Legislative Session moves forward

As the Session completed their third week, the conversation around affordable housing began it's movement in the Session. SB 608, which looks at no-cause evictions and rent control, had its first hearing and was voted out to the Senate Floor. It will be heard on the Senate Floor this week and carried by Senator Shemia Fagan who is an outspoken advocate for affordable housing solutions. Hundreds testified as to the issues around the state with affordable housing and what is has meant to their family. The Housing Alliance is a great resource for the many bills around affordable housing this session. You can read about their work HERE. 


THIS WEEK - Public Testimony on the APD Budget
This week, the Department of Human Services will continues their presentations on programs and services in the Joint Subcommittee of Human Services in Ways & Means. This is an opportunity for the Department to provide an overview of programs, services and talk about priorities, issues and challenges. 

The Commission on the Blind will have their presentation on Monday and Vocational Rehab programs will be heard on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, HB 2010, the proposed funding package to fill part of the gap for the Medicaid expansion population under the Oregon Health Plan will be heard. 

On Wednesday, the Joint Committee will be taking Public Testimonyon the APD (Aging & People with Disabilities), DD (Developmental Disabilities), and Vocational Rehab budgets. This 

In person testimony will be limited to 2 minutes per person. To attend in person, join us: 

Human Services Subcommittee on Ways and Means
Location:                  Capitol, Hearing Room F
Date:                          Wednesday, February 13th
Time:                         8:30-9:45

To submit written testimony, please use this email: jwmhs.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

O4AD will continue to advocate for the following: 
 1. We support the proposal in the Governor’s Recommended Budget to fund services for older adults and people with disabilities within DHS at Current Service Level

2. We ask that the Legislature consider policy option packages put forward by DHS that were not included that address critical issues, in particular case management staffing, Community abuse prevention via the Gatekeeper program and caregiver support. 

3. As the Legislature continues their work in the Ways and Means process, looking to smart investments in our long term system of services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities will allow Oregon to benefit in positive consumer outcomes, efficient use of agency resources and efficiency and effectiveness in state budgets. 

We will also consider other proposals as they become available and we are asked for support! 

You can follow this committee and hearing at the committee webpage. The materials for presentations are posted on the Committee website and are updated. 


Hearings and Committees

Oregon's Legislature continues Committee meetings this week.  
You can learn more about Legislative Committees HERE. 
You can find current membership of Legislative Committees HERE. 
And you can follow current agendas for Committees HERE. 

O4AD will also update on bills in Committees that are of interest ~ 

Monday, February 11
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means- Commission on the Blind

Public Health Modernization Overview. Senate Health Care. 1 pm

Tuesday, February 12
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means - 
Vocational Rehab Overview

SB 492- Proclaims state policy to provide aids, benefits and services to persons with disabilities who are parents or guardians. 3 pm. Senate Human Services. 

Wednesday February 13
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means
Public Testimony. 8:30 am (please see above)

*Please note, bills can be added or removed to hearing schedules at any time. Please consult the latest agenda/schedule for the bill (available via the bill's link above) to learn the latest information. 

You can access O4AD's bill tracking report, latest bill calendar and the Committee Schedule via our website HERE. 

Advocacy Opportunities 

We look forward to hearing your voice as we work towards securing supports and services for older adults and people with disabilities. There are many ways to engage and O4AD is working to help you stay updated on the process and how you can help impact the work here in Salem at the Capitol: 

• Legislative Conference Calls - O4AD is hosting Legislative Conference calls every FRIDAY, at 10:30 am during session (there may be some dates that will be canceled and we will send out notice ahead of time.) Join us for a quick update on the week in the Capitol, upcoming events or opportunities for advocacy and issues for engagement. 
  
  Fridays, 10:30 am
  Call in: 1-888-788-0099
  Meeting ID: 617 015 825
  
  You may also join via computer via Join Zoom Meeting
  https://zoom.us/j/617015825
  
  We hope you can join us this Friday! 
  
  
• Legislative Emails - O4AD will be publishing weekly email updates during the 2019 Session. If you are not on our list, go to http://www.o4ad.org and enter your information on the front page. It's that easy! 

The Oregon Legislative process is a process that allows for citizen involvement. Get involved and make your voice heard! 


For more information, contact O4AD at: info@o4ad.org or 503.463.8692

O4AD advocates for the independence, dignity, choice and safety of Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities. http://www.o4ad.org

Legislative Session moves forward

Oregon's legislature began the normal flow of work this week with bills moving through committees and budget hearings beginning. The Department of Human Services began their informational hearings on divisions within the agency beginning with the Aging and People with Disabilities division. You can read their presentations HERE. 

