Representative Deborah Boone Newsletter

Deborah Boone

Greetings from Salem!

On February 1st, the 2017 Legislative Session convened, and lawmakers will be hard at work in the State Capitol for the next several months.   According to Oregon law, the length of the 2017 legislative session is limited to 160 calendar days, and should end in early July.   This session I will serve as Vice Chair of the House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, and a member of the House Energy and Environment Committee.

One of the primary duties of the Legislature is to develop and pass a balanced budget that meets the needs of all Oregonians and reflects our values.   In my mind, that means supporting education, senior care, and programs that keep all of our communities safe and healthy.   As always, I will continue to focus on ways we can help our communities and the state prepare for disasters and emergencies.   Last month, the preliminary revenue forecast and budget framework were released, which indicated a $1.8 billion budgetary shortfall, so meeting the needs of our students, low-income seniors, working families and other vulnerable Oregonians will be challenging.  In order to gather input for the state’s budget document, the legislature’s Ways & Means Committee will hold 7 public forums around the state seeking public input.   The first forum will be held next week on February 10th in Salem, the final forum, and closest to House District 32 is scheduled for March 3rd at the Port of Tillamook Bay in Tillamook. 

There will be many opportunities for you to share concerns with your elected officials.   For instance, this Saturday in Seaside, Senator Betsy Johnson and I are hosting a Town Hall with the Oregon Department of Forestry to discuss the Astoria District’s assessments for wildfire protection.   Recently, the forestry department determined that about 4,750 additional lots in the Astoria District met the “forestland” definition for the purpose of wildfire protection.  Letters were sent out to affected property owners notifying them that their property would be subject to assessment.  When tax lots are added to the Forest Patrol Assessment, the total revenue does not increase.  Instead, the assessment paid by each landowner is more equitably distributed among the properties receiving fire protection.  Oregon Department of Forestry officials will be on hand Saturday to explain the assessment process and to answer questions.   The meeting will be from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday February 4th at the Seaside City Hall.

On Sunday, I’ll be traveling to Tillamook, to meet with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and attend his 2017 Tillamook County Town Hall meeting.   Senator Wyden is following through on his commitment to hold a town hall meeting in every Oregon County each year, and will be fielding questions from constituents from noon to 1:30 in the Tillamook High School Auditorium. 

Now that the Oregon Legislature is in session, I’ll be spending lots of time in Salem.  In order to best represent House District 32, I need to hear about your concerns.  If you are planning a trip to the State Capitol, let my office know a few days in advance so we can schedule an appointment.  I’m in H-481, my door is always open to constituents, and I enjoy meeting with friends and neighbors when they visit the Capitol.   If you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or proposed legislation, you can write, phone or email my office.

It is my privilege to serve you in the Oregon House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Boone

email: Rep.DeborahBoone@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1432
address: 900 Court St NE, H-481, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boone