Action: Support HB 3508

 HB 2290 and HB 2335 – the omnibus cost-saving bills that would phase in M57 implementation and create a number of other reforms – were rolled into a new bill, HB 3508, in the last 48 hours. HB 3508 includes all of the smart cost-saving reforms found in the other omnibus bills and also includes a set of sentencing enhancements. The enhancements were added to try to get the Republican votes needed to reach a two-thirds majority (40 votes in the House) to pass the reforms.

Deep cuts will be made to the entire public safety sector (including Department of Corrections, OYA, victims services, courts, drug courts, public defense services, and others) if HB 3508 does not pass.

HB 3508 quickly passed through the Public Safety Subcommittee and full Ways and Means Committee yesterday (Thursday, June 18). HB 3508 came to the House floor for a vote today and did not pass (it initially failed by two votes). The bill may be able to be reconsidered for a vote on Monday or early next week. Hopefully it is not over yet.

Opponents of HB 3508 (mainly the District Attorney’s Association) are likely to work hard this weekend to convince legislators not to vote for HB 3508 if it is reconsidered on Monday. We need legislators to hear that their constituents want them to vote Yes on HB 3508!

Please call your Representative over the weekend and early on Monday morning to ask him or her to support HB 3508. When you call, you can include the following messages:

• I am calling to ask you to support HB 3508. HB 3508 is a compromise bill that provides smart, evidence-based public safety reforms that create much-needed cost savings in these dire economic times.
• I voted to pass M57. And now I’m counting on you to pass HB 3508 to phase in M57 over the next two years. We cannot afford Measure 57 right now.
• Oregon cannot afford for HB 3508 to fail. Passing HB 3508 is critical to maintaining public safety services. We count on Oregonians having access to state police, courts, public defense services, victim services, and juvenile justice programs. If HB 3508 fails, you will be severely limiting our access to these vital services.

Here is a link to an alphabetical listing of all the state representatives where you can find your state representative's phone number.

If you are unsure who your state representative is, this link will take you to a page on the legislature's website where you can enter your home address and your legislators will be displayed. Remember, we are asking that you contact your State Representative.

Thank you for all you do as a member of the Action Alert Network! We will keep you posted on HB 3508.