Interim Newsletter: July
With the 2023 Legislative Session complete, Representative Cate will be spending the majority of her time on the farm back home in Lebanon. After being in Salem for six months she's scrambling to play catch up, leaving me control over the newsletters!
If we haven't met, my name is Conner Booth and I am Rep. Cate's lone staffer over the interim. This year's session was also my first full-time, and I certainly came away with so much more knowledge about the Legislature than I entered with in January, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience helping serve the people of House District 11.
One of the bigger things we are waiting on right now is to find out which bills (if any) Governor Kotek will use her veto power on. There has been a lot of speculation, and comments from the Governor expressing her desire to hear from Oregonians, but also some drama on the final day of session as HB 3414, a priority bill of the Governor’s as it would facilitate more building to meet her ambitious 36,000 units a year housing goal, was killed in the Senate. It is yet to be seen how this will play into her veto powers—if at all—as our new Governor adjusts to her role in the Executive Branch rather than in the Legislative Branch.
With less "news" coming out of Salem now that we have entered the interim, our office has switched from weekly newsletters to monthly newsletters that seek to highlight local happenings in Linn and Marion County. Look forward to receiving these newsletters every 2nd Friday of the month!
Salem’s New Income Tax
While legislative news is few and far between right now, I will highlight one piece of news coming out of Salem which is the new payroll tax instituted this week. If your employer is based in Salem (like me, working for the state), you can expect a nearly 1% deduction from your paycheck beginning in July 2024—regardless of where you live.
While it is true that Salem has an $11 million funding gap for its essential services, testimony was overwhelmingly in opposition to the proposal prior to the vote in this week's city council meeting, as workers have already been seeing their financial situation decline from the plight of ongoing inflation.
Here is a good article with answers to frequently asked questions about Salem's new payroll tax.
While this may seem like a Salem-only issue, the impacts to state employees will hit taxpayers across Oregon, as well as beg questions of the limitations on taxation when we see a local entity impose an income tax to back fill their revenues. It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
Farming season has officially begun for Rep. Cate! I will do my best to summarize her past few weeks on the family farm back in Lebanon, but the truth is, I am not a farmer and have been more or less a city kid my entire life. So, in addition to learning about Oregon's Legislature, I have also tried my best to learn about Oregon's family farms this year.
Harvest work on the farm really began the Monday before session concluded when Rep. Cate began swathing the family’s forage grass seed. The day after session concluded she was back at it as the swathing really ramped up moving on to turf grasses. She says she got lucky this session, that the timing worked out so she didn’t have to work nights in Lebanon and days in Salem, which made her very happy! They mostly swath the grass at night, so it is possible, but sounds miserable if you ask me.
After swathing comes combining, which is still where she can still be found—probably while you are reading this newsletter! Hours can be long in the combine, but luckily she has her combine dog, Case with her for company.
Contrary to popular belief, grass seed is a seed crop, not a hay crop. Hay is cut before the nutrients in the plant are moved into seed development, and what is left after the seed is harvested is actually straw, meaning the nutrients are largely removed in the form of seed. And now you know! I have a feeling this is a pet-peeve of Rep. Cate’s as she gets asked a lot about how “haying” is going.
Rep. Cate has also been busy trying to get her seed warehouse ready to process another season's crop and get it ready for the market. Sales have been slower this year with a soft market, so she is still working on getting last year's crop cleared out to make way for the new crop which is already coming in.
Rep. Cate got to sneak away from the farm to enjoy some BBQ at Sweet Home’s Ice Box Cook Off July 1st.
Swaths of grass ready to combine.
Rep. Cate started working on the farm full-time in the summer when she was 11 years old.
Abby Hogan was crowned Queen at Sweet Home's annual Sportsman's Holiday Celebration on July 6th! Once again, the event drew large crowds for raffles, a car cruise, a community breakfast, a parade, fireworks, and so much more.
Other members of the court were Rylee Markell, Abby Olsen, Aytra Waggoner, Lydia Wright, and Madison Duncan, who won Miss Congeniality.
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Scio's New Fire Chief
Scio Fire District has a new Chief! After six months of searching, the board of directors landed on Kyle White, who has 29 years of experience firefighting in Seattle. We look forward to seeing what he can bring to our rural communities.
Sweet Home Movies in the Park Continues
This is a reminder that Sweet Home's free movie screenings continue tonight with Puss in Boots at Sankey Park! The city is also still looking for volunteers this weekend for the kickoff of its beautification project. Please consider coming out to help paint the Old City Hall starting at 8:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday!
Tri-City Happenings This Week
Through next Thursday, consider checking out some of the amazing events happening around Harrisburg, Junction City, and Monroe! Many of these events are free and are a great way to spend time with the community all while enjoying music, food, drink, and more!
Stand By Me Day in Brownville
Brownsville's Stand By Me Day event will take place on Sunday, July 23rd, and features all kinds of fun offerings for attendees to enjoy! Proceeds will go to the Linn County Museum, so please come out and show your support!
Lebanon's Weekly Concerts in the Park
Through August 29th, Lebanon will be hosting free concerts at Academy Sqaure every Tuesday night beginning at 6:00PM. Expect warm weather, tacos, beer, and great music!
Lebanon Movies in the Park Continues
This is a reminder that Ralston Park and the City of Lebanon are still hosting free movie screenings on select Friday nights through August 18th. There are still four showings left, including Boss Baby at 8:15 tonight!
Free Clothes Offered in Lebanon
Mark your calendar for August 7th and September 4th for an opportunity to collect some free clothes at the First Presbyterian Church from 10:00AM-2:00PM. You can also call 541-259-3200 to make an appointment to pick up children's clothes any Wednesday! This will no doubt help out parents and guardians ahead of the upcoming school year.
National Night Out in Lebanon
One of the most anticipated events of the summer is just around the corner! The 40th National Night Out in Lebanon will be taking place on August 1st at Academy Sqaure, and everyone is invited for an evening of fun that's all supporting the Family Tree Relief Nursery.
2023 Long Session Wrap Up
The Final Days of This Year's Session
Senate’s Record Walkout Ends
One Month into the Senate Walkout
Update on the Senate Standoff
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