News From Salem and Washington, D.C.

News From Salem and Washington, D.C.

Take Action

Senator Merkley is a member of the Senate HELP Committee, which is one of the two committees tasked with reforming our failing healthcare system. Check out his recent remarks on the Senate floor, and Senator Merkley's petition supporting the inclusion of a public option in federal healthcare reform. Without a public option we can't control healthcare costs, and Americans won't have the choices they want - the choice to keep the insurance you have, or choose a new plan from among various private and public options.

Then thank Senator Merkley for his support for real healthcare reform that controls costs and gives you choices!

Legislative Update

SB 519 - Worker Freedom Act

The Worker Freedom Act passed out of the House Rules Committee last week, and we expect a vote on the House floor later this week. The Worker Freedom Act will ensure that workers can opt-out of meetings about politics, religion or union organizing without fear of being punished or fired for doing so.

Many business groups have lined up against the Worker Freedom Act, leading us to question what is so threatening about asking your boss to not attend a meeting, when it's not related to your work, without having to worry about getting fired. This bill protects employers' right to free speech, while protecting workers from having to listen to speeches that they're not interested in hearing.

HB 3500 - Another plan for Jobs and Training

During the last month of the legislative session there have been many proposals for ways to create a few more jobs to try to help out unemployed Oregonians. HB 3500 includes a few of these proposals. The Oregon AFL-CIO has been neutral on a few of these proposals, and supported others. We don't have a position on HB 3500.

Proposals included in 3500 are:

• Governor Kulongoski's emergency jobs program which will create 7,000 low-wage summer jobs • An expansion of Unemployment Insurance for about 3,500 Oregonians enrolled in training programs • An extension of Unemployment Insurance for 11,000 Oregonians whose benefits will run out this year before the economy picks back up and enough jobs are created for them to find work • Certification guidelines for workforce development programs

In Other News...

President Obama announced a series of financial reforms today. As a member of the organization Americans for Financial Reform, the AFL-CIO put out a national response. We're looking for reform that will:

• Bring transparency and expanded SEC oversight to the banking system • Protect communities across the country by bringing down the record foreclosure rates • Ensure that the financial system is being regulated by someone held accountable to the public interest • Show a strong commitment to consumer protection, including ensuring that products are safe and fair

Working families have had to pay the price for corporate greed and executive's excesses for far too long. President Obama must protect working people and the institutions that we depend on as his administration overhauls our country's financial regulations.