Friends and neighbors, I hope this newsletter provides you with information both at the state Capitol and our incredible local community. This week unfortunately began with the tragic news in Nashville of a school shooting and that extremely unfortunate incident created many conversations of which I hope puts our schools and kids in much better circumstances moving forward. Let’s hug our kids and take care of our neighbors. - Shelly

MOMS DEMAND SAFE SCHOOLS FOR

OREGON'S STUDENTS

In the wake of the Nashville shooting that left six dead, House Republicans introduced the Safe Schools Package. The suite of seven bills would have funded school resource officers, invested in school safety technology, studied ways to secure our schools, and more. While the unfortunate Nashville tragedy re-ignited this conversation, these bills were introduced months ago but this week have risen to the top as Oregonians are demanding action.

As a mom and Deputy Leader for the House Republicans, I joined Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson in multiple interviews this week. Some of those conversations here:

Q: There was no public hearing for Bills 2223 and 3354. Is this unusual? Why is public input important?

HB 2223 – would require the Department of Education to provide funding for school resource officers.

HB 3354 – would require the Department of Education to conduct a study looking at hiring retired police officers to provide security in public schools.

As we saw in 2020, school resource officers became politicized.

The Committee Chair did not schedule either of these bills for a public hearing, therefore not allowing the public to provide input on this critical topic.

As the latest tragedy in Nashville showed, we know that armed security is a deterrent.

We need to know where Oregonians stand on this issue, and without the majority party’s willingness to have this conversation, we won’t.

Q: Is the House Education Committee doing anything to get these bills passed another way?

There is a bipartisan amendment being considered in the Committee on Education to HB 3348.

Two bills are being considered in this amendment that were in our Safe Schools Package – House Bill 3261 and 3350, which would direct a study to look at a secure, single point of entry and overall building safety.

BOTH OF THESE BILLS WERE ONE VOTE SHORT OF REACHING THE REQUIRED 31 TO WITHDRAW A BILL FROM COMMITTEE on the House Floor.

We are glad this bipartisan effort is being pushed by Representative Helfrich and Representative Ruiz.

However, we do feel confident that this was spurred by us forcing the votes on the Safe School Package – because this conversation was not one the majority was willing to have before.

Q: What do you think of the House Democrats’ Gun Regulation Package?

Based on the facts we know at this time, the Omnibus Gun Package, or what the House Democrats calls the Gun Violence Prevention Package (House Bill 2005) would not have stopped yesterday’s tragedy in Nashville.

HB 2005 prevents private individuals from making their own firearms for personal use. The shooter in yesterday’s tragedy used legally purchased firearms from local gun stores.

HB 2006 denies adults aged 18 to 20 the right to own certain firearms, with exceptions for police and military personnel. The shooter in yesterday’s tragedy was 28 years old.

HB 2007 allows localities to prohibit concealed carry in public buildings and on their grounds, creating a complex patchwork of gun laws. Whether the school had prohibited or allowed concealed carry on school property, the way the shooter entered the building would not have changed.

The Nashville Police Chief said this week that Monday’s shooter decided against attacking another school because it had “too much security.”

Again, we know that armed security is a deterrent.

After what we saw on the House floor this week with an opportunity to use tools that would actually make our schools safer, the House Democrats Gun Package is not about child or student safety, but about gun regulation and their own political agenda.

Q: The School Resource Officer (SRO) program was dismantled in 2020. Is there a correlation between the program ending and violence or violent attempts going up?

I do not think that it is any secret that Portland has a serious crime problem right now. Every week we see articles about businesses leaving because they cannot sustain the continued theft.

In December, there were several talks about police officers returning to Portland public schools after Portland experienced its third shooting outside of a school in 3 months.

This is something moms have tried to bring back out of their own efforts – and we know as moms, we would feel better.

I think these conversations are coming back out of very serious concern for student safety.

Q: Why are SROs important?

As we saw in Nashville, evil has no boundaries.

We know that a sign on the door stating 'gun free zone' does not prevent tragedy from striking. Evil does not care about signs.

