Friends and neighbors, here are some highlights from the week and helpful community information for you! This week marked the halfway point of this long session and I believe transportation conversation and the Interstate Bridge Replacement conversation is just now heating up. Stay tuned and pass along thoughts and opinions. - Shelly

SALEM, OR – In response to the City of Portland’s letter to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reaffirming their commitment to the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), Co-Vice Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, issued the following statement:

“The large tax increases in House Bill 2017 (2017) came with a directive and a promise: build the Rose Quarter. Nearly seven whole years later, the project has not made significant progress. 

“I am committed to finding a cost-effective path forward that meets the needs of the entire state. The Rose Quarter was identified in House Bill 2017 as a project of statewide importance, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project magnifies that significance. These two projects are linked and we cannot do one without the other to solve the transportation issues that each present.”

“I am encouraged by Portland’s recent letter showing renewed commitment to the Rose Quarter project. I look forward to working with them to tackle Oregon’s transportation challenges.”

# # #

BIG HAPPENINGS IN LINN COUNTY!

From our friends at Oregon Women for Agriculture:

Our Annual OWA Dinner & Auction fundraiser is just 2 weeks away!

Saturday, April 15 at Linn County Expo Center

The countdown is on! Join us at the Linn County Fairgrounds in 10 days for our 35th Annual Auction presented by Columbia Bank! Our theme is "From Farm to Forest and Everything in Between". We'll have lots of fun items to bid on in our big silent auction during our reception which will be followed by a delicious dinner and our oral auction with all proceeds going toward our mission of Working Together to Communicate the Story of Today’s Agriculture! Tickets are still available.

Get your tickets, here.

Deadline Week

This week marked the midway point in session, and also a critical deadline for bills to stay alive. Tuesday was the deadline for most bills to pass out of committee they were first assigned to. If they did not, they are dead – with a few exceptions like budget bills. Of the 1,352 bills that were introduced into a House policy committee, only 492 are still alive. The House has already passed 147 bill.

Here are a few examples of where my bills that are still alive stand:

HB 2142, 2482, 3379 – These bills are mostly technical fixes to Oregon’s tax law that would provide some relief to farmers and businesses. They are all in the House Revenue Committee, which is not subject to the regular deadlines.

HB 2426 – I’ve talked about this many times: Consumer Choice Fueling. This bill is currently in the Senate Energy & Environment Committee.

Semiconductor Package Passes House

This week, the House passed SB 4, the large semiconductor package. It is now off to the Governor for her signature. The bill appropriates $210 million dollars to three different programs:

• $190 million to support loans and grants in Oregon CHIPS Fund
• $10 million for University Innovation Research Fund
• $10 million for Industrial Lands Loan Fund

The bill also gives the Governor super-citing authority for land outside of the Urban Growth Boundary for the citing of an 8 acre industrial site for a semiconductor plant. I am always cautious with giving the Governor additional power.

Oregon is undoubtedly a semiconductor industry leader with Intel here. Oregon is home to 1 in 6 semiconductor jobs and semiconductors was Oregon’s largest export in 2022, accounting for nearly a third of the value of all products exported. But instead of passing very targeted legislation when there is a very specific business that we want to come to Oregon, I wish we would make broader reforms that would make Oregon more business friendly for every kind of business. I think this bill is a missed opportunity to take a serious look at cutting taxes and regulations that discourage business investment in our state.

Democracy dies in darkness. We MUST do better.

From Republican Senate Leader Tim Knopp on the Senate Floor to Senate President Wager: “Yesterday, a chair you appointed to a Senate committee you created reported Senate Bill 393-A out of committee. It was introduced as a benign study bill. Neither the base bill, nor the [gun control] gut and stuff amendments ever received a public hearing. OLIS shows zero items of posted testimony. SB 393-A is now headed to the Senate floor having received zero public input on a bill that affects a Constitutional right. This is offensive to the character and tradition of democracy and diminishes the legitimacy of the Senate...Don't let democracy die under your watch.”

The new 7-page “gut and stuff” amendment to SB 393 that passed out of committee without allowing public input is just another way to force a gun bill through without the public’s input.

Click to read SB 393-A, or to email the committee members, here.

Shape Your Transportation System

Opportunities to Provide Input on Your Transportation System

Public invited to weigh in on draft 25-year Oregon Transportation Plan

Why should you comment on the draft Oregon Transportation Plan? Because this 25-year plan guides important transportation-related decisions that impact Oregonians like you and communities like ours every day. It lets ODOT and other decision-makers know what you value in a transportation system – now and into the future.

