September Update From Rep. Kotek

Quick Links    Contact Me My YouTube Channel About Us Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope you had a wonderful summer. September is my favorite month of the year because I have fond childhood memories of going back to school, full of excitement about the possibilities of the school year ahead. I hope every young person in Oregon is similarly excited. I want to thank every teacher and school employee who will strive to make this school year a success, in spite of the budget challenges facing our schools. And I want to thank all the parents who will sacrifice for their children so they can have a better future. Thank you! This issue of my e-newsletter discusses new resources for homeowners facing foreclosure and for small businesses looking to get started or expand. There's also a brief update on the latest financial forecast for the state. Last but not least, I hope you'll take a few minutes to complete a short survey. As preparation for next year's legislative session begins, I would like to hear about your priorities for our community and the state. Help for Distressed Homeowners In July, I joined with my Portland-area colleagues to host a town hall to explain the new foreclosure protections provided by Senate Bill 1552, which was passed earlier this year. If you or someone you know is in foreclosure (or worried about defaulting on a mortgage), please seek out help. There are new resources to help you navigate the process, know your rights, and possibly stay in your home. The following links are a good place to start: http://www.foreclosuremediationor.org (or call 855-658-6733) http://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer/foreclosure_mediation.shtm http://www.economicfairnessoregon.org/resources/ Please contact my office if you need additional assistance. My district number is 503-286-0558 and my email is rep.tinakotek@state.or.us. One Stop Shop for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Small business owners and entrepreneurs now have the resources they need at an online "one stop shop," thanks to legislation I co-sponsored last year. The successful bill called for the creation of a business internet site to streamline information to assist small business owners as they work to launch, grow and hire. Thanks to this central hub, business owners can spend less time on red tape and more time on moving the economy forward. Business Xpress includes information on permitting requirements, services and resources for a number of business filings, as well as tax, business assistance, promotion and regulatory programs. The portal also helps business owners obtain information on hiring, training, exporting goods, and contracting with public agencies. State Financial Update Last week, the state's economist released the latest revenue forecast - a report on the projected amount of money the state will have available for essential services. The report showed that anticipated tax revenues for this biennium are up $80.6 million over the previous forecast, with both personal and corporate income tax receipts increasing. However, the anticipated increase in revenue for the 2013-15 biennium will be $318 million less than what was previously predicted. What does this mean? It means the current two-year budget remains balanced and that Oregon's economy has stabilized, although we are not out of the woods yet. This report helps us be cautiously optimistic for the future as the economy continues a slow recovery. But a lot of folks are still struggling. We need to continue to prioritize job creation and education so that Oregon will be poised to thrive as the global economy fully recovers. Education at all levels will play an increasing role in the economic vitality of our state. That is why we need a renewed effort to invest in education, from pre-K through advanced college degrees. What Are Your Priorities? A key to responsive decision-making is understanding people's priorities. Please take a few minutes to complete a quick survey to help me understand your priorities. Thank you! Please take the survey by clicking here. As always, it's a pleasure to represent you. I hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes,   Rep. Tina Kotek House District 44 House Democratic Leader

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From Rep. Tina Kotek: New Annual Session and Upcoming Town Hall

Lots of information here - read the whole post


Legislative Town Hall
New Help for Small Businesses
Focus on Child Poverty
Upcoming Events
Legislative Town Hall With Sen. Chip Shields and Rep. Lew Frederick

The new year is off to a frenzied pace as we prepare for our first annual session in an even-numbered year. As directed by Measure 71 passed by voters in November 2010, the Legislature will be back in session on February 1st. We will have 35 days to complete the state's business.

My focus in February will be on:

* Making smart investments to create Oregon jobs, such as helping small businesses have the capital they need to grow;
* Standing up for middle class families, such as helping families who are either facing foreclosure or in the midst of a foreclosure process; and
* Prioritizing the services Oregonians need by making government leaner, more transparent, and more efficient.

The Legislature will also need to re-balance the state's budget because the recession continues to bring an increased need for services but less dollars to provide those essential services. I will fight for a sensible budget that prioritizes the most vulnerable Oregonians and our schools.

Legislative Town Hall, February 4

Please join me, Senator Chip Shields and Representative Lew Frederick for a North/Northeast Portland town hall to hear what's going on in Salem for the 2012 Legislative Session. We look forward to answering your questions and discussing the issues that are important to you.

