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, agrees. “America is the greatest and most successful experiment regarding the integration and assimilation of people of differing cultures, languages and religions,” said Ludwick. “Speaking one language, English, is one of the reasons for that success.”
In addition to the English-language proposal, Representative Nelson will be introducing measures to improve our Troops to Teachers program, strengthen sentencing under “Jessica’s Law,” and promote new energy sources.
###
Thursday, January 11, 2007
New website additions
I'm still learning this whole blog thing. I'll be adding some new information to the side column, and working on getting pictures put up. Keep your eyes here to see what develops!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
No, thank you!
We had a busy day putting together a new policy on gifts. I'm glad to see that both Republicans and Democrats alike were ready to tackle the problem and bring on some needed reform. While I would have preferred a total gift ban, in the end I was glad to vote for the Democrats' new plan.
Of course, nothing is stopping any legislator from refusing to accept ANY gifts from lobbyists. To that end, a number of us have adopted our own "zero gift policy." As such, I won't be accepting gifts, not even those that meet the new guidelines, other than informational materials.
Of course, nothing is stopping any legislator from refusing to accept ANY gifts from lobbyists. To that end, a number of us have adopted our own "zero gift policy." As such, I won't be accepting gifts, not even those that meet the new guidelines, other than informational materials.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
We're in business
Yesterday we had our swearing-in and heard the Governor's address. While I disagree with the Governor on a few issues, I must say that he gave a tremendous speech - the best I've heard him give.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Session is starting!
The next few days will be busy busy busy, but I hope to have some interesting updates soon. Please bear with us, y'all!
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