No moving legislation in this building would have stopped this tragedy – it took law enforcement neutralizing the threat at hand.

While the officers had an incredible response time of 14 minutes, I believe we need to ask ourselves how much time could have been eliminated if an officer had already been on campus? How many more lives could have been saved?

Finally, we are privileged to have armed security and Oregon State Police protecting us at the State Capitol. Certainly, our kids deserve the same protection.

SAFE SCHOOL PACKAGE

Gun Control Omnibus

This week, Democrats stuffed all of the anti-gun bills into one: HB 2005. As a reminder, this is what this bill does… And remember, we have no reason to believe any of these policies would have stopped the Nashville shooter.

Bans Homemade and Unserialized Firearms

It is currently legal under Oregon and Federal law for a person to make an unserialized firearm for their own use as long as they do not sell or otherwise transfer it. This bill would criminalize Oregonians who possess those firearms.

Raises the Age to Buy a Hunting Rifle to 21

The Legislature needs to decide who is an adult in the state of Oregon. This bill would ban 18, 19, and 20-year-olds from possessing a rifle, but in this session, bills have been introduced to:

• allow 16-year-olds to vote
• promote “gender-affirming care” to 15-year-olds without parental consent
• allow 12-year-olds to receive abortions without parental consent
• ban flavored tobacco to all ages because minors are unable to make informed health decisions

I don't believe we should be deciding who gets to exercise their constitutional rights, like the 2nd Amendment, and who doesn’t.

Expands Gun-Free Zones

This bill would expand SB 554 from 2021. It would effectively render useless a concealed handgun license (CHL) across Oregon. SB 554 banned all firearms from the State Capitol. Legislators are privileged enough to have full-time police presence and contracted security personnel and technology at every entry point. Schools, cities, and other local government buildings do not have that luxury. Everyone should be able to protect themselves, even if they don’t have the State Police protecting them.

The bill could also extend carry prohibitions to "adjacent ground." This dangerously vague language could give local governments complete control over Oregonian’s Second Amendment rights and private property while rendering CHLs useless when they might need it.

In a time of rising crime, law-abiding citizens need the right to defend themselves more than ever. Criminals will be criminals. Let’s arrest and prosecute criminals, not regulate law-abiding, responsible gun-owning citizens.

From Oregon House Republicans:

March 28, 2023 - House Republican Leader Breese-Iverson & Deputy Republican Leader Boshart Davis sat down with FOX 12 Oregon to discuss the House GOP's proposed Safe Schools Package. As mom legislators, they understand firsthand that nothing matters more than the safety of our students.

1 of 7 ‘Safe Schools Package’ bills advances after Oregon Republicans force House vote Statesman Journal Republicans on Wednesday forced Oregon House members to reconsider a package of seven bills they refer to as the "Safe Schools Package," with six of the seven motions failing.

... “Yesterday’s tragedy is a parent’s worst nightmare. We agree with our Democratic colleagues – student safety is critical," House Republican Leader Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, in a statement on Tuesday. "The legislation proposed in the Safe Schools Package, sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats, must be prioritized for the safety of our students."

... Eight House Republicans spoke on the floor after the vote about their disappointment in the failed motions. "I am weary today. I am disheartened and discouraged. We had the chance today as a collective body to make children's lives safer in schools and we simply let politics and shenanigans get in the way," said Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinville. "It's ludicrous. It's asinine and I am weary."

... HB 3584, sponsored by Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, and Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, received unanimous support in the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

Other representatives spoke about the metal detectors and Oregon State Police presence at the Capitol building, saying they were "privileges" that should be extended to Oregon students. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, referred to the failed motions as an example of politics coming before the safety of children. "Instead of rising to the occasion and meeting the moment, this body fell short. Today they let the students down across our state. There should be no other priority," added Breese-Iverson. 

Watch full video of my House Floor Remonstrance, here.

I-5 Bridge Replacement

As vice-chair of the transportation committee, I have been working behind the scenes with the conversation surrounding replacing the over 100-year-old I-5 Bridge. The Oregonian published a story about a draft funding plan. This first draft does not call for new taxes which is good news. I am optimistic about negotiations and hope we can come to a bipartisan consensus on the plan. There is still a lot to discuss.

