From Representative Shelly Boshart Davis:

Friends and neighbors, here are some highlights from the week and helpful community information for you!

ACTION ALERT

HB 2142 has been scheduled for a public hearing next Wednesday (2/8). You likely know my thoughts on the Corporate Activities Tax (CAT) and how it is particularly devastating for the agricultural supply chain. (See tax pyramiding) I introduced HB 2142 to exempt agricultural processors from the CAT. Our office has recently received estimates that it could save farmers around $1 million a year.  

If you are a farmer that sells to a processor (seed cleaning, hay pressing, etc), please consider signing up to testify on Wednesday at 8:30 AM in the House Committee on Revenue.

BAD BILL ALERT

HB 3158 would impose a laundry list of taxes that would make farming or owning or operating any kind of heavy equipment in Oregon more expensive.

❌ Tax on tires

❌ Tax businesses that sell offroad diesel equipment

❌ Tax the use of offroad diesel equipment if you purchase it out of state

❌ Tax heavy equipment rentals

❌ Tax heavy-duty vehicles

❌ Tax on dyed diesel

This bill is currently sitting in committee and is not currently scheduled for a hearing. But if it comes alive, you will hear from me to request your help in opposing it.

Governor’s Budget

This week, the Governor released her proposed budget. It represents a nearly $2 billion increase above the current service level. While it doesn’t call for new taxes, the legislature must figure out how to square our priorities with hers. How does she plan on spending that increased budget without raising taxes? Skip our regular deposit into our state reserves. With economic uncertainty ahead, I have major reservations about that.

Luckily, with the Democrat’s diminished majority, it seems that a big tax increase is unlikely. But… It is early.

The governor wants us to approve more than $1 billion to build and preserve housing in the next two-year budget. Building more housing is a good goal, but I don’t think spending more money will be the solution. Here is why: Since 2020, when Gov. Kotek was Speaker, Oregon spent nearly $1 billion on housing. Have you noticed the homelessness problem improve? Have you noticed rents or home prices get more affordable? I haven’t and that is because we have structural and regulatory issues that prevent naturally affordable housing from being built. Those are not going away by throwing more money at the issue.

The table below shows where Oregon spent a billion dollars in the last 2 years:

OREGON YOUTH: WE HEAR YOU

YOUTH VOICES!

This is an opportunity to tell an Oregon Senate Committee about an energy or environment issue that is significant to them. This committee meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00pm. If you are a student (kindergarten – 12^th grade) that would like to participate in the next meeting, follow this link to register and indicate your preference to participate either remotely or in person. Due to committee schedules, it may be limited how many individuals can speak in one day and they ask that you keep your testimony to three minutes. If you would prefer to share your views in writing, please submit your testimony here and it will be posted on OLIS.

To learn more on the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, follow this link.

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

Not sure how to find the Legislators who represent you in Oregon? Would you like to engage on the issues that concern you? Simply go to the OLIS website and use these highlighted tips. You can contact my office if you have issues accessing the website.

Be informed!

School Choice Week: House GOP Highlights 3 Reform Bills Oregon Catalyst The House Republican Caucus issued the following statement in support of School Choice Week. National School Choice Week runs from January 22 through January 28, highlighting the importance of giving parents a choice and students the best opportunity at a high-quality education.

Dozens of legislative bills address curriculum, parent choice, teachers and more Oregon Capital Chronicle Last week, three Republican lawmakers introduced House Joint Resolution 19, proposing an amendment to the Oregon Constitution stating parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children. “A parent is their child’s most important and influential teacher,” said. Rep. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls, in a press release. “We must not only recognize this but encourage this.”

Rep. Reschke introduces resolution on parents rights Klamath Falls News Thursday, January 26, 2023, Representative E. Werner Reschke introduced House Joint Resolution 19. The resolution proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution stating that parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.

Here's how many Oregon state employees aren't actually working in Oregon KGW But thousands of workers for Oregon's government agencies are still working from home — and hundreds of them are living and working in another state entirely, like Texas or Arizona. When those workers need to be brought back for meetings or other duties, it's Oregon taxpayers who foot the bill. ... According to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, 7,691 state employees are working remotely full-time. Almost 500 more work remotely full-time and live outside of the state.

Oregon lawmakers weigh scope of chip industry incentives The Oregonian As Oregon legislators contemplate how to lure more chip manufacturers to the state, they have to decide not just how much to spend on the effort but who should be eligible for public incentives. A broad tax credit for research and capital investment could boost manufacturing throughout the state, business advocates argued before the Legislature’s new Joint Committee on Semiconductors this month. As the state pursues a share of $52 billion in federal CHIPS Act money, they’re hoping for a spillover effect that boosts other industries, too.

Kotek homebuilding target is ambitious, potentially costly and politically fraught, experts say The Oregonian Gov. Tina Kotek’s first pledge upon taking office, to build 36,000 new Oregon homes annually, sets an ambitious target that experts say could require big spending and a willingness to wade into some of the state’s most contentious debates. It’s been nearly five decades since the state produced 36,000 houses and apartments in a single year, and to get there would require the state to increase its production rate by 80%.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek proposes $32.1 billion 2023-25 budget Oregon Capital Chronicle The House Republican Caucus said in a statement that it was optimistic that the governor’s proposed budget didn’t touch the kicker or call for tax increases, but it was concerned that agencies will raise fees. “The Governor focused her budget on several topics our caucus has also identified as priorities,” the House Republican statement said. “However, we are disappointed there was no initial mention of other crises impacting our state such as transportation backlogs, a severe drought impacting our agriculture industry, public safety in our communities or Oregon’s severe public defender crisis.”