What: Town Hall Meeting
When: Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: St. Johns Community Center
8427 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

For more information, call or email my legislative assistant, Michelle Rogelstad, at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us or (503) 286-0558 (district).

We hope to see you there!

BizORNew Help for Small Businesses

Businesses in Oregon got an early present this past holiday season. Business Oregon, a state agency that works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses in Oregon, has received $16.5 million in federal funds to help small businesses borrow money.

When combined with other available resources, the funds will inject $165 million into Oregon small businesses over the next four years through the Credit Enhancement Fund, the Oregon Business Development Fund, and the Capital Access Program. These three programs have helped businesses in this state access an estimated $817 million in financing already, and are prepared to help with more.

Helping small businesses in Oregon grow and prosper is a priority for me, and is something that I believe holds the key to Oregon's future economic growth. Whether businesses are small and local, or iconic worldwide companies, we must ensure that we invest in job-creating companies here in Oregon.

Business Oregon has many great financing options and other assistance for small businesses in Oregon. For more information, call my district office at (503) 286-0558 or email me at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us.

LegFocus on Child Poverty

I'm sure many of you saw the cover of the Parade magazine during the holiday season that highlighted the shameful fact that Oregon has the highest rate of food insecurity for children in the country. I recently attended a meeting of the Metro-area school district superintendents and was reminded about the high percentages of children and youth who benefit from free or reduced-price lunches in our schools, especially in east Multnomah County. I know that too many families in North and Northeast Portland are struggling to provide the basics of food and shelter for their children.

This is unacceptable. We all know we can do better to make sure every child has an opportunity to thrive.

In addition to the things many of you do regularly to help out through volunteering and donating supplies to those in need, I hope you will share your ideas of how we can make a dent in child poverty in our state. For my part, I will continue to focus on reviving our state's economy while at the same time protecting critical services for our most low-income families, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). With 60,000 children currently receiving help from TANF across our state, we have to help their parents get back to work and back on the road to self-sufficiency.

As always, it's a pleasure to represent you. I hope to hear from you soon.

Newsletter from Rep. Tina Kotek

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Now that the short-lived summer weather is fading, we have a wonderful opportunity to catch up!  I hope that you will join me at an upcoming Town Hall to recap the 2011 Session, discuss the upcoming 2012 Session, and talk about community issues that matter to you. 

What:    Town Hall Meeting

When:    Monday, September 26, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Where:   Historic Kenton Firehouse

              8105 N. Brandon Ave., Portland, OR 97217 (map)

For more information, call or email my legislative assistant, Michelle Rogelstad, at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us or (503) 286-0558 (district).

Property Tax Deferral Program Changes

A few of you have written to me about changes to the Senior Property Tax Deferral Program.  This is a state program where the state pays the property taxes for qualified applicants and then is paid back the money when the property is sold. This program is designed to be self-funding, with the repayment of deferred taxes covering the cost of the overall program.  Because of the housing slump, many seniors cannot sell their homes.  This has sharply reduced the revenue flowing into the program, leading to a projected $19 million hole for the 2011-2013 biennium.  In order for the program to be viable for the long term, a return to more normal housing market conditions is needed. 

In the meantime, in order to keep the program sustainable during these difficult times, the Legislature approved changes to the program that limit eligibility, particularly if a homeowner's application involves a reverse mortgage.  To view the changes to the Senior Property Tax Deferral Program, please visit the Department of Revenue's website addressing the changes, which you may view here.

I am interested in hearing from you if the changes in the program affect you.  The Legislature will continue to review the effects of the changes and consider any possible modifications.  

     

Community Meeting on Responding to Foreclosure

This evening the Oregon Foreclosure Response Project and Economic Fairness Oregon are hosting a community meeting in St. Johns about foreclosure.  Please join your neighbors, consumer rights advocates, and foreclosure experts for an informational and community-building meeting.

What:   Community Meeting on Fighting Foreclosure

When:  Today, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Where:  St. Johns Community Center

            8427 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

James John Elementary Walk-a-Thon 

In February of this year, a 3rd-grade James John Elementary School student was hit by a car while walking to school. Amazingly, he survived this tragic accident, but he suffered extensive external injuries to his face.  As a result, the elementary school and PTA are coordinating a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds for his reconstructive surgeries and costly medical bills and to raise awareness about pedestrian safety. Partners of the Walk-a-Thon include Safe Routes to Schools, the Portland Police and the Portland Fire Department.  Making St. Johns a safe place for everyone to walk and bike safely to school and local commerce is important for the vitality of our community.

