Issues

Vicki on the issues important to our community and our state:

Quality Education – The Key to a Strong Economy

Vicki works to build an education infrastructure that supports the next generation of children and keeps more money in the classroom.  Vicki has led efforts to stabilize funding through dedicating income taxes for public schools and building the education stability fund to prevent cuts during economic downturns.  As a leader in the Community College Caucus, she has worked to make higher education for Oregon students more accessible and affordable. To that end, she sponsored The Oregon Scholars Bill.  Modeled after the successful Chemeketa Community College program which gives scholarships to high performing students from local high schools, this bill would provide two years free tuition to Oregon’s top students and our returning veterans.

Building our Economic Prospects

Vicki has run a small business in Oregon.  Building Oregon's business infrastructure is her passion. As a member of the Oregon Innovation Council, Vicki is working to bring high-paying jobs to Oregon with innovative new business development. A more business friendly Oregon will bring long-term prosperity to our communities.

During the 2009 legislative session, Vicki demonstrated her commitment to good jobs for Oregonians by working in a bi-partisan manner to pass a historic jobs and transportation package.  It will result in $1 billion in construction improvements to Oregon’s transportation system, putting a significant focus on projects that leverage new economic opportunities for Oregonians.  In the next 10 years, over 40,000 good jobs will be created as the roadblocks to moving goods, services, and people around Oregon are reduced.  Half of the new funding is dedicated to cities and counties for local projects and half to state highway projects across the state.  The transportation package also enacts a moratorium on local gas tax increases for the next five years.

Holding Government Accountable

In her early work on the House General Government Committee and later the House Revenue Committee, Vicki worked to improve our system of internal audits and performance measures so the legislature can make smarter choices and hold state government accountable to the taxpayers. She strongly supports strengthening legislative agency audits as part of the budget process.

Preserving Oregon's Environmental Heritage

Vicki led the way to expand Oregon’s landmark Bottle Bill to include a deposit on bottled water.  She pursued legislative efforts to ban dangerous chemicals from our homes. In 2009, Vicki joined with her fellow legislators to create a statewide paint recycling program that is projected to manage 800,000 gallons of paint annually. Vicki also supported efforts to promote small-scale renewable energy projects by homeowners and small businesses.

Standing With Law Enforcement

In 2009, Vicki focused on three significant pieces of public safety legislation addressing violence against women and children.  As a result, Oregon’s rape law now focuses blame on the criminal, not how the victim may have become vulnerable to assault. Rapists will face more serious charges that carry mandatory minimum sentences. Vicki fought for tougher penalties for individuals who murder a pregnant woman. Keeping children safe in schools and our communities is also one of Vicki’s top priorities.  She pushed for tougher sentences against athletic coaches who sexually abuse their young athletes.