The Senate’s Top Republican Wants State Employees Who Work Remotely to Pay Their Own Travel Costs Willamette Week BILL OF THE WEEK: Legislative Concept 3697 SPONSOR: Sen. Tim Knopp (R-Bend) WHAT IT WOULD DO: Require state employees who live full time in other states to pay their own travel costs when they return to Oregon on state business. Currently, state HR policy that went into effect in December 2021 says that “employees who work under the full-time remote work model must be reimbursed by the agency for travel to and from the central workplace.”

Oregon ranked 50th in the US for providing access to addiction treatment; recovering addicts want better resources KGW Oregon currently has the second-highest untreated addiction rate in the country. The state also ranks last in the nation in providing addiction treatment access. "This is day three in detox right now (for my son) from the drugs," said Jessica Mccurdy a recovering addict.

Oregon elections director who worked for Democratic Party will not recuse herself from investigation into party’s crypto donor OregonLive Oregon’s new elections director will not recuse herself from the investigation into a $500,000 donation the Democratic Party of Oregon received from an FTX executive last year even though she previously worked as a top employee of the party. Ben Morris, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, confirmed this week that elections director Molly Woon will continue to oversee the high-profile investigation.

OHA provides update on Measure 110 after getting poor marks on audit KOIN6 The OHA provided some numbers of people served and how much money has been handed out — but there are still a lot of questions, both from the public and from the council. According to the health authority, 42,000 people were been helped over the last year, with $32 million handed out to programs that help those with substance abuse.

Oregon mails 5,000 taxpayers’ info to the wrong address OregonLive Tax season got off to a rocky start for the Oregon Department of Revenue, which acknowledged Thursday that it sent personal tax refund information for about 5,000 taxpayers to the wrong address. All 5,000 are intended for, and were mailed to, Portland residents, said Robin Maxey, a spokesperson for the department. The mailing address on the outside, however, doesn’t match up with the information contained on the forms.

Oregon City officials worry drivers will avoid tolls on Interstate 205 and use already congested streets OPB Oregon Department of Transportation leaders are looking to implement tolling on Interstate 205 over the Abernethy and Tualatin River Bridges. The first toll could go into effect as early as next year. The state agency also plans to use a program of congestion pricing, where tolls are higher during the busiest times of the day. new revenue will pay for highway and bridge improvements, including seismic upgrades, and relieve congestion.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: FEB 18, 2023

Cub Scout Pack 584

This is a new Scout Pack, Cub Scout Pack 584, and the proceeds will go towards uniforms, learning materials, travel, and MORE!

For more details, go here.

COMMUNITY KINDNESS

From our friends at Linn County Sheriff's Office:

This past Friday, your Linn County Sheriff’s Office was honored to join the Albany Police Department and Kindness 911 in recognizing Emma for her fundraising of $50,000 for Doernbecher Children's Hospital!

10-year-old Emma, from Albany, who is a cancer survivor, wanted to do something to raise money for other kids who were going through the same things she had. Being an avid baker, Emma started by selling scones to raise money. This small operation quickly turned into much more!

With the help of Fred Meyer and Franz, Emma was able to help create “Emma’s Donuts”. Emma created the donut design, which were then sold at over 60 Fred Meyer bakery locations around the Pacific Northwest. All the proceeds from the donut sales went directly to Doernbecher’s. In the end, Emma was able to make a $50,000 donation! Kindness 911 presented Emma a “Kindness Citation” which will allow her to make another donation courtesy of Kindness 911 to a charity of her choice!

It was truly our honor to recognize Emma! Thank you, Emma, for all of your hard work and dedication, and to #kindness911 for recognizing Emma’s big heart!

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

From our friends at Samaritan Health Services:

Congratulations to the Samaritan Albany General Hospital Five-Star Champions for January. Continue reading to learn why their peers nominated them for this special recognition.

Customer Service Champion: Julie Fox, manager, Respiratory Therapy (pictured first)

“Thank you so much for supporting Julie in coming to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital to cover our respiratory therapy department last Friday and Saturday. I have had so many people tell me how wonderful she was and how much they appreciated her and her skill. Julie was able to assist me with some care concerns that I believe we will be able to get worked out with her assistance. She also was able to ensure that the staff here are getting the training they need as we upgrade Cardio Server. Her willingness to come over here and assist, step in and go to work was very appreciated. She worked with no orientation, hand-off or even any back up, yet she took it in stride and was so positive. You are very lucky to have such a great leader in your organization and I appreciate you loaning her. I wanted to make sure you know how much she was appreciated.”

Quality Champion: Jodie Andrews, stroke program coordinator, Quality Improvement (pictured second)

“Jodie did an excellent job representing Samaritan Albany General Hospital in during our DNV annual survey! The surveyor identified many noteworthy efforts within SAGH’s stroke program, illustrating our PRIDE and commitment to Building Healthier Communities Together. Our journey to becoming a highly reliable organization benefits from Jodie’s leadership in the stroke program.”

Patient Safety Champion: Mary Lanz, engineering buyer, Plant Engineering (pictured third)

“Mary has done a great job working with BioMed on resolving our recent DNV non-conformity. Thank you, Mary, for getting the ball rolling on this project.”

During the 2023 legislative session my office will continue to keep you updated and informed - and is always at your service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any community event announcements, legislative questions, or concerns.

Talk soon,

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis