Dear Friends,

Summer is upon us and much is happening.

Now is the time to lay the groundwork for new bills for the 2007 legislative session.
I continue to be a Co-Chair of the Women's Health and Wellness Alliance, and we have already held our first meeting to develop legislation to address the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of women.
There are ballot measures being proposed for the November election that need study, both for the impact on the state budget if passed, and also for the implications if not passed.
And, on a personal note, I've finally finished suffering through the hammering and racket of the getting of a new roof!
Ah yes…summer is in full swing, even if the weather doesn't always reflect that.

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For more information, or to reserve a space for child care, call Oregonians for Health Security at 503-655-2793. You can also visit their website for more information on the ballot measures. http://www.oregoniansforhealthsecurity.com/facts/links/ballotmeasures.cfm

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ABOUT THE KICKER

I appreciate hearing from you and I really do read my email. I want to share with you a message I received just last week about the expected kicker refund.

"I don't want a kicker refund when ten thousand children in Oregon are being abused and neglected…..I would definitely be voting for you again if you support repealing the kicker/corporate kicker law. Any true reading of that law leads one to realize how dumb it is to base a refund on previous tax forecasts.”

Needless to say, I agree with the writer.

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PANDEMIC PREPARATION - FIRST STEPS

We continue to hear about the likelihood of a coming pandemic and the need for individual and community preparedness. The website, http://www.pandemicflu.gov, has an abundance of information to guide households, businesses and public health agencies with preparations to make.

Instead of trying to tackle preparedness all at once, I encourage you to make a first start by tackling just a couple of items. If we take just a few steps at a time, hopefully, by the time an outbreak occurs, our households will be ready.

1. Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, you may not be able to get to a supermarket or the market may be out of supplies. Store bottled water, ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans and soups, peanut butter or nuts. And if you have a pet, don't forget extra pet food.

2. Ask your doctor or insurance company if you can get an extra supply of prescription medications you regularly use. Also remember to have nonprescription drugs such as vitamins, medicines for fever (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc), and prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitoring equipment.

3. Have lots of soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash. Teach your children to wash hands frequently, and model that behavior yourself!

In my next E-Update, I'll include a few more steps to take.

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JUNE 21, A DAY OF REASON

During the last legislative sessions and again for 2006, at my request and the request of

my constituents, Governor Kulongoski has proclaimed June 21st as A Day of Reason. His proclamation reads:

WHEREAS: Application of reason offers a hope for developing and implementing intelligent, humane, and ethical interactions among people; and

WHEREAS: Philosophies of reason were emphasized when writing the Constitution of the United States and those of several states; and

WHEREAS: Most citizens value reason and seek to apply it in making decisions and resolving problems in their lives; and

WHEREAS: Educational programs emphasize acquisition of reason skills in preparing for one's future.

NOW, THEREFORE: I, Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim June 21, 2006 to be A Day of Reason.”

I am so happy the Governor continues to make this proclamation on June 21, the day when we experience maximum daylight. Providing us with this proclamation serves as a reminder that we are intelligent, humane and ethical people using reason as a guiding principle.

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I really appreciate your feedback - what you think is going well in state government, what you think needs improvement, and the issues you'd like to see addressed by the next legislature. During the interim, I move my office back to Milwaukie. Feel free to contact me there at 503-653-5180. I will continue to use my same email address for legislative business rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us

As always, thank you for your interest and your continued involvement in our communities and the legislative process.

My best,

Carolyn Tomei