Laurie is a registered nurse who's been East County State Senator since 2004. Over the years, she's gained a reputation as a local leader who shows how much she cares for East County and its people each and every day.
In the Legislature, Laurie has worked hard to make sure Mt. Hood Community College has the funding necessary to provide job skills training and education for people looking for new and better jobs. She has also supported measures providing small businesses greater access to capital so they can put people back to work. And for families facing foreclosure, Laurie has supported increased homeowner protections.
As a nurse, Laurie has often dealt with children and families coping with the ravages of drug addiction. That's why she's fought to fund the local anti-gang task force, which does so much to reduce drug-related crime in our area.
Laurie grew up in Gresham and is a graduate of Willamette University. She obtained her MA at the University of Colorado and BSN from Radford University. She lives in Gresham, has two grown children and a grandson, and loves reading and working in the yard.
ABOUT LAURIE
Laurie was a public health nurse for over 20 years in East County before she was elected to public office. She served on the School Board and as State Representative before her election to the Oregon State Senate in 2004. Over the years, Laurie has gained a reputation as a local leader who shows how much she cares for East County and the people living here each and every day.
In the Legislature, Laurie voted to raise the minimum wage and to implement paid sick leave so that families could care for themselves or their sick child without taking a financial hit. She also voted to protect renters and make housing more affordable by banning rent increases in the first year of a month-to-month rental. Laurie supported making more local employers eligible for small business loans so they can create more jobs. She also supported investing $7.3 billion in Oregon’s public schools to prevent teacher layoffs and keep class sizes from increasing.
As a nurse, Laurie cares about public health and safety. That is why Laurie has been a longtime advocate of the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team and has spent her time as Chair of the Oregon Senate Healthcare Committee making healthcare more accessible, especially for children and seniors.
Laurie values her work with many of East County’s community organizations, such as Human Solutions, SnowCap Community Charities, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women’s Auxiliary, the Gresham Historical Society, the Gresham Chamber of Commerce & West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, and the Gresham United Methodist Church.
Laurie, a single mother of two kids, is now a proud grandmother of two. She loves reading and enjoys working in her yard.