There are several ways to review and provide ODOT your valuable feedback:

• Review the draft plan online and provide comment through ODOT's online form, available on the website, through May 12.
• Attend a public hearing on Wednesday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Use this Zoom link.

To learn more about the plan and ask questions of ODOT's project team, join a webinar on Tuesday, April 11 at noon. ODOT has links to these events, the draft plan, fact sheets and more on ODOT's website. Learn more and give your feedback today!

ODOT's Transportation Improvement Plan

The Oregon Transportation Commission released the draft 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), ODOT's capital improvement plan, for formal public review. To view the proposed projects in Linn County, start on page 207 of this document.

Every three years, the commission puts together the STIP that lays out where they will invest federal and state money in the transportation system - everything from bike paths and sidewalks to roads and bridges to public transportation. 

The commission started developing the STIP in 2020 by deciding how to allocate state and federal funding among different areas with input from partners, the public, cities, counties, and the public. They have spent the last two years selecting critical projects and now have a draft list of proposed investments to present for public comment.

This draft STIP includes:

• A major investment in repairing and replacing deteriorating bridges.
• A significant increase for public and active transportation to help people get around. 
• Increased funding for projects that improve safety on state highways and local roads.
• More money for local governments to invest in their priorities. 
• A major investment in ADA curb ramps to help people with disabilities get around safely

ODOT wants to hear from you. In particular, they want feedback on two primary issues:

• Which of the proposed projects do you support, and which projects do you have concerns about?
• Would any of the proposed projects have possible impacts that we should work to address?
•  

How to provide public comment

You can provide comments on the projects in the STIP in a variety of ways.

1. Visit the online open house at Oregon Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. It will be open from March 9 to April 28.
2. Attend in-person public comment sessions. See the STIP websitefor details.
3. Attend virtual public comment sessions, either April 6, from 6-7 p.m. or on April 13, from 2-3 p.m. Check out the STIP website for details.
4. Send an email to STIP@odot.oregon.gov.

Public comment will close on April 28. Comments will inform ODOT's decision-making as they consider adjusting the projects in the STIP and project design. All comments will be included in the public comment record that goes to the commission before they approve the final STIP in July.

To learn more about the STIP, visit ODOT's website. To stay up to date on all things STIP, sign up for email updates.

HONORARY PAGE PROGRAM AT THE CAPITOL

The House of Representatives hosts an Honorary Page program whereby students can sign up to volunteer in the House Chamber for a day. 

If you are a student or know of one that would be interested, I would love to host you.

To sign up to be a Page for a day, go here.

If you have questions, email Civics.Education@OregonLegislature.gov.

Lawmakers advance set of gun control bills in Oregon KATU “Armed guards are a deterrent, full stop, and we know that there is no such thing as too much security,” said Deputy Leader for Oregon House Republicans Shelly Boshart Davis. “And it was very apparent this last week, unfortunately.” Boshart Davis is among 27 representatives who voted yes for bringing school resource officers back to Oregon public schools. It’s a program that also has the support of Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell. “The potential for something to happen that's really tragic can maybe be addressed or averted by having an officer there,” Lovell said. ... Republicans don’t think the omnibus gun regulation package will protect students from an active shooter. “Their omnibus bill for guns is not going to do anything to make our schools more safe,” said House GOP Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson.

Republican Leader Calls for Oregon Governor, Secretary of State to Return Contributions Made by La Mota’s Founders Willamette Week Knopp’s counterpart in the Oregon House, Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), said in a statement that the allegations against the couple are “undoubtably concerning and Oregonians should be aware.” She stopped short, however, of joining Knopp in demanding that the Democrats return contributions from La Mota and its founders. She also made a renewed call for an independent firm to investigate the OLCC—a call Republicans first made after The Oregonian reported the agency had conducted an internal investigation that found top officials had reserved expensive, limited bottles of bourbon for themselves and associates. “We are looking at a second allegation revealing either corruption or further agency incompetence,” she told WW in a statement. “It remains critically important there be an investigation of OLCC done by a nonpartisan, third-party investigator. Oregonians deserve good and transparent government.”

