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Oregon was founded on Feb. 14, 1859. It was the 33rd state admitted into the union, and in 1860 was home to over 54,000 residents. Today, around 4 million people call Oregon home. We are blessed with a State so full of natural beauty as well as amazing welcoming people. Let us work hard to keep our state beautiful and protect the rights of all Oregonians.
 I met with Josephine County Judge, Robert Bain, and District Attorney, Josh Eastman.
We discussed problems with Measure 110, and how disastrous it has been to move those with substance abuse disorder into recovery services. We also discussed concerns about those with criminal charges unable to aide and assist in their own defense but released from state hospital back into our communities with no secure facilities for treatment.
Our Justice system has their hands tied due to ‘light on crime’ policies of our state. The advocates for criminal rights seem to have little regard for public safety.
We need to get treatment and help for these individuals, but public safety needs to be priority #1.
Dynamic Central Point School Staff Member Recognized
On Feb. 21st I had the pleasure of making a House Floor courtesy announcement. I recognized and congratulated our own Tess Seimer with Central Point School District 6 for the impactful Two-Way Immersion program that she has worked so hard to create and make available to our students. The community sees and appreciates teachers like Tess who work hard to creating influential learning opportunities for students.
Click photo to listen to the full announcement.
Childcare Grant Opportunity!
The Oregon Child Care Capacity Building Fund is now available to caregivers throughout Oregon! The program opened for priority child care providers and community-based organizations who are eligible to apply in Phase 1 on February 6th. You can visit the website here. This grant funding is an important investment to help build back the childcare supply needed for Oregon’s economic recovery.
Click the image below to sign up!
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The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is excited to announce a $2.7 million investment in wildfire risk reduction projects across Oregon. This strategic one-time investment is being made at the local and county levels through community wildfire protection plans (CWPP).
Projects include promoting wildfire-specific community risk reduction efforts, community education, defensible space projects, home assessments, media campaigns, signage, fuel mitigation programs, and grant funds.
Projects will happen in 25 CWPP planning areas throughout the State. Douglas County Critical Infrastructure Defensible Space and Douglas County Fire Adapted Communities were recipients of some of the funding.
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 A Huge Kicker – Maybe
Last week, state economists released the revenue forecast. These quarterly updates inform legislators how much money we have for the state's next budget cycle. They also determine the Kicker. They projected that Oregon taxpayers would get a $3.938 billion kicker credit on their 2023 taxes. However, a lot can change between now and when the Kicker is finalized – toward the end of the year.
I am committed to protecting the Kicker. Believe it or not, some in Salem want to take these tax dollars to pad government bank accounts. It's your money, it should be returned to you.
A Huge Housing Package
The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness is expected to vote to advance the housing package in the coming days. We have been working hard on two large bills – House Bill 2001 and House Bill 2889 – and they have now been combined into one bill (HB 2001) covering many topics.
This bill fulfills the Governor's request for $130 million that accompanied her homelessness state of emergency declaration. The most recent amendment would turn HB 2001 into a massive, 133-page omnibus. With any bill that large, there are some good and some bad. The most recent amendment included grant funding for agricultural workforce housing. This grant will aid Oregon agricultural producers in providing safe housing to farmworkers. That is a small win for agriculture in Oregon.
Linn County was not included under Gov. Kotek's executive order declaring a homelessness state of emergency. This package will likely extend the state of emergency statewide to include all counties. There will also be funding for housing projects around the state included in the package.
Addressing Our Nursing Shortage
This week I gave testimony for 3-part legislation (HB 2744, HB 2928, HB 2926) that will serve to remedy the current nursing shortages in the state of Oregon. Our healthcare systems and therefore Oregonians suffer when our hospitals and clinics are understaffed with capable nurses. We must incentivize and reduce barriers for nursing educators as well as hospitals.
See full video of my testimony HERE.