Most everyone agrees the bridge needs to be replaced. The challenge is how we are going to pay for it, what does the bridge look like, and will it improve the bottleneck situation it currently poses. Can we do better about making good on infrastructure and mega-project promises previously made to Oregonians when raising taxes? (Looking at you Rose Quarter)

Budgets are about priorities, and I hope we will make this a priority.

Audit the Food Bank

Yesterday, Senator Daniel Bonham echoed my concerns when voting on the Senate Floor on HB 5045, the budget bill that funneled $7.5 million to the Oregon Food Bank. I have previously expressed my concerns about how political activists have captured the Food Bank. Sen. Bonham called for an audit of the Food Bank. I fully support an audit. We should audit more organizations that receive tax dollars to ensure they are using them correctly. Even though the Food Bank says that they don’t use any tax dollars for political advocacy, money is fungible, and every tax dollar we give them just backfills their budget so they can do political lobbying.

From my Remonstrance: "My stance on this issue is simple – any organization that receives public funds should not be political or engage in partisan political activity. Before I could support this bill and the $7.5 million allocation to the Oregon Food Bank, I would need assurances that the funding will be used to feed Oregonians, not fund political advocacy."

Watch Senator Bonham’s remarks here.

Watch my Remonstrance, here.

HB 2002

Democrats are hell-bent on moving HB 2002 forward to expand abortion and expanding the use of your tax dollars to pay for life and body-altering gender procedures for minors. HB 2002 is scheduled for a committee vote on Monday, April 3. Take a look at my last newsletter for more details on what this bill does.

From Senator Daniel Bonham:

Government-sanctioned secrecy between

parent & child

No child should feel alone or pressured by the government to choose a certain path, especially when it comes to the consideration of an abortion or permanent gender-altering treatment. The human brain is not fully developed until around 25-years-old, so why are we allowing young children to proceed with these significant and life changing decisions without the involvement of their parents?

HB 2002 is extreme! It is government stepping in to take the place of the parent by taking away the age of consent requirements for “reproductive health care”, which includes abortion and hormone therapy for transgender youth. It creates secrecy between parent and child with respect to important medical and deep, life-altering decisions - when there should be none.

HB 2002 is currently in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, where it is awaiting passage to the House Floor. With all 17 Senate Democrats signed onto the bill, it is a foregone conclusion that the bill will pass should it move to the Senate Floor. I gave two remonstrances about HB2002: Watch here and here.

With this bill, a child of any age must provide written permission for a parent to know what reproductive health services are provided by a health care provider. You read that right: The child must give the parent permission to know what is going on. With activist medical providers pushing transgender and abortion agendas without providing full disclosure of side effects or mental trauma, and no parental involvement- who will be there to provide the continuing care and nurturing to these children post treatment… the state?

Radical gender alteration without parental consent is not only a violation of the state’s role in relationship to parents (and taxpayers), but it is bad for children. Children do not have the full developmental capacity or life experience to understand the permanent nature of taking hormones or to deeply consider the increased risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and sterility – which gender medical providers admit are side effects of treatment. This is before considering complications that have yet to be discovered - because this transgender affirming treatment has never been deployed on such a large scale - and does not have any significant length of study.

We must not use the force of the state and the finances of its constituents to fund extreme, controversial medical procedures.

The state is not a parent - never has been and never will be.

I consider it a responsibility of the Oregon Legislature to “do no harm” and HB 2002 does harm.

Thank you, Senator Bonham, for speaking out – I agree!

Rent Control – SB 611

Oregon already has rent control. Under current law, housing providers can only raise rents by 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI – the measurement for inflation). SB 611 would tighten that cap on rent to 3% + CPI or a max of 8%.

In the middle of a housing shortage, this is one of the worst things we could do for the housing supply. It was a miscalculation to pass the original rent control law, and it’s a mistake now. By making it unprofitable to be a landlord, they will sell their rentals, and the available stock of affordable rental units will decrease. This will only increase rent. It is too late to submit testimony, but you can send me your concerns, or follow it through the House - here.

FTRN: ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE

From our friends at the Family Tree Relief Nursery:

Help put Hope in Motion by Walking a Mile for a Child!

Annual Diaper Drive

When: Saturday, April 1st, 9am

Where: Academy Square Gazebo, Lebanon 

More information, here.

A SPECIAL PLEDGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

From our friends at the Albany Police Department:

The Albany Police Department wants to recognize the amazing female police officers serving our community!  We have signed on to the 30x30 Pledge.  The pledge is the commitment our department is making to improve the representation of women in law enforcement. The actions address recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture and we are here for it. The goal of the 30x30 Initiative is to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030.  

At 16%, Albany Police Department employs female officers at a higher percentage than the 12% national average, but we can do even better. 

If you have a drive to serve, have great emotional intelligence, and are interested in a career as a police officer, we want to meet you!

More information on how to apply, here.

JACKSON STREET: YOUTH RISING - APRIL 27

Jackson Street-Outreach

Jackson Street’s 10th annual Youth Rising fundraising reception will highlight youth stories and how your partnership with Jackson Street Youth Services changes lives and communities. There will be live music, youth artwork on display, hors d’ouevres by Forks & Corks Catering, and local beverages.

When: Thursday, April 23 from 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Albany Golf & Event Center (155 NW Country Club Ln)

Presenting sponsor: Town & Country Realty — thank you!!

RSVP BY APRIL 17, HERE

Oregon Legislation Would Allow Children to Decide About Abortion/Transgenderism Without Parental Consent National Review Political progressives want to divorce children from their parents regarding crucial issues such as sex, abortion, and transgenderism. Pending legislation from the hard-left state of Oregon would do just that. ... The legislation is very long and has many objectionable provisions not mentioned here. But this much is clear: As such, HB 2002 is blatant cultural imperialism. No wonder some conservative eastern counties want to secede from Oregon to join Idaho.

Oregon’s stalled gun control Measure 114 gets new life as state bill OregonLive State Sen. Floyd Prozanski on Monday publicly unveiled an extensively rewritten new bill incorporating many of the gun control regulations that voters approved under the now-stalled Measure 114, while raising the age for gun buyers and increasing the waiting period before a gun can be sold. Senate Bill 348 sets out a procedure to apply for a permit to buy a gun and requires state police to complete a criminal background check before a gun can be sold or transferred to a permit holder, starting July 1, 2024.

Dozens testify against firearm bill that critics say tries to circumvent the courts Oregon Capital Chronicle Fewer than 10 testified in support of the bill, while more than 50 testified against  it during the two-hour hearing. In the submitted written testimony, lawmakers received more than 900 letters of opposition and 16 letters of support. Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer and vice-chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the bill attacks constitutional rights.  “There will be costly challenges and it will cost the state a lot of money to implement at no return,” Thatcher said. The Oregon state director of the National Rifle Association, Aoibheann Cline, called the bill a “disingenuous attempt to usurp the authority of Oregon courts.”

OLCC

The Power Couple of Oregon Cannabis Bankrolled Top Democrats Even as Their Companies’ Taxes and Bills Went Unpaid Willamette Week Cazares hosted several fundraisers and political gatherings at the Northwest Portland home—two for Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, one for Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and another for Kotek. She co-hosted a black-tie gala for Kotek at Hotel DeLuxe on the brink of her winning the governor’s office. During the election year of 2022, La Mota became a regular sponsor of events for Democratic Party candidates.

… In Oregon, perhaps you can burn quite a few. The story of La Mota isn’t simply one of a company’s struggles. It points to serious lapses of oversight by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. While the embattled state agency endures a media circus over a few bottles of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, it also appears unwilling to carry out a central purpose of its existence, which is to regulate the cannabis industry and protect small businesses and Oregonians. 

