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Greetings from Salem!
Lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week for Legislative
Days. Legislative days are held every
couple of months during the interim so lawmakers can receive updates on
agencies, legislation implementation and hold informational workshops. The three days have been very busy, with Ways
and Means Human Services Subcommittee, Energy and Environment committee, the
Coastal Caucus and Veterans and Emergency Preparation Committee meetings.
Monday night, Governor Kate Brown graciously hosted an
informal reception at her official residence, and opened Mahonia Hall for women
legislators and their staff members. It
was nice to meet up with the Governor and other lawmakers and friends.
Representative Deborah Boone, Deb Farr, Governor Kate Brown
On Tuesday, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1507 relating
to tax credit bill in her ceremonial offices. SB 1507 has tremendous economic development
potential, and included tax credits for rural medical practices, Oregon-based
film and video productions, alternative energy devices and bio-mass energy
generation. The room was filled with
industry representatives on hand to see the bill signed into law. Among those in attendance were Sara Pierson,
the 2016 Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador, and Gina Atsma. Oregon Dairy
Princess First Alternate. These young
women are 5th generation dairy farmers, and represent Oregon’s 240
dairy farm families. Since their coronation in February, they have already
spoken to more than 7,000 school age students, and will have a busy summer
touring the state promoting Oregon’s Dairy Industry.
Gina Atsma, Sara Pierson, and Representative Deborah Boone
As Vice Chair of the House Veterans and Emergency
Preparedness Committee, I have strongly advocated for seismic upgrades for our
vulnerable infrastructure. With the support and leadership from Senate
President Peter Courtney, last session Oregon lawmakers approved the sale of
$175 million in bonds to fund seismic safety grants for schools, in April the first $50 million was awarded to
41 schools, and three are located in House District 32. The Neah-Kah-Nie School District will
receive $1,396,000 to retrofit Nehalem Elementary, Tillamook District #9, was
awarded $1,161,400 for upgrades at Liberty Elementary, and Gaston Elementary
school is receiving $1,493,000 for seismic work. Business Oregon is overseeing the grant
process, applications are being taken throughout the summer and another round
of grants will be awarded later this year.
This week in the House Energy and Environment Committee we
received a report from Louise Solliday, Executive Director of the Ocean Science
Trust. Solliday says a recent Science
Summit identified funding priorities for nearshore research, which include
assessments of nearshore species and habitats, how species and habitat
associations and interactions in the nearshore inform ocean health, effects
people have on nearshore resources and how the nearshore resources impact
people and communities, and the effects climate change and ocean acidification
have on species, their habitats, and how future impacts key stressors will
include ecological function and species in the future. The Oregon Science Trust will meet again next
month and develop a public review process, with the plan to request funds in
the next biennium in an effort to leverage federal and private resource to fund
the research.
In the Coastal Caucus meeting, we received updates on the
south coast dredging efforts and plans for north coast port dredging in the
coming biennium. We also had a good
discussion about the 5th annual Oregon Coastal Economic Summit
August 8th and 9th at the Mill Casino in North Bend. This year theme is “Voices from Coastal and
Rural Oregonians: Building a Collaborative Pathway to Economic Development and
Prosperity for Rural and Coastal Communities.” This should be an information
packed session highlighting the collaboration needed to help prepare our
communities to meet the rapidly changing state and global economies.
I was so happy to see students from HD 32 competing and
winning in the 3rd annual Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge
last month at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. This year nearly 200 students brought 59
wind, solar or wave energy devices.
Students from Seaside, Warrenton and Tillamook demonstrated the speed
and energy their model devices could produce.
Student-scientists from Seaside High School placed 1st in the
Wave Energy category, and took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
in both the Solar Car and Solar Boat competitions!
Warrenton won the Solar “other” category, and in Wind
energy, 8-12th grades, Tillamook TAG students received 3rd
place honors. As Oregon and the nation
move to more renewable energy resources, it is gratifying to know that our
local students have the imagination, drive and dedication to find creative ways
to invent new energy sources.
Demonstrating a Solar Powered Boat
Seaside High School was also the site of the first Honorary
Artists of Oregon Day Celebration, and it was wonderful! Last year, Hayley Rollins, a Broadway Middle
School 8th grader suggested designating a day to honor Oregon
artists. I was delighted to sponsor HB
3042 which names April 14th as Honorary Artists of Oregon Day. This year, Hayley worked with staff at Seaside High
School, and twenty-five Oregon artists who came to the school donating their
time and supplies to teach 90 minute art workshops for all students. From glasswork to Russian egg painting,
students were able to experience hands-on artistic endeavors including
painting, design, woodcarving, bookbinding, drawing and so much more. After the workshops an assembly was held to
celebrate the artists, students and Hayley Rollins. It was a real treat to be a part of the
first Honorary Artists of Oregon Day Celebration, and Hayley says they are planning to
expand it to a half-day in 2017.
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Culinary artistry with Chelsea Archibald from Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach
Spring is a time of new beginnings, and throughout the
district students are completing their high school and college work, and
participating in commencement ceremonies.
It is an exciting and rewarding time when people finish a phase of their
education and take their next steps in their life adventure. I want to congratulate all graduates and
offer my best wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling future.
Even when the Legislature is not in session, we still check
our messages regularly, so if you do have a concern or comment or need help
regarding a state issue or agency, please contact my office. It is my privilege to represent you in the
Oregon House of Representatives and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Deborah
email: Rep.DeborahBoone@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1432
address: 900 Court St NE, H-481, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boone
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