Public Hearing Information - The hearings to invite public testimony regarding the APD budget will be on February 13, 8:30 - 9:45 AM in Hearing Room A at the Capitol. During this hearing, public testimony will be taken on the following budget areas: 

• Aging and People with Disabilities
• Developmental Disability Services
• Vocational Rehab

If you are interested in submitting written testimony, you may submit to the committee via their email address - 

THIS WEEK - 
This week, the Department of Human Services will continue their presentations on programs and services in the Joint Subcommittee of Human Services in Ways & Means. This is an opportunity for the Department to provide an overview of programs, services and talk about priorities, issues and challenges. 

The Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman will present their agency budget on Monday, February 4. Aging and People wit Disabilities (APD) will finish their presentation on Tuesday with the Office of Developmental Disability Services starting their presentation on the same day. These hearings will occur in the Subcommittee, Hearing Room F at 8:30 am, Monday - Thursday. The current schedule (always subject to change) is: 

You can follow this committee and hearing at the committee webpage. The materials for presentations are posted on the Committee website and are updated. 


Hearings and Committees

Oregon's Legislature continues Committee meetings this week.  With a large number of committees and many new members serving on committees with new subject matter for them, this session will require important education and advocacy by advocates. 

You can learn more about Legislative Committees HERE. 
You can find current membership of Legislative Committees HERE. 
And you can follow current agendas for Committees HERE. 

O4AD will also update on bills in Committees that are of interest ~ 

Monday, February 4
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means - Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman

Tuesday, February 5
Senate Human Services - Informational hearing on the Department of Human Services. 3 pm

Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means - 
DHS Aging & People with Disabilities agency overview 
DHS Developmental Disabilities Services agency overview 

SB 682 - This bill requires the court under certain circumstances to appoint legal counsel for a protected individual. Senate Judiciary 

SB 683 - This bill limits a guardians authority to limit protected persons associations with third parties. Senate Judiciary

SB 376 - This bill directs guardian to deliver notice of order of appointment to certain persons. Senate Judiciary 

Wednesday February 6
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means
DHS DD testimony/agency overview

Thursday, February 7
Joint Subcommittee on Human Services Ways & Means
Provider Tax Overview

*Please note, bills can be added or removed to hearing schedules at any time. Please consult the latest agenda/schedule for the bill (available via the bill's link above) to learn the latest information. 

You can access O4AD's bill tracking report, latest bill calendar and the Committee Schedule via our website HERE. 

Advocacy Opportunities 

We look forward to hearing your voice as we work towards securing supports and services for older adults and people with disabilities. There are many ways to engage and O4AD is working to help you stay updated on the process and how you can help impact the work here in Salem at the Capitol: 

• Legislative Conference Calls - O4AD is hosting Legislative Conference calls every FRIDAY, at 10:30 am during session (there may be some dates that will be canceled and we will send out notice ahead of time.) Join us for a quick update on the week in the Capitol, upcoming events or opportunities for advocacy and issues for engagement. 
  
  Fridays, 10:30 am
  Call in: 1-888-788-0099
  Meeting ID: 617 015 825
  
  You may also join via computer via Join Zoom Meeting
  https://zoom.us/j/617015825
  
  We hope you can join us this Friday! 
  
  
• Legislative Emails - O4AD will be publishing weekly email updates during the 2019 Session. If you are not on our list, go to http://www.o4ad.org and enter your information on the front page. It's that easy! 

The Oregon Legislative process is a process that allows for citizen involvement. Get involved and make your voice heard! 


For more information, contact O4AD at: info@o4ad.org or 503.463.8692
 
O4AD advocates for the independence, dignity, choice and safety of Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities. http://www.o4ad.org edit.

JANUARY 22, 2018
The 2018 Legislative Session

February 5 marks the official opening of the 2018 Legislative Session. This session, limited to 35 days by law, will feature a number of issues, budget decisions and policy discussions. The first round of pre-session filed bills were released today and are available on the Oregon Legislative Website (check them out HERE   then go to: Bills and you will see drop down menus).

O4AD will be tracking bills during the session and you can follow our reports HERE.  

Bills will continue to be released throughout this week and during the session so stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact O4AD with any questions we may answer for you. Email us HERE. 


Advocacy Opportunities 

O4AD will be offering different opportunities to engage in the Legislative session. 

