 " Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer."
- President John F. Kennedy
Friends,
The first two weeks of the 2023 Legislative Session are now behind us. This is the first regular session to take place completely in-person since the 78th Legislative Session back in 2019. It is also the first in person session for many new legislators. This creates an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation.
During the Senate Republican press conference last Tuesday, I stated, "With each new session, we get a new opportunity... If the Majority want a bipartisan Legislature, we're all in... We’re not here to burn bridges – we’re here to build them." This is the tone that we will be setting for the session.
Committees
So far this session there have been two bills that I have given testimony on. SB 643 which would loosen restrictions on foods being made, packaged, bought, and sold through a household residence. It would also increase the pay cap set on business owners, whose business is selling perishable products from their home. The current Oregon cap set at $20,000; one of the lowest in the country.
You can watch my full testimony here.
The second bill that I testified on was HB 3032, which is aimed at helping to solve the housing crisis. This bill is based around the concept of “home sharing”. It is meant to create an incentive for Oregonians to rent out spare rooms which can earn them extra income and reduce the housing crisis. The incentive would be in the form of a tax break and would allow up to $1,000 a month in rental income tax free. This is an alternative way to impact the housing issue with almost no overheard compared to additional funding packages that state government can do.
You can watch my full testimony here.
Legislative Priorities
This session, I am writing and supporting a number of pieces of legislation that I believe will increase the quality of life for many Oregonians:
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SJR 17 - Freeze property taxes for Oregon seniors 67+ for primary residence.
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LC 3881 - Return the Kicker as a check, returning $5,200 per household on average.
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SB 656 - Allow local governments to amend urban growth boundaries to include lands to be used for needed housing.
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LC 3697 - State employees cannot be reimbursed for travel to/from Oregon when living outside of Oregon.
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SB 653 - $50 million to Dept. of Forestry for increased forest managing operations in specified wildfire-prone counties.
Oregon Senate Republicans outline their priorities for the sessions
KTVZ
Capital Chatter: Republicans want a voice at the table
Oregon Capital Insider
Oregon adds jobs, but unemployment rate rises again
Oregon Capital Bureau | Peter Wong
Tobias Colvin appointed to Redmond City Council
Bend Bulletin | Tim Trainer
Affordable housing pilot project inches towards approval with more than 100 units
Bend Bulletin | Anna Kaminski
Deverlopment wins conditional approval
The Nugget Newspaper | Sue Stafford
Best Regards,
 Senator Tim Knopp
Senate District 27
email: sen.timknopp@oregonlegislature.gov ι phone: 503-986-1727
address: 900 Court St NE, S-309, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/knopp
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