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On Friday they 17th I was invited to the Oregon Chip Terminal where I got to walk around the yard with Bruce and some of the crew.
Located in North Bend, Oregon and established in 1983, the Oregon Chip Terminal handles and exports woodchips. 100% owned by Daio Paper Corporation, one of the largest paper and paper product companies in Asia, dating back to the 1940's. They receive lumber from 15 suppliers (17 mills) from Noti down to Brookings. Sales contribute approximately $54 million dollars annually to the regional economy; this would be the equivalent of 3,500 direct/indirect family wage rate jobs. Not only that but they also contribute an approximate $12 million dollars in annual ground transportation.
Oregon Logging Conference – Representative Wright, February 28, 2023
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Woods
63 years ago, Johnny Cash released a song titled “Lumberjack.” The premise of the song? Oregon timber.
Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to speak at the 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference where I presented one of their three resolutions.
The resolution was a call to action, and stated:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon Logging Conference will work to get every new State Representative and State Senator to the woods in 2023 to see the life cycle of managed trees including an active logging operation and stages of reforestation.
Mr. Speaker, the timber industry provided an opportunity for my family, myself, and many others to live and prosper here in Oregon.
I worked to pay my way through college working summers, and after school, at IP in Vaughn building fire trails, Roseboro in Springfield and Champion in Mapleton on the veneer and lumber green chains, at Weyerhaeuser in Cottage Grove mixing glue, and at Murphy’s in Florence tending boiler.
I stand before you today thankful for those opportunities.
I challenge each and every one of my colleagues in this room to rise up to this challenge.
When the Oregon Logging Conference reaches out and follows through on a commitment they have made as an organization – go out in the woods and see this incredible industry for yourself. You might just be surprised.
Oregon is home to the Timber Capital of the World. The State Legislature must not only understand this reality but embrace it.
Johnny Cash did.
Oh, and Mr. Speaker, you will have the option to either hug at tree or hug a logger."
$1 million for the Oregon Coast:
Bills would give $1 million for work on Oregon Coast Trail a news article written by Zach Urness with the Salem Statesman Journal. He wrote about House Bill 2191 and Senate Bill 679 and the positive impact it would have on the Oregon Coast. SB 679 was said to be heard on Monday 2/20/2023 at 8:00am by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and we are still awaiting HB 2191 which is currently in Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. Those in support of the bill are Sen Tim Knopp, Sen. David Brock Smith, Rep. Boomer Wright, Rep. David Gomberg, and Rep. Cyrus Javadi.
 Senate Bill 517 and Senate Bill 325
Bills to watch:
HB 2191 - Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Parks and Recreation Department for continued development of Oregon Coast Trail. Limits direction of certain lottery revenues designated for outdoor recreation improvement projects to qualifying projects for development, maintenance or completion of Oregon Coast Trail.
SB517 - Prohibits licensing board, commission or agency from denying, suspending or revoking occupational or professional license solely for reason that applicant or licensee was convicted of crime or subject to qualifying juvenile adjudication that does not substantially relate to specific duties and responsibilities for which license is required. Specifies criteria for determining whether crime substantially relates to specific duties and responsibilities for which license is required. Specifies additional restrictions on licensing board's, commission's or agency's power to deny occupational or professional license. Permits person convicted of crime to petition licensing board, commission or agency at any time for determination as to whether conviction will prevent person from receiving occupational or professional license. Permits licensing board, commission or agency to charge reasonable fee for determination. Provides that final determination is binding upon licensing board, commission or agency unless, at time of petition, person has charges pending, failed to disclose previous crime or was convicted of crime after submitting petition. Requires notice to person before final determination that conviction will result in denial of occupational or professional license. Specifies additional rights of person and additional notice requirements.
SB599 - Requires landlord to allow dwelling to be used as family childcare home, subject to conditions.
SB679- Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Parks and Recreation Department for continued development of Oregon Coast Trail. Limits direction of certain lottery revenues designated for outdoor recreation improvement projects to qualify projects for development, maintenance or completion of Oregon Coast Trail.
 
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will resume accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program on March 8, 2023. The agency estimates there are enough funds to support about 700 additional eligible homeowners. The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.
The pause that began on Nov. 30, 2022, allowed OHCS to assess current applications in its queue, complete minor system maintenance and upgrades, and better project the amount of HAF funds remaining for homeowners. As an exception during the pause, the program has continued serving the most at-risk homeowners. OHCS is accepting new applications submitted by housing counselors on behalf of homeowners who are in a judicial action or have a verified foreclosure sale date.
"Keeping families in their homes has been a collaborative effort with Oregon’s housing counseling agencies, which provide advice and advocacy for struggling homeowners across the state," said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. "If you are a homeowner falling behind, don’t delay, reach out to a state approved homeownership center right away."
HAF will reopen with a focus on homeowners in active foreclosure and those traditionally underserved by mortgage markets. Homeowners can learn more about eligibility requirements and, if eligible, apply online starting March 8, 2023, at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.
HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $72 million of funding available for homeowners is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded. Other loss mitigation options depend on a homeowner’s mortgage and their servicer. Homeowners should evaluate all their options.
Free help is available
Homeowners can get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about budgeting tools and evaluation of options to keep their homes, such as modifications, adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage, or HAF. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers.
Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer to respond due to remote working policies.
In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options.
Avoiding fraud
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor.
There are a number of common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General.
To verify a lender’s license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1409
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-372, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.BoomerWright@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wright
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