2/23/2017 OPPOSE SB 410. “Allows local government to opt out of minimum wage increases in effect after July 1, 2016, with annual adjustment based on consumer price index. Applies to local government and employers under jurisdiction of local government.”
Analysis: Both bills might impact PSU student workers and employees who hired at the current state minimum wage. Although they do not impact AAUP members, we should oppose both bills.
2/23/2017 OPPOSE HB 2378. “Allows employer to pay 85 percent of minimum wage to employee under 21 years of age for initial 90 days of employment.”
2/23/2017 SUPPORT SB 813. “Requires each governing board of public university to include one voting undergraduate student member and one voting graduate student member.”
Analysis: This is AFT's bill to add graduate students to the university boards. We supported it in the 2015 session and I think it makes sense to do that again. The bill will have a hearing, but unfortunately it is not likely to move forward.
2/23/2017 SUPPORT HB 2587. “Modifies state educational goals to take into consideration students’ aspirations, to provide students with well-rounded education and to provide students with sufficient instructional time to meet students’ educational goals. Expands state’s mission of education beyond high school.”
Rationale:
Although this bill does not directly affect higher education at this time, we should endorse the bill in support of public schoolteachers. The bill aims to remove the unrealistic aspirational goals of 40-40-20. It shifts the focus on the opportunity gap and its impact on student achievement.
Another bill that aims to modify 40-40-20 goals is Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s HB 2311. It revises the focus of the state’s 40-40-20 education goals from including all “adult Oregonians” to “Oregonians completing education” instead. Still, HB 2311 does not resolve the funding gap. The arbitrary numerical goals of 40-40-20 are not within reach unless the legislature boosts higher education funding. If HB 2587 passes, HB 2311 might not be scheduled for a hearing. We will address HB 2311 if a hearing is called.
2/23/2017 SUPPORT LC 2430 as amended. This is the new version of the cultural competency legislative concept. Chris Parta and Margaret Butler spoke to Lamar, who met last week with the university lobbyists. They had issues with the committee idea.
The new changes include: adding a definition of cultural competency, eliminating the committees, and allowing each university to work with stakeholders to create their own system and structures. In addition, the legislative concept deletes reference to faculty evaluation.
There may be some changes to the legislative concept because its proponents are still talking to universities hoping that they would remain neutral. The bill is slated for a hearing on March 2nd.