Fighting for our Forests
On Monday, SB 795 was given a hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. As you may recall from the action alert in last week's newsletter, SB 795 would give counties an option to take back forest lands that were deeded over to the State.
Under the original agreement, those forest lands would be managed for the “greatest permanent value”, but the Department of Forestry has lowered harvest levels below sustainable harvest levels, costing many of our counties (including Linn and Marion) and special districts over $1 Billion in tax revenues.
Under SB795, counties could take back ownership (and management) of their forestlands if those counties feel the agreement is not being upheld and that they could obtain more value from the lands on their own.
Senator Girod (R, Stayton) introduced this bill because he also feels that rural counties know better than the bureaucrats at the Oregon Department of Forestry how to best manage our own forest lands—to protect our water, provide habitat, defend our communities from fire, and support our tax base.
With the passage of SB 795 into law, logging could increase once again in Linn County, bringing with it countless jobs and added revenue.
I want to thank everyone who testified in front of the committee, as well of all of you that submitted written testimony on OLIS. I would encourage you to continue following along as this extremely important bill continues to move through the legislative process. We will need all the support we can get!
Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist and Will Tucker's testimony can be viewed here.
My written testimony on OLIS can be viewed here.
Protect our Family Farms: Oppose SB 85
SB 85 would place a complete moratorium on the issuance or renewal of licenses or permits allowing new Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), or additions or even upgrades to existing CAFOs. This legislation would CRIPPLE our family farms producing meat, dairy, and eggs.
The moratorium would only be lifted after a comprehensive review by the Oregon Department of Agriculture of impacts of CAFO, and the passage of rules or laws to prevent adverse impacts—something that could take years, and risks putting even exiting CAFOs out of business as they would be prevented from updating their permits for upgrades/modifications.
This unnecessary bill also threatens to drive up already sky-high food prices, increase carbon emissions, and force an over reliance on out-of-state food suppliers.
Legislators need to be reminded that we are family farms (not factories, not “corporate farms”), and that growth is the only way to meet the demand to feed a growing population—and is necessary to keep food costs down.
Do not let misinformation or groups who do not farm and ranch tell legislators what new regulations they believe are needed, when Oregon already has one of the country’s most robust regulatory programs for livestock feeding operations.
SB 85 will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Monday, March 6th at 8:00 AM. Please sign up to testify (in person or virtual) to oppose this threat to our farms, ranches, and dairies!
SB 603 - $1,000/mon payments to the homeless
You may have seen this bill highlighted on the national stage in this article published by Fox News. Suffice it to say, the implementation of this bill would be a disaster for working Oregonians in every community across the State.
HB 2697 – Hospital staffing plan threatens rural hospitals
This bill would require hospitals to submit "staffing plans" to the Oregon Health Authority within three months of its passage, or risk harsh penalties. In the midst of staffing shortages across the medical field, this bill takes us in a very wrong direction with a one-size-fits-all approach that small, rural hospitals would suffer under.
SB 803 - Diesel fuel ban
This bill would ban the sale of petroleum diesel on a regional basis beginning in 2026 followed by the entire state by 2030. This is yet another attack on our rural way of life that is powered by heavy machinery and diesel fuel. And just remember… “If you bought it, a truck brought it.”
HB 3197 – Excludes rural housing from building standards
This bill would exclude rural housing from the “clear and objective” building regulations that are currently in effect across the state—leaving our rural housing in a limbo of what could be vague and unreasonable standards instead, and creating a patchwork of further complicated building regulations that could drive up costs. Definitely a bill to keep on our radar as session unfolds.
Congratulations to Sweet Home High's Jacob and Kyle Sieminski on each of their THIRD State Championship 4A titles! They became champions once again at the OSAA state tournament last weekend at the Veterna's Memorial Colisseum in Portland, and Sweet Home couldn't be prouder!
What's more, their father and coach, Clint also had won three state wresting titles for Sweet Home High School in his day. Jacob remarked, it's "kind of like a family business."
Overall, Sweet Home was 2nd place at the 2023 OSAA State Championship Tournament for the 4A division, having 15 State Placers and four State Champs. Good job Sweet Home coaches and wrestlers!!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at (Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov)
Sign up for Linn County Search & Rescue
The Linn County Sheriff Sheriff’s Office is recruiting young men and women — ages 14 to 18 — to join the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and participate in a 10-day summer training program, June 23 - July 2.
Those who are interested in becoming an integral part of the Sheriff’s Office search and rescue mission should have an interest in community service and a desire to be a part of a highly trained and professional life saving organization.
Accepted applicants will be required to attend the pre-academy meeting on June 12. At that time, applicants will be eligible to attend the 10-day Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Training Academy in June. The training will include classes in wilderness survival, shelter building, search tactics, first aid/CPR, map and compass reading, rappelling, and many more topics.
For more information about the program contact Emergency Management/SAR Coordinator Ric Lentz at 541-967-3950 or visit the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website at www.linnsheriff.org Online applications are available on the website and at the Sheriff’s Office in Albany.
Welcome Cascade Gateway Leadership
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On Thursday, the Cascade Gateway Leadership Class visited the State Capitol for Government Day! This intensive, nine-month program is ran by the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, and seeks to mentor its members about east Linn County government. |
At the conclusion of their tour, the class came and viewed Floor Session, where I was honored to give a short courtesy speech highlighting their visit and what the Cascade Gateway Leadership program offers. A clip of my courtesy reading can be viewed here. |
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A Visit From EOU's AG Students!
On Wednesday, I had the honor of meeting with some of Oregon's upcoming Ag minds! These students are a part of Eastern Oregon's new Agriculture Entrepreneurship program.
During their visit, Senator Lynn Findley (R, Vale) and I spoke about our backgrounds, what led us to the Legislature, the challenges of making rural Oregon’s voice heard, and the importance of agriculture and natural resources to our State.
I want to especially thank Rep. Greg Smith (R, Heppner) for hosting these students and for extending the invitation to myself and Senator Findley!
Serve as an Honorary Page!
It isn’t just adults who can be engaged with their Oregon Legislature, there are opportunities for kids as well, and the Honorary Page Program is one of those ways.
The Page Program runs from February to June in odd-numbered years and in February and early March in even-numbered years, otherwise known as a "short session." Students between the ages of 12 and 17 must apply for this unique program where they will spend a day engaged in a living history and civics lesson.
As an Honorary Page, the applicant will participate in an official swearing-in ceremony, administered by the House Sergeant at Arms, an event often considered the highlight of the day, in order to be allowed onto the chamber floor. Further events include a classroom session where details of the Legislative process are discussed, performing courier services for the Chief Clerk's Office, working on the House chamber floor with the Legislators during a daily session, visiting each applicant's Representative's office, observing Committee meetings, a personal tour of the capitol building itself, and participation in any special events or activities at the capitol as they occur.
Click here for more information, or to apply for your student to join us on the House Floor!
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