Oregon lawmakers ponder stricter rent control laws after 14.6% increases Oregon Capital Chronicle Four years after Oregon passed the nation’s first statewide rent control law, state legislators are considering new limits as tenants throughout the state continue receiving notices that they’ll owe hundreds or thousands more in rent each year.  The state’s 2019 law limited rent increases on many buildings to no more than 7% plus inflation. High inflation last year meant landlords could hike rent by 14.6% in 2023, and lawmakers are seeking a fix to prevent future double-digit rent increases.  As introduced, Senate Bill 611 would cap rent increases at no more than 8% or 3% plus inflation, whichever is less. An amendment the Senate Committee on Housing and Development will consider Monday would change that to the lesser of 10% or 5% plus inflation.  The bill has touched a nerve: Nearly 1,500 have submitted written testimony.

Healthcare mask mandate ends in Oregon, Washington Fox12 Masks will no longer be required in Oregon and Washington healthcare settings starting Monday. Masks have been mandatory in healthcare settings since August of 2021, but the requirement will be lifted on April 3. The mask mandate will be lifted for workers, patients and visitors in health care settings such as hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, counseling offices, school-based health centers, complementary and alternative medicine locations.

11 ODs, 3 deaths in 12-hour period in Portland KOIN6 At least 11 overdoses were reported in a half-day on Friday in Portland, leaving 3 people dead in what police believe to be fentanyl-related incidents. A 33-year-old man died shortly before noon. A 25-year-old woman died at 8:20 p.m. and another person (who police did not describe) died 32 minutes later. The calls began at 10:29 a.m. and continued until 11:08 p.m. Most of them happened after 3 p.m. and two of the deaths recorded were part of 4 calls during that short 32-minute period.

Federal judge strikes down Minnesota law banning 18-20-year-olds from obtaining gun permits Fox News A federal judge on Friday struck down a Minnesota law that prohibits adults age 18-20 from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public.  Assisted by gun-rights advocacy groups, three individuals who were under 21 challenged a 2003 state law that enacted an age requirement to apply for a permit to carry a pistol. They argued that the law unconstitutionally prohibited young adults from exercising their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

EPA approves California rules phasing out diesel trucks Capital Press The Biden administration cleared the way Friday for California's plan to phase out a wide range of diesel-powered trucks, part of the state's efforts to drastically cut planet-warming emissions and improve air quality in heavy-traffic areas like ports along the coast. The decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows California to require truck manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission trucks over the next couple of decades. The rule applies to a wide range of trucks including box trucks, semitrailers and even large passenger pick-ups.

Oregon bill on abortion, gender-affirming care clears first hurdle Oregon Capital Chronicle The committee’s Democratic majority rejected amendments proposed by Republicans, including attempts to revive two bills introduced by House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson to create a state-run hotline to direct pregnant women seeking abortions to organizations that would encourage them to continue pregnancies. (The state set up an abortion hotline in January to explain patient rights.) The majority also rejected a proposed amendment from Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, to require that people who detransition from being transgender receive the same care as those who transition. Christina Milano, the cofounder and medical director of Oregon Health & Science University’s Transgender Health Program, said during a hearing last month that coverage would already include people who seek to transition back to their original gender. Diehl has been the most outspoken opponent of the bill, marshaling parents and people who regretted their transitions to speak against it. In a testy exchange with Nosse near the end of the meeting, he repeatedly called Nosse “uninformed,” while Nosse retorted that Diehl was “wrong.” “With all due respect, Mr. Chair, you are uninformed, and you’re going to live to regret these decisions that have been made,” Diehl said. Rep. Lily Morgan, R-Grants Pass, said she opposed letting young girls obtain abortions without parental knowledge. Doctors who addressed the committee have said they still try to involve parents in children’s care, though there are cases such as familial abuse where it’s not safe to do so. “I am that child that would have been aborted,” Morgan said. “My mom was 17 when she was pregnant with me and went to the health department, and they said there’s no reason for you to have a child at 17, unwed, and I’m grateful she chose to keep me.”

The showdown over ‘parents’ rights’ gains steam in Oregon OregonLive The contentious national showdown over how much say parents should have in their children’s schooling is looming over Oregon’s upcoming school board elections and the work of the Legislature. Some parents, candidates and political groups want more transparency about what books are available in school libraries and what makes its way into the curriculum, particularly when it comes to emotionally charged topics like sexuality, racism and gender. Others say that’s a thinly veiled attempt at silencing diverse viewpoints that could put LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized students in harm’s way. 