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Measure 110 needs serious reforms. The emphasis on treatment within Measure 110 was well intentioned, but it isn’t necessary to legalize drugs in order to get individuals to treatment. State bureaucracy has failed to get money out the door to fund these treatment programs. We are now learning that Measure 110 has hurt local governments' budgets. Cities and county officials are supporting HB 2089, which would rework the formula for how money from state cannabis taxes is spent. If passed, this would return money to local governments and state police that were diverted under Measure 110. There have been two public hearings on this bill already, and I am watching it closely.
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Stay Connected
To follow along this session, please click here https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/goodwin/Pages/default.aspx and subscribe to my newsletter.
WE NEED YOU! Here's how you can get involved:
The process to sign up to testify before a committee has been changed.
You must register in advance to provide in-person or virtual testimony during a committee. Registration closes one hour prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting.
There are three ways to register:
- Look up the committee meeting agenda on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) website and follow the testimony registration link on the agenda. The system will send you an email with a registration meeting link and instructions for delivering your verbal/video testimony using the Microsoft Teams platform.
- Look up the committee or subcommittee meeting agenda on the OLIS website and call the listed toll-free number. The phone system will provide you with a phone number and access code to call into the meeting and deliver your verbal/audio testimony.
- On the day of the hearing, come to the public access station at the State Capitol building to deliver your testimony via a publicly provided laptop, there will be Committee staff on-hand to assist you. Please note that this option is intended for those who do not have internet access or an available phone.
Bill Alerts - Stay Informed!
Follow the bills you care about and receive an e-mail update when the status of your watched bill(s) change.
Bill Alert Features Include:
- Easily select the Senate and House bills you want to follow
- Receive an e-mail update when your selected bill(s) moves through the legislative process
- Modify your list of watched bills at any time
- Choose the frequency the email updates for your watched bills (emails immediately, daily, or weekly)
Click this link for more information.
REPORT MISUSE OF STATE FUNDING
State Government Accountability Hotline: 800-336-8218 – ANONYMOUS
Who will answer my call?
Professional operators are available 24 hours a day to receive your call. They will assist you with the reporting process to help ensure we have enough information to determine if an investigation is warranted.
Am I required to leave my name or phone number when I call?
No, your call can be anonymous. If you decide to identify yourself, your name and phone number will be kept confidential. We are required by ORS 177.180(3) to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of potential criminal activity and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission of potential violations of ORS Chapter 244.
Do you investigate the use of city or county funds? What about private organizations?
If a city, county or private organization misuses funds received from the state, we can investigate. If you are uncertain about the source of funds, please call the hotline. We can help determine if state funds are involved.
For more information, go here.
 What’s the matter with Portland? Shootings, theft and other crime test city’s progressive strain LA Times If you want to understand the schism that dominates the political and social landscape in this famously liberal city, a walk down Southeast Rhine Street might be a good place to start. ... The 40-year-old package handler for FedEx said that people have openly dealt drugs and urinated on the sidewalk outside her family’s duplex. They’ve dumped feces and used syringes in her manicured yard, played booming music at 3 a.m. and stripped stolen cars for parts. Shots have been fired behind her children’s bedroom.
Oregon attorney general launches criminal investigation into bourbon diversion scandal OPB Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced on Friday she will investigate whether there was any criminal wrongdoing by top managers at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission who diverted specialty bourbons away from public consumption for their own personal use.
Tolls are coming to Portland-area freeways, and even tolling fans worry they’ll stack up OregonLive In less than two years, the Oregon Department of Transportation will introduce the first highway tolls in the state. It will begin with two bridge tolls on Interstate 205. But planned within the next few years are per-mile tolls on all lanes of Interstates 5 and 205 and, if a replacement project gets underway, a toll to cross the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River.
Health officials reiterate dangers of fentanyl following 7 overdoses in McMinnville KATU "We seized just locally in Clark County, 135,000 suspected fentanyl pills," said Sgt. Chris Skidmore, public information officer with the Clark County Sheriff's Office. On Friday in Yamhill County, seven people went to the hospital on suspected overdoses in just the span of a few hours.
