LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEWS January 16, 2008

YOUR OPINION REQUESTED OPEN PRIMARY (no party identification) OPEN PRIMARY (no party identification) On a split vote, SKEA supported. FUSION VOTING (multiple nominations) FUSION VOTING (multiple nominations) Too confusing, No support from SKEA VIRTUAL VENDORS VIRTUAL VENDORS No to private school vendors. GUNS IN SCHOOLS GUNS IN SCHOOLS Resounding “no” from SKEA. MERIT PAY MERIT PAY Strong negative vote. Other locals has similar opinions. Other locals has similar opinions.

2008 “SUPPLEMENTAL” LEGISLATIVE SESSION Off year session to meet on February 4, 2008 Off year session to meet on February 4, 2008 The Legislature usually meets in odd-numbered years but is trying out a short annual session during February — one of the recommendations from a special Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature.) The Legislature usually meets in odd-numbered years but is trying out a short annual session during February — one of the recommendations from a special Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature.) The suit by Sen. Larry George (R-Sherwood) and Ted Abram against four Democratic officials contends that the February session would violate the Oregon Constitution because it doesn't meet the requirement that an "emergency exists'‘. The suit by Sen. Larry George (R-Sherwood) and Ted Abram against four Democratic officials contends that the February session would violate the Oregon Constitution because it doesn't meet the requirement that an "emergency exists'‘. Meantime, legislative counsel has provided Sen. Courtney and Merkley with an opinion that bolsters the lawmakers' position that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to call itself into session because the special legislative commission found "that annual sessions constitute a pressing need." Meantime, legislative counsel has provided Sen. Courtney and Merkley with an opinion that bolsters the lawmakers' position that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to call itself into session because the special legislative commission found "that annual sessions constitute a pressing need."

POLITICAL SEASON UPDATE Sizemore fraud lawsuit continues Sizemore fraud lawsuit continues Candidate recommendation meetings Candidate recommendation meetings Ballot initiatives circulating Ballot initiatives circulating

POSSIBLE INITIATIVES 3: Makes federal income taxes fully deductible on state return 19: Requires one-two years English immersion for non-English speaking students 20: Teacher pay raises & job security based on classroom performance …many more still in the works…

UP-COMING ISSUES Enable members who work with high needs (safety) to be notified within 48 hours Enable members who work with high needs (safety) to be notified within 48 hours Escalator clause for community colleges Escalator clause for community colleges Temporary fix for full-day kindergarten tuition issue Temporary fix for full-day kindergarten tuition issue Redefine inactive registered voters due to double majority Redefine inactive registered voters due to double majority Prison bill: triples funds to prisons Prison bill: triples funds to prisons Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality

IMPACT OF 2007 LEGISLATION SB3141: Performance Audits (PE) SB3141: Performance Audits (PE) IRMA: Initiative Reform IRMA: Initiative Reform SB 428: Health Insurance Pool SB 428: Health Insurance Pool Revenue reform Revenue reform Post secondary QEM Post secondary QEM SB10: Ethics SB10: Ethics

ETHICS REFORM Two statutory sources govern ethical standards of educators. Two statutory sources govern ethical standards of educators. 1. Teacher Standards Practices Commission 2. Government Ethics Commission (GEC) Recent GEC changes raised issue of violations due to outside employment Recent GEC changes raised issue of violations due to outside employment

GEC statute impact in 3 areas Outside Employment, in particular educational travel and tutoring. Outside Employment, in particular educational travel and tutoring. Gifts (if more than $50 in one year from single source) Gifts (if more than $50 in one year from single source) Personal use of Public Resources Personal use of Public Resources

Legislative Action Committee Do you like to give your opinion? Do you like to give your opinion? Do you want to know what legislator’s are thinking? Do you want to know what legislator’s are thinking? Do you want to tell legislator’s what it’s like to be an educator in your school? Do you want to tell legislator’s what it’s like to be an educator in your school? Looking for individuals who want to speak to their legislator. Looking for individuals who want to speak to their legislator. JOIN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION TEAM JOIN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION TEAM Contact: Violet Wilson for information Contact: Violet Wilson for information

JANUARY 29 at 4:30 PM Join State Representative Brian Clem to discuss the supplemental legislative session and issues of concern to you. Join State Representative Brian Clem to discuss the supplemental legislative session and issues of concern to you. Tuesday, January 29 at 4:30 PM Tuesday, January 29 at 4:30 PM Location: Great Wall Restaurant Location: Great Wall Restaurant Dinner included Dinner included

Know Your Contract Class ED 607: Rights and Responsibilities of Educators Module 1: February 7, 4:30-6:45 PM Module 1: February 7, 4:30-6:45 PM 4 Modules = 1 college credit for $50 4 Modules = 1 college credit for $50 Other modules dates to be determined by the students who attend Module 1. Other modules dates to be determined by the students who attend Module 1. Modules can be taken independently and for no credit (certificates available) Modules can be taken independently and for no credit (certificates available) Contact Violet Wilson for more information Contact Violet Wilson for more information or