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Friends and neighbors,

At the start of session, I had high hopes for the legislative process and the promises of bipartisan cooperation. However, as the session continues on, I have been very discouraged. Once we started to discuss topics including abortion and gun violence, any semblance of bipartisan/bicameral efforts quickly dissipated. When discussing the lives of our children, there should be no party lines. As mother and a former educator, I wish that everybody could just get along. But alas, that is not how life at the Capitol tends to be. Despite the recent disappointment, I will continue to use my voice to advocate for our beautiful district. 

In addition to the lack of support on the Safe School package, there have been very few attempts by the majority party to demonstrate the spirit of bipartisanship. The Business and Labor Committee is another unfortunate example of this. Out of all the bills that "survived" following the chamber deadline, only 7% were Republican Chief-Sponsored bills.

This week we held extra committee meetings in order to meet the April 4th chamber deadline. The deadline marked the last day for policy committees to move measures introduced in their chamber (i.e. Senate bills in the Senate, House bills in the House) out of committee. If they did not move by this date, they "died" and cannot be considered again this session. The deadline did not apply to Ways & Means, Revenue, Rules, and other joint committees.  

Now that the chamber deadline has passed, we will have extended floor sessions starting next week in order to work through all of the legislation. Once we have worked through the House bills we will begin to hear more Senate bills and vice versa.

Budgets are starting to be passed which is a process that I do not take lightly because we are spending YOUR money. Oregon has the highest effective tax rate for those middle-class families earning $75,000. Your hard earned money should be spent with care and used effectively by the government. 

Read on below to learn more about some of the good, the bad, and the ugly happening at the Capitol. 

Thank you, Representative Bowman, for letting me take a picture with your Dolly Parton cutout! I am glad that we are both admirers/advocates of her Imagination Library program.

Last week I met with advocates for Adult Foster Homes to discuss HB 2495. This bill would allow for an increase in payments to certain care providers by 50%. While I am in support of the bill, I am disappointed that my amendment was not adopted. The goal of the amendment was to extend the benefits of increased rates to all Adult Foster Homes to benefit both private and public businesses. While the amendment did not go through in the Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services, I will continue to fight for this amendment to be adopted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

This year, presiding officers have given all freshman members the opportunity to serve as Speaker for the Day. It was an interesting opportunity to experience floor session from a different perspective!

Last week, I toured the grounds of the Barbara Roberts Career Technical School in Sheridan. This center will serve as a wonderful new learning institute for students interested in learning different trades. The center is set to open in late 2024. Click here to learn more about the facility.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour downtown McMinnville alongside Mayor Drabkin, Councilman Garvin and Senator Boquist. I enjoyed getting to walk through our beloved 3rd street while learning more about some exciting developments.

Last week I hosted Gracie Mackay, Junior from McMinnville High School, as my intern for the day! Gracie is interested in studying political science in college and hopes to eventually attend George Washington University. She has a 4.0 GPA, is a two sport athlete, and is involved in ASB. Such an exemplary student, best of luck in your bright future ahead!

Abortion Access

On March 20th, I had the opportunity to testify against HB 2002. While this bill proposes many things that I disagree with, my testimony specifically addressed the provision that would use taxpayer money to provide free abortion pills at state universities. As an adoptee myself, I firmly believe that pregnant women should be given more resources regarding parenting and adoption rather than quick access to life-ending pills. Since I was born, the societal narrative has gradually changed to one that no longer holds the same value for each individual life. My goal has been and will always be to use my voice to help restore the narrative. Click here to listen to my full testimony. 

Some of the most concerning provisions of the bill include:

• Prohibit an abortionist from providing information about a minor's abortion to their parents.
• Allows a minor to consent to an abortion at any age.
• Gives your tax dollars to promote and provide abortions on college campuses.
• Requires health insurance companies to cover sex changes for minors.
• Directs your tax dollars to cover sex changes for those who get insurance through the state.
• Protects doctors who perform sex changes on children from losing their license or getting sued for malpractice.
• Exempts information about doctors who perform sex changes from public records law.
• Creates the crime of "interfering with a health care facility," which could include calling the facility or peacefully protesting outside. Regardless of a criminal conviction, the bill creates a right for the healthcare facility to sue you if you participate in this kind of activity.
• A person currently commits the crime of concealing the birth of an infant if the person conceals the corpse of a newborn child with intent to conceal the fact of its birth or to prevent a determination of whether it was born dead or alive. This bill would legalize that activity.

Insurance Settlements

HB 3242 attempts to provide a solution for a problem that does not exist. Current legislation already allows insured individuals to seek action against unfair claim settlement practices. Passage of this bill would merely increase insurance premiums and further burden our judicial system. For those reasons, I spoke in opposition to HB 3242 on the house floor. Click here to watch my speech on the house floor. 

Returning Boating Access to the Newberg Pool

 Senate Bill 1071 which would return boating access to the Willamette River from Roger's Landing in Newberg, was passed out of the Senate Committe on Natural Resources. It has now been referred to the Senate Committe on Rules. 

Safe School Package 

Gun violence continues to threaten the safety of our kids in school. As a mother and former educator, these senseless tragedies continue to break my heart. While I understand that there is no simple way to prevent gun violence, I am committed to taking the many steps needed to eventually provoke change. I understand that as a freshman legislator I might be considered "naive" in some ways. However, I firmly believe that when it comes to kids and safety, there should be no party lines. Last week I was truly appalled by the lack of action in response to the proposed "Safe School Package". Of the 7 bills that were proposed, only 2 received bipartisan support and only 1/2 received the necessary votes to move forward. This is not okay. Although I am very discouraged by these events, I will continue to support legislation that aims to protect our kids. For those reasons, I decided to sponsor HB 3101. Also known as "Alyssa's Law", HB 3101 is named after a student who was killed in the Parkland school shooting. This legislation would require schools to equip every classroom with silent panic buttons which would help improve law enforcement response time. Click here or on the video below to watch my full remarks on the failed passage of the Safe School Package. 

Reconsideration of "Stay Home, Save Lives" Executive Order

Last week was the three-year anniversary of former Governor Kate Brown's Stay at Home order that closed down businesses and caused thousands to lose their jobs. It is time for state workers to return to work. 

House Republicans forced a vote on HB 3520, which would have ended the work-from-home agreements made with state employees. The motion to reconsider the legislation failed 33-25. 

Congratulations to Representative Mannix on the opening of his new "Common Sense Center" in downtown Salem. I have no doubt that this will serve as a wonderful resource and meeting place for the legislative community and beyond.

Kudos to the Yamhill Carlton Elementary School Battle of the Books team, "Hooked on Books." These students proudly represented their school at regionals and were accompanied by Ms. Roberts their librarian at YCES. Ms. Roberts says, "My philosophy about reading is that I want them to love to read, and have fun. So, they had a great experience, they know what to expect, and they can build and grow from there. We are all very proud of them!"

Thank you to all of the officers and support workers of the McMinnville Police Department. These men and women go above and beyond to maintain the safety of our community. Currently, Mac PD is busy setting up their new drone program which will enable officers to get a birds eye view of potentially violent situations without having to put an officer directly in harm's way. Click here to listen to my full courtesy on the house floor.

Scholarship Opportunity

Students & Parents - check out this scholarship opportunity through the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce. Funds are available to students who live in McMinnville, Amity, Dayton, Sheridan, Willamina, and Yamhill/Carlton. 

Honorary Page program

The House Page program is back in full swing! See the information below to sign up. 

Meet & Greet

This Friday I will be hosting a coffee & conversation event at Union Block Coffee from 10am-12pm. This is meant to be an informal opportunity for me to connect with community members and discuss any questions/concerns about the current legislative session in addition to their hopes for the short session in 2024. All are invited, RSVP is encouraged but not required. I hope to see you there!

Use the QR code above or the RSVP button below to RSVP for this event

All my best,

Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer

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