Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2019)
in other words january3 2019 3 Bonamici Bulletin By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici As we reflect on 2018 and look ahead to the start of a new Congress in 2019, I’m grateful to everyone across NW Oregon who con- tacted me about issues of concern. This year my office received and replied to 74,623 letters and phone calls. I also held 13 town hall meetings across NW Oregon; 12 in person and one by tele- phone to make it accessible to more people. My office assisted more than 1,000 people with questions and chal- lenges involving federal agencies, in- cluding the VA, Social Security, and im- migration. One of the cases was for the Nguyen family, who were reunited this fall after being separated for more than 40 years because of our broken immi- gration system. Climate change continues to be a pressing concern for Oregonians as we witness more extreme weather events, catastrophic wildfires, and changes to the ocean’s chemistry. I will continue to work with my colleagues to develop and implement lasting legislative solutions. Another urgent challenge our country faced this year was the Administration’s abhorrent policy of separating parents and children at the border. I visited im- prisoned detainees in Oregon, spoke out on their behalf, and called on Secretary Azar to reunite families. Tragically, gun violence also continues to plague our country, ending the lives of 90 Ameri- cans every day. These are serious chal- lenges that I am committed to address- ing when a new Congress convenes in January. Affordable Health Care For All The year began with yet an- other misguided attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The thousands of people who spoke out in support of the law helped us to defeat the repeal ef- fort, and the Affordable Care Act still stands. There is still much we can do to make sure everyone has access to affordable, quality health care. I am proud to be a member of the Medicare for All Caucus, where we will be debat- ing options for increasing access while reducing costs. One step in the right direction was the passage of my bipar- tisan bill to address the nursing short- age across the country. Another was the opening of the new Virginia Gar- cia Health Center in Beaverton, which will make our community stronger and healthier. Standing Up For Students This year I stood firm against the harmful proposals of Education Secretary DeVos and the Trump Ad- ministration. When DeVos finally ap- peared before the Education Commit- tee, I asked serious questions about the importance of public education. I spoke out on behalf of transgender students facing attacks on their civil rights, stu- dent loan borrowers who DeVos made more vulnerable to deceptive practices of unscrupulous private lenders, and survivors of campus sexual assault who deserve to be heard and believed. Talking with young people is one of the best parts of my job, and this year I heard from students at 24 schools across Oregon. I was thrilled to update the federal career and technical educa- tion law to strengthen programs that are helping students stay in school and pre- pare for college and careers. Supporting Our Seniors All seniors deserve to retire with dignity and financial security, but unfortunately too many face financial hardship as they age. As a leader of the Congressional bipartisan Elder Justice Caucus, I am fighting to secure funding for initiatives that help victims of fraud, hold cheaters accountable, and recover stolen money for our seniors. If you’re retired, saving for retirement, or caring for an elderly family member, my office is here to help. I’m also co-sponsoring the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act to help reunite workers with retire- ment savings they may have left behind Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Representative Brad Witt Photography Columbia Riverkeeper Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1 st and 3 rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 IT’S TAX TIME Call your LOCAL tax preparer R Y OLL A P PLUS LLC Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819 edisheldon@gmail.com Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov. FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 “BIKER FRIENDLY” • Specialty hamburgers at past jobs. And as your representa- tive, I will always work to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medi- care. Defending Science and the Environ- ment The Trump Administration continues to attack laws and regulations designed to protect the environment. At every step I’ve called out the Adminis- tration for its failure to protect natural places, clean air, and clean water, and for failing to fulfill the Environmental Protection Agency’s mission of pro- tecting public health and the environ- ment. I’ve called for immediate action to slow greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. As co-chair of the House Oceans Cau- cus, I was proud to pass the Save Our Seas Act to help get plastics and trash out of the ocean. I also helped secure $105 million for wave energy research, a technology that promises to increase our renewable energy options and help us move toward a clean energy future. Priorities for Next Congress As a diverse and vibrant new majority prepares to govern in the US House, I’m committed to working on the issues that matter most to Orego- nians. The new majority has made infrastructure a priority, and it’s one I strongly support. I’m hopeful that the House can pass a robust infrastructure funding package to help rebuild and repair roads, bridges, ports, railways, public buildings, and the electric grid. Investing in infrastructure projects like this is a win-win for our communities. Cedar Side Inn Full Dish Sports Package Big Screen, featuring Pac 12 games Taco Tuesday from opening until 4pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell 54.25 EVENTS Ladies’ Night every Thursday 6pm-close • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV Sat, Jan 19 Texas Hold ‘em • Free Wi-fi • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841