• Legislative Conference Calls - O4AD will host legislative conference calls weekly on Fridays during the session. Call in to listen on the latest happenings in the Capitol, talk about senior and disability priorities and ask questions regarding the session. Calls will begin Friday, February 2, 11 am. You can dial in at: 
  1-866-200-5786
  Participant Code: 835329
• Legislative Emails - O4AD will be publishing regular email updates during the session. If you are not on our list, go to http://www.o4ad.org and enter your information on the front page. It's that easy! 
• Legislative Day Lite - For the first time, O4AD will host a Legislative Advocacy Day during the short session. Mark February 14 on your calendar to join O4AD at the Capitol. This is an opportunity for you to meet with legislators and staff (be sure to schedule your appointments ahead of time), observe hearings and floor session. O4AD will host breakfast and lunches for those participating. This will be a 'slimmed down' version of our long session Advocacy Day. To register, please complete this online form HERE. 

The Oregon Legislative process is a process that allows for citizen involvement. Get involved and make your voice heard! 

Don't Forget to Vote - Ballots due January 23 - TOMORROW
Tomorrow is the deadline for ballots to be returned in Oregon's special election. This is a critical election on Measure 101. Please be sure to return your ballot by 5 pm at your local drop off. 



For more information, contact O4AD at: info@o4ad.org or 503.463.8692
 
O4AD advocates for the independence, dignity, choice and safety of Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities. http://www.o4ad.org. 

Legislative Update June 14, 2017
O4AD Legislative Conference Call 
Friday, June 16, 2017
O4AD will hold our weekly Legislative conference call on Friday, June 16th at 11 am. Please join us for this update on the Session and current progress as negotiations continue to move the session to a conclusion. 

1-866-200-5786
User Code: 835329

O4AD will conclude weekly Legislative Calls on June 30. 


Bill Tracking and Reporting
Now that Policy Committees have closed, remaining committees are down to limited notice for hearings. To follow how bills are now moving, please be sure to visit the Committee Agendas Online webpage of the Oregon Legislative Website: 
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/LIZ/Committees/Meeting/List

O4AD will post our updated bill lists with all "dead bills" removed. We are currently awaiting the movement of the Department of Human Services budget bill which is moved close to the end of the session. Negotiations around budget and revenue continue with various proposals being attempted. The uncertainty that is an inherent part of the end of session will continue as we move to sine die. Advocates remain engaged to help insure that services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities  are adequately funded for the 2017-19 biennium. 

Checking on agendas online is the most effective and efficient way to track bills being heard at this time. For more information or with questions, please contact O4AD - info@o4ad.org or 503.463.8692. 

Oregon Project Independence
As the Legislature heads to Sine Die, O4AD continues to work closely on protecting funding for Oregon Project Independence. We sincerely appreciate all of the hard work of advocates throughout the session to help achieve this goal of protecting this funding and the independence for the seniors  and people with disabilities served. 

It is important to remember that while our advocacy has focused on Ways & Means, all Legislators have a vote in the end of the Budgets that passed. Be sure that YOUR legislators are aware of the importance of this program, the impact it has on older adults and people with disabilities in your local community and the cost effectiveness and efficiency of OPI - along with program effectiveness. 

Share the cost effectiveness of OPI with this one pager HERE. 

You can talk about the comparison of OPI versus other programs as well as demographic information via this one pager HERE.

You can find the contact information for YOUR legislators via the Oregon Legislative website - just enter your address and their information will be available. Look at "Find your District and Legislator" on the front page of the Legislative website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov 

Thank you! 

Remember, please do not hesitate to contact O4AD with any questions or for more information. 
http://www.o4ad.org

​O4AD Legislative Update June 5, 2017
Policy Committees Conclude Their WorkOn Friday, June 2, the Policy Committees concluded the majority of their work as the second deadline hit. Bills that had moved through the first Chamber and were in the second Chamber policy Committee had to have a work session occur and action taken by Friday in order for the bill to remain alive. This does NOT apply to bills in Ways & Means, Rules or Revenue. From here, a Policy Committee may hold an informational hearing, may hear other items if they wish, but their action on bills has concluded in a formal capacity. Therefore, you will see a dramatic decrease in hearings from now until the end of the session. 

Rebalance & Caseload
During the past week, the Department of Human Services released their Spring Rebalance report and Caseload forecast. Both reports are tools used by the Legislature in their overall view of the budget and resources available. 

DHS reported overall that they have no current General Fund request - no additional funds needed at this time to balance their budget - and an overall $51 million in potential excess General Fund available. 

To learn more about the DHS rebalance, please read here: 
1. DHS Rebalance Presentation: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/131173
2. DHS Rebalance Letter: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/131172
3. SB 5543 (DHS Rebalance bill) webpage: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Measures/Overview/SB5543
4. Legislative Fiscal Recommendation: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/131174

The Department also shared their most current Caseload forecast. The forecast is also a key budget tool that shows changes in numbers of individuals DHS is serving. Overall, there is an expected continued increase in the DHS caseload for Aging & People with Disabilities and in-home care continuing to gain in consumers (this relates to Medicaid). The Committee discussed the factors which includes demographics, more individuals without family to help provide care, geographic separation from family and other factors). 

