Walkout Reaches Record Number of Days
Republican and Independent Senators' denial of quorum has now reached 35 days. This is actually the longest walkout in our State's history and shows how much the ongoing standoff has reached a stalemate. There have been talks of more negotiations, but little has occurred to assure anyone that these will be fruitful. Once again, Senate Republicans and Independents have pledged to return on the Constitutional final day of session (June 25th) to pass bipartisan budgets, but Senator Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) has not agreed to the terms laid out.
Instead, he and his fellow Democrats have been unwilling to kill unconstitutional bills and have begun fining their Republican and Independent colleagues $325 for each day a quorum is not met. We wait like all of you in anticipation to see if a deal is reached before Sine Die, or if we are destined for a special session this summer.
Senate Minority Leader Knopp put out the following press release Tuesday:
HB 2645: Increased Penalties on Fentanyl
This bill increases penalties across the board for fentanyl possession and distribution. It is refreshing to see this in light of the recent attitudes that have taken a legalization approach to managing hard drugs, including the passage of Measure 110 back in 2020. HB 2645 passed nearly unanimously through the House earlier this session and has now passed unanimously through the Joint Committee on Ways & Means this week, and awaits passage on the Senate floor. Even if passed, it is not nearly enough to address the fentanyl crisis we see in our communities, but is at least a step in the right direction.
HB 2100: Fee Increases at DMV - Passed the House
As mentioned last week, this bill effectively raises fees across the board on the various services that the DMV offers, but most steeply impacts our truck drivers—raising their cost of entry into the profession at a time the state is investing in trying to get more drivers into the profession. A CDL will jump from $75 to $160, with testing going from $70 to $145. Unfortunately, this bill passed the House this week with just the minimum 31 votes required, indicating even Democrats were reluctant to pass such egregious fees on to their constituents.
HB 3626: Strengthening Safe Surrender: Passed the House, Again!
After HB 3076 was killed on the Senate floor last month (through no fault of its own), I reintroduced it to give it another chance for final passage. The bill once again passed unanimously out of Committee (Rules this time, since regular policy committees have shut down), and unanimously off the House Floor on Thursday. HB 3626 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.
HB 2772: Domestic Terrorism
One of the more interesting bills we saw this week was HB 2772. Many environmental activist groups have argued that this bill would target peaceful protests, while proponents have argued it protects peaceful protests from being usurped by violent criminals. In short, HB 2772 creates the crime of domestic terrorism in first degree, a Class B felony, if a person intentionally destroys or substantially damages critical infrastructure, or intentionally introduces, releases, or disperses a toxic substance into widespread contact with humans. There is nothing “peaceful” about these actions, and HB 2772 passed the House nearly unanimously this week.
Congratulations to Lebanon and Scio's softball teams on their excellent performance at their respective State Championship games! Lebanon's Lady Warriors took 2nd in 5A, falling to the defending champions, Dallas, and Scio's Lady Loggers took an equally impressive 2nd in 3A following a nail-biting 12th (!!!) inning final game. |
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Scio pitcher Myleigh Cooper was named player of their championship game as she allowed just three hits and two walks with a whopping 16 strikeouts! Lebanon’s infielder Christine Berg named the Mid-Willamette Conference softball player of the year, as voted on by the conference’s coaches. |
Way to go Warriors and Loggers!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Lebanon Movies in the Park
All summer long, consider coming out to Ralston Park on Friday nights for free movie showings! The graphic below has this summer's line up of flicks, kicking off with Top Gun: Maverick next Friday.
Jefferson Public Library Used Book Sale
Stop by the Jefferson Public Library today or tomorrow during its normal business hours to browse through their Used Book Sale! Books, DVDs, CDs, and Audiobooks are all $0.25 each, 5 for $1.00 or a bag for $5.00. Just remember that this sale is cash or check only!
Linn County Burn Season Closed
It has been nearly a month since we have had measurable precipitation and recently there have been many local fires with characteristics similar to fires that occur later in the summer. So, for the safety of our communities, Linn County ended the backyard burn season on June 3rd. Please help keep our community safe!
Linn County’s Youth Wage Program
Know of any first-time teen job seekers? Have them apply for participation in the 17th annual Summer Youth Wage Program sponsored by Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker!
Linn County uses economic development funds generated by the Video Lottery to subsidize $2 per hour of wages for first-time teen employees. The program has been highly successful, with dozens of teenagers employed each summer. Last year, 73 youth were employed in jobs that included everything from local restaurants to farming.
For additional information, call the Linn County Board of Commissioners office at 541-967-3825 or visit http://www.co.linn.or.us/.
Sweet Home Movies in the Park
Next Friday night, come out to Sankey Park for a free showing of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. This is such a great opportunity to bring the family out and enjoy a beautiful space that Sweet Home has to offer.
Jim Bean Safety Fair Next Weekend
Next weekend, the annual Jim Bean Safety Fair will be held in Sweet Home at the SHPD building and Bi-Mart parking lot. Come learn about biking safety, children's programs, obtain free helmets, and have a chance to win one of six bikes! Some of the bikes are pictured below.
Camp Santiam is Around the Corner
Did you know that there's a free summer camp offered here in Lebanon? See the flyer below for dates based on grade level.
Register now at www.bgcgreatersantiam.org.
Contact: brittanyflint@bgcgreatersantiam.org
Measure 114 Update
One of the biggest political storylines here in Oregon last year was the narrow passage of Measure 114. Our office has tried to provide updates as the measure has long been stalled after a Harney County Judge issued an injunction on it last December.
Our office wanted to let you know that the state case is expected to pick up again in September. In the meantime, the federal bench trial — no jury — starts next week in Portland and will be heard by U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee. The federal trial, which is slated to run for five days, will result in a first ruling about whether the new law is legal under the U.S. Constitution. No matter what Immergut decides, the ruling will likely be appealed, possibly all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This will be interesting to follow, especially on the heels of this sessions fight over HB 2005, a gun control bill that passed through the House but is stalled in the Senate. That bill will also face similar constitutional scrutiny if it is signed into law.
One Month into the Senate Walkout
Update on the Senate Standoff
Senate Walkout: 13 Days and Counting
The “Walkout” Continues: Follow the Law
Democrat Lawmakers Breaking the Law
OLIS at a Glance
Navigating OLIS is a key part of being involved with the legislative process. Below is a graphic showing you the "Submit Testimony" button to send in written testimony, as well as the "Register to Testify" button that will allow you to testify in-person here at the Capitol if a bill of interest receives a hearing.
Even if you don’t make a testimony deadline, you are still able to make your voice heard by reaching out to members of a Committee, or simply all lawmakers here at the Capitol.
Never underestimate the power of using your voice in the Legislative process!
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