What:   James John Elementary School Walk-a-Thon

When:  Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:30am

Where:  James John Elementary School

            7439 N. Charleston Ave., Portland, OR 97203 (map)

  

To make a donation to the students' medical bills, please send a check made payable to James John PTA, 7439 N. Charleston Ave., Portland, OR 97203 and the PTA will mail you a tax-deductible receipt.  For more information, please contact Katie Selby, PTA Secretary, at (503) 756-8436.   

As always, it's an honor to serve you and our community in the Oregon Legislature.  Please keep in touch.

Best wishes,

  

Public Meeting on the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) ordinance

This is from Rep. Tina Kotek.

I just got her email and the meeting is tonight at 6PM in Kenton!

Bridgeton itself has no bars or taverns but you might go to areas that do - and those areas may have ones with "issues." 

If you want to learn about the proposed liquor regulation changes - this is a meeting to attend.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Dear Friends,

As you know, the issues of community livability and public safety relating to bars and taverns have been a big priority of mine for legislative action. Even as we work to hold liquor licensees accountable with better laws, municipalities have an important role in enforcement and city ordinance. Pursuant to this role, the City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement is holding a public meeting to get input on changes to the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) ordinance, which allows the city to regulate local liquor licensees.

What:  Community members are invited to a public meeting to learn about the proposed changes to local regulations of liquor licensed establishments, ask questions and submit testimony or comments.

When:           July 19th, 2011 at 6pm

Where:         Kenton Fire Station

                   8105 N Brandon Ave

You can view the proposed changes via the Office of Neighborhood Involvement's website . If you are unable to attend the public meeting, you can also comment via email to theresa.marchetti@portlandoregon.gov by July 22 at 5 PM. 

Many of you have helped us work on laws fighting dangerous bars and taverns in the past, and I know that this issue affects many people in our community. I hope that you will also get involved in the City of Portland's efforts!

Best wishes,

  

End of Session Meet and Greet With Rep. Tina Kotek

Stop by Pattie's Home Plate Cafe in St. Johns on Saturday to say hi to Rep. Kotek and catch up with her about what happened during the legislative session! Please support this fabulous local business while you visit.

End of Session Meet and Greet

Who: Representative Tina Kotek

What: Available to answer questions and chat about session

When: Saturday, July 9, 10 AM- noon

Where: Pattie's Home Plate Cafe

            8501 N. Lombard Street

            Portland, OR 97203

Follow Up To Rep. Koteks's Townhall

Dear Friends and Neighbors, We had a great turnout at our town hall meeting last Saturday. Thank you to all of you who spent a sunny morning with Representative Lew Frederick, Senator Chip Shields, and me discussing what's happening down here at the Capitol. We had about 100 folks join us in the Moriarty Auditorium at PCC Cascade (thank you PCC for hosting us). I hope the town hall was as informative and valuable for you as it was for us. In following up from that event, I wanted to share some information about how you can help to shape the future of Oregon through advocacy and involvement. There are lots of opportunities to get involved - whether it's attending a town hall, emailing my colleagues, or volunteering to serve on a board or commission. It's important for many voices to be heard, and it's easy to be involved at whatever level suits you and your schedule.

