Democrats in the Oregon Legislature are the policy heroes we need right now
At the close of Oregon’s legislative session on July 7, Democrats had a lot to celebrate. Focusing on people-centric policies and issues like funding public education, protecting civil rights, expanding healthcare access, and more, Oregon Democrats proved that despite Trump and Washington Republicans’ best effort to thwart progress, states can continue to advance policies that improve citizens’ lives. With control of both legislative chambers and the governorship, Oregon exemplifies what’s possible with Democratic leadership.

Requiring Comprehensive Health Care
As Trump and the Republican-held U.S. Senate threaten Americans’ health care, Oregon Democrats are working to protect women and families. Under the recently passed Reproductive Health Care Equity Act, insurance companies in Oregon will be required to cover all reproductive health services at no cost to patients. If signed, Oregon will become the second state — after California — to require insurers to cover fully comprehensive women’s health care. The legislation also secures abortion rights in the state and allocates public funds for postpartum care for low-income Oregonians. Additional legislation will protect and expand healthcare access for children, regardless of immigration status, and will help keep Oregonians safe and healthy.
Achieving Pay Equity & Expanded Worker Protections
Oregon took major strides this legislative session to pass pro-labor legislation. In a major move making it the first state in the nation to do so, the state passed legislation requiring more predictable work schedules — which will make it possible for Oregon families to plan childcare, travel, and more without the worries of last-minute shifts. The house also passed a bill expanding pay equity and increasing penalties for businesses who pay employees less based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability or age. Additional worker-protection legislation from this session directs employers to pay the greater of daily or weekly overtime if an employee is eligible for both in same workweek.
With the passage of the “most comprehensive transportation bill” ever passed by the Oregon Legislature, Democrats’ efforts will result in new jobs and economic opportunity statewide while addressing important infrastructure needs.
Defending civil rights
As Trump’s Republican party continues to expose its anti-immigrant mentality, Oregon lawmakers took important steps this session to protect the rights of immigrants. If, as expected, Governor Brown signs the bill into law, a new bill will prohibit public bodies in Oregon from sharing information about a person’s immigration status and personal details like addresses unless required by law to do so. Oregon Democrats have shown they can be counted on to protect the state’s valued immigrant communities.
Protecting Students from Unexpected Debt
State legislators took a stand for college students this past session by passing a new law that requires universities to make student debt information easier to understand. Beginning in January, colleges and universities in Oregon will have to present financial information to students in a simple, straightforward manner, which will ultimately protect students from falling into tricky financial traps. With more than 44 million Americans carrying education debt to the tune of $1.4 trillion total, this bill will help protect students from predatory loans.
Increasing government accountability
As Trump’s inner circle works to conceal the administration’s shadiness from the public eye, Oregon Democrats are doing exactly the opposite: pushing for government accountability and transparency. HB 2577 requires lobbyists to disclose both their pay and the bills that they are targeting. And in an effort to boost the integrity of the criminal justice system, another new bill requires three Oregon counties to record grand jury proceedings starting next March, with the rest of the state to follow after.
In Oregon and throughout the country, state Democrats are fighting for us — the working families, students, and diverse communities that make up our nation. Oregon’s achievements in the recent session serve as a reminder for what we can accomplish at the state level with more Democrats at the table — even when Republicans in Congress and the White House are determined to push an agenda counter to our values. The DLCC is committed to electing more Democrats to statehouses across America so Oregon’s progress can be America’s progress.
