Protecting Your Tax Dollars!
This week saw the introduction of SB 853, a tremendous bipartisan effort led by Senator Tim Knopp (R, Bend) which bans the spending of Oregonians' tax dollars from paying for the out-of-state travel of government workers. Senator Knopp managed to get the entire Senate as sponsors on this bill, and almost half of the House!
In regards to the concept, Senator Knopp shared, “Last summer, I heard from taxpayers and state employees alike who were outraged at the practice of reimbursing travel for out-of-state, highly-paid government workers to be flown back to Oregon to do their job at taxpayer expense. It’s a fundamental equity issue. Most local state employees don’t get paid to commute to work."
I am proud to join the long list of bipartisan sponsors of this bill, and even prouder of the emphasis it shows on the importance of bipartisanship as a legislative priority. Hopefully we will see more of that this session than we have in years past!
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SB 579 - Voting Rights for Felons - BAD BILL ALERT
Our office has been receiving many emails regarding SB 579, which would give voting rights to felons, including those currently incarcerated. This is just another example of the terrible soft-on-crime policies championed by the Democratic majority.
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HB 2898 - RV Citing During Wildfire Recovery - PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY.
I mentioned in the last newsletter that a hearing for this bill was scheduled soon, and we've been notified that the hearing will be next Tuesday, February 7th! This is an important wildfire recovery bill that continues the allowance that recreational vehicles may remain on a lot with a single-family dwelling that was damaged by natural disaster. It extends this allowance until December 30, 2030 for dwellings destroyed in 2020 wildfires.
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HB 2146 A - Honoring Oregon's Gold Star Families - Passed the House!
This bill designates a portion of U.S. Highway 30 as the Oregon Gold Star Families Memorial Highway. We hope this serves as a reminder of the freedoms we enjoy because of those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Click here to watch Rep. Rick Lewis (R-Silverton) carry this bill to a unanimous vote on the House floor.
This week, the Oregon Department of Veteran's Affairs put out this newsletter announcing that veterans in acute suicidal crisis can receive emergency healthcare at no cost for 30 to 90 days. Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, consider taking advantage of this new opportunity that went into effect on January 17th.
Congratulations to Sweet Home's FFA Ag Mechanics team! They took 2nd place overall in the beginner's category in Lebanon, and were showcased in Sweet Home's The New Era. You can read the full article here.
From left they are Joey Shrieves, Mitchell Stratman, Kaitlyn Gurule, Aubri Parker, Nathan Thompson, Alyssa Peterson, Triston Barber, Eli Olson. Competitors were Gurule, Parker, Stratman, and Peterson – three freshmen and one sophomore. Gerule was fourth and Parker was fifth overall. Shrieves was ninth in the advanced competition.
I'm so thrilled to see these young students developing life skills and building character with the FFA. Keep up the great work!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at (Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov)
Members of the public are invited to attend as Lebanon Fire District celebrates construction beginning on a project that has been highly anticipated. “This station is not just for us, it’s for our community members as well,” says Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi. “We would not be able to complete this project without our community’s support, not only in passing the general obligation bond in 2019, but their daily support of our operations and crews. We want this celebration to recognize the public’s support as well as our own excitement for the new Station 31.”
Voters passed a general obligation bond in 2019 for the construction of a new Station 31 as well as the purchase of new firefighting apparatus. Construction is estimated to be completed in 2024.
THE CAPITOL IS OPEN TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Below is a detailed map of the Capitol grounds during the 2023 Legislative Session. As you can see, despite all of the construction, there is still a public entrance open from 7:00AM to 5:30PM Monday through Friday if you wish to visit our State Capitol. This is very much a citizen's legislature, and I would encourage anyone that is interested to come check out our building and make their voice heard!
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