“These times are tough. But we’re tougher. I won’t stop fighting for opportunities for every Oregonian.” - Deb Patterson

Issues

HEALTHCARE 

Health care costs too much for many, and many Oregonians are uninsured. Having directed an international health organization for over a decade, I have seen other countries provide lower cost, quality care to all. That's why as Chair of the Senate Health Care Committee, I championed legislation that expands health care access in Oregon, capped the price of insulin copays at $75 per month and created an accountability process for the cost of prescription drugs.

I also know that our long term care facilities were hit hard during the pandemic. In response, I sponsored legislation that put in transparency measures and staffing ratios for our long term care workers to ensure our most vulnerable community members receive the care they deserve.

I believe every Oregonian deserves access to high quality healthcare, at lower cost. Here in Oregon, I know that we can get there and I will continue to work to make those changes every day.

EDUCATION

Over the past year and a half, our students have faced many challenges - from distance learning to mental health challenges and being isolated from their friends and peers. It hasn’t been an easy year for our children or for our families. Getting our kids back to school in a safe way was an important step but I know that we must do more to give our children a head start, to support strong community schools that respect and reflect the diversity of Oregon and to make college and vocational training more accessible for everyone.

As your State Senator, I supported a record-breaking investment of $9.4 billion dollars in our K-12 education as well as legislation that will lower our class sizes so that all of our students have a better learning experience in the classroom.

Looking beyond our K-12 education system, our students are being priced out of receiving a higher education. We must find creative ways to make it easier for students to afford to go to college. That’s why I secured $300,000 to cover scholarships for Western Oregon University’s Bilingual Teachers Scholars. For students for which college is not an option or an interest, we must expand career-technical education opportunities in our community. Which is why I designated $200,000 for career-technical education here in our community so that every student - regardless of what path they are on - can succeed.

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Every Oregonian needs to have a safe and healthy place to live. We must have a range of housing options, mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and other support services to ensure Oregonians have the support they need.

As your State Senator, I brought over $6.5 million dollars to our community for housing and homeless related resources including a homeless navigation center that serves those most in need in our community and a hotel that was converted into housing for wildfire victims and the chronically homeless. I also supported policies to make it easier for communities to build affordable housing and emergency homeless shelters and helped secure $700 million dollars in mental health services funding for the state.

Homelessness and housing insecurity is often a vicious cycle and so having these wrap-around services is critical to keeping folks off the streets. I am committed to supporting legislation that confronts the growing housing problem head on.

ECONOMIC FAIRNESS

I believe in an Oregon that works for everyone. That means envisioning an economy that supports small businesses, where each working person can join a union, and where critical services like child care, housing, long-term care, and a secure retirement are affordable. Our local businesses - big and small - have been hit hard by COVID-19. Employers have lost some of their best employees, employees have experienced layoffs, some businesses have shut down, and our economy has felt immense pressure over the last year and a half.

Our businesses are the backbone of our community and when they felt the pressure, our entire community felt it too. That’s why I prioritized our local economy as your State Senator - securing almost half a million dollars in small business assistance and also sponsoring legislation that helped small businesses pay their rent. Because I know that when our businesses and economy is up and running - so are our families and communities.

CLIMATE ACTION AND WILDFIRES

Climate change is the most pressing issue facing our world today. I know that Oregon can play its part in combating climate change and creating a better future for our children. That’s why I supported legislation to bring Oregon to 100% clean energy by 2030.

After the devastating 2020 wildfire season, Oregon lost over 4,000 homes and displaced thousands of Oregonians, pushing many to live with relatives or friends or even ending up homeless. I was proud to support legislation that invested $190 million into wildfire prevention and protection - creating a dozen new programs to fight and mitigate wildfires, helping communities recover and protecting future buildings from catching fire.

We must take steps to ensure we’re protecting the air we breathe, which includes investing in public transportation. We also must ensure that everyone has access to clean water, and protect our watersheds for future generations. We can build a clean energy economy that protects our environment and invests in our workers and our economy and we must start now.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Everyone should be able to make their own health care decisions, including reproductive health. I support access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including STI screening, gender affirming care, birth control, and abortion. These services are essential at any time, but especially during a global health crisis. As your State Senator, I opposed legislation that infringed on one’s right to choose and will continue to stand up for reproductive rights for everyone.

COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS

I fully support our US constitution, including each of the amendments. I was raised in a family with guns, so I understand what it means to be a responsible gun owner. I also take mass shootings that our country has seen in recent years very seriously. We cannot sit idly by as mass shootings in schools and grocery stores continue to take the lives of hundreds of Americans, every year. That’s why I support common sense gun safety laws like universal background checks and safe storage. These straightforward policies balance the rights of gun owners, with the real need to ensure the safety of children, families, and our communities.