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I recently spent a week in Washington D.C. meeting with our federal representatives and attending a legislative conference on energy. While those elements of the trip were important, the most valuable part of the visit for me was having time to walk around our nation’s capital.
It’s a powerful place. It’s the only place I know where we can see our nation’s past, present and future all on the same sidewalk.
It reminded me just how great America really is. Museums and memorials to remind of us of the rich history of our country, our founding fathers and past presidents who had foresight to build this nation, our veterans who’ve given their all, and of course, the hustle and bustle of those still working towards making sure our country is the best place to live.
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It’s easy to get wrapped up in politics and partisanship, but we’re so much more than that. We’re a state and nation of unique and diverse people who all deserve life, liberty and the opportunities to pursue happiness. While we have our challenges and will never be perfect, we have a lot to be thankful for in this great country.
I will continue to do my best to give you a voice and be your advocate. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and represent you in our legislature.
Be safe.
Representative Mark Owens
I will be traveling to our communities throughout House District 60 over the next month so that we can connect in person for the first time in a while. I hope you will join me for one of these events in the next two weeks and stay tuned for more events in each county. They’re open to the public and we will be following all public health guidelines. Invite your friends, families and neighbors, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
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While in D.C., I spent some time walking along the Vietnam War Memorial. It’s a breathtaking and somber reminder that our freedoms are not free, and that hundreds of thousands and men and women have served and are serving our country to make sure we have the freedoms and opportunities we have today.
It’s easy to remember to honor our veterans on Veteran’s Day (coming up November 11), but our veterans need our support every day, not just one day a year. I hope you will take some time to get involved in your local veteran’s offices, provide support through your time or other resources, and do make sure to thank a veteran for their service.
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Our communities have many resources available for veterans who are seeking employment, financial assistance, health and mental health care, and more.
House District 60 Resources
Statewide Resources
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Statewide celebration
The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during the 2021 Statewide Veterans Day Celebration.
This event will return to an outdoor and in-person format this year. This year’s event will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10 — the day before Veterans Day at the Oregon State Capitol Park.
Click the image to go to the Facebook event page.
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Opportunities are available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their privately-owned land with financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Apply by November 19, 2021 to be considered for the first round of fiscal year 2022 funding. Read more and apply here.
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis recently announced Oregon has a record breaking $1.9 billion revenue surplus which means Oregonians’ who’ve paid taxes may be eligible to receive some of those surplus tax dollars back in our pockets.
Oregon’s unique kicker tax law sends money back to taxpayers whenever personal income tax revenues come in at least 2% above initial projections during a two-year budget cycle. This year, those who are eligible for a kicker refund can expect a tax credit on our 2021 state income tax returns.
If you’d like to know what amount to expect as a tax credit, there is a What’s My Kicker? calculator available on the Oregon Department of Revenue website for personal income tax filers. Note: Taxpayers can only claim the kicker if they filed a 2020 tax return and had tax due before credits. Oregonians must file a 2021 tax return to claim the credit, even if the taxpayer doesn’t have a filing obligation for 2021.
Every ten years, the Oregon legislature must redraw it’s legislative and congressional district lines to reflect growth and changes in population after the Census. In September, the legislature passed SB 881, drawing the lines for our new sixth congressional seat, and SB 882, establishing new lines for our legislative districts. Right now, the maps are being challenged in court.
Although I think the process of having the legislature draw its own lines is flawed, and this year’s process only proved that further, I’m putting the politics aside for a moment to say I am grateful to continue to represent our communities and more. House District 60 will continue to include Grant, Harney, Malheur and Baker Counties and rather than a small portion of Lake County, I now have the opportunity to represent all of it.
Here’s how the maps changed. Here is a comparison between the old and new maps for District 60 as well as the new congressional map.
The GREEN map is the new House District 60, the BLUE map is the current/old House District 60.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens
District Phone: 503-413-2482
District Address: 85 W. Washington St., Burns, OR 97720
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