Kurt Kessler
"It's the Election of 2006 that made what we accomplished in 2007 possible. Without a predominantly pro-labor legislature and governorship, the hard work we put into Lobby Days and our other lobbying programs would have produced slim results...." Kurt Kessler, Dept of Human Services, Medford CAPE Committee Member
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Legislators Were Graded

Legislators were graded based on their support for SEIU issues over the session. Higher grades were given for legislators who championed issues by introducing the bills, testifying in support, and pushing their fellow legislators. The grades were based on their support for the following issues:
Workers' Rights
For the first time in over a decade, legislators passed proactive, positive legislation for workers. This session provided for the largest expansion of bargaining rights since 1973, expanding rights for public employees, child care and adult foster care workers.
Legislators were graded how they voted on:

expansion of bargaining rights;
PERS legislation that would allow for a break-in service;
expansion of the Oregon Family Medical Leave Act;
workers' compensation for Homecare workers;
safety as a bargaining issue for non-strikeable employees;
and more.  		Senate Chamber

Senate Chamber

There were more than 18 votes taken on workers' rights issues in the House of Representatives.
Quality Public Services
Throughout the session we fought to make sure that workers could provide the quality public services Oregonians need. From fighting for additional funding for universities and the Department of Justice, to stopping unfunded mandates at the Driver and Motor Vehicle services, we had to make sure there were resources to fund the work the state needs done. Legislators were graded on how they voted on issues such as:

   sending the corporate excess income tax to a rainy day fund to protect us from a recession;
   repealing the double majority to ensure local governments can pass necessary property tax changes;
   strengthening laws so corporations can't evade paying their taxes;
  and more.
 
Health Care

Health care is one of the most important issues impacting workers. We worked to pass positive legislation that would expand health care benefits and eventually move us towards universal health care in Oregon. Legislators were graded on how they voted on issues such as:

   House of Representatives providing health insurance for all kids;
  setting up a committee to create universal health care in Oregon;
  encouraging Congress to expand S-CHIP;
  expanding bulk purchasing of prescription drugs;
  and more.
House of Representatives
Senate Chamber
 Consumer Protection
For years payday lending corporations have had free reign in Oregon to gouge customers. During previous legislative sessions, bills to cap interest rates were killed by anti-worker legislators, but 2007 was different. Legislators prioritized capping interest rates on payday loans and passing a comprehensive package of bills that regulated predatory lending. Legislators were graded on how they voted on the across-the-board interest rate cap and the package of predatory lending bills.