|
It’s been another bumpy week in the Capitol, but at least the views out my office window are amazing! Monday saw more floor sessions canceled due to COVID concerns, but things got back into their marathon-pace on Tuesday as we log long hours on the floor.
Most bills moving on the floor so far are “agency bills" (for minor adjustments) or bipartisan bills—but we know bad bills are coming. The April 13th deadline for bills to receive a work session in Committee (to be passed to the floor or be left to die) is coming up quick, and you can feel the pressure mounting.
We are only about half done with this Legislative session, but the weeks are clicking by faster and faster—as are all the committees and floor sessions the weeks are filled with. There will undoubtedly be more bumpy times ahead, but I know it’s worth it to do the People’s work—and during it all, I’ll be enjoying the amazing views just outside my office window!
April is Child Abuse Awareness month, and the tree outside my window has been decked out in blue ribbons! And beyond that, the cherry blossoms in the Capitol Mall are gorgeous!
Last night the House passed the “rebalance bill.” HB 5042 rebalances and reconciles agency budgets for the 2019-2021 biennium and includes $300 million of targeted investments to address needs from a previous year of extraordinary challenges and multiple crises. This bill passed with unanimous support!
This session our House Committee on Wildfire Recovery has worked to identify the needs in our fire affected communities, hearing 13 hours of public testimony and countless more hours from local officials, agencies, and experts on how best to support our communities in recovery. It has been so exciting to see the bipartisan collaboration in this committee. A big thank you to the committee and Senator Girod for helping secure these funds for our communities!
Below are the funding grants coming to our communities to mitigate the impacts of the 2020 wildfires.
Drawing new Legislative and Congressional lines may sound snooze-worthy, but nothing is more important to ensure you are fairly represented! This process happens once every 10 years, following the National Census.
April 10th is the last stop on the "Virtual Road-Show" of Redistricting Hearings. You still have time to make your voice heard in how you want to be represented. Find more info by visiting www.oregonlegislature.gov/Redistricting
The hearings are organized by Congressional District. If you aren't sure which district you live in, you can click HERE to enter your address and find out.
The title says it all. This year is a budgeting session where the Legislature will decide how your tax dollars are spent. If you want your tax dollars spent on something, or maybe you don't want them spent on something, join us for the Oregon Budget Virtual Hearings and let the Legislature know!
You can read the proposed 2021-23 Budget Framework released by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Co-Chairs HERE.
Committee staff are currently working to get these meetings posted OLIS. You can use this link to check for the meeting dates below to be posted. Registration details will be included in the agenda for each meeting. The hearings are organized by Congressional District. If you aren't sure which district you live in, you can click HERE to enter your address and find out.
District 4 - Thursday, April 22 5:30pm-7:30pm
District 5 - Saturday, April 24 1:00pm-3:00pm
For more information on getting vaccinated, please use the resources below.
To view previous newsletters, please visit my website.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-378, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cate
| 
