On its March 4, 2021 meeting, the PSU-AAUP Executive Council voted in SUPPORT of the following bills:
HB 3255 INTRO: SUPPORT
Relating to providing information to employees about the public service loan forgiveness program; prescribing an effective date.
Directs education employer to provide materials and assistance to eligible employees concerning public service loan forgiveness program.
Sponsored by Rep Campos; Rep Ruiz; Sen Gorsek
Rationale: HB 3255 would direct state resources to provide materials concerning the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which would benefit AAUP OR members by helping to relieve them of student loan debt acquired while obtaining necessary degrees for employment in academia.
SB 802 INTRO: SUPPORT
Relating to workers' compensation for secondary effects of COVID-19. Directs Department of Consumer and Business Services to study issues relating to workers' compensation for secondary effects of infection by SARS-CoV-2 or diagnosis with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and report to appropriate committee or interim committee of Legislative Assembly on or before September 15, 2022.
Sponsored by Sen Gorsek
Rationale: SB 802 would study the long-term impacts of COVID-19 “secondary effects,” including with so-called “long haulers” who may suffer from the effects of COVID-19 longer than the average person. AAUP OR believes this data is invaluable to determining the true cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting those impacted by this disease.
The Executive Council voted to OPPOSE the following legislative bills:
HJR 16 INTRO: OPPOSE
Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to legislative districts. Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to modify legislative districts so that each legislative district elects, on nonpartisan basis, one Senator and two at-large Representatives, all to four-year term.
Sponsored by Rep Noble
Rationale: HJR 16 would fundamentally change Oregon legislative districts and the system used to choose representatives. It would harm the ability of AAUP OR members and voters at large to make their voices heard, and is against AAUP OR principles around the expansion of democracy.
SB 787 INTRO: OPPOSE
Relating to the elimination of the corporate activity tax; prescribing an effective date. Repeals corporate activity tax.
Sponsored by Sen Girod
Rationale: SB 787 would reduce tax burdens on wealthy Oregonians at the expense of revenue used for crucial programs. AAUP OR supports expanding these programs and stands for tax fairness in Oregon.
SJR 27 INTRO: OPPOSE
Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to the declaration of an emergency in bills.
Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require bills declaring emergency to receive at least two-thirds majority vote in each House of Legislative Assembly for passage.
Sponsored by Sen Girod
Rationale: SJR 27 would amend the Constitution to require emergency bills to pass with a much higher threshold. This would encourage more gridlock in Salem and slow down much needed help to AAUP OR members and other Oregonians.
Check out all of our recent and past PSU-AAUP Executive Council positions and endorsements HERE.