Interim Newsletter: November
What a month it’s been! November Legislative Days (6th-8th) at the Capitol came up fast, which meant a whirlwind of committee meetings, collaborations with other offices, and a chance to get face to face with lobby as well as some friendly faces from House District 11.
A key difference between this month’s Legislative Days from September’s was the looming deadline (9th at 5:00) for requesting bill drafts ahead of the 2024 Short Session. For background, each lawmaker has a limit of just two bills to bring forward for Sessions in even-numbered years. Much time this week was spent connecting with lobbyists and other legislators before each office submitted their draft requests to Legislative Counsel.
A major highlight during November’s Legislative Days was Monday’s informational hearing in the House Committee on Education, where Rep. Cate and Kevin Strong of the Sweet Home School District were once again proud to testify in favor of lifting the cap on funds for special education students under the Oregon Department of Education’s current funding formula. If this topic sounds familiar, Rep. Cate ran HB 2895 last session to lift the SPED cap, but it unfortunately died prior to Sine Die on June 25th.
While funding continues to be a concern for this proposal, Chair Neron (D-Wilsonville) has been a tireless supporter of lifting the SPED cap to help school districts with high rates of special education such as Sweet Home and Lebanon, and with her help we have high hopes of getting this accomplished in the upcoming 2024 Session and give our schools their fair share of the state's education resources.
A link to Rep. Cate's testimony, Mike Wilfong of ODE's presentation, and Kevin Strong's testimony can be found here.
Input Opportunity on Dam Draw Downs
We continue hearing concerns about the negative impacts of the drawdowns of Green Peter Reservoir--from dead fish to our water quality, and want to share an opportunity to make your concerns heard by the Army Corps of Engineers who have been responsible for implementing this management strategy after being mandated as a result of a federal lawsuit.
This listening session is not specific to our dams, but part of a larger report to Congress regarding the public's opinions of the future of hydropower in the Valley, as many dams throughout the Valley have been drawn down for that purpose.
To be clear, ours was drawn down for a different purpose--part of a federal injunction to try and save endangered fish, but it is still closely related in actual impacts and Rep. Cate encourages you to participate as it is a great chance to be heard by the Corps.
Virtual Listening Session #1
Monday, Nov. 13, 2023
2-4 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/WVHydropower
Virtual Listening Session #2
Monday, Nov. 13, 2023
5:30-7:30 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/WVHydropower
In-Person Listening Session
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Salem Public Library
Level 1, Loucks Auditorium
585 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Written Statements
If you are unable to attend a listening session, an online submission form will accept written statements from Monday, Nov. 13 to midnight, Friday, Nov. 17. Send an email on or after Monday, Nov. 13 to WVHPWRDA22@usace.army.mil for the link to the online submission form.
A Tour with the Governor
On a dry, albeit chilly day in October, Rep. Cate was able to travel to Shedd for a visit of the Pugh Seed Farm along with Governor Kotek, who served as the House Speaker not so long ago. Governor Kotek’s office reached out to our office as a part of her One Oregon listening tour, and I knew this was an event Rep. Cate would not want to miss! I’m sure it was great to see the Governor learn why Linn County is proudly known as the Grass Seed Capitol of the World.
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Pugh Seed Farm’s owner, Denver, did a great job showing the Governor around the farm, and explaining the nuances of grass seed production versus bigger industries such as corn or soybeans. He along with Rep. Cate really appreciated the Governor taking the time to learn a little bit more about what so many folks do in Linn County, and why it matters. |
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Scio Visits the Capitol
One of Rep. Cate's favorite things to see while working in Salem is district folks paying a visit to the office! On Monday, Scio Mayor Debbie Nuber and City Manager Ginger Allen made the trek over to the Capitol and braved the ongoing construction around the building for a discussion about how Scio is doing, and what their funding needs are for the future. We thank them for their advocacy!
Lebanon Rotary Club Event
Just before Leg Days, Rep. Cate had the opportunity to be the speaker at the weekly Lebanon Rotary Club meeting at Ma's Restaurant. I was unable to attend this event (and thus unable to snap a few photos), but it was a great opportunity for Rep. Cate to talk about her work in Salem and her work as a grass seed farmer, while also fielding questions and comments from attendees. I want to extend a special thank you to Joanne Nelson for the invitation!
Our office would like to honor one of Sweet Home Police Department’s newest members, Officer Jayson Sanchez this month, for taking the time out to visit some of the youngest residents of Sweet Home on Halloween! Law enforcement is so essential to keeping our communities safe, and we love to see this kind of amazing community engagement from SHPD and Officer Sanchez.
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Water Quality Update from Sweet Home
In recent days we have heard concerns about the drinking water from our communities around the Santiam River as a result of the recent drawdown at the Green Peter Reservoir. As more and more people in the area are noticing a tint in their drinking water, the City of Sweet Home put out the following press release confirming the waters' safety following rigorous testing. Regardless, folks are understandably concerned about the situation, and our office will continue to monitor the situation and keep in touch with the City of Sweet Home and the surrounding areas.
Water issues are starting to arise in Lebanon as well, and like Sweet Home, the City is being vigilant in testing to ensure water is safe to drink even if its appearance can be off-putting to some.
New Clinic Officially Opens in Sweet Home
The day following Rep. Cate's Pugh Seed Farm tour, I got to go on a field trip of my own and attend the ribbon cutting of the incredible new Sweet Home Medical Center on 49th Avenue! It was so great to see so many members of the community turn out for the grand opening of such an important project, and to see the excitement of Samaritan staff and officials talk about how this project went from dream to reality.
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The 17,500 square foot building is truly state of the art, and so many community members did not hide their excitement as they were able to walk through the halls for the first time. The clinic not only offers walk-in care, but also has a pharmacy with a drive through window and a helipad outside. This was all made possible through contributions to the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation.
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Veteran's Day Concert in Lebanon
The Willamette Valley Concert Band is joining forces with Lebanon High School’s Choir to bring the community an evening of music to honor our veterans. Come out to LHS’ auditorium tomorrow night for a free celebration in honor of Veteran’s Day!
Scio's Citywide Holiday Weekend
Scio is excited to be hosting a flurry of community events during the weekend of November 17th, and everyone is invited! Come check out the craft bazaar and holiday market, and enjoy childcare at the Baptist Church in exchange for a donation.
Halsey's Annual Holiday Market
Join the community for a weekend of treasure hunting before the holidays hit! On November 17th and 18th, come out and support small businesses by shopping from local vendors at Central Valley Church in Halsey!
Tree Lighting in Sweet Home
Don’t miss Sweet Home’s annual tree lighting celebration at City Hