Moms hold above-average share of Oregon Legislature
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Mothers of young children remain vastly underrepresented in state capitols across the country, but Oregon does better than most, according to a new report.
Why it matters: State legislatures shape policies that directly affect families.
What they're saying: "If you don't have parents with young children helping set the legislative agenda, you're missing a whole segment of the population," Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Center for American Women and Politics, told Axios.
By the numbers: Among U.S. states, Oregon has the seventh-highest percentage of state legislators who are moms of kids under 18, an analysis from the Vote Mama Foundation found.
- Yes, but: Just two years ago, Oregon was "the only state with proportional representation" and ranked at the top of the list.
- This year, 11 of Oregon's 90 state lawmakers — about 12% — are moms of minor children, the report found. The state Legislature would need to add six moms of young kids for that demographic to be proportionally represented again in Salem.
Flashback: In 2022, three state legislators resigned due to the job's high demand and low pay. The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000.
- In response — and in an effort to keep up retention — a ballot measure in this year's election would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.