You can read the most recent Caseload Forecast presentation here: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/131170.

This week there will continue to be further discussions in the Legislature on PERS, cost containment and revenue/transportation packages as the Legislature grapples with how to move towards the budget work to be done that will bring the Session to a close. O4AD will continue to stay closely engaged in this process in order to update advocates and other stakeholders. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or for more information. 


Hearings This WeekWith the second deadline having now occurred for policy bills, there will be a dramatic decrease in the number of bills up for hearing. However, you will see more action in Ways & Means. This does not apply to bills that are currently in Ways & Means, Rules or Revenue. The Senate has announced that they are now on a one hour notice for Committee hearings - a Senate Committee that is going to hear a bill or 'work' a bill need only give a one hour notice before holding the hearing. This can make it challenging to follow the hearing schedule - we recommend staying in close contact with the Oregon Legislative website which is updated to reflect new hearings. Please visit the Committee Agendas Online page to stay up to date - https://olis.leg.state.or.us/LIZ/Committees/Meeting/List.


Of note this week: 
6/5/2017
Senate Rule
SB 494
Public Hearing and Work Session - SRULES
HR B
Establishes Advance Directive Adoption Committee for purpose of adopting form of advance directive to be used in this state.
Catch Line:
Relating to health care decisions; prescribing an effective date.
 
6/5/2017
House Revenue
HB 2830
Work Session - HREV
HR A
Catch Line:
Relating to state finance; prescribing an effective date; providing for revenue raising that requires approval by a three-fifths majority.
 
6/6/2017
JWMHS Joint Ways & Means Human Services Subcommittee
SB 397
Public Hearing
HR F
Directs Department of Human Services to convene work group to develop common client confidentiality release form to be used by public bodies and community organizations to enable and facilitate appropriate sharing of confidential information.
Catch Line:
Relating to the sharing of information between social services providers; declaring an emergency.
 
6/6/2017
Joint Ways & Means Human Services
HB 2402
Public Hearing and Work Session
HR F
Directs Oregon Health Authority to establish grant program through which individual who is homeless may obtain certified copy of individual's record of live birth at reduced cost or free of charge.
Catch Line:
Relating to individuals who are homeless; prescribing an effective date.
1
6/6/2017
O4AD: Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging
JWMNR
SB 380
No Position 0
Public Hearing - JWMNR
H-174
Veterans
Client:
1:00 PM
Requires State Parks and Recreation Department to set aside certain number of campsites to be available for reservation only by disabled veterans during first 30 days of any applicable reservation period.
Catch Line:
Relating to reservations for use of state parks; prescribing an effective date.
 
6/6/2017
House Rules
HB 2947
Public Hearing and Possible Work Session
HR 50
Directs specified state agencies to file annual report with interim committees of Legislative Assembly on general government affairs describing amount of federal funds received by agencies in preceding fiscal year and describing plan to operate agency if amount of federal funds received by agency in current fiscal year is reduced.
Catch Line:
Relating to state financial administration; declaring an emergency.
 
6/7/2017
Senate Rules
HB 3253
Public Hearing and Possible Work Session
HR B
Requires state agencies, departments and political subdivisions to grant to persons who are blind priority to establish and operate vending facilities in public buildings.
Catch Line:
Relating to persons who are blind; prescribing an effective date.

You can review O4AD's most recent bill tracking report HERE. 

O4AD's most recent bill calendar is also available HERE. 

If you are attending hearings, please note you may contact the Capitol if accommodations are needed in the room. For information on visiting the Capitol and Special Needs, please click HERE. 

You may view a complete listing of hearings occurring via the Legislative website - HERE. 

 Oregon Project Independence - An Essential piece of the budget picture. 
As the Legislature moves to intensive budget discussions, it is important that there is a focus on budget needs for older adults and people with disabilities. Both populations are currently provided services through Oregon Project Independence, older adults have statewide access and people with disabilities have services through the Pilot Program in five geographic areas around the state. This cost effective, programmatically efficient program has allowed individuals to stay in their own home and own community and avoid premature or unnecessary entrance into Medicaid or facility based care. The Legislature cannot afford to NOT fund this program for seniors and people with disabilities. Moving individuals from OPI into Medicaid would result in an immediate 50% cost increase to the General Fund at a minimum. 

O4AD has released Talking Points on the importance of protecting funding for OPI. You can access these talking points HERE. 


You can contact Ways & Means legislators to let them know the importance of this program. You can access their contact information HERE.