Oregon City mayor blasts ODOT amid strong opposition to proposed I-205 toll KOIN6 As April 3 marks the final week of public testimony for a proposed toll on Interstate 205, Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff is speaking out against the proposal and says her concerns are not being heard by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The plan is to put tolling in place by December 2024 on a section of I-205 between the Tualatin River Bridge and the Abernathy Bridge between the interstate’s Stafford Road and Highway 213 exits. The big picture is a plan to toll all of I-205 and a stretch of Interstate 5 in the metro area.

Oregon snowpack jumps to 172% of normal, best since 2008, could delay wildfire season Statesman Journal Oregon's mountain snowpack ballooned to its highest levels since 2008 after the a blizzard slammed the Cascade Range with 20 to 30 inches of snow last weekend. The state's snowpack reached 172% of normal on Monday, a metric that takes into account how this year's snow stacks up against the last 30 years. In the Willamette Basin — including the Central Cascades east of Salem — snowpack is 178% of normal.

'It could be devastating': Truckers react to California diesel truck phase-out ABC News Truckers are beginning to react to news of the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to approve California's phase-out of diesel-powered trucks. Officials say this decision will help fight pollution and improve California's air quality. But some truckers say they disagree with the ruling and the new standards it brings along with it. Admissions Representative with Western Trucking School Rannie Vincent says she has several concerns about this decision.

Major Oregon gun control bills pass out of committee; call for gun permits, raise age limit OregonLive Senate Bill 348 – mostly mirroring the main provisions of Measure 114, now stalled in court challenges -- passed 3-2 out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to the chamber floor with a referral to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

... The Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety voted 5-3 to send an amended House Bill 2005, known as the 2023 Gun Violence Prevention Package, to the full Ways and Means Committee. It would make it a crime to manufacture, sell or possess a gun without a serial number starting Sept. 1, 2024, prohibit people under 21 from possessing guns except for certain hunting rifles and allow cities or counties to bar people from carrying guns in public buildings or on adjacent grounds.

... State Rep. Jeffrey Helfrich, R-Hood River, a former Portland police officer, said the state already has spent about a half a million dollars defending Measure 114 in state and federal court. He said he’s concerned more public dollars will be diverted to defend the additional gun bills.

... Joining Evans in support of the amended House Bill 2005 were Sens. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, and Reps. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, and Daniel Nguyen, D-Lake Oswego/Portland. Those voting against it were Rep. Rick Lewis, R-Silverton, Helfrich and Brock Smith.

Oregon woman blocked from adopting children for refusing state rules on gender identity Fox12 A Christian mother filed a federal complaint against officials with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Monday after she was allegedly barred from adopting children because of her religious beliefs about gender and sexuality. Jessica Bates, a mother of five who lives in rural Malheur County, Oregon, felt called to adopt because of her Christian faith but claims her faith was used against her by the state, according to the lawsuit filed on her behalf by Alliance Defending Freedom.

Oregon’s recent growth in homelessness among largest in nation OregonLive Oregon experienced one of the nation’s largest increases in homelessness between 2020 and 2022, federal data indicates. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Oregon grew nearly 23% during the two-year span, increasing by 3,304 people to about 18,000, according to a federally mandated physical count of homeless individuals. That rate was well above the national average of less than 1% growth in people experiencing homeless and also far outstripped that of the other West Coast states, with Washington experiencing a 10% hike and California a 6% increase, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress.

Oregon government employees in dire situations with paycheck problems now in fourth month Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon government employees are growing weary of problems with the state’s new payroll system, which spits out checks that underpay or overpay – or they don’t get paid at all. Some employees have not been able to pay rent. Others have been paid but with a paycheck mailed to them instead of their usual direct deposit, forcing them to wait for the checks to clear while they rack up credit card debt. The state spent several years planning a $21 million payroll and human resources system, called Workday. It handles a variety of human resources needs, such as training and job transfers. The system went online in 2019, but it wasn’t used for payroll until last December, replacing a 1980s-era system.

La Mota Co-Owner and CEO Rosa Cazares Removed From Emerge Oregon Board Willamette Week The co-owner of the second-largest dispensary chain in Oregon, Rosa Cazares of La Mota, was removed Wednesday from the board of the political training academy Emerge Oregon. The board’s decision comes one week after WW’s March 29 cover story about the financial and legal issues at Cazares’ companies.

