District Priorities

Under the current federal government administration, many feel unsafe and uncertain – from attacks on reproductive rights and on immigrants, to economic turmoil and concerns about a strong future for our country. Janeen will continue to stand up for the values and rights of democracy, fairness, and equality, and work to build statewide resiliency to protect Oregonians from this Administration.  

Rising costs are making it difficult for families to keep up with their bills. Janeen supports legislation to lower medical and housing costs, and directly support our hard-working low-income families, struggling to make ends meet. Janeen champions legislation that will help lower costs for Oregonians, including Right to Repair laws and she continues to fight to reduce the tax impact on veterans.

Oregon is in a housing crisis. Too many Oregonians are experiencing housing instability. Janeen supports expanded investments in shelters, social services, and new affordable housing options to keep people in their homes, prevent displacement and provide a transition plan to move people to a more stable plan – with accountability to ensure dollars are being spent effectively. She also advocates for affordable housing for seniors and those on fixed incomes. 

Reproductive rights and access to abortion are under attack at the federal level. In Oregon, abortion is legal, accessible and safe – and Janeen is committed to keeping it that way. Janeen sponsored the Reproductive Health Equity Act – which makes Oregon a leader in the United States for protecting reproductive rights and helped pass legislation to expand provider network capacity and support for people accessing abortion health care needs. Personal healthcare decisions should always be between a woman and her medical provider, not the government. 

As a mom and grandma, Janeen knows how important our neighborhood and community safety is. Janeen supports resources for mental health and addiction recovery, as well as other preventative services to address crime at its root. She has been a leader in passing common sense gun safety legislation to reduce gun violence and save lives, including landmark legislation to require safe firearm storage and keep firearms out of the hands of convicted domestic violence abusers. 

Access to good paying jobs is critical for Oregonians to support themselves and their families. Janeen supports workforce development policies to help workers find high-wage jobs and strengthen our workforce by addressing shortages in needed skills. She is also an advocate for helping local businesses grow and retain jobs right here in Washington County.

Janeen has been an advocate for increased resources for our schools and students throughout her life. She supports helping students gain the skills to pursue multiple career pathways, have hands-on learning opportunities, and access mental health resources. 

Janeen has been a Metro Master Recycler since 2012 and enjoys helping the community in their Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Renew efforts to take care of our planet. As Chair of the Senate Energy & Environment Committee, Janeen supports legislation to lower carbon emissions and reduce plastic waste, modernize our recycling system, protect Oregon’s bottle bill, and reverse the impacts of climate change so we can protect our beautiful state for future generations. 

Since joining the Legislature in 2016, Janeen has hosted 150 (and counting) community conversations on critical issues, including homelessness, domestic violence, public safety, and cost of living concerns. Janeen uses these conversations to learn about the needs of the community, inform her priorities, and then turns them into action to make positive change for her constituents.