The past two sessions have been a rousing success for women's health issues, as well as for the GLBT community. We certainly have a long way to go to ensure that all of our minority populations are treated equally and I plan to continue support efforts to to hasten this process.

In my role as Chair of the Environment and Water Committee, I plan to look into environmental justice issues during this interim. Our former state senator, Avel Gordly, worked hard to establish an environmental justice task force in 2007. I hope to work with that task force to develop potential legislation for 2011.

I support marriage equality regardless of sexual orientation. This is an issue that I hope comes before the Legislature in the near future and which I will do whatever I can to pass.

The Oregon Women's Health and Wellness Alliance lays out its 2009 session accomplishments here. 

Anti-Bullying - 2009
 HB 2599 ensures statewide adoption of anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies in public schools, creates clear notice and complaint procedures and establishes a comprehensive approach to address bullying. The proposal strengthens existing statute by clarifying the definition of bullying, adding specific guidelines, and encouraging training programs.

Domestic Partnerships Fix - 2009
- HB 2839 creates a uniform and streamlined process for domestic partners seeking a name change, eliminates unintended consequences and clears up confusion for same-sex couples whose relationships are recognized as civil unions or marriages in other states, and preserves a long-standing state practice related to taxation on employer-provided partner health care.

Domestic Partnerships - 2007
HB 2007 allows same-sex couples to enter domestic partnerships in order to receive some of the protections associated with marriage, such as hospital visitation rights.

Anti-Discrimination - 2007
SB 2 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodation. I expressed my support for this landmark legislation in a floor speech here.

Environmental Justice Task Force - 2007
SB 420 calls for environmental justice in Oregon by ensuring that all persons affected by decisions of natural resource agencies have a voice in those decisions and sets up a task force to advise the Governor and natural resource agencies on environmental justice issues.

Contraceptive Equity/Emergency Contraception - 2007
HB 2700 requires insurers that cover prescription drugs to cover prescription contraceptives the same way they do other drugs, and also ensures that all victims of rape are offered emergency contraceptives in hospital emergency rooms.