Beaver protections make headway after last-minute amendment Capital Press A proposal to strengthen Oregon’s beaver protections is headed for a House floor vote after a last-minute amendment secured its unanimous approval by a key committee. Beavers would no longer be considered predatory animals under House Bill 3463, allowing state wildlife officials to manage the species on private lands instead of farm regulators.

Oregon ranks low when it comes to where golfers should go to retire KOIN6 Despite being home to one of the consistently highest-ranked golf resorts in the world, Brandon Dunes, and at least one other highly-regarded golf destination, Bend/Sun River, it seems that if teeing it up through your retirement years is what you want to do, Oregon might not be the place to do it.

Man, woman found shot to death in NE Portland; city closing in on 2022’s homicide pace OregonLive If the deaths are ruled homicides, they will be Portland’s 20th and 21st of 2023, pushing the city closer to last year’s record-setting pace. Portland had 25 homicides at the end of March 2022. Portland ended up with more than 100 homicides last year.

OR, WA among states with largest increases in homelessness in U.S. KOIN6 New data show how much Oregon has been impacted by the homelessness crisis since the start of the pandemic, and how we compare with the rest of the county. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the highest numbers of people unhoused from 2020 to 2022: nearly 18,000 in Oregon and more than 25,000 in Washington.

Woman hoping to adopt foster children sues Oregon over LGBTQ expectations
Statesman Journal
The lawsuit describes Bates as a Christian who regularly attends a nondenominational church where she worships with her family. In the process of applying to become certified to adopt from the state foster care system, she refused to agree to "respect, accept, and support … the sexual orientation, gender identity, [and] gender expression" of any child the department could place in an applicant's home because of her faith, according to the lawsuit.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

From our friends at Albany Police Department:

Congratulations to Sgt. Ron Parker as he retires after 23 years of service to the Albany community. Sgt. Parker held many positions here at APD including Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, and EVOC instructor. He was a Detective for 5 years and supervised the Street Crimes Unit for 2 years. We wish him the best in his retirement! Enjoy!

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

From our friends at Linn County Sheriff's Office:

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

We want everyone to know that prevention is possible and one of the most important things we can do to help children thrive is to support families before they reach a crisis. Make the commitment this month to explore new ideas and share resources available in your community to strengthen support for children and families. Stay tuned throughout the month for more information from your Linn County Sheriff’s Office regarding the topic of Child Abuse. 

Your Linn County Sheriff’s Office wanted to share some of the many local resources available to children and their families in need:

• ABC House abchouse.org 541-926-2203
• Canyon Crisis and Resource Center 503-897-2327
• Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence cardv.org 800-927-0197
• Center for Hope and Safety hopeandsafety.org 503-399-7722
• Child Abuse Network (CAN) 541-926-5432
• Department of Human Services (DHS) 541-967-2078
• Family Tree Relief Nursery familytreern.org 541-967-6880
• Jackson Street Youth Services 541-220-2950
• Santiam Outreach Community Center 971-332-5676

Learn more about the services offered to help prevent child abuse and neglect, here.

HELP SPREAD HOPE IN OUR COMMUNITY

From our friends at the Albany Police Department

Join us for a free rock painting event in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month & Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by and paint a rock with a message of hope to spread throughout our community. In partnership with Samaritan Artscare, Sarah's Place and Linn County Child Abuse Network.

UNDERSTANDING THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL

From our friends at the Albany Police Department:

Come learn about the latest drug trends in our community. Every parent should know the facts and stay informed. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. and the statistics are staggering.

From our friends at Mid-Willamette Family YMCA:

BEGINNER SWIM LESSONS

Registration now open for our FREE Learn To Swim Week! This is for beginner levels // Limited availability. Stop by to sign up at our Welcome Center or here.

BABYSITTING CERTIFICATION

Register for our upcoming babysitter certification class: MAY 6, 2023  This course is designed to give participants basic skills and knowledge needed. This is a 2-year certification.  For ages 11+ Details here

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 

Flag Football on our brand-new turf! Registration is now open!  Co-ed Ages 4-13 Seasons: Spring & Fall Location: NEW YMCA SPORTS TURF COMPLEX Cost: $110-Members of the YMCA       $120-Guests Register here.

From our friends at the Albany Boys & Girls Club:

SOFTBALL PITCHING CLINIC

From our friends at the Albany Boys & Girls Club:

Join us this Saturday for a softball pitching clinic!

Register, here.

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, 

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