Or you can email them directly following these links: 

Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Representative Dan Rayfield - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Senator Sara Gelser
Senator Jackie Winters
Representative Teresa Alonso Leon
Representative Knute Buehler
Representative Cedric Hayden
Representative Sheri Malstrom

Senator Richard Devlin - Co Chair, Ways & Means
Representative Nancy Nathanson - Co-Chair, Ways & Means

Our message is simple - Protect Funding for OPI at Current Funding Levels. 

Read about O4AD's budget priorities HERE.

You can also access other talking points and information on OPI via O4AD's website - HERE. 

THANK YOU! Your voice is critical as we fight to protect this important program. 

For more information or with questions, please contact O4AD. info@o4ad.org.


THANK YOU for your continued work on protecting funding for OPI! 
 O4AD Legislative Conference CallO4AD is pleased to host our weekly Legislative Conference Call on Friday, June 9 at 11 am. We will be joined by n4a, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging & Disabilities, for a Federal Policy update. 

Join us: 
Friday, June 9. 
11 am
1-866-200-5786
User code: 835329

O4AD Legislative Update - Deadline Week edition May 31, 2017
Deadline Week for Policy BillsOregon's Legislature continues to move ahead even with no clear direction on a revenue package, consensus on a transportation package or a vote yet on the Provider Tax bills. However, this week, a short week due to the Memorial Day holiday, is the deadline week for Policy Bills. All bills that are not already in Ways & Means, Rules or Revenue must have had a Work Session by Friday, June 2 in order to continue to move through the process. This means the bill would have already had a work session in the originating chamber, been to a  vote on that Chamber's floor, then been referred to the 2nd Chamber's appropriate policy committee and must now have a Work Session by June 2 and then head to that Chamber's floor for vote. 

O4AD will update our bill tracking once this deadline passes in order to keep up updated on the latest in policy moving ahead. 

Now that the Legislature moves forward out of policy work, with some exceptions, the conversation moves very quickly to budget. The Co Chairs of Ways & Means and their Subcommittee Co Chairs are working through different budget scenarios. Due to the uncertainty of potential revenue sources, and other obligations or priorities, the budget writers are presented with unique challenges in crafting budgets that address a number of scenarios - increases in revenue, decreases in revenue, flat revenue, increases in potential revenues forecasts, decreases in potential revenue forecasts, and other contingencies. This leaves advocates for aging and disability programs with significant work over the next month! Please stay updated with O4AD for ways YOU can engage to protect OPI funding. 



Hearings This WeekDue to the upcoming deadline, please visit O4AD's website for the most recent bill tracking report. You may access this HERE. 

You may also access our most recent bill calendar HERE. 

We will issue a full update after the deadlines on Friday. 

If you are attending hearings, please note you may contact the Capitol if accommodations are needed in the room. For information on visiting the Capitol and Special Needs, please click HERE. 

You may view a complete listing of hearings occurring via the Legislative website - HERE. 

 Advocacy Steps Up as Budget Negotiations Step Up
As O4AD continues to work on protecting funding for Oregon Project Independence for both older adults and people with disabilities, Legislators tell us they are hearing from YOU! They are hearing about the importance of this program from advocates, constituents, OPI consumers and others. THANK YOU for your hard work on this important and critical issue to older adults and people with disabilities. YOUR VOICE matters in this important conversation on how Oregon will fund services and supports during the 2017-19 biennium. It is essential that we do not balance budgets on the backs of our most vulnerable populations. 

O4AD has released Talking Points on the importance of protecting funding for OPI. You can access these talking points HERE. Please take a moment to share these points with your Legislator - regardless of the Committees where they serve, their support for OPI with their colleagues is critical. 


You can also contact Ways & Means legislators to let them know the importance of this program. You can access their contact information HERE.

Or you can email them directly following these links: 

Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Representative Dan Rayfield - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Senator Sara Gelser
Senator Jackie Winters
Representative Teresa Alonso Leon
Representative Knute Buehler
Representative Cedric Hayden
Representative Sheri Malstrom

Senator Richard Devlin - Co Chair, Ways & Means
Representative Nancy Nathanson - Co-Chair, Ways & Means

Our message is simple - Protect Funding for OPI at Current Funding Levels. 

Read about O4AD's budget priorities HERE.


THANK YOU! Your voice is critical as we fight to protect this important program. 

For more information or with questions, please contact O4AD. info@o4ad.org.

 O4AD Legislative Conference Call - No call on June 2. Call on June 9 to include Federal Policy Update from DC. 
Please note, there will be NO Legislative Conference Call on Friday, June 2 due to Legislative Deadline.

