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Hello Friends,
Today I am writing you from outside of the Capitol. The world we live in allows much greater flexibility in the workplace. While all but one of my job duties – to vote – can be performed via phone, email, skype, or media wise, I am continuing to work and represent the constituents of HD19. I am in daily contact with my staff, I monitor my assigned committee meetings and other committees, I read emails received and respond as necessary, assistance to constituents navigating state agencies continues, and I participate in meetings with concerned groups.
As a relatively new legislator I have received numerous pieces of advice and one of the repeated themes is to build relationships within the building. Talk with all the members, both sides of the building - the house and the senate. Get to know the people with whom you will craft policy, debate differences, and come to compromise. Much like a small community or a small school, a small church congregation, or a blended family.
When there are differences of opinions within any group there are mechanisms which can be used to restore the lines of communications and the ability to once again function. Kind of like a marriage that has been rocky, you try hard to make things work and end up walking out because you just can’t seem to find compromise. Take a breather, reassess the situation, reset the button, talk with other people, get guidance. Both sides have a chance to reflect and remember why you are committed to the relationship.
All of this to illustrate it was time for the House Republicans to take a breather from their Democratic colleagues. For each group to assess the pros and cons of what is the best public policy dealing with climate change. This is massive legislation that will fundamentally change the structure of Oregon’s economy, and subsequently our way of life.
This is legislation that will: raise the cost of fuel at the pump, natural gas and other cost of living expenses. Current fiscal analysis calls for 5.1 million dollars out of the General Fund for 47 positions or 24.88 FTE in the 19-20 biennia – that averages to $102,835 per FTE this bill also has an allocation of 5M for DEQ to add office space and contract with third party vendors and gives decision making authority to agency personnel. This is coupled with a lack of transparency.
To top it off this bill it has an emergency clause which means it goes into law the minute Kate Brown signs the bill and it cannot be referred to the voters. This is not good public policy.
Those opposing this radical public policy spoke up. They were given 90 seconds to express their concerns to committee members and / or submit written testimony. Ladies and gentlemen this is not the first time Oregonians have spoken up and opposed cap and trade. Less than nine months ago, the same scenario played out.
During this breathing time afforded by the Republican walkout Oregonians once again spoke out against cap and trade. To repeat to the supermajority, in all branches of our government, that cap and trade needs to be referred to the voters. In this short 35-day session legislators have done their job - three bills on cap and trade, totaling over 400 pages have been produced. It has been reviewed, it has been debated, amendments have been offered and rejected. Members, both Republicans and Democrats disagree on whether or not this is good public policy for ALL Oregonians. From my vantage point the middle ground has been reached - the overwhelming sentiment is-let the voters decide.
So now it is up to the Democratic supermajority to trust Oregonians with the fate of cap and trade. Let the people vote and let us get back to work in the Capitol.
Thank you for engaging with your state government. Please know my door is always open and my staff, Pam McClain, Lena Prine, and I welcome your participation.
All my best, rmg
 Representative Raquel Moore-Green
House District 19
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1419
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-385, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.RaquelMooreGreen@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/moore-green
Be sure to follow my legislative Facebook @reprmghd19
The following information has come to my office over the course of this short session concerning cap and trade. I encourage you to take time and learn what others have to say as well.
Our view | Climate change bill has become ego-invested project
East Oregonian
Remonstrance by State Representative Jeff Barker (D-Aloha) February 17, 2020
Video link: https://bit.ly/2HQa5fv
Joint Statement from Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) February 18, 2020
“The politics surrounding SB 1530 are deeply disappointing. The proponents are desperate to pass a bill that will result in no significant environmental gains but will greatly burden the pocket books of our constituents. On Monday, one of the co-sponsors of the bill proposed that opponents of SB 1530 seek a last-minute amendment to benefit pulp and paper mills.
“This thinly veiled attempt to “improve” the bill by holding good union pulp and paper workers hostage is unacceptable. If the co-sponsor of the bill thinks we can “save” pulp and paper jobs with an amendment, why wasn’t the fix included in the original bill? Why wouldn’t the co-sponsors use their superior negotiating position to add the amendment themselves? How disingenuous is it to ask opponents of SB 1530 to beg for their constituents’ jobs?
“The only way to save pulp and paper mills and Oregon manufacturing is to stop the politicking and get serious about a carbon reduction policy that doesn’t annex our state into California… where there are no pulp mills thanks to the cap and trade program.”
Statement From United Steelworkers Local 1097 President On Cap-And-Trade Bill February 13, 2020
“I met with Republican Senators this morning to express our union’s continued opposition to the cap-and-trade bill. I appreciate their continued efforts to protect their constituents, rural Oregonians and the working people of this state from this harmful legislation. This bill is a half-baked tax scheme that will accomplish little more than raising costs for consumers and putting proud Oregonians out of work. I urge the Republican Senators to do anything they can to make sure this proposal does not become law.
Twenty-eight Oregon counties have signed proclamations against cap and trade.
These are the people we were elected to represent that are viscerally opposed to this legislation. It needs to be referred to the ballot for Oregonians to decide.
Late last week the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) confirmed the first presumptive case of COVID-19 or novel coronavirus in Oregon. The Governor and OHA Director held a press conference discussing the situation and you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2MvOMp9ZA
Information will also be available at http://healthoregon.org/coronavirus
Below is information that may be helpful for you:
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Oregon is taking steps to be prepare and prevent the spread of COVID-19: State, federal and local officials are working together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. Health experts are:
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Learning more about COVID-19 every day, including steps needed to prevent, treat and contain it.
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Monitoring people who may have been exposed, making sure they are seen by health care providers and encouraging them to stay isolated from others.
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Communicating information about COVID-19 to the public.
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Coordinating with local and tribal public health officials, hospitals and health systems to prepare and identify needed supplies, equipment and facilities.
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You can reduce your risk of getting COVID-19:
- Consult travel advisories if you plan to travel outside of the US.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces people often touch.
- Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
.Please visit OHA’s COVID-19 web page for the latest updates, or follow OHA on Facebook and Twitter.
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