Protecting Oregon's Promise
Sara knows Oregon’s greatest resource is its people. That's why she supports economic development that creates good jobs and promotes healthy businesses. She has worked to create policies that encourage the growth of small business, and encourage the creation of the skilled workforce that Oregon’s economy needs to grow. She’s also worked to cut red tape by successfully sponsoring the largest regulatory streamlining initiative in the nation for the construction industry in 2007. And that's why she is working to ensure that our state invests in critical health care and human service programs that protect our most vulnerable neighbors and help others get back on their feet.
Protecting our vulnerable neighbors
Sara is is an outspoken leader on behalf of those whose voices too often go unheard in politics. Whether fighting for improved services for victims of child abuse, demanding accountability from those who prey on the elderly or disabled, or standing up to protect the interests of victims of rape and domestic violence, Sara is a passionate advocate for the underserved and the underheard.
Sara earned the support of the Oregon Firefighter's Association, the Oregon Council of Police Associations, SEIU Local 503, and Communities for Oregonians with Disabilities.
Protecting our health and the quality of our health care system
Sara believes health care is a basic human right, not a privilege. As a legislator, she helped pass Oregon’s landmark health care reform bill, and was an outspoken advocate for expanding health coverage to tens of thousands of uninsured Oregon children. She helped expand access to life saving medications by expanding the Oregon Prescription Drug Program and successfully sponsoring legislation to create the Oregon Charitable Pharmacy Program. She helped pass legislation to end insurance industry discrimination against children with disabilities. She will continue to work with her colleagues to ensure that every Oregonian has access to high quality, affordable health care (including mental health and dental care) when and where they need it.
Sara is supported by the Oregon Nurse’s Association and the Oregon Health Care Association.
Protecting our children's education
K-12 Schools
During her five years on the Corvallis School Board, Sara was a passionate voice for all children and their right to a first-rate education. She supported expanded learning opportunities, and successfully advocated for internship and other alternative learning options.
As a Legislator and Chair of the House Education Committee, Sara used that experience to pass common sense legislation-- like mentoring programs for new teachers, modified diploma standards for students with special learning needs, and strict new standards that keep abusive adults out of our classrooms. Sara will continue to encourage innovation to help schools become more rigorous and more relevant so our children are better prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Early Childhood
Education isn't just about K-12 schools. Early education programs like Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education and Head Start are critical for preparing our students to perform well in our K-12 schools and to develop to their highest potential. This is why Sara joined business leaders and educators in their effort to improve funding and access to opportunities for our youngest learners.
Higher Education and Community Colleges
Sara knows that universities and community colleges are the building blocks of a healthy economy. That's why she was an outspoken advocate for improving support for post-secondary education. She helped deliver the best budget universities and community colleges have seen in decades, but she also knows that was simply a down payment on the future. Oregon must continue to improve its investment in higher education so we can attract excellent faculty and retain Oregon high school graduates in college and university programs that are relevant and affordable.
Sara will also continue to be a strong advocate of community colleges because knows how critical our college system is to workforce development, and to extending opportunity to tens of thousands of Oregonians who want to increase their earning power and improve opportunities for their families. More Oregonians than ever are turning to our community college system to improve their skills, and we must make the necessary investments to support these colleges in meeting their mission.
Sara is endorsed by the Oregon School Employees Association, Oregon Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers- Oregon.
Protecting our natural treasures
Oregon's rivers, forests, farms and natural resources are essential to our economy and quality of life. Sara demonstrated her commitment to a sustainable future by supporting legislation to protect the Metolius River Basin, update the bottle bill, simplify recycling for electronic waste, invest in alternative energy resources, set aggressive renewable energy portfolio standards, and create strong private/public partnerships to finance energy efficiency projects. She is proud to have earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.
Protecting our personal freedoms and our basic rights
Sara was proud to champion domestic partnership and anti-discrimination legislation in 2007 because she believes in fairness for all families. She co-sponsored legislation to ensure women have access to contraceptives through their prescription drug coverage, and she will strongly oppose any effort to restrict women's access to reproductive health are services. Sara’s unwavering commitment to equality and self determination have earned her the endorsements of Basic Rights Oregon, Planned Parenthood PAC, and NARAL-Prochoice Oregon PAC.
Protecting the interests of taxpayers
As a member of the House Revenue Committee, Sara played a key role in the creation of Oregon's first general purpose Rainy Day Fund. However, Oregon remains in need of comprehensive tax reform. Sara supports common sense kicker reform that directs excess revenues into a constitutionally protected rainy day fund to protect critical services in times of an economic downturn. She supported efforts to evaluate Oregon’s tax expenditures to ensure Oregonian’s get the best value for their dollar, and supported legislation to increase transparency in government spending.
Protecting the integrity of the legislative process
Sara is committed to positive, bipartisan and issue oriented leadership and excellent constituent service. She supported strong ethics reforms, and maintains an open door policy with every citizen in her district. She holds regular town halls and informal constituent coffees, and remains in frequent communication with local government officials, business, community and non-profit leaders.