'Realize the drug crisis': Portland sees dramatic increase in drug needle litter KGW In 2022, crews collected 176,962 the Downtown Enhanced Service area which covers 213 blocks. The needles came from public right of ways, as well as four drop box sites installed by Multnomah County within the district. The number is staggering in and of itself, but looking at the number of needles collected over the past eight years, the increase is also troubling.
Oregon farmers urge tax exemption for processed crops Capital Press Hazelnuts are taxed differently depending on whether they’re intended for the in-shell or kernel markets, said Bruce Chapin, a grower near Keizer, Ore. The tax exemption applies to in-shell hazelnuts but not to those sold for kernels, since they’re considered to be processed, he said. “In my 50 years of farming, this is the worst year I’ve seen,” Chapin said. “And on top of this loss, to add insult to injury, there will be a CAT tax to pay.”
Lawmakers Consider Whether Taxpayers Should Foot The Bill For Remote State Workers Forbes SB 854 was introduced on February 2, 2023, with Senator Tim Knopp (R-27) and Representatives Vikki Breese Iverson (R-59) and Anna Scharf (R-23) as the primary sponsors. All 30 state senators have now signed on. A public hearing was held on the issue on February 9, 2023—you can read public testimony here.
Nine cities reached record homicides in 2022 as staffing shortages plagued police departments Fox News Portland, Oregon, also reached all-time high homicides in November 2022, when it hit 93 murders, outpacing 92 murders recorded in 2021. The city recorded a total of 101 homicides over the course of 2022, according to Portland Police Department crime statistics, and it has been trying to bounce back from budget and personnel cuts implemented after Floyd's murder in 2020, which sparked 100 days of protests and riots in Portland.
Portland resident warns addicts are using food stamps to buy fentanyl: 'Zombies on our streets' Fox News Addicts in Portland are reportedly turning to their food stamps to fuel their drug addiction, recycling bottles to garner cash to buy more fentanyl, all at the expense of the city's taxpayers. Portland resident Angela Todd released shocking footage showing people on the streets appearing to dump out water bottles shortly before cashing in on the plastic to raise money to buy more drugs.
At least 193 people died while homeless in Multnomah County in 2021 OPB Drug use was a significant factor in two-thirds of the deaths, with methamphetamine contributing to 93 of them. Fentanyl contributed to 36 deaths in 2021, up from just four in 2020. Haven Wheelock, with the homelessness outreach program Outside In, says fentanyl was not a factor in these reports until 2017.
Oregon farmers blast machinery taxes meant to fund Portland truck upgrades Capital Press Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis, R-Albany, urged the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee against passing the bill. Similar tax proposals were discussed but not ultimately recommended by a legislative task force on helping businesses reduce diesel emissions, she said. The bill would be counterproductive, since companies are typically able to replace their fleets of trucks and machinery more quickly when they’re earning higher profits, she said. “This makes it more expensive for the people and businesses they are trying to help.”
Bourbon scandal sparks new doubts about Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission warehouse project OregonLive For years, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission has been working to build a new warehouse and headquarters. The agency argues that its current warehouse lacks capacity for all the liquor it could distribute, limiting both the variety of products it can ship to retailers and tax revenues for state coffers. … State Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, suggested the agency commission a “forensic financial audit” of the project “because of the nature of what has gone on.”
Neighbors say homeless moving into vacant homes in Portland Fox12 “I don’t know how many times I’ve talked to police, because people are screaming, or someone is overdosing. It’s just countless, countless first responders’ calls. We all have to love our neighbor no matter who they are. But at the point when they start setting your place on fire it becomes a little more difficult.”
Has the debate over self-serve gas stations in Oregon lost fuel? KATU However, the latest proposed change appears to be sparking less debate. House Bill 2426, sponsored by Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, would allow gas stations throughout the state to offer self-serve options at up to half of their pumps. "It allows Oregonians to choose how they fuel their vehicles," Boshart Davis said during a public hearing on the measure Tuesday.
Pumped up: Fight for self-service gas returns to Oregon legislative session KOIN6 At a public hearing Tuesday before the House Committee On Emergency Management, both Fahey and Boshart Davis stressed the importance of the bill’s passage, especially as the state faces a labor shortage. “As a legislative body, we should look for opportunities to help ease that labor shortage across industry sectors. This bill proposes to do just that,” Boshart Davis said.