Our NEXT Legislative Conference call will be June 9, 11 am with a Federal Policy update with n4a - the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging included. ​

O4AD Legislative Update May 22, 2017
The Revenue Forecast and the KickerIn the past week, Oregon's economists shared the most recent Revenue Forecast. The forecast is a projection of how the State sees their resources and availability to meet the financial needs of the State. Traditionally, the May forecast helps set the projected funds available for the Co Chairs of Ways & Means to determine their budget proposals in the upcoming biennium (in this case, the 17-19 budget). 

The Revenue forecast showed a net gain in overall revenue available for the 17-19 budgets compared to the COS (Close of Session) projections made previously. The forecast shows an overall increase in resources that will result in nearly $187 million more in resources available for the 17-19 biennium which reduces the projected shortfall in the 2017-19 biennium to $1.6 billion versus the original $1.8 billion projections. Further, it is estimated there is likely additional revenue to be achieved over the course of the next biennium which would bring the deficit down even further. 

The Revenue Forecast also shows that Oregon's Kicker is likely to "kick". The Kicker is a uniquely Oregon creation which sends surplus revenue, revenue exceeding 2% of expected returns, back to Oregonians. The Kicker was revised and is now a tax credit back to Oregonians when it is returned versus previous "kicker checks" that were returned back to taxpayers. The Kicker is projected at approximately $400 million to be returned but again, as a tax credit the impact is more subtle than the previous kicker checks. 

The Revenue forecast now plays into the conversations overall on a potential Revenue package, Provider Tax package and Transportation package that are the major revenue initiatives for the Session. Additional revenue is a welcome outcome of the forecast for the Legislature. 

You can read Oregon's most recent Revenue forecast HERE
You can read more about Oregon's kicker HERE
You can read more about the Revenue Forecast HERE. 



Hearings This WeekFriday, May 19th was the deadline for bills to be scheduled for a work session within a policy committee that is moving through the session. Bills that have now been scheduled for a work session on the second side must occur by June 2. This does not apply to bills that are currently in Ways & Means, Rules or Revenue. 

You can review O4AD's most recent bill tracking report HERE. 

O4AD's most recent bill calendar is also available HERE. 

This week, here are some of the bills of interest to advocates: 

SB 59 ~ Authorizes court to remove fiduciary or modify power or authority of fiduciary on motion of Long Term Care Ombudsman. House Human Services. Tuesday, May 23. 

SB 58 ~ Directs Long Term Care Ombudsman to appoint Residential Facilities Ombudsman within Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman. House Human Services. May 23. 

HJM6 ~ Urges Congress to change funding of veterans' health care from discretionary entitlement to permanent and direct entitlement. Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness. May 23. 

HB 3262 ~ Requires Department of Human Services, in collaboration with other agencies, to adopt rules related to prescription of psychotropic medications elderly persons and persons wit disabilities. Senate Human Services. May 24. 

HB 2630 ~ Makes changes to Oregon guardianship laws to ensure adequate safeguards for respondents and protected persons. Senate Judiciary. May 25. 


If you are attending hearings, please note you may contact the Capitol if accommodations are needed in the room. For information on visiting the Capitol and Special Needs, please click HERE. 

You may view a complete listing of hearings occurring via the Legislative website - HERE. 

 In District Days an Opportunity to Advocate for OPI
O4AD would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our most recent Day at the Capitol. We had a full day of advocacy from participants coming in from all corners of the state. The message to fund Oregon Project Independence was heard loud and clear. Thank you! 

Legislators will be back in the District for "In District Day" over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Many legislators will be holding Constituent coffees, Town Halls and other occasions to interact with their District residents. This is a GREAT opportunity for advocates to remind their elected officials of the importance of senior and disability services and supports in budget conversations. 

Your discussions with Legislators brings important attention to the need to fund Oregon Project Independence at current funding levels - $21 million for Seniors and $6 million for the People with Disabilities Pilot Project. Current funding levels will still result in 10% less resources available than the current biennium due to rising costs of care however, there simply cannot be less than current funding for this program. OPI provides not only program effectiveness but also critical cost savings for the state. Reduction and/or elimination of the program will result in immediate cost increases for the State General Fund - an unwise choice in the overall budget picture for our state. 

O4AD has released Talking Points on the importance of protecting funding for OPI. You can access these talking points HERE. 

Take a moment to visit with your Legislator when they are back in the District this weekend! 

You can also contact Ways & Means legislators to let them know the importance of this program. You can access their contact information HERE.

Or you can email them directly following these links: 

Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Representative Dan Rayfield - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Senator Sara Gelser
Senator Jackie Winters
Representative Teresa Alonso Leon
Representative Knute Buehler
Representative Cedric Hayden
Representative Sheri Malstrom

Senator Richard Devlin - Co Chair, Ways & Means
Representative Nancy Nathanson - Co-Chair, Ways & Means

Our message is simple - Protect Funding for OPI at Current Funding Levels. 

