Interim Newsletter: August
Another month has passed in the interim, and it's been another month of working through projects that went by the wayside during a frantic legislative session in Salem! For the past month, I've enjoyed updating our records, meeting with constituents, reaching out to government agencies (often for constituents), and trying to enjoy the outdoors more now that the sun is shining nearly every day.
Rep. Cate wrapped up combining on the farm, and as an avid hiker, she managed to get some time away in the beginning of August to go explore! More on that in the next section.
One of the biggest pieces of "Salem News" we've had since the July newsletter is the Governor signing bills from this year's session into law. Thankfully, three of Rep. Cate's bills avoided the dreaded veto! Her other bill was actually a ballot referral, and did not need to be signed by the governor after passing through the legislature. In case you missed it, or are a new subscriber of our newsletters, a summary of her successful legislation is as follows:
HJR 16: Impeachment Ballot Referral: Passed!
As mentioned above, HJR 16 simply asks voters on their 2024 general election ballot if they want to adopt a Constitutional Amendment that grants impeachment power to the Legislature. It proposes a 2/3 vote threshold to adopt impeachment articles as well as a 2/3 vote threshold for conviction, ensuring bipartisan support is needed for an impeachment to be considered. It was quite a surprise to see widespread support during this year's session (32 bill sponsors in the House alone!), no doubt boosted by Secretary Fagan's La Mota scandal and subsequent resignation.
HB 2898: RV Habitation After Wildfires: Passed!
A major victory for our rural communities this session was the passage of the RV habitation during wildfire recovery bill. HB 2898 extends an already expired allowance that was passed in the 2021 session which allowed for recreational vehicles to be used for habitation on a lot where the single-family dwelling was destroyed in the 2020 wildfires, and creates this allowance for 5 years in any future natural disasters.
HB 3626: Strengthening Safe Surrender: Passed!
After HB 3076 was killed on the Senate floor in May through no fault of its own, Rep. Cate reintroduced it as HB 3626 to give it another chance for final passage. The bill moved quickly through the Legislative process and ultimately passed both chambers in the final days. HB 3626 would expand the safe surrender period of an infant in Oregon from 30 days to 60 days after birth, and more importantly create awareness of Oregon's existing Safe Surrender laws by requiring signage at safe surrender sites to inform communities of this protection.
HB 3073: Address Confidentiality: Passed!
This bill would allow any candidate running for office, or any elected official to opt in to not having their home address published in candidate filings, lists of electors, or in voter files (not public records requests). Make no mistake, Rep. Cate is a firm believer in transparency—especially in government—but this has been an increasing deterrent for potential candidates considering running for office given the increasingly volatile nature of public service and security threats. HB 3073 strikes a balance of transparency and personal safety of officeholders, and better aligns the State’s publishing of sensitive personal information with the private sector.
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As mentioned above, Rep. Cate finished up combining at the farm and all the post-harvest work started! But while her seed cleaning warehouse is still torn apart for improvements, she was able to sneak away for her annual Pacific Coast Trail section hike. |
Also, having coworkers across the State makes it easier to get places! Rep Wallan let Rep. Cate park her car at Rep. Wallan's house, and her daughter and amazing Chief of Staff "trail angeled" me to the trail head! Oh, and she finally was able to finish her last 18 miles of Oregon that have eluded her in the past due to wildfires. |
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The last I knew, she was near Mt. Shasta, but cell service has been spotty, and she may very well be anywhere in Northern California by now! She anticipates a return home very soon, but with scenery like this I imagine that's not an easy decision to make. |
Campfires Banned in Linn County Parks
Due to the high fire risk, Linn County Parks and Recreation has made the decision to ban campfires in all parks operated by the Department, effective today. This comes on the heels of several fires that have been burning around Linn County, which you will read about in the sections below.
Majority of Priceboro Fire Contained
The largest fire of the season so far here in Linn County is being contained, thanks to the tireless efforts of more than 210 fire personnel from the Harrisburg Fire District, the ODF, and other partners. All evacuation orders related to this fire were lifted this week!
