Update on the Senate Standoff
For over three weeks now, Senate Republicans have denied quorum on the Senate Floor. Their absence has slowly become a national story as tension rachets up ahead of June's sine die. Behind the scenes, negotiations are taking place but have largely stalled as Senate President Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) has refused to cave on Senate Republicans' demands to enforce constitutional readability standards for bills passing through the chamber.
President Wagner has threatened a government shutdown if budgets aren't passed, though I find myself doubting the validity of that threat as we have already passed the Continuing Resolution (HB5046) which allows state agencies to continue operating at their current budget level even if an updated budget for the agency isn't approved this session. Regardless, if the Senate does not convene before Sine Die, the odds of a special session being called to take up the budgets as well as outstanding policy priorities is almost guaranteed.
As a result, Senate Republicans and Independents have pledged to return on June 25th to pass bipartisan budget and policy bills. We are still waiting to see if Senate Democrats agree to come together with Republicans to pass a budget before the conclusion of this year's legislative session. Until then, the countdown continues.
Senate Minority Leader Knopp (R-Bend) put out an additional statement assuring this pledge, which is seen below.
HB 2004 - Ranked Choice Voting: Passed the House
A hotly contested bill that we have followed all session has passed the House and will now be heading to the Senate. In case you missed it, HB 2004 is a ballot referral seeking to radically overhaul our electoral system here in Oregon at a time where quite frankly, many people have doubts about our election system and the Secretary of State’s office as a whole. While there are arguments to be made for and against this new system, we feel that ranked choice voting should be decided independently of the vested influence from those who stand to be elected by the system.
HB 3090 – Flavored Tobacco Ban: Update
Our office has continued to see a tremendous volume of emails from constituents in opposition to HB 3090. While it passed out of its policy committee in the House on a straight party line vote, this bill has been sitting in Ways & Means ever since—which is not uncommon for the Legislature, and really doesn’t give indication one way or the other if we’ll see this bill progress this session. The proponents of this bill claim to want to protect children, but it is already illegal for people under 21 to purchase tobacco and other products containing nicotine. Furthermore, this bill targets vaporizers that are often used by people who have quit or are trying to quit smoking.
HB 3626: Strengthening Safe Surrender Bill: Take Two!
After HB 3076 was killed on the Senate floor earlier this month through no fault of its own, HB 3626 was introduced in its place, and received a public hearing Thursday. As with HB 3076, this bill would expand the safe surrender period of an infant in Oregon from 30 days to 60 days after birth, and more importantly creates awareness of Oregon's existing Safe Surrender laws by requiring signage at safe surrender sites to inform communities of this protection.
SB 437 – Freedom vs Freedom in HOAs: Failed/Possible Reconsideration
This bill prevents an HOA from regulating gardens, chickens, and beekeeping within their planned community, despite any existing rules that owners have agreed to. While there are merits to wanting these “freedoms” on an individual’s property, this bill would supersede the HOA’s contractual rules—rules which set forth a degree of expectation that is often a selling feature for homeowners that want a higher degree of order to their community than local ordinances would require. In many ways, this is a “freedom” vs “freedom” fight, and made for a lively debate on the House floor, but I ultimately sided with honoring the contracts in place. A notice for possible reconsideration has been given, so this bill may be back on the House floor next week. Since the bill was amended in the House after its passage in the Senate, it would have to return to the Senate for concurrence for final passage.
|
Congratulations to Queen Adalai of the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair who was crowned last weekend in Scio! (pictured right).
Along with Princess Amy, Princess Eden, and Princess Landie, Queen Adalai has been busy attending events, visiting sponsors, and serving as a wonderful ambassador for the Lamb & Wool Fair.
Congratulations to all who were honored at this year's fair!
|
|
 |
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
LHS Stadium Closure
In less than two weeks, Lebanon High School’s Class of 2023 will graduate, and in preparation of the event, LHS’s stadium will be closing. The graduation will be a ticket-only event to ensure graduates' families have room to attend. Congrats to this year's Warrior Class! We wish you the best of luck in life after high school!
Good Samaritan Spotlight
This past Tuesday was tough for Lebanon School District's transportation team. A few things went sideways, and one of them was a blown-out tire on a school bus which was carrying children home from school on Highway 20.
With no staff available to assist, the driver was told to start calling parents to let them know there would be a delay in their children arriving home. One of those parents, Johnny Barkley, decided to go above and beyond to help ensure all kids got home safely.
When Mr. Barkley showed up to get his child, he also brought water for everyone on board and his friend Caleb to change the tire on the bus and get it on its way to return the kids home. They even took the damaged tire to Les Schwab to have it repaired.
"It made my heart happy," Director Maggie Estes said. As challenging as that afternoon had been, "help like that makes it all better."
I couldn’t agree more! I love to seeing good Samaritans step up in our communities!
Lebanon Museum Event: May 31
Next Wednesday at 4:00PM, the Lebanon Museum Foundation is hosting an event at the Lebanon Public Library detailing the history of the Lebanon Police Department! Come join other members of the community in learning about and celebrating our shared history!
Optimist Pancake Breakfast: June 3
Come out to the Linn Lanes parking lot for the annual Optimist Pancake breakfast event Saturday, June 3rd and enjoy a delicious breakfast before the Strawberry Festival Grand Parade while supporting our kids right here in Lebanon! The event runs from 6:30AM to 10:30AM and is only $5 for kids and military and $10 for those 13 and over.
Linn County Fair Entries Open
Entries are now open for the 2023 Linn County Fair! Enter with the following link. Quilts, flowers, photos, paintings, crafts, projects, and more are accepted, so please consider participating in this great event!
Memorial Day
On Monday, our nation will once again observe our most solemn of holidays. As you enjoy the long weekend with your family, please pause and think of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.
GoFundMe for Deadly I-5 Crash Victims
As you may have heard, last week there was a horrible crash on I-5 involving two semi trucks and a van carrying 11 farmworkers from J. Ruiz Farm Labor Contracting. Seven workers died at the scene and the other four were injured.
In response, the Oregon Farm Bureau has stepped up and organized a fundraiser with 100% of the money going directly to all eleven of the families affected by this tragedy. Here is a link to the fundraiser. You can read more about the crash here.
Free Fishing Weekend
Next weekend, everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon! That's right--no fishing/shellfish licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required on those two days (June 3-4, 2023). Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free. In addition, Oregon State Parks also offers free parking and camping on Saturday, June 3 so bring your family and enjoy the great outdoors!
Events are being held all over the State! See the Family Fishing Events page (https://myodfw.com/.../family-fishing-events-free-fishing...) for more information.
Senate Walkout: 13 Days and Counting
The “Walkout” Continues: Follow the Law
Democrat Lawmakers Breaking the Law
Bad Bill Double Header
Risking Our Kids and Parental Rights
Opening Ceremonies Needed
Do you sing? Read poetry? Play an instrument? Pray? Then we have a job for you!
Every Floor Session in the House of Representatives starts with Opening Ceremonies, and is a great way to showcase the talents found across the state. Guidelines for Opening Ceremonies are below, but if you're interested in being a ceremonial part of the 82nd Legislative Session, let me know! My office can help coordinate with the Chief Clerk's office to get you on the calendar.
| 
