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If you're having trouble viewing this message, please visit my legislative web page at http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/prozanski/, click "News and Information" on the left.
Dear friends,
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to my office expressing concern about the Senate Republicans' walkout. While the Senate is not able to take floor votes and bills are piling up, we Senate Democrats are still at the Capitol working every day. We have enough time to pass important policy legislation and budget bills if Senate Republicans come back to work.
Bills piling up at the Senate desk awaiting floor votes if Senate Republicans return.
Oregonians have made clear that they don't support walkouts: Last fall, voters in 34 of 36 Oregon counties — including communities that Senate Republicans represent — overwhelmingly voted in favor of Measure 113. (In fact, BM 113 was passed in all 30 state senate districts.) Voters sent a clear message that lawmakers need to show up and do their job! That's the will of the people.
On Friday, June 9, I joined Kyle Bailey on KQEN's The Morning Conversation to talk about the ongoing Senate Republican walkout. You can listen to a recording of our conversation, here.
Legislators gather to demand that Republicans return to work. (Floyd is second person from the left.)
Amid unseasonably dry weather, fire season is already upon us. Please exercise care to prevent wildfires by avoiding use of open flames, fireworks and driving in grass. If you're camping or working outdoors with gasoline engine equipment, please determine what restrictions are in effect. Needless to say, no one wants to see a repeat of recent years' devastating fires. Western Lane District officially entered fire season on Friday, June 9, at 12:01 a.m.
Below you will find information on:
- May Revenue Forecast
- Scam Alert: Refund Offer
- Public Input on Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy Update
- OHCS Awards Funding to Ensure Access to Affordable Homeownership
- Farmer's Market Season Opens!
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
May Revenue Forecast
Yet another strong economic and revenue forecast was released at a joint meeting of the Senate and House Revenue Committees last month by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA). This presents an incredible opportunity but if we're going to take advantage of it, be responsible stewards of our tax dollars, and deliver the solutions Oregonians are counting on, every lawmaker needs to be in Salem doing their job.
Revenue Outlook
2021-23 Net General Fund resources are up $1.8 billion from the March 2023 forecast. The current General Fund ending balance is $7 billion versus March's projected ending balance of $4.5 billion. The ending balance is also up $6.5 billion from the 2021 Close-of-Session estimate. Projected 2021-23 Lottery resources are down $4.4 million from the March 2023 forecast.
Reserve accounts are currently at $4 billion (Education Stability Fund) and $962.2 million (Rainy Day Fund). The projected ending balances for the 2021-23 Biennium reserve account are as follows: Education Stability Fund: $708.4 million and Rainy Day Fund: $1 billion. The Rainy Day Fund is projected to receive $310.7 million following the end of the 2021-23 Biennium.
Kicker Outlook
A personal kicker of $5.5 billion is projected for 2023. The projected corporate kicker of $1.8 billion is to be dedicated to K-12 education spending in the 2023-25 biennium.
OEA Economic Outlook
(From OEA)
The economic recovery from the pandemic has been faster, more complete, and more inclusive than any in recent memory. Employment across Oregon has never been higher when analyzing based on educational attainment, gender, geographic location, or race and ethnicity. Household incomes and finances are likewise in a stronger position today than pre-pandemic. However, as the economy is now at or near full employment, growth is set to slow. The upcoming 2023-25 biennium will see economic growth that is near its potential, which is determined by the amount of labor and capital in the state. Economic growth is all about how many workers there are and how productive each worker is.
Total personal income in Oregon has increased 19.8 percent from the end of 2019 through the end of 2022. This large increase translates to the strong increases in consumer spending and income taxes paid in recent years. Of course, the high inflation during the pandemic means the cost of living has also increased during the same time period. After adjusting for inflation, total Oregon personal income is 3.5 percent higher than at the end of 2019, while the U.S. is up 2.6 percent. Oregon's income growth ranks 21st fastest across all states. This relative strength is primarily in the non-wage forms of income.
Scam Alert: Refund Offer
Did you receive a text or email offering you a refund? Don't fall for it — it's a scam!
For years, scammers have been pretending to be someone you trust, while trying to trick you into sending them money. But as more people learn the scammers' devious ways, they’re switching it up.
So instead of contacting you about a debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you an email or text about a "refund" or some other rebate or benefit. Here's what to know about the new twist.
These messages, which often lead with "refund" or mention "rebate," may look legitimate, but no matter what the email or text says, it’s a scammer “phishing” for your information. If you click on the link or open the attachment to claim your "refund," you're exposing yourself to identity theft or malware that the scammer may try to install on your phone or computer. If someone contacts you about a rebate or refund, never click on links or open attachments until you have reviewed the following five tips from the Oregon Department of Justice's "Do Not Click" handout:
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Keep your software current. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
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Type the website URL yourself. Rather than clicking a link provided in an e-mail, even one that looks to be from a friend or an acquaintance, type the known URL (website name) yourself. The “friend” may be a cyber-criminal and the website may be a fake! Anyone can create a phony website that can infect your computer or steal your information.
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Pick up the phone. Never respond to emails that request personal or financial information. If you believe a company might need your personal or financial information, call the company yourself. Find the number independently. Do not use the phone number from the email!
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When in doubt, throw it out. Links in emails, social media posts, and online advertising are often how cyber-criminals try to steal your personal information. Even if you know the source, if something seems suspicious, do not respond and most importantly – delete!
- Think before you act. Be wary of anything that asks you to act immediately, sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information.
If you clicked a link in one of these "rebate" or "refund payment" text or e-mails and shared personal information, file a report at www.identitytheft.gov/#/ to get a customized recovery plan based on what information you shared. For more information on how to stay safe from fraud, visit www.oregonconsumer.gov.
Public Input on Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy Update
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and partner agencies are seeking public input on the update to the state's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). The IWRS provides a framework for better understanding and meeting the state's water needs.
OWRD invites the public to provide input through an online survey and in-person and virtual community conversations.
OHCS Awards Funding to Ensure Access to Affordable Homeownership
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced the approval of 34 new homeownership development projects that will lead to the creation of 337 new affordable homes. The goal is to increase homeownership opportunities of low- to moderate-income people and families in rural and urban communities over the next three years.
OHCS released a notice of funding availability in December 2022 and received 53 applications for about $65 million in available funding. All the developments focus on building housing that is responsive to their community's needs and are using innovative, climate friendly, and accessible design methods. Some of the funding will be used to advance culturally responsive approaches and increase homeownership opportunities for members of Oregon’s federally recognized Tribes.
Among many projects, the pre-development and capacity building funds will support Wallowa Resources to hire staff to focus on the development of a 21-acre site that will lead to the construction of 10-20 affordable homes in Joseph, an area that has fallen behind in building housing.
In Blue River, a wildfire recovery area, Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) funds will support a new community land trust (CLT) created by a group of residents with a mission to build affordable housing. With the help of developer DevNW, McKenzie Community Land Trust will build six new homes in downtown Blue River for those who lost their homes in the Holiday Farm Fire.
A full list of projects approved for funding can be found on the OHCS website.
Farmer's Market Season Opens!
Spring is arriving and farmers markets are opening! Shopping at a farmers market is a great way to find the freshest food for your family, while supporting our local farmers and small businesses. One program that helps make farmers markets affordable and accessible for all is Double Up Food Bucks. This program matches SNAP benefits, dollar for dollar, for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. Double Up is also available at participating small grocers, farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Click here for locations near you!
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