Read about O4AD's budget priorities HERE.

You can also access other talking points and information on OPI via O4AD's website - HERE. 

THANK YOU! Your voice is critical as we fight to protect this important program. 

For more information or with questions, please contact O4AD. info@o4ad.org.

 O4AD Legislative Conference CallPlease note, there will be NO Legislative Conference Call on Friday, May 26. 
 
From n4a ~ 
Breaking Policy News Expected This Week 
Administration’s Budget Request and Health Care Report on Tap for Release 
 
Amidst all of the breaking stories coming out of Washington, DC these days, we expect two major pieces of policy news from the White House and Capitol Hill that could potentially have significant implications for older adults and caregivers in every community. The Trump Administration will release their full FY 2018 budget request for federal programs, which could include significant threats for Older Americans Act and other aging programs (o4ad note - this is expected to be released on May 23). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is also expected to release its analysis of the recent House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA), which will include projections as to how the AHCA, if enacted, could affect health care and Medicaid coverage for millions of older adults.
 
n4a will have more analysis for members and advocates about how each of these federal policy updates could affect the programs and services that serve older adults and caregivers in your communities. In addition to this sneak-peak and next week’s in-depth analysis, we also invite you to join us next Friday, May 26 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. ET for a webinar to review both the Administration’s budget proposal and next steps for health care reform.
 
What We Expect in the Administration’s Budget Request
 
After releasing a preliminary “skinny budget” in March, we expect that the Trump Administration’s full budget request to Congress will outline major shifts in federal funding priorities. The Administration is likely to stick to their overall goal of increasing defense programs by $54 billion by breaking current parity between non-defense (NDD) and defense discretionary programs, and slashing NDD programs by $54 billion overall.
 
While we only currently have top-line agency numbers in the Trump’s FY 2018 budget that reflect deep cuts far below current budget caps, we expect to see details on exactly which programs the Administration will specifically target to achieve those deep cuts. Some sources have indicated that we will see a cut to overall Administration for Community Living funding, but we don’t know yet which ACL programs—such as Older Americans Act or disability programs, for example—will be hit the hardest.
 
We do anticipate, however, that the Administration will target some key programs for especially deep cuts or even elimination. Based on how the Administration approached the early “skinny” FY 2018 budget and the President’s FY 2017 requests, the hardest hit could include, but may not be limited to, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), OAA Title V Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) under the Department of Labor (DOL); Senior Corps under the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS); the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG); and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Cutting or eliminating any of these programs could have significant consequences for vulnerable older adults.
 
We are also hearing that the budget request may outline major changes and cuts to mandatory (i.e., entitlement) programs including Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs and other income-based entitlement benefits. We don’t expect to see consequential cuts or changes to Medicare or Social Security, but these are only predictions at this point.
 
It is important to remember that the Administration’s budget request, is simply that—a request. Congress ultimately makes funding decisions, and there is word from Capitol Hill that many of the Administration’s proposals will be roundly rejected. However, advocacy and rapid response to the budget will be necessary. n4a will work diligently to update members and advocates about details from the Administration’s budget proposal and necessary advocacy next steps as soon as we have them. We will also offer members the opportunity to get their questions answered and to hear more from n4a staff on next Friday’s webinar.
 
News on Health Care Reform
 
As our recent Advocacy Alert detailed, earlier this month the House passed its plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and completely restructure Medicaid without full analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) about the coverage implications and costs of the final bill.
 
We expect the CBO to release their analysis about the narrowly approved American Health Care Act (AHCA) sometime early next week. Because some of the final changes included in the AHCA could affect the availability and cost of private insurance and Medicaid coverage, the final CBO report could substantially update previous estimates that the AHCA could jeopardize insurance coverage for up to 24 million people.
 
The Senate is continuing to work on their version of an ACA repeal and replacement bill and lawmakers in that chamber have indicated that they are waiting for the CBO report before they consider the House-passed proposal. Again, n4a will have more updates as we have them.

for more information, please visit: http://www.n4a.org 

O4AD Legislative UpdateMay 15, 2017
Transportation & Revenue continues to dominate the conversationIn the past week, the Transportation package was unveiled to the public. The Transportation package has been a high priority for the Governor and Legislature. The Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization is the special joint committee created to work with this package throughout the session. In the interim leading up to the session, there has been significant work done to look at the transportation needs around the state and gauge what needs to be done, the costs and benefits and how to put that together in a package with funding that could stand a chance at passage. 

You can read the Transportation package proposal HERE.  In order to fund the items within the package, there would be revenue vote(s) required. The Oregonian looks at what is in the package and what the challenges are to passage HERE. 

