More In-Person Events: The Summer So Far

This summer has been very productive with meetings and events within the district and around the state. From inspecting regional bridges to the consideration of federal investments in passenger rail, transportation has been one of the major focal points. One of the more exciting aspects of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL) is the huge investment in passenger rail. Congress set aside $66 billion for passenger rail outside of the Northeast, where there will be another $33 billion spent to expand Amtrak in that region.

As we consider investment in high speed rail, it will be important to leverage the federal dollars to improve existing rail infrastructure. This is to further accommodate faster conventional rail to create a stronger more useful network to feed into the high speed system. It should be noted that with the addition of rail sidings, existing privately held railroad tracks can be used with a much more efficient and cost effective price. 

Senator Gorsek was appointed by the Senate President to several commissions including the Council of State Governments Legislative Council on River Governance (LCRG). The LCRG is a cooperative, bipartisan program comprised of state legislators from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Through collaborative efforts, members can exchange information and identify solutions to address the challenges and opportunities along the Columbia and Snake River basins. At this years meeting we looked at challenges as varied as salmon habitat recovery to agricultural use of water resources. One of the larger challenges we face in the years ahead will be regarding water rights and ensuring access in an equitable and fair way. After congress passed, and the president signed, the inflation reduction act  (IRA), the administrator of the EPA Michael Regan joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in East County to discuss aspects of the legislation that will have a positive impact on our region. The legislation includes all of the following,The Inflation Reduction Act:

• Expands Medicare benefits: free vaccines (2023), $35/month insulin (2023) and caps out-of-pocket drug
  costs to an estimated $4,000 or less in 2024 and settling at $2,000 in 2025
• Lowers energy bills: cuts energy bills by $500 to $1,000 per year
• Makes historic climate investment: reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40% by 2030
• Lowers health care costs: saves the average enrollee $800/year in the ACA marketplace, allows Medicare
  to negotiate 100 drugs over the next decade, and requires drug companies to rebate back price increases
  higher than inflation
• Creates manufacturing jobs: more than $60 billion invested will create millions of new domestic clean
  manufacturing jobs
• Invests in disadvantaged communities: cleaning up pollution and taking steps to reducing environmental
  injustice with $60 billion for environmental justice
• Closes tax loopholes used by wealthy: a 15% corporate minimum tax, a 1% fee on stock buybacks and
  enhanced IRS enforcement
• Protects families and small business making $400,000 or less

We've also been active supporting local community based organizations including the recent anniversary celebration for East County Rising and supporting grants for community based organizations providing activities for youth. Currently we are working on several pieces of legislation supporting public works projects to protect East County from flooding, giving more tools to law enforcement to fight catalytic converter theft and ensuring people have their full complement of civil rights. 

New: $30 Internet Plans
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-403, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.ChrisGorsek@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/gorsek