Some partners supported the fire crews and displaced residents during this event. They are, but not limited to, the Linn County Road Department, Linn County Public Health, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue, and the American Red Cross.
Wiley Fire Burns East of Sweet Home
A new fire emerged just a few miles southeast of Sweet Home this week, and Sweet Home Fire Department, the ODF, and Cascade Timber Consulting are attacking it both on the ground and in the air. With its close proximity to the Green Peter Reservoir, aircraft are able to pull water from there and drop large payloads of water on the fire.
As of now, there is a LEVEL 2: BE SET Evacuation Notice for immediate area, and a LEVEL 1: BE READY Evacuation Notice for an area around it, which includes Cascadia, as the map below displays.
Please, if you live in Linn County or Benton County, consider signing up for Linn-Benton ALERT so you are registered receive emergency notifications through EverBridge. Visit: https://www.linnsheriff.org/community-resources/emergency-preparedness/ to sign up.
Sodaville Fire Halted
A fire burned just a mile northeast of Sodaville earlier this month, burning 39 acres. There was a swift response by Lebanon Fire District and the ODF that resulted in no buildings being destroyed by the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be from farm equipment harvesting the field, which goes to show how dry conditions are and serves as a reminder to stay vigilant!
Lebanon City Wide Garage Sale
Lebanon's Citywide Garage Sale is just eight days away! This is a great opportunity to clean out your clutter and turn it into cash. You can place your own ad or browse existing ads ahead of the August 19th sale with this link.
Brownsville Hands on History August 26th
The Linn County Historical Museum is hosting its annual Hands on History event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, at Library Park adjacent to the museum on Park Avenue in Brownsville. You won't want to miss this event!
Returning festivities include beeswax candle dipping, cornhusk doll making, panning for gold, photos taken with an old-time camera, Belgian Draft Mules giving wagon rides, and so much more. We also hear that there will be new surprises this year, too!
Governor Brown's Commutations
One of the big stories in July was the report that many of those commuted by Governor Brown have gone on to re-offend. This is not particularly shocking given recidivism rates at-large, but what is shocking is that the person of interest in the murder of four Oregon women earlier this year was one of Brown's commutations.
In the letter below, the House Republican Caucus called on Governor Kotek to thoroughly review each and every one of the commutations signed by her predecessor.
Yet Another Statewide Data Breach
Last week, Oregon Health Plan members were notified by mail that there was a data breach of PH TECH, a private vendor that helps manage OHP member data. As with the last data breach under the DMV, the State is urging those affected to monitor their credit, which PH TECH has offered to provide according to the press release below.
The Battle Over Measure 113
Following the historic walkout by Senate Republicans and Independents during the recent legislative session, the Secretary of State's office is pushing to enforce Measure 113, a ballot initiative passed by voters that prevents lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences during session from appearing on the ballot in the following election.
Senate Republicans objected to the SOS's determination and will challenge it in court.
Hours Reduced at Stayton DMV
If you live in or near the Santiam Canyon, know that the Stayton DMV will be reducing its hours to only Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays effective next week. This is part of an unfortunate trend of staffing shortages at the Department, and you may remember that the Lebanon DMV was closed for an entire year due to staffing shortages, making folks in east Linn County travel to Albany to visit the DMV.
Former OLCC Director Makes Tort Claim
You may remember that former OLCC director Steve Marks was forced to resign in January following a scandal that uncovered that the OLCC diverted rare and valuable whiskey from public sale to their own personal use—and to unnamed lawmakers.
Now, Marks has filed a tort claim notice alleging Kotek fired him at La Mota co-owener Rosa Cazares’ behest. Cazares was a donor to both Kotek and disgraced Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who resigned after her own entanglement with La Mota was uncovered.
Kotek has repeatedly denied that her relationship with Cazares had anything to do with Marks’ ousting, and it will be up to Marks and his legal team to prove his allegations.
Interim Newsletter: July
2023 Long Session Wrap Up
The Final Days of This Year's Session
Senate’s Record Walkout Ends
One Month into the Senate Walkout
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