Emerson views school safety and gun safety as the fight of her life. Emerson’s Silent Panic Alarm Technology bill was one of the most bipartisan pieces of legislation of the entire 2023 legislative session, sponsored by 32 of the 35 House Democrats and all 25 House Republicans. This legislation would provide wireless panic alert devices for schools to use in case of a wide number of emergencies, reducing the precious time it takes to reach first responders. Emerson was able to secure $2.5 million of funding for this technology through the budget process. This important technology is in the process of coming to our schools. In the 2023 legislative session, Emerson voted to pass legislation addressing the dangerous problem of untraceable, unserialized firearms, commonly called ghost guns, which are disproportionately linked to violent crime.

Emerson is the only pro-choice option in the race for HD 53. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, state legislatures have become a battleground for reproductive rights. Oregonians have made it clear time and time again that we overwhelmingly support a person’s right to make their own reproductive healthcare choices without government interference. Emerson will always protect a woman’s freedom to make her own healthcare decisions.

Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community and thrive. As a member of the Housing and Homelessness Committee, Emerson has been a champion of workforce housing, including introducing bills to increase housing affordability. The Legislature recently passed the largest bipartisan housing investment in the state’s history. Rep. Levy helped bring $1.4 million to Central Oregon for youth homelessness. This money will be used to purchase a building in Redmond for youth in crisis who are experiencing homelessness. If a youth is homeless for more than three months, that youth is statistically likely to be a homeless adult. Early investments in youth save money and make our communities healthier and safer. Additionally, Emerson helped secure $5 million to be awarded to the Northpoint Housing Development, which will bring 450 units to Redmond, including affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. Emerson continues to be an avid supporter of increased funding for infrastructure projects, with the state as a partner to build sewers, roads, and pipes, we can bring down the cost of housing for working families. She will continue to work to make Central Oregon a place where families, seniors and people can thrive.