Oregon lawmakers consider bill to allow drivers to pump their own gas KEZI Republican representative Shelly Davis said they’re listening to what Oregonians want, and what businesses need. She said businesses continue to struggle to reach full employment, and this would bring them relief. She said the bill would be a win-win for businesses, their employees and drivers throughout Oregon. Under the bill, gas stations will be required to offer attended service for the same price as self-service gas.
Lawmakers, again, consider allowing self-pumping gas stations statewide Oregon Capital Chronicle Four lawmakers are pushing the bill this year: Republican Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis of Albany, House Majority Leader Julie Fahey of Eugene, Republican Sen. Daniel Bonham of The Dalles and Democratic Sen. Janeen Sollman of Hillsboro. … Boshart Davis emphasized the bill would give drivers the choice to pump their own gas and speed up queues. She said gas stations are suffering from a labor shortage spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic that’s made it impossible for employers to hire attendants.
Oregon’s predicted 2024 kicker rebate grows to $3.9 billion, economists warn of state revenue ‘uncertainty’ OregonLive Oregon’s tax revenue forecast has jumped again, potentially giving state lawmakers more money to spend in the next budget and driving up the likely “kicker” tax rebate that taxpayers could receive next year.
Bill would end controversial practice of paying state employees to travel back to Oregon OPB “I believe the current policy is neither fair nor equitable to hybrid and in-person state employees who don’t get compensated for their commutes,” Knopp wrote. “It is also deeply unfair to hardworking taxpayers.” It was not immediately clear Tuesday morning whether Kotek had responded to the letter or altered any state policies.
Tolls in Oregon move closer to reality with ODOT’s release of environmental assessment report Oregon Capital Insider Tolling in Oregon is moving forward — and coming soon to bridges along I-205. The I-205 Toll Project Environment Assessment report from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration was released Tuesday. ODOT is now accepting public comment on the topic, as well.
Oregon taxpayers could see nearly $4 billion ‘kicker’ next year as economic outlook improves OPB “”We must return Oregon’s ‘kicker’ back into the hands of hardworking Oregonians,” House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson, a Prineville Republican, said in a statement. “While my Pendleton friends would say ‘let ‘er buck,’ I say ‘let ‘er kick.’” Breese-Iverson also signaled opposition to Kotek’s proposal to divert payments into state reserves.
Oregon economists predict bigger revenues than expected but urge caution in budgeting Oregon Capital Chronicle Meanwhile, Republican leaders Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson of Prineville and Sen. Tim Knopp of Bend focused their comments on preserving the kicker and the continued struggles Oregonians face buying staples like food and gas because of inflation. “We must return Oregon’s ‘kicker’ back into the hands of hardworking Oregonians. While my Pendleton friends would say ‘let er’ buck,’ I say ‘let er’ kick,’” Breese-Iverson said.
Oregon economists project next year's kicker could be near $4B, still recession-wary KATU House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson also reacted to the news, writing in part: "For the remainder of the 2023 Legislative Session, we must pursue fiscal responsibility" and leave the education stability and rainy-day funds alone.
Oregon state employees sue over missing, incorrect wages under new payroll system Statesman Journal “We still have many missing or late paychecks. This has led to people not being able to pay rent, or daycare,” said Andrea Kennedy-Smith, a paralegal for the state’s Child Welfare Services and president of SEIU Local 503, OPEU Local 200, which represents Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority employees.
Portland records snowiest day since 1943, landing at No. 2 on all-time list OregonLive Portland International Airport recorded 10.8 inches by Thursday morning, beating out the 9.3 inches that fell over 24 hours in 1956. Since snowfall record-keeping at the airport began in 1939, the greatest snow accumulation over a day-long period was 14.4 inches in 1943.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1404
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-386, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: rep.ChristineGoodwin@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/goodwin
Click the Image below to follow Representative Christine Goodwin on Facebook
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