ENVIRONMENT

A Fight Over Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Chain Saws Pits Portland Against Oregon Willamette Week You’d be hard-pressed to find a bill that captures Oregon’s urban-rural divide more neatly than Senate Bill 525, which would phase out the use of gasoline and diesel to fuel leaf blowers and other power tools. Groups from the Willamette Valley, including Quiet Clean PDX (which has chapters in Salem and Eugene) and Electrify Now, are facing off against landscapers and loggers in a Patagonia vs. Carhartt civil war.

... Like the landscapers, the loggers argue that electric replacements for the tools they currently use either don’t exist or are inferior. Amanda Astor of Associated Oregon Loggers testified the regulations would hamstring her group’s members: “Small nonroad equipment makes up a negligible quantity of Oregon’s emissions and a regulation like the one laid out in SB 525 would do much more harm to the state than good.”

UTILITY BILL  ASSISTANCE

From our friends at the City of Albany

Did you know CSC has water assistance? 

In addition to power, gas, and other forms of heating, our Utility Assistance program also provides water assistance. No shut-off notice or late bill required!

Even if you already received a water assistance payment from us (before December 2022), you can reapply.

CALL 541-704-7632 to be screened, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm or visit 

GREAT WOMEN IN HISTORY

March was #WomensHistoryMonth. As it concludes, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight Congresswoman Lori Chavez-Deremer who recently made history as the first GOP woman elected to Congress from Oregon. I am grateful to have a mom and parents’ rights advocate in D.C. - especially as ours are under attack here in Oregon. #orleg

BABY & ME - TOBACCO FREE

From our friends at the Family Tree Relief Nursery

Quitting smoking is hard!

There is good news though:

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE

The PROGRAM:

1) Individualized counseling

2) Biomarker testing for tobacco use

3) Vouchers to purchase diapers and wipes

If you are 36 or less weeks pregnant AND are a current tobacco user or have quit within 3 months of becoming pregnant or during your pregnancy, then you could qualify.

Our MISSION:

To inspire and empower pregnant women and their families to overcome nicotine addiction though utilizing an evidence-based smoking cessation program to reduce the burden of tobacco on the pregnant and postpartum population.

More information, here.

FREEDOM FROM SMOKING

8-WEEK WORKSHOP

From our friends at Samaritan Health Services

Join Freedom from Smoking, a free 8-week workshop that will help you explore how to enjoy the benefits of better health, better relationships, and more money by learning how to quit your craving. 

The virtual series starts Monday, April 3.

Registration is free but required

All series dates:

• April 3
• April 10
• April 17
• April 24
• May 1
• May 8
• May 15
• May 22

More information and how to register, here.

ABGC: ANNUAL AUCTION 2023

From our friends at the Albany Boys & Girls Club:

2023 Annual Auction

Flashback to the 60s and join the Rat Pack for a night at the casino, presented by Coastal Farm & Ranch. Join us as we celebrate and support the youth in our community with our annual auction.

Bring your jackets and jewels and join in on the fun!

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 AT 5 PM

1215 Hill St SE, Albany, OR 97322-3238

Email reservations accepted at events@bgc-albany.org

Space is limited, pre-registration is required - no day of ticket sales

More information and register, here.

YMCA: EASTER EGG SWIM - APRIL 8TH!

From our friends at the YMCA:

YMCA Easter Egg Swim | Saturday, April 8th

Kids will join, by age group, and collect floating and sinking eggs in our Warm Pool. Participate in your swim clothes!

Ages 2-5, 6-8, 9+ | $5 per child

REMINDER: LADIES NIGHT - APRIL 1ST!

YOUTH LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

Albany Chamber - Distinguished Student Award Winner 2023 - Alexa Gomez Silva!

Me with Mario Magaña from OSU

I had a great visit with our very own 'Albany Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Student Award' winner, 2023 - Alexa Gomez Silva! Joining her was Mario Magaña - Associate Professor from OSU who works directly with the 4H Youth Development and Outreach Leadership program - and 4H students from every corner of Oregon. Including one international student! 

So great to see them engaged in the process - keep up the good work!

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, 

Click to edit this placeholder text.

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