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Greetings!
The Oregon Constitution requires that lawmakers approve a
balanced budget. Completing that task
this session has been daunting as we started the session with a $1.8 billion
shortfall. A positive March Economic and
Revenue forecast reduced the estimated deficit to $1.6 billion, and on Tuesday
we received the May Legislative Revenue Forecast, which will be the final one
for this legislative session. The
forecast was good, state economists project nearly $200 million more in net
available resources, narrowing Oregon’s projected budget gap to about $1.4
billion.
The strong economy means Oregonians may be receiving a tax
kicker when they file their taxes next year.
Oregon’s kicker law was created in 1979, and is triggered when the state
collects at least 2 percent more than projected. State Economist Mark McMullen says we still
have a few weeks left in the biennium, and if revenue continues to exceed
projections, the kicker will be triggered.
So, in a time when the next biennium shows a huge budget deficit, the
state will be refunding hundreds of millions of dollars to taxpayers. Going forward, McMullen expects Oregon’s
economy growth rate to slow as we are adding fewer new jobs. Currently the state’s unemployment rate is
3.8% which is lower than the 4.5% national average. While the Ways and Means committee sorts
through the budget process, work continues in the full House and Senate.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved HB 2140 A bill I sponsored requiring property owners to disclose
seismic risk when selling a house. This
legislation adds two questions to a multi-page checklist already required when
selling real property. The property
owner will need to disclose to the buyer if the house was built before 1974 and
whether the house has been secured to its foundation. HB
2140 is one of several showing an increasing legislative interest in
preparations for a major earthquake. I serve on the Oregon Seismic Safety
Policy Advisory Commission, and am continuing my efforts to focus attention on
the need to strengthen Oregon’s infrastructure due to its vulnerability to
major seismic events.
On Wednesday, Governor Kate Brown signed into law my three
port bills that I discussed last week: HB
2899: Relating to port authority regarding Intergovernmental Agreements, HB 2900: Allowing Ports to advertise
activities and events that occur on port property, and HB 2901: Relating to requiring a second appraisal relating to sales
of real property. The Governor was on
hand to thank Oregon Veterans Thursday in Salem while participating in the
Armed Forces Day on the Capitol Grounds.
Governor Brown Thanks Veterans at Armed Forces Day
Results
are now in from the May 16th Special Elections, and I want to
congratulate those people who are stepping up to serve their neighbors and
communities on a variety of boards and commissions. It is so important to be a part of the local
groups that make decisions that impact our daily lives. Oregon’s vote-by-mail system makes it so easy
for everyone to vote, I was disappointed at the low voter turnout for this
election. In looking over the election
results, I noticed that there are many positions where no candidate filed for
office. When a qualified elector
receives the majority of write-in votes, he or she will be notified by the
County Clerk and asked if they want to serve.
If the position remains vacant, the existing board will appoint someone
to fill the seat. If you are interested
in a board or commission, you may still have a chance to serve. Contact the district or agency, even if there
are no openings on their governing board, many times they will have advisory
and budget committees where your participation will be welcomed.
The
weather is starting to improve, and that is brightening spirits after a long
rainy winter. With the improving
weather, road projects kick into full gear.
In House District 32 there are many road improvement projects underway.
ODOT is
closing OR 53 (Necanicum Hwy) at milepost 6 this weekend. Crews will be working on the Jack Horner
Bridge, replacing the wooden decking, and then paving the bridge. The road will close at 7 a.m. Friday May 19th
and reopen on Monday morning May 22nd. This is a full 24-7 closure with traffic
detouring around construction using Hwy 26, and Hwy 101.
In
Manzanita, they are replacing an existing culvert at Neahkahnie Creek with a
tunnel, and realigning Hwy 101. Flaggers
may need to control single lane traffic when construction work is occurring,
and short delays can be expected.
Bridge
rehabilitation continues on the Old Youngs Bay and Lewis & Clark River
Bridges, with flaggers occasionally controlling single lane traffic during work
periods.
Workers
are also painting the Astoria-Megler Bridge, scheduled work includes
installation of the work containment structures and prepping and coating the
steel beneath the bridge deck. Flaggers
control single lane traffic, and delays will be allowed anytime on the weekdays
or weekends.
The Hwy 101/OR 6 traffic improvement project
in Tillamook is extending Pacific Avenue north beyond First Street and
replacing the existing slough bridge with a new four lane bridge. This project will also widen the traffic
lanes on Main and Pacific Avenues from First to Fourth Streets. Travelers can expect daytime and night time
work and occasional lane closures.
There is a lot of work going on, and on any given day there are 500 active
work zones in the state. On average, a
work zone crash occurs in Oregon every 18 hours, with hundreds of accidents and
some fatalities every year. To improve
safety for everyone, speeds in work zones may be reduced. Fines double for traffic infractions
committed within a posted work zone, whether workers are present or not. Pay extra attention when you see orange
signs, barrels, cones and barricades; as an inattentive driver is the most
common cause of work zone crashes.
To best represent House District 32, I need to hear from
you. If you have a concern or comment
about a state agency or proposed legislation, you can write, phone or email my
office. If you are coming to Salem, let
my office know a few days in advance so we can schedule an appointment. I’m in H-481, and my door is always open to
constituents.
It is my privilege to represent you in the House of
Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Deborah Boone
Representative District 32
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
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