Dear friends,

Astute readers of this newsletter will notice some personal news buried toward the bottom. This is old news to some but brand new to others. Liz and I couldn't be more excited about the changes that we're expecting in June, and we are grateful for the support and good wishes that we have already received from so many of you. It has been quite a year, to say the least!

In other news, it has been a busy week at the Capitol. In addition to committee activity, some of which is described below, I am leading work groups on cost transparency in health care and electronics waste recycling. I am hopeful that within a few weeks we will bring good bills on both issues to their respective committees.

Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have thoughts about any of these topics or about how this newsletter could be more helpful. I look forward to hearing from you!

Town Hall Focuses on Health Care, Youth
A February 3 Town Hall hosted by Rep. Cannon, Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, and Sen. Avel Gordly drew a large and lively crowd to the Hollywood Senior Center to discuss a range of issues facing the Oregon Legislature.

For well over an hour, conversation focused on the Department of Human Services (DHS), helped answer questions about the initiative, which would extend affordable health and dental insurance to Oregon's 117,000 uninsured children.

Members of the audience shared comments based on their own experience, a number of them focusing on the need to ensure that children have convenient access to actual services and not just access to a health care card. Many of the stories were personal and moving.

The next Town Hall will focus on tax reform. Further details about time, date, and place will be forthcoming. In the meantime, catch Rep. Cannon at Cooper's Coffee ( SE 61st and Stark) this Saturday, February 10th from 8-10am.

Renewable Energy Legislation Clears House Committee
On unanimous 7-0 votes, the House Committee on Energy and Environment this week passed a package of bills (HB 2210, 2211, 2212) designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil and jumpstart Oregon's rural economy. When the bills clear both chambers and are signed by the governor, they will require that all fuel sold in Oregon contain either 10% ethanol or 5% biodiesel, produced locally. The package also contains incentives designed to promote renewable energy in homes and businesses.

Users of home heating oil will be happy to know that in its current form, HB 2210 includes an individual tax credit to help reduce the cost difference between conventional home heating oil and a biodiesel blend. Please contact our office if you are a heating oil customer who is interested in this provision of the bill.

It has been heartening to see farmers, investors, and environmentalists bridge rural-urban and Republican-Democrat divides to support renewable energy. This package is the first of several pieces of clean-energy legislation that the committee will take up this session.

Land Use Fairness Committee Takes Up Measure 37
Early this week, Governor Kulongoski and legislative leaders took the first step toward resolving the myriad problems created by the passage of Measure 37. With local and state government facing an impending deadline for the resolution of thousands of claims, Senate Bill 505 would put a freeze on big development while creating an "express lane" for property owners who have applied to build a single home under Measure 37.

If it passes, Senate Bill 505 would put the vast majority of claims on hold while the Legislature considers how Measure 37 should be modified. Rep. Cannon will support a solution that fairly addresses property owners who want to develop a single home without opening the door to widespread subdivision and development.

To weigh in on this process, please e-mail the Land Use Fairness Committee members, Greg Macpherson, Bill Garrard, Larry George, and Floyd Prozanski. Public testimony on Senate Bill 505 begins Thursday, February 8 and may continue Tuesday, February 13, from 5 to 7 pm in the Capitol.

Rep. Cannon Submits Testimony on Breast Feeding Bill
Rep. Cannon appeared before the House Committee on Health and Women's Wellness this week to testify in support of a bill (HB 2372) that would require large employers to provide unpaid rest periods to mothers for the purpose of expressing milk.

As the husband of a working mother-to-be, Rep. Cannon discussed what this bill would mean for his own family and for children's health. "From a personal perspective, this bill is important because it will help make it possible for our child to continue to receive the benefits of breast milk even after Liz has returned to work," Rep. Cannon told the committee. "From a public policy perspective, this bill is important because it will require employers to take a small step that could make a significant impact on public health."

Other News
On Saturday, February 10, from 8-10am, Ben will be meeting neighbors at Cooper's Coffee (SE 61st and Stark). Please drop by and say hello! These are informal events with few enough people to allow neighbors to really talk to Ben - a great chance to share your opinion or ask a question.

Previous issues of this newsletter are available at Ben's legislative website: www.repbencannon.com/newsletter.

Best regards,

State Representative Ben Cannon
900 Court St. NE, H-487
Salem, OR 97301
rep.bencannon@state.or.us
http://www.repbencannon.com
(503) 986-1446