Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 4th of July is full of fun events with family and community as we celebrate our nation's birth.
This month’s newsletter features the St. Paul Rodeo and Parade. Head on out to St. Paul for a fun-filled experience during the 86th annual 4th of July rodeo celebration of the American cowboy and our western lifestyle!
The town’s patriotic events began yesterday and go through July 4th. The community parade features entries from all over the North Willamette Valley and this year’s theme features Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts.
Come out early to stake out your spot on the parade route to celebrate the freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness this day represents.
Find a list of Parade and Rodeo events here.
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During July’s festivities and fireworks, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal reminds us to “Keep it Legal. Keep it Safe.”
Fire officials encourage everyone to practice the four Bs of safe fireworks use:
- Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.
- Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks. Never use fireworks near or on dry grass or vegetation.
- Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Please wait for 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.
- Be aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.
Happy celebrations,
 Rick Lewis
Oregon State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
It’s berry season and July is National Berry Month! House District 18 berry farmers have been busy all year preparing their fields for the sweet taste of summer. Now is the time to plan a trip to your local farm stand or U-Pick field to savor the flavors of summer. Find a pick-your-own farm in Salem and Marion County here. Find a pick-your-own farms in Clackamas County here.
Last week, the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council Executive Committee met. I have served several terms on the Council throughout the years and my current term expires the end of this month. I am pleased that my name has been submitted to the Marion County Commissioners for reappointment to another three-year term.
The next several years are going to be pivotal when it comes to criminal justice/justice reinvestment matters and I will be honored to continue serving with this dedicated group of public safety professionals in this capacity.
The Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council’s purpose is to increase public safety by enhancing law enforcement efficiencies and reducing crime. Its mission is to create a continuum of supports and services for adult offenders, juvenile offenders, and crime victims, resulting in a system that emphasizes community safety and prevents criminal activity. The Council is statutorily mandated in ORS 423.560. Meetings are open to the public and are held quarterly.
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Next week, I am looking forward to spending time at the Marion County Fair on opening day. Summer is all sorts of fun at the Marion County Fair. I hope to see you there!
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This is a follow up to the Oregon Disaster Assistance Program (ODAP) information I provided in my May newsletter.
The ODAP was set up in the wake of the historic levels of drought, record setting heat, wildfires and smoke, ice and winter storms, and other residual effects of disasters faced by Oregon’s farmers and ranchers in 2021.
Senate Bill 892 established the framework for a unique disaster assistance program for Oregon’s farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters in 2021. The program is structured as forgivable loans to provide state level assistance to fill gaps in federal disaster programs or act as a bridge loan until Oregon’s producers can receive certain USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance.
The ODAP calculates assistance for eligible farmers and ranchers in Oregon on lost gross farm income.
- ODAP is based on tax filings from 2017, 2018, and 2019 used to establish a three-year baseline of what a producer could have reasonably expected in farm income without disaster impacts. Using producers’ 2021 gross farm income, the difference between 2021 income and the three-year baseline is considered loss due to natural disasters.
- The maximum assistance is $125,000 or 90% of the three-year baseline. Producers who meet the USDA definition of a historically underserved producer or have less than $350,000 in gross income may qualify for maximum assistance, which is $150,000 or 95% of the three-year baseline.
The first round of loans has been issued and the second round of applications will be open between June 21 – July 19, 2022. There is approximately $19.5 million remaining in the pool of funds.
Round One Statistics:
Oregon Department of Agriculture opened the first round of Oregon Disaster Assistance Program applications on May 9, 2022 and closed applications on June 3,2022.
- 244 total loans issued in round one equaling $16,286,420
- 147 of the 244 loans were made to small farms or the historically underserved
- Average loan amount was $66,747
Learn more about the program details and application process at the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s webpage here.
On Wednesday, I was appointed by Speaker Rayfield to serve on the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The Commission consists of nine members, seven of whom are voting members appointed by the Governor. The remaining two members are nonvoting members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.
The mission of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission is to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of state and local criminal justice systems. You can learn more about the commission here.
I am honored to serve on the Commission and look forward to working with my fellow Commission members to evaluate and improve Oregon’s criminal justice policy.
View Press Release here.
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Later this month (July 19-22) I will be attending the Council of State Government West Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho - followed by some travel and vacation time to enjoy summer’s more relaxed pace. I hope you are able to enjoy some summer down time as well and I look forward to connecting with you again in my August newsletter.
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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