Immigrants bolster the economy; deportations weaken it
Deportations like that of Moises Sotelo weaken one of the engines that powers the economy, while making all workers more vulnerable to exploitation.
September 9, 2025
Kathy Lara
Kathy Lara is a Policy Analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy
HB 2548: Ensure investment farm worker study
Chair Bowman, Vice-Chairs, and Members of the Committee, my name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy. On behalf of the Center, I urge you
June 3, 2025
SB 1166: Creating a baseline of pay and protections for ride share drivers
Chair Jama, Vice-Chair Bonham, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this testimony in
April 29, 2025
HB 3838: Establish the Home and Community-Based Workforce Standards Board
Chair Grayber, Vice-Chairs Elmer and Munoz, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this
March 19, 2025
HB 2548: Establish the farmworker standards board
Chair Grayber, Vice-Chairs Elmer and Munoz, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this
March 12, 2025
HB 3194: Strengthen housing protections for farmworkers
My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this testimony in support of HB 3194 on behalf of the Center.
March 6, 2025
SB 426: Strengthen protections for construction workers’ wages
Chair Prozanski, Vice-Chair Thatcher, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this testimony in
February 26, 2025
HB 5015: Provide critical funding to BOLI
Co-Chairs Woods and Gomberg, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this testimony in
February 25, 2025
Protecting Oregon workers from wage theft requires increased resources for labor bureau
Despite the prevalence of wage theft, the state agency tasked with protecting workers has fewer resources to combat the problem today, compared to the past.
February 24, 2025
SB 916: Expand unemployment insurance to striking workers
Chair Taylor, Vice-Chair Bonham, and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Lara, Policy Analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy, and I respectfully submit this testimony in
February 6, 2025