By State Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson

Aug 3, 2007
The Gresham Outlook

The 2007 Legislative Session has come to a close. I am proud to say that it has been a good year for Oregonian families. I was a strong advocate for health-care reform, safer communities, worker security and strong schools for our children. I would like to thank all of you for your support, hard work, and suggestions; they were what guided me this session.

In the health-care area, we accomplished the following:

• Healthy Kids Plan. Senate Bill 3 created a comprehensive plan to provide health care to uninsured children in Oregon, with funding to be determined by voters in November.

• Affordable prescription drugs. Senate Bill 362 expanded the state's prescription drug program to include the underinsured, small businesses and employee organizations.

• Supporting Oregon nurses. Senate Bill 4, a priority of mine, invests in scholarships and grants to encourage nurses to stay in Oregon and build healthier communities.

We supported strong schools by doing the following:

• Early education. House Bill 5019 strengthened Head Start to give Oregon children the best possible shot at a strong education.

• Historic education budget. We passed a package of bills that reinvested in schools to reduce class sizes, restore programs and ensure a full school year for all students.

• Community colleges. Senate Bill 5012 provided record levels of funding to offer quality education and work force training.

We helped create safer communities by doing the following:

• Rebuilding our state police force. Senate Bill 5533 added 100 new state troopers to keep Oregon communities safe and secure.

• Improving pedestrian safety. Senate Bill 829 was in response to the tragic death of Aaron Wagner Sturdy, who was struck by a MAX train at the Gresham City Hall station. In the bill we required a safety study at pedestrian crossings on TriMet light rail crossings.

• Clean air. Senate Bill 571 expands the Indoor Clean Air Act to keep workers safe from harmful second-hand smoke.

We improved worker security with the following actions:

• Rainy Day Fund. The fund is a landmark achievement that will help Oregonians through difficult economic times.

• Connect Oregon. House Bill 2278 creates good jobs by strengthening Oregon's rail connections, marine commerce, aviation and transit facilities.

• Reducing dependence on foreign oil. House Bill 2210 creates jobs and makes Oregon a leader in the emerging biofuels industry.

Other East County successes include:

• Mt. Hood Community College Child Development Center. I successfully fought for state funding to make the Child Development Center a reality. The center will play a critical role in the lives of local children, and it will provide invaluable training for students and faculty at the college.

• Local control over local decisions. I championed Senate Bill 1042, legislation prohibiting private casinos from locating in a town without local voter approval

• East County Gang Prevention Program. I fought for Senate Bill 5549, which helps prevent troubled youth from joining gangs and entering the corrections system.

Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, is a Democrat representing Gresham.