Along with the Revenue package and Transportation package, Legislators are also looking at the Provider Tax. The Provider Tax is a tax on Oregon's healthcare systems that allows for a reimbursement to providers along with a tax. The Provider tax is in general used to fund Medicaid health care and is hoped to fill the budgetary hole that currently exists in current coverage for the Medicaid healthcare expansion. 

You can read more about the Provider Tax HERE and HERE. Passage of the Provider Tax would also be a revenue/tax vote and would require a super majority in order to move it through this session. 



Hearings This WeekThe next deadline for bills is upcoming. May 19th is the deadline for bills that are now in a second chamber policy committee to be scheduled for a work session. This work session must then occur by June 2. This does NOT apply to bills in Ways & Means, Revenue or Rules. You can read O4AD's most recent bill tracking HERE. 

O4AD's most recent bill calendar is also available HERE. 

This week, here are some of the bills of interest to advocates: 

HB 2630 ~ Makes changes to Oregon guardianship laws to ensure adequate safeguards for respondents and protected persons. May 16, 2017. Senate Judiciary. 

HB 2303 ~ Modifies date by which coordinated care organization must report to the Oregon Health Authority proportion of total medical costs allocated to primary care. May 16, 2017. Senate Health Care. 

HB 3253 ~ Clarifies that state agency and departments shall purchase certain products and services from Commission for the Blind. May 16, 2017. House Rules. 

HB 3175 ~ Makes changes to definition of "Low Income Households" in Local Innovation nd Fast Track Housing Program. May 17, 2017. Senate Human Services. 

HB 2391 ~ Requires the Oregon Health Authority to submit blueprint for basic health plan to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by December 31, 2017. May 18, 2017. Joint Ways & Means on Human Services. 

SB 493 ~ Creates new manner of committing crime of assault in the fourth degree when person with criminal negligence causes serious physical injury to vulnerable user of public way by means of motor vehicles. May 18, 2017. House Judiciary. 

If you are attending hearings, please note you may contact the Capitol if accommodations are needed in the room. For information on visiting the Capitol and Special Needs, please click HERE. 

You may view a complete listing of hearings occurring via the Legislative website - HERE. 

 Join the Advocacy for Oregon Project Independence on May 17.
O4AD will be focusing our attention on the absolute need to protect funding for Oregon Project Independence during our Day at the Capitol on May 17. If you are not able to join us at the Capitol, please take this opportunity to advocate with legislators on the importance of protecting this program which protects so many older adults and people with disabilities. 

Your communication with Legislators brings important attention to the need to fund Oregon Project Independence at current funding levels - $21 million for Seniors and $6 million for the People with Disabilities Pilot Project. Current funding levels will still result in 10% less resources available than the current biennium due to rising costs of care however, there simply cannot be less than current funding for this program. OPI provides not only program effectiveness but also critical cost savings for the state. Reduction and/or elimination of the program will result in immediate cost increases for the State General Fund - an unwise choice in the overall budget picture for our state. 

O4AD has released Talking Points on the importance of protecting funding for OPI. You can access these talking points HERE. 

Contact Ways & Means legislators to let them know the importance of this program. You can access their contact information HERE.

Or you can email them directly following these links: 

Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Representative Dan Rayfield - Co Chair, Human Services Ways & Means Subcommittee
Senator Sara Gelser
Senator Jackie Winters
Representative Teresa Alonso Leon
Representative Knute Buehler
Representative Cedric Hayden
Representative Sheri Malstrom

Senator Richard Devlin - Co Chair, Ways & Means
Representative Nancy Nathanson - Co-Chair, Ways & Means

Our message is simple - Protect Funding for OPI at Current Funding Levels. 

Read about O4AD's budget priorities HERE.

You can also access other talking points and information on OPI via O4AD's website - HERE. 

THANK YOU! Your voice is critical as we fight to protect this important program. 

For more information or with questions, please contact O4AD. info@o4ad.org.

 O4AD Day at the Capitol
O4AD is pleased to host our Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 17. We look forward to welcoming senior and disability advocates to the Capitol to share their stories, perspectives and call for support to Oregon's system of long term services and supports. Thank you to everyone who is taking time out of their day to participate! 
 
O4AD Legislative Conference CallO4AD will host our Legislative Conference Call on Friday, May 19th at 11 am. This week we will discuss the revenue proposals and transportation package that is expected to be discussed this week along with any other new news from the week at the Capitol.  If there is a topic you would like to learn more about, EMAIL O4AD. 

Call in: 1-866-200-5786
Participant Code: 835329

Please note, there will be NO Legislative Conference Call on Friday, May 26. ​