Legislative update from your Representative

Updates on my legislation

Short Term Rentals in South Salem and across Oregon impact communities and housing supply 

For over 10 years, I have been a Salem leader deeply interested in addressing housing and homelessness issues. When I served on Salem City Council, several out-of-town investors snatched up properties registered as historic places and turned them into short term rentals. Members of the community came to me asking that this be addressed but I was not able to act because of a lack of tools for us on the Council to regulate short term rentals effectively.

Now in the legislature, I introduced a bill (HB 3589) on short term rentals in historic districts. In working on this effort, I’ve learned three very important things: 

1. The proliferation of Short-Term Rentals is negatively impacting our communities. They affect community integrity AND they play a role in limiting the housing supply and increasing costs of housing, all at the expense of residents of municipalities and counties.
2. There are currently not enough tools for municipalities or counties to properly address the proliferation of short-term rentals. The licensure, fee structure, assessment capabilities, and other tools that cities in Oregon have are both not enough nor do they operate reactively.
3. If we do not do something soon to address the proliferation of short-term rentals, negative impact on our communities and our state will worsen.

I presented these to the Housing and Homelessness Committee. Many people engaged in the conversation and made it apparent that there is a path forward that holds interest with stakeholders from across the aisle, varying economies, and throughout our state.

Please send me a note if you have any thoughts or questions about short term rentals in your community or across the state. I will keep working for you.

Testimony for Local Control of Speed Limits 

I testified in support of HB 3188, a bill that will give Marion County the authority to modify speed limits on state highways that intertwine with roads within the county. Safety is a top priority for me. I worked on Council to change speed limits in Salem’s residential areas. That process was long and torturous. Too many accidents occur due to drivers traveling at high speeds. Streamlining the process to adjust speed limits at the local level will help save lives. As our population grows here in Salem, community safety must remain a top priority.

To learn more about this bill or to read my full testimony please contact my office or visit the OLIS website.

Legislation I’m supporting

Firearm safety and violence prevention

I serve on the House Judiciary Committee where we make legislation that will keep our communities and loved ones safe. The legislature is considering a package of bills that will reduce gun violence and keep firearms away from people who could hurt themselves or others. Three bills together make up HB 2005 and if passed would strengthen gun safety.

I’ve seen enough school shootings and community violence to know: We must act to protect our schools, our communities, and all Oregonians from harm. That’s why I strongly support this legislation, voted to move it out of the Judiciary Committee, and will vote for the legislation when it makes it to the House Floor.

Public Health Issue: Flavored Tobacco Products

HB 3090 is a bill that I support because it addresses a public health issue. This bill aims to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Oregon. Flavored tobacco products have been proven to cause lung disease, heart disease, cancer, or death. The flavors that tobacco companies use are targeted to hook kids onto their products. This public health issue affects a large portion of Oregonians, specifically our kids because tobacco companies market these products directly to them. Here’s why:

• 95% of adults who smoke say that they started before they could legally purchase tobacco themselves. 
• 85% of youth e-cigarette users started with a flavored product.
• 62% of Oregon voters support ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon. 
• Labels on these products are colorful and look exactly like any candy you might find on the shelves in the candy aisle.

At least eight states have placed a restriction on the sale of flavored tobacco products, and Oregon needs to be the next state to do so. I am confident that this will decrease the amount of tobacco use and addiction as well as fewer deaths and long-term disease.

Around South Salem, Working for You

Groundbreaking for affordable housing construction in South Salem

I attended the Groundbreaking for Mahonia Crossing, a tremendous public/private partnership doing the important work of increasing affordable housing supply in my district. I first worked on Mahonia Crossing when I served on Salem City Council.  I believed then as I do now: this project is proceeding with the community’s best interest in mind and will do so much positive for affordable housing needs in the community. 

There is another positive benefit for Salem and Oregon. These buildings pave a path to achieve Net Zero energy use in Salem. On Council, I made a commitment to bring Salem into the future with the Climate Action Plan. This site is the future as it aligns with those goals.

Tea With Tom and Going Door To Door

April’s Tea With Tom was hosted at the Scottish Rite Center yesterday and I got to meet new fellow community members! One of my favorite aspects of being your State Representative is getting the honor of meeting new people and hearing their important stories. As always, thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy tea and engaged in our discussions! 

Recently I went out in my district and visited different neighborhoods to connect with a variety of community members to discuss their concerns and learn of anything the community members have to say, as well as give them a quick legislative update. 

SESNA Meeting 

This last week I had the opportunity to attend the Southeast Salem Neighborhood Association meeting. There were many familiar faces and some new ones who told me their thoughts about the airport nearby, traffic patterns in their community, safety, and public works in and around their homes. I enjoy these meeting so much because I can share the work I’m doing with you and learn about what I should focus on next. Thanks for participating.

Team Tom Spotlight - Josie Elicker 

Both Jessica and I are focused on enriching the lives of young people who cross our paths. One way to do this is by providing young people with the opportunity to serve as legislative interns. I have three interns this session. You met Yajaira in a previous newsletter.

Today, I want to introduce you to Josie. She is a third-year student at Willamette and one of the student-run newspaper leaders. She joined us last month and she’s already making a difference and learning what it’s like to work in the legislature.