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What a busy couple of weeks it has been! In this newsletter you will find insight on the new BottleDrop redemption center in Florence, a response to the Governor's latest COVID-19 actions, bills I sponsor that would curb the Governor's executive power, a legislation spotlight, and a thank you to our fallen Veterans as we approach Memorial Day.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (503) 986-1409 or at Rep.BoomerWright@oregonlegislature.gov.
Oregon BottleDrop officially opened a redemption center at Fred Meyer Florence!
Finally, central coast residents have a quick and easy way to return, redeem, and recycle beverage containers. This BottleDrop location will also allow residents to participate in the Green Bag program and will open up new fundraising opportunities for local nonprofits through the Blue Bag program.
I am proud to have helped lead the effort to open a BottleDrop redemption center in House District 9. A huge thank you to the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) for your hard work and collaboration! I look forward to overseeing their progress on a BottleDrop location in Coos Bay in the near future.
Click here or on the image below to watch my statement at the grand opening.
Governor Brown's latest executive decision on COVID-19 requires businesses to verify vaccination status of its patrons or continue to require face masks. Oregon is the only state in America to do this.
I was proud to add my name to a letter to the Governor requesting that she put an immediate end to the vaccine passport/verification system.
Governor Brown's decision directly contradicts the positions of the CDC, the White House, and the rest of the West Coast. It puts an unfair burden on businesses and front-line workers, and disrespects Oregonians who deserve to be trusted.
In my short time as a legislator (in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic), it has already been abundantly clear that Oregon desperately needs a balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. After over a year of endless executive orders, turbulent lockdowns, and counties going in and out of risk levels, oversight is long overdue and absolutely imperative.
Many of you have asked me what legislators like myself are doing to curb the Governor's executive powers. Here is a list of a few bills I sponsor that would do just that:
HB 2243 Requires Governor Kate Brown to convene the Legislature before extending her own emergency powers.
HB 3177 Limits restrictions Governor Kate Brown can impose on restaurants, gyms, and other indoor recreational facilities.
HB 2713 Limits Governor Kate Brown's Emergency Powers to 60 days, requiring the consent of the Legislature to continue.
HJR 18 Terminates the State of Emergency relating to COVID-19.
Over the last few weeks, I joined with many of my colleagues in the House to try and force a vote on bills, which would give both the Legislature and the People necessary oversight on the Governor's unilateral actions. Keep in mind: A "No" vote is essentially the same as voting "No" on the bill itself. All three motions failed almost exclusively on party lines.
I will be carrying Senate Bill 103 on the House floor for its third reading next week. If passed, SB 103 would further clarify and simplify the responsibility for livestock and pets in disaster-related situations under the ODA-Animal Health division.
Devastating wildfires this past summer ravaged more than 1 million acres, wiped out towns, destroyed homes and businesses, and displaced thousands. Alongside the well-meaning efforts to help from all avenues of animal owners and animal care providers, there was constant confusion and uncertainty regarding responsibilities and resources for transport, housing, and medical treatment of affected animals. SB 103 moves us in the right direction, reassigning primary responsibility for companion animals from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to ODA-Animal Health. This change simplifies the process and makes practical sense to have the leading authorities for both livestock and companion animals within the same agency.
As we approach Memorial Day and contemplate the reason we celebrate this day, I am reminded that although we do celebrate the day, it is really a day set aside for remembrance and reflection. A remembrance of those who have given all and reflection on the cost and preservation of our freedom and liberty.
Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address stated, "...We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live."
God bless those who gave all for our freedoms!
ODVA will honor the nation's fallen service members this Memorial Day during a virtual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony. The ceremony will premiere virtually at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 31 on ODVA's Facebook Page and YouTube channel.
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