Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Holidays from Oregon’s Christmas Tree District! The holidays are a busy time. This year, many of us will spend time with family and friends we haven’t been able to visit in-person for nearly two years. Individually and collectively the hardships, loss, and challenges of the pandemic have been difficult. Reaching out to an old friend will brighten their day - and yours.
This season, hold close the ones you love and check in on those that you know need a little extra support. During times of uncertainty, the holidays remind us to keep our eye on the North Star of promise that continues to shine - even in the darkest moments. That phone call, card, or visit can make a difference.
May the season of giving bring you and your family joy, blessing, and many reasons to smile. Thank you for taking the time to read the following update on what’s happening in the Capitol and beyond.
Best wishes,
 Rick Lewis
Oregon State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
Previous House District 18 Newsletters can be viewed at: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis/Pages/news.aspx
Last week, the Governor called for a Special Legislative Session to extend non-payment of rent protections and expand tenant rights. The legislature is scheduled to convene on Monday, December 13.
Rather than a special session, I support convening the Legislative Emergency Board. Oregon’s unemployment levels, jobless claims, and job openings have returned to pre-pandemic levels – so should the rest of our economy, including rental housing. The Emergency Board has the ability to expedite immediate rental assistance relief to Oregonians most in need without convening a special session.
In the Governor’s Press Release regarding the Special Session, she states, “The package would address the immediate needs of Oregon renters through the winter months. Legislators may also be asked to take on additional time-sensitive issues during the special session that require action before February 2022”.
Open-ended statements, like this, are a cause for concern when no further specifics about what “additional time-sensitive issues” the Legislature may be asked consider.
Tune in Monday, December 13th to hear what’s happening in your Capitol in-person or through the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). Through OLIS you can view proposed measures, committee meetings, and floor sessions.
Here's How: In OLIS, click on the session icon. There will be a drop-down menu as shown in the graphic below. Under Select Session, click on the 2021 2nd Special Session link to follow along.
Last month, November virtual committee days wrapped up what was intended to be the second of three interim committee meetings before the 2022 Session. September interim committees were canceled due to the 1st Special Session on Redistricting. Below are the discussion highlights from my committees. You can click on the committee links to view the meetings and topics of interest to you.
House Interim Committee On Veterans and Emergency Management (HVEM)
- Veterans' License Plates
- House Bill 2927 Implementation
- Discussion of State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program - OEM projected timeline
- Treatment of Military Members Assisting with COVID-19 Related Missions In-State Report
- Fire Season Update - Now and Future
- Veterans' Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Landscape
- Grant Program Updates
House Interim Committee On Judiciary
- Ballot Measure 110 Update
- Public Defense Services Commission Update
- Oregon Department of Justice Labor Trafficking Task Force Update
- Discussion of Proposed 2022 Legislation
House Interim Special Committee On Wildfire Recovery
- 2021 Investments in Wildfire Impacted Communities
- Update: Housing related to 2020 Wildfire Recovery
Joint Committee On Transportation
- ODOT Projects and Programs Update
- DMV Status Report Update
- Renewable Fuels Briefing
- Transportation Equity in Oregon
- Wildfire Cleanup and Recovery Update
On November 17th, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released the December 2021 Revenue Forecast.
In summary, Oregon continues to set records across the board, both in terms of Personal Income Tax and Corporate Tax collections and lottery sales. Economists expected that Oregon’s economy would normalize but that has not been the case.
Revenue continues to accelerate as labor income is booming and monthly withholdings out of paychecks drives the majority of revenue, despite the fact that Oregon is still 70,000 jobs below pre-pandemic levels and our average wages per worker are up over 12% per person.
Inflation is expected to continue to run hot for at least the next six months. It will likely moderate as the economy reopens and supply chains normalize. Low income households are impacted the most by inflation as they typically use 100% of their paychecks each month and cannot afford significant price increases. The ultimate risk is a boom/bust cycle if the Federal Reserve raises rates too quickly to cool the economy.
Although much uncertainty remains, non-corporate General Fund revenues are now 2.5% above the close of session forecast, which would lead to a $558 million kicker payment starting in 2024. A corporate kicker of $250 million is currently estimated for 2023-25.
