LEGISLATIVE ACTION LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEWSNEWS

January 16, 2008January 16, 2008

YOUR OPINION REQUESTEDYOUR OPINION REQUESTED OPEN PRIMARY (no party identification)OPEN PRIMARY (no party identification)On a split vote, SKEA supported.On a split vote, SKEA supported.

FUSION VOTING (multiple nominations)FUSION VOTING (multiple nominations)Too confusing, No support from SKEAToo confusing, No support from SKEA

VIRTUAL VENDORSVIRTUAL VENDORSNo to private school vendors.No to private school vendors.

GUNS IN SCHOOLS GUNS IN SCHOOLS Resounding “no” from SKEA.Resounding “no” from SKEA.

MERIT PAYMERIT PAYStrong negative vote. Strong negative vote.

Other locals has similar opinions.Other locals has similar opinions.

2008 “SUPPLEMENTAL” 2008 “SUPPLEMENTAL” LEGISLATIVE SESSIONLEGISLATIVE SESSION

Off year session to meet on February 4, 2008Off year session to meet on February 4, 2008 The Legislature usually meets in odd-numbered The Legislature usually meets in odd-numbered years but is trying out a short annual session years but is trying out a short annual session during February — one of the recommendations during February — one of the recommendations from a special Public Commission on the Oregon from a special Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature.) Legislature.)

The suit by Sen. Larry George (R-Sherwood) and The suit by Sen. Larry George (R-Sherwood) and Ted Abram against four Democratic officials Ted Abram against four Democratic officials contends that the February session would contends that the February session would violate the Oregon Constitution because it violate the Oregon Constitution because it doesn't meet the requirement that an "emergency doesn't meet the requirement that an "emergency exists'‘.exists'‘.

Meantime, legislative counsel has provided Sen. Meantime, legislative counsel has provided Sen. Courtney and Merkley with an opinion that Courtney and Merkley with an opinion that bolsters the lawmakers' position that the bolsters the lawmakers' position that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to Legislature has the constitutional authority to call itself into session because the special call itself into session because the special legislative commission found "that annual legislative commission found "that annual sessions constitute a pressing need."sessions constitute a pressing need."

POLITICAL SEASON UPDATEPOLITICAL SEASON UPDATE

Sizemore fraud lawsuit Sizemore fraud lawsuit continuescontinues

Candidate recommendation Candidate recommendation meetingsmeetings

Ballot initiatives circulatingBallot initiatives circulating

POSSIBLE INITIATIVESPOSSIBLE INITIATIVES

3: Makes federal income taxes fully 3: Makes federal income taxes fully deductible on state return deductible on state return

19: Requires one-two years English 19: Requires one-two years English immersion for non-English speaking immersion for non-English speaking studentsstudents

20: Teacher pay raises & job 20: Teacher pay raises & job security based on classroom security based on classroom performanceperformance

……many more still in the works…many more still in the works…

UP-COMING ISSUESUP-COMING ISSUES Enable members who work with high Enable members who work with high needs (safety) to be notified within needs (safety) to be notified within 48 hours48 hours

Escalator clause for community Escalator clause for community collegescolleges

Temporary fix for full-day Temporary fix for full-day kindergarten tuition issuekindergarten tuition issue

Redefine inactive registered voters Redefine inactive registered voters due to double majority due to double majority

Prison bill: triples funds to prisonsPrison bill: triples funds to prisons Indoor Air QualityIndoor Air Quality

IMPACT OF 2007 LEGISLATION IMPACT OF 2007 LEGISLATION

SB3141: Performance Audits (PE)SB3141: Performance Audits (PE) IRMA: Initiative ReformIRMA: Initiative Reform SB 428: Health Insurance PoolSB 428: Health Insurance Pool Revenue reformRevenue reform Post secondary QEMPost secondary QEM SB10: Ethics SB10: Ethics

ETHICS REFORMETHICS REFORM

Two statutory sources govern Two statutory sources govern ethical standards of ethical standards of educators.educators.

1.1. Teacher Standards Practices CommissionTeacher Standards Practices Commission

2.2. Government Ethics Commission (GEC)Government Ethics Commission (GEC)

Recent GEC changes raised Recent GEC changes raised issue of violations due to issue of violations due to outside employment outside employment

GEC statute impact in 3 areasGEC statute impact in 3 areas

Outside Employment, in Outside Employment, in particular educational travel particular educational travel and tutoring.and tutoring.

Gifts (if more than $50 in one Gifts (if more than $50 in one year from single source)year from single source)

Personal use of Public Personal use of Public Resources Resources

Legislative Action CommitteeLegislative Action Committee Do you like to give your opinion?Do you like to give your opinion? Do you want to know what legislator’s Do you want to know what legislator’s are thinking?are thinking?

Do you want to tell legislator’s what Do you want to tell legislator’s what it’s like to be an educator in your it’s like to be an educator in your school? school?

Looking for individuals who want to Looking for individuals who want to speak to their legislator.speak to their legislator.

JOIN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION TEAMJOIN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION TEAM Contact: Violet Wilson for Contact: Violet Wilson for informationinformation

JANUARY 29 at 4:30 PMJANUARY 29 at 4:30 PM

Join State Representative Brian Join State Representative Brian Clem to discuss the supplemental Clem to discuss the supplemental legislative session and issues legislative session and issues of concern to you.of concern to you.

Tuesday, January 29 at 4:30 PMTuesday, January 29 at 4:30 PM Location: Great Wall RestaurantLocation: Great Wall Restaurant Dinner includedDinner included

Know Your Contract ClassKnow Your Contract ClassED 607: Rights and ED 607: Rights and

Responsibilities of Educators Responsibilities of Educators Module 1: February 7, 4:30-6:45 PMModule 1: February 7, 4:30-6:45 PM 4 Modules = 1 college credit for $504 Modules = 1 college credit for $50 Other modules dates to be determined Other modules dates to be determined by the students who attend Module 1.by the students who attend Module 1.

Modules can be taken independently Modules can be taken independently and for no credit (certificates and for no credit (certificates available)available)

Contact Violet Wilson for more Contact Violet Wilson for more informationinformation503-304-9576 or vwilson503@comcast.net503-304-9576 or vwilson503@comcast.net