Update on the Human Services Budget One of the primary responsibilities of the state legislature is to pass a balanced budget for the next two years. As a Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services, a great deal of my time and effort has been focused on this part of the state's budget. Unfortunately, this is one of the areas where the cuts are likely to be the deepest - and the one where the needs are the greatest. Since the start of session, I have been meeting with people and organizations who would be negatively affected by proposed cuts. Here's a sampling: Over the past week, I've met with service providers for seniors and people with disabilities who face some of the deepest cuts, parents who need Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to give their kids a safe home, and state hospital workers for whom the budget determines not only the services available to the individuals they care for, but also their own safe work setting. The fact is, every one of these programs deserves state funds at a level that is simply impossible at this time. Our job is to figure out how we can govern as effectively as possible in a very tight fiscal environment. Alex Berke in my office prepared an overview of some of the proposed cuts in the human services area. This summary will give you some idea of the challenges we face. Speaking Up, Staying Informed If you've heard about a bill moving forward that catches your interest, one way to get involved is to testify in front of a committee at a public hearing on the bill. You can find the committee agendas online to find out when a hearing is scheduled. If you want to support a bill, it's often helpful to contact the bill's chief sponsor to let them know you'd like to be involved, and they may have suggestions about how you could be the most effective. If you know an organization or legislator is opposing a bill, contact them for advice as well. Also, the committee administrator (whose number is listed at the top of each agenda) is a great resource for details about the hearing. The Citizen's Guide to the Oregon Legislative Process is chock full of helpful information. Not everyone likes to speak in public - and not everyone can drive down to Salem for a public hearing. To express your opinion about a bill, you can email, call, or write a letter to the members of the committee to which it was assigned. The Legislature's website has committee membership information to help you find out who to contact. The most persuasive information involves a personal story and some good facts or data. One-line emails from non-constituents are not very effective at getting attention for your issue, so put some time into your letter to make it personalized for maximum effectiveness. Simply want to read a bill being considered or find out where it is in the legislative process? The Legislature's website makes it easy to track down the information you want. Budget Advocacy We have some very difficult budget decisions ahead of us before we adjourn in June. If there is a program or service that's important to you, please speak up and let us know what you think. At the town hall, for example, I spoke with a mother who is concerned about potential cuts to Head Start. Another person spoke about the need to protect programs that help individuals leaving prison to succeed, particularly parents. The Joint Ways and Means Committee is the final budget committee. Here are their names: Sen. Richard Devlin, Co-Chair Rep. Peter Buckley, Co-Chair Rep. Dennis Richardson, Co-Chair Sen. Betsy Johnson, Vice-Chair Rep. Bill Garrard, Co-Vice Chair Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Co-Vice Chair Sen. Alan Bates, Co-Chair, Human Services Sen. Chris Edwards, Co-Chair, Natural Resources Sen. Fred Girod Sen. Rod Monroe, Co-Chair, Education Sen. David Nelson Sen. Chuck Thomsen Sen. Joanne Verger, Co-Chair, Trans. & Eco. Dev. Sen. Doug Whitsett Sen. Jackie Winters, Co-Chair, Public Safety Rep. E. Terry Beyer, Co-Chair, Trans. & Eco. Dev. Rep. Jean Cowan, Co-Chair, Natural Resources Rep. Tim Freeman, Co-Chair, Human Services Rep. Betty Komp, Co-Chair, Education Rep. Tina Kotek, Co-Chair, Human Services Rep. Mike McLane Rep. Mary Nolan, Co-Chair, Public Safety Rep. Greg Smith, Co-Chair, Public Safety Rep. Kim Thatcher Rep. Gene Whisnant Serving on Boards and Commissions Oregon has a lot of opportunities for citizens to be appointed to special boards and commissions. In fact, there are more than 220 boards and commissions that address a huge array of issues. Most appointments require a commitment of 10 to 15 hours each month, with 2 or 4 year terms. Governor Kitzhaber is constantly filling appointments to these positions. If you are interested, you can find all the information you need at the Executive Appointments website. You can also contact Kendall Clawson, the Governor's Executive Appointments Director, with any questions: 503-378-8471 or kendall.clawson@state.or.us. Senate Bill 766 I've heard from many people about Senate Bill 766, and we had questions about it at the town hall. In brief, the bill creates new designations for industrial projects and places with certain requirements. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Business, Transportation, and Economic Development on April 19, and is now in Ways and Means. The committee adopted the 14th set of amendments drafted for the bill, and you can find the amended version here. I'm studying this issue carefully, and I welcome your thoughts about the bill.

As always, I welcome your feedback on the work I'm doing in Salem. Please be in touch! Best wishes, P.S. Thanks to those of you who pointed out the use of "NoPo" in the header of my March 25th newsletter. Like many of you, I'm not a big fan of the term. It slipped by me while proofreading, and I'm sorry to those of you who find it problematic. But, it raises a good question: What's the best way to refer to District 44? I usually say my district is "N/NE Portland," but I'm not sure that term does it justice. I'd love to hear any suggestions, especially considering all the amazing creative resources in district!