Representative Mike Schaufler’s News & Events

Budgets totaling $6.245 billion for 2007-09 sail through on bipartisan vote

SALEM—House Democrats delivered on a promised significant reinvestment in K-12 education with the approval today of a combined $6.245 billion budget for 2007-09. Three budgets—the State School Fund, the School Improvement Fund and the Department of Education budget were approved today with unanimous, bipartisan support.

“Sixteen years of Republican control in the House wreaked havoc on K-12 schools in Oregon,” said House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas County). “Today, Democrats have begun to reverse decades of disinvestment and finally put kids first in Oregon.”

Democrats say the budget approvals represent a turnaround for education in Oregon with immediate effects felt throughout the state.

State Representative David Edwards (D-Hillsboro), whose district holds some of the highest-growth areas in the state told fellow lawmakers, “This reinvestment means my school district can add fifty-two new teaching positions, provide more academic support services and increase funding to three sports programs. These and other, similar improvements in districts around the state will make a material and transformative difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of students.”

Democrats say that in addition to the dollar amount, the approval of the three main education budgets today is the earliest passed by the Oregon Legislature in a decade. During the 2005 Legislative session, for example, the budget was not approved until the last day of session—August 5. This early passage allows school districts to immediately begin planning for the increased funding and implementing related changes in the upcoming school year.

“For years as a school board member, we lived with the uncertainty of late K-12 budgets that forced enormous increases in class size and the closure of four public schools in Corvallis alone,” said State Representative Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis). “This is the best and earliest budget this state has seen in decades.  In approving this budget, we are promising our students lower classes, a full school year, and the promise of an education that will prepare them for success in the 21st century.”

Two of the budgets approved today—The Department of Education Budget and the School Improvement Fund—contain specific programs and provisions aimed at increasing student achievement.

The Department of Education Budget includes $39 million to fund Oregon’s pre-kindergarten Head Start Program–$10 million above the Governor’s Recommended Budget. At previous funding levels, just over half of eligible kids could participate in the program. Today’s approved budget allows the state to enroll 75 percent of eligible Oregon children.

“As a school principal I’ve seen too many kids come to school unprepared for academic success,” said State Representative Betty Komp (D-Woodburn). “Too often, these kids—already at a disadvantage—fall even further behind. Head Start has a proven track record of preparing kids for a lifetime of success and ensuring that these kids come to school prepared to learn, thrive academically and socially.”

Democrats say the $260 million contained in the School Improvement Fund is specifically dedicated to improving student achievement.

“Today’s vote allows school districts flexibility to spend money on the established best-practices that are most critical for their student population—whether that is decreasing class sizes, implementing all-day kindergarten or increasing vocational training for high school students,” said State Representative Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay).  “At the same time, by limiting the ways the money can be spent and requiring districts to report on the outcomes of those expenditures, the fund guarantees clear accountability to tax payers.”

Building a world-class public education system—including adequate school funding– is a core part of House Democrats’ Roadmap for Oregon’s future. The bills now move to the Senate for final approval.

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Bill to strengthen scrap metal sale regulations and penalties cuts off funds for 

meth use and production, reduces crime against Oregon businesses 

SALEM–Democrats in the Oregon House Thursday voted to strengthen record keeping 

requirements and noncompliance penalties for scrap metal dealers in an effort to further crack 

down on Oregon’s meth epidemic. 

“Last session, we worked to take the ingredients used to make meth out of the hands of those 

producing this devastating drug,” said State Representative Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay). “Now, 

the theft of metal, which addicts sell to finance their habits, has reached an unprecedented level. 

If we are serious about solving this problem, this bill is the next logical step to take.” 

Democrats say the bill is needed because meth users have resorted to extreme measures to steal 

scrap metals and metal equipment—including road signs, irrigation pipes, copper wire from 

construction sites, stadium bleachers, utility meters, highway guardrails, farm machinery parts 

and more—costing Oregon businesses and taxpayers millions each year. 

“As a contractor I have been aware of the problem of metal theft like copper wire and brass 

fixtures from construction sites for years,” said State Representative Mike Schaufler (D-Happy 

Valley). “But the problem has reached a whole new level. This is another tool in the tool box in 

our fight against meth.” 

House Bill 3026 calls for scrap metal recyclers to maintain a metal purchase record for every sale 

that includes a useful description of the metal load, a copy of a valid driver’s license of the person 

selling the scrap metal and a video surveillance record. Metal recyclers who knowingly accept 

stolen material will be required to pay stiff penalties. 

“This bill is an example of the work we can do when a broad group of people get in a room and 

work to find a solution to a tough problem,” said State Representative Brian Clem. “It’s the kind 

of work we should to more of in the legislature.” 

The bill has the support of the construction industry, utilities, agriculture, law enforcement, metal 

recyclers and local governments. 

“The meth epidemic is costing us all,” said State Representative Debby Boone (D-Cannon 

Beach). “Today’s vote is a win/win/win—it’s good for business, good for taxpayers and tough on 

crime.” 

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Legislature under Democratic control is more effective, less partisan

Salem—Democrats in the Oregon House of Representatives celebrated their accomplishments of the first half of the 2007 Legislative Session at a press conference Monday morning, saying the session had been more efficient and effective than previous sessions under the control of Republican leadership.

“We began this session by getting back to the basics of governing and restoring credibility and accountability to the Legislature,” said Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). “That new tone and approach has reduced the bitter partisanship and gridlock that have plagued the Legislature over the last several years and resulted in a real problem-solving culture in Salem.”

Democrats noted that the first half of the 2007 session has resulted in the passage of a range of bills that have been blocked for decades by House Republican Leadership such as bills creating a rainy day fund, requiring cigarettes to be “firesafe,” allowing working mothers unpaid breaks and privacy for breastfeeding while at work and requiring contraceptive equity and access to emergency contraception.

“Throughout my eight years of service in this body, I have seen good ideas supported by both Republicans and Democrats repeatedly squashed, stalled and set aside for another day, another year, another time,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “Today is a new day. A day when democracy is at work, debate is alive and Democrats and Republicans are coming together for the common good.”

Not only are bills previously stalled moving forward, but Democrats say the Legislature is working more efficiently and is on track to end its work by June 29, 2007 as promised.

“In all my time in the Legislature, I cannot think of a session when so much substantive policy has been accomplished so early in the session,” said House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas County). “We still have a tremendous amount of work to accomplish in the next several weeks, but we are on the right track.”

In addition to a range of other policy proposals, House Democrats as part of the Roadmap for Oregon’s Future are committed to ending the session having made health care more affordable and accessible, reinvested in public schools and higher education, protected victims of rape and incest, added state troopers to Oregon’s highways to help combat the meth epidemic, made government more accountable to taxpayers and closed ethical and tax loopholes, and created new jobs for both the urban and rural economies.

Download a PDF of the House Democrats’ Mid-Session Progress Report.

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First Responders Remain Unable to Negotiate on Issues Affecting Their Own Safety

SALEM- House Republicans killed a historic public safety bill today that would have restored the rights of firefighters, police officers and corrections officers to negotiate with employers on issues related to safety. Democrats say the change is important because public safety officers are prohibited by Oregon law from striking. Previous to a change in the law in 1995, employees were allowed to negotiate on issues.

“As a former police officer, I know that no one has a stronger right to negotiate on safety issues than those who protect the public safety,” said Rep. Jeff Barker (D-Aloha). “The first-hand knowledge of those who are on the front lines for our communities is critical to creating a work environment that reduces preventable, on-the-job injury or loss of life.”

“Today, House Republicans once again put their thumbs in the eyes of those first responders who work so hard to keep our families and communities safe,” said House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas County).

For years, House Republican leadership promised public safety advocates that they would make the bill a priority, only to let the bill die each session without a debate or vote. House Republicans killed the proposal again today after first attempting to block an up-or-down vote on the bill with endless debate and parliamentary ploys.

“The question you must ask yourself is whether or not you believe that the men and women who risk their lives protecting others should have the right to discuss their own personal safety with their employer during bargaining,” said Rep. Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley). “For all of us who benefit from safer neighborhoods because of their service, I believe the answer is unequivocally, ‘yes.’ Now, I’m one of the most non-partisan legislators in the state of Oregon, but the truth is that today House Republicans and their leadership said ‘no’ to police officers, firefighters and first responders. ”

“Each of us is fortunate enough to live in communities where we are protected by men and women who serve their communities and allow us to breathe a little easier knowing that if something were to go wrong they would be there for us,” said Rep. Larry Galizio (D-Tigard). “This service, I believe, is part of a social contract that we must uphold—that we will do all we can to protect those who protect us.”

“Today, that social contract was broken by petty Republican partisanship,” Hunt added.

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Portland—Representative Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley) announced today that he will be hosting a town hall on Tuesday, January 31, to help provide answers to his constituents on the new Medicare prescription drug plan.

The meeting is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the St. Timothy Lutheran Church, located at

in Portland.

Although Medicare is a federal program and Rep. Schaufler is a state representative, he wanted to hold a forum on this issue because he knows that so many of his constituents have expressed their frustration with this program. “I have heard from many people who are having a tough time understanding the changes in Medicare. I am looking forward to bringing in people who can help answer questions my constituents have, without anyone trying to sell them anything,” Schaufler said.

Maribeth Healy, director of Oregonians for Health Security, an organization that advocates for increasing access to health care, and Cindy Becker, the state of Oregon’s Medicare Modernization Communications Coordinator, will be on hand to help simplify comparing some of the many different drug plans. Anyone who has questions or concerns about this important issue is invited to attend.

If you would like more information about these meetings, you may contact Representative Schaufler by emailing him at rep.mikeschaufler@state.or.us, or by calling his office at (503) 986-1448.

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Happy Valley Democrat will travel to China and South Korea

Salem — Representative Mike Schaufler will be going to China and South Korea later this month on a Trade Mission. A variety of Mission activities have been organized through Oregon’s contracted representatives in China (APCO China) and in South Korea giving him an opportunity to learn about not only key markets for Oregon exports but also potential sources for investment in Oregon. Site visits to research and industrial centers whose activities are relevant to industry development in Oregon are planned with the hope of creating new business relationships that will be beneficial to Oregon’s economy. The Mission was planned with combined efforts by the International Division of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

Representative Schaufler will be leaving Oregon on September 21st and return October 4th. He will be traveling with Representatives John Lim, Sal Esquivel, and Kim Thatcher.

Happy Valley Democrat to host coffee hour at All the Perks

SALEM - Representative Mike Schaufler will be hosting an informal coffee hour for constituents to have coffee with him on Saturday, May 21. He will be at All the Perks, next to Albertson’s at

from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

All are invited and encouraged to come and discuss this legislative session and other issues.

Who: Representative Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley)

What: Coffee Talk

Where: All the Perks,

When: Saturday, May 21, 2005

Happy Valley Democrat will speak to high school students on ‘Back to School Day’

SALEM—State Representative Mike Schaufler (D-East Portland, Happy Valley) addressed local high school students Friday about his role as a state legislator as part of Oregon’s Legislators Back to School Day.

Sponsored by the Oregon Legislative Assembly and National Conference of State Legislatures, the occasion gave Schaufler an opportunity to describe how he became a state legislator. He also recounted the challenges and opportunities he faces on a daily basis as an elected official.

His presentation provoked a lively discussion with over 100 young leaders in his district. Students raised topical issues such as urban growth boundaries, education funding, campaign finance reform, double majority, and others.

Schaufler said he welcomes the opportunity to interact with society’s future decision makers. “I’m confident they will offer smart solutions to the problems we are wrangling with in Salem,” he said.

Schaufler hopes to instill in students the importance of being an active citizen in making their voices heard and helping their community become a better place to live.

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State Representative Mike Schaufler will hold a Town Hall meeting in the district in April to talk to senior constituents about the current legislative session.

The Town Hall meeting is Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the dining room at Princeton Village Assisted Living at 14370 SE Oregon Trail, Clackamas, 503-558-1215.

Come and discuss this session’s pressing health care and other issues. Learn about key legislation Rep. Schaufler has introduced including appropriating money to fund senior services. Your participation is essential in letting the representative know what’s important to you.

Rep. Schaufler represents parts of East Portland and Happy Valley.

All senior residents of the area are invited to attend.

State Senator Frank Shields and State Representatives Jeff Merkley and Mike Schaufler will hold a joint Town Hall meeting in the district in mid March to talk to constituents about the current legislative session.