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If you're having trouble viewing this message, please visit my legislative web page at http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/prozanski/, click on "News" in the lower left-hand column and scroll down.
Dear friends,
The 2020 "short" legislative session is now underway until early March. Prior to session convening, "organizational days" were held from January 13-15 for committees to meet to hear updates on a variety of topics and to introduce committee measures for the session. Audio recordings of committee and task force meetings can be found, here. Introduced bills for the short session can be reviewed using the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). Bills can also be tracked using OLIS during session while chamber floor sessions and committee meetings watched live or recorded.
You probably don't need me to remind you: January was a wet month! After starting 2020 with less than half of regular snowpack, it's now up to 97 percent of normal thanks to all that wet weather. More is needed as the winter rolls on to ensure adequate snowmelt runoff during spring and summer, but for now things are looking better than they were in late 2019.
On January 11, I enjoyed attending a Eugene Education Association legislative breakfast. These biannual breakfasts provide opportunities for local educators and legislators to connect. I find that the gatherings are especially valuable before a legislative session kicks off.
Enjoying breakfast with local educators (photo courtesy of Lisa Fragala)
Below you will find information on:
- Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- ODOT: Delta/Beltline Highway Ramp and Lane Closures
- Scam Alert: Gift Card Scams
- USDA Rural Development Grant for Elkton Small Business
- Experience the Capitol as an Honorary Page
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative
The most talked-about legislation put forward for the short session is legislation to addresses Oregon's contribution to the climate crisis. Formerly the "Clean Energy Jobs Bill," the 2020 "Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative" aims to put a limit on climate pollution from the largest polluters in Oregon and charge them a price for what they put in our air. The legislation will reduce pollution from burning fossil fuels, which causes global warming, acidifies the ocean, and makes people sick. The money generated will be invested around the state to create good-paying jobs and a thriving economy, especially in rural communities that need it most.
I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to leave our kids and grandkids a healthy future, but climate change and unchecked air and water pollution from dirty energy is putting that at risk. This proposal will make Oregon a leader in forging a better world.
Delta/Beltline Highway Ramp and Lane Closures
(Information from ODOT)
Scam Alert: Gift Card Scams
Oregon's Attorney General is warning of a potential "dark side" to gift cards. Scams involving gift cards commonly ask victims — usually over the phone — to buy a gift card to pay legal fees, bail, taxes or other "urgent" expenses.
Here are some tips to prevent gift card fraud:
- If you receive a call or email asking for payment by gift card, know that it's a scam. Report it to the Oregon Department of Justice right away by calling 1-877-877-9392 or filing a complaint online at www.oregonconsumer.gov.
- Never provide your gift card number and pin to anyone you don't know. Once those numbers are gone, so is your money.
- Limit sharing your personal information. Be thoughtful — and hesitant — when you get email or phone requests for this information.
- If you're pressured to act quickly, odds are it's a scam.
- Don't open email attachments or click on links unless you're certain they're from legitimate sources.
For more information and resources regarding gift card scams, please visit www.oregonconsumer.gov.
USDA Rural Development Grant for Elkton Small Business
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Oregon Rural Development office has granted $15,435 in Rural Energy for America Program funds to J&S Speedy Mart in Elkton to help the business purchase and install a renewable energy system. This project is expected to generate 40,222 kilowatt hours of renewable electricity per year, enough to power four homes. The 25-kilowatt solar array will replace 30 percent of the store's energy use, helping this rural business save $5,631 per year on its energy bill.
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