Why the majority matters

A Democratic majority matters, and 2011 made it clear why.  Instead of spending our time crafting a budget that creates jobs, protects education, and supports middle class Oregonians, we had to spend time blocking bills that would limit a woman’s right to choose or roll back the land use system.

And while we blocked the worst legislation, Republicans blocked good ideas, time after time. Some examples include:

  • Bills that would have helped homeowners stave off foreclosure by ensuring banks negotiated in good faith died in committee.
  • When Oregonians need jobs, Republicans sided with the Bankers to block the economic development finance authority, which would have streamlined economic development efforts and helped create jobs. They also left tens of millions of lottery bond capacity unallocated which could have been used to build infrastructure and hire Oregonians.
  • We couldn’t get Republican support to add back $100 million for K-12 education, even after we introduced bills, held press conferences, and spoke on the floor about it.
  • Our bill encouraging cultural competency for health care providers died on the House floor in a 30/30 vote because every Republican voted No.

Looking back to 2007 and 2009, when House Democrats had a majority, it is clear why a majority matters for working families in Oregon. In four years, House Democrats:

  • Ensured health care access and affordability by giving women access to affordable contraception, making prescription drugs more affordable, and by guaranteeing health insurance for 80,000 of Oregon’s children as well as tens of thousands of low-income adults.
  • Led the fight for a more equal society, by passing civil unions for gay and lesbians in Oregon.
  • Protected Oregon families by capping predatory payday loans and ensuring banks worked with families before they foreclosed on them.
  • Protected services for children and families in Oregon. While most states slashed services, Oregon protected our schools, our children, and the public's safety.
  • Kept our neighborhoods safe and secure, by stopping the sale of meth materials available in our grocery stores, cracking down on the illegal reselling of scrap metal that threatens private property and public safety, and making sure Oregon State Police patrol our highways 24 hours per day.
  • Made Oregon a national leader in environmental protection by protecting our unique land use system through putting Measure 49 on the ballot, which 62 percent of voters approved in 2007.  In 2009, we adopted new low-carbon fuel standards that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Created and protected family wage jobs by passing a job stimulus and investment package that created over 15,000 jobs and made much needed improvement in Oregon’s infrastructure.