We are seeing broad employment increases across the board, however, a boom and bust scenario is a possibility. Given the strength of the inflationary boom we are experiencing, there is an increased risk of the economy overheating. The average rate dynamic is reversed during a downturn, leading to revenue losses in excess of income losses. A downturn in the second half of the current biennium would likely lead to a large budget hole in 2023-25. If this happens, the greatest adverse impact will be on struggling families.
As we bring Oregon’s economic lens into focus, we must act fiscally responsible with our state budget. The current rate of inflation is a clear warning of a downturn that may follow.
Previous quarterly forecasts can be viewed online here.
Holidays at the Capitol returned for its 40th season on December 1st.
Visitors can enjoy holiday décor in the Rotunda and outside of the House and Senate Chambers during normal business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, through December 23rd.
Although some things will be a little different, (missing are the grand tree, model train, and annual musical performances), we are excited to present a new electronic exhibit with stories of past holiday experiences and messages from select sponsors and choirs in the East Galleria this year.
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Access to the building comprises the two ADA entrances on each side of the Capitol steps on Court Street. The Capitol follows Oregon OSHA regulations, and masking is required inside the building.
Learn more about the Oregon Capitol by visiting www.oregoncapitol.com or call Visitor Services at: 503-986-1388.
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Time is running out to renew expired vehicle registration, driver licenses, and ID cards in Oregon. Oregon’s pandemic related law enforcement moratorium on enforcing expired vehicle registration, driver licenses, and ID cards ends with December 31. |
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Many DMV services are now available online at the DMV2U Online Service Center including:
- Renew your vehicle registration
- Access your DMV profile
- Schedule an appointment
- Replace a lost, damaged, or stolen license or ID card
- Pay a reinstatement fee
- Report your change of address
- Report the sale of your car
- Calculate vehicles fees to mail in title and registration applications
You can also download forms and complete many transactions by mail including vehicle title transfers at http://www.oregondmv.com/
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Last month, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion, once-in-a-generation investment in our Nation's infrastructure and competitiveness.
Oregon expects to receive at least $5.3 billion for roads and other infrastructure. A significant portion of the funds, will be earmarked for roads; Oregon also will receive large amounts for bridges, public transportation, electric vehicle chargers, internet, airports and drinking water filtration and distribution systems, etc.
As Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness (HVEM), I co-authored a letter to House leadership, requesting that the HVEM Committee have an opportunity to serve a formal role during the discussions associated with the allocation of the money that will flow into Oregon.
This “once-in-a-generation” investment represents more than financial resources for projects, it is an opportunity for a purposeful deliberation and Oregon needs a strategic investment approach reflecting an integrated resilience posture. Our world is becoming more complex, the threats we face are bigger, and more expensive than in the past and the value of strategic resilience must be interwoven throughout the decision-making processes.
The HVEM committee is charged with coordinating a legislative strategy for statewide infrastructure resilience and has worked across the partisan divide – with non-profit, private, and public partners throughout the State of Oregon. The lessons we have learned over the past several years should provide an important perspective as we set about the work of optimizing the funds available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
I look forward to the opportunity to participate in these discussions. The committee’s goal is to facilitate meaningful outcomes aligned with the need of today, as well as tomorrow, as we make Oregon better prepared for the catastrophes to come.
Today, December 7th, in ceremonies around the country we pause to remember and honor those who lost their lives during the attack on the US naval base in Hawaii in 1941.
Eighty years ago, 183 aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The raid, which came with no declaration of war, destroyed four battleships and damaged four more in just two hours.
Among the American armed forces, there were a total of 2,335 killed, including 2,008 navy personnel, 109 marines, and 218 army. 68 civilians also lost their lives in the attack making the total fatalities 2,403 people. Another 1,178 people were injured. Eight Navy battleships were among the 18 Naval ships either damaged or sunk. On Oahu military bases, 178 aircraft were destroyed. This act, suddenly and without warning, thrust the US into World War II.
In our pause to remember this day, please share with your children and grandchildren the valor and legacy of those who perished and those who fought throughout the war so that they too -- will remember and understand of the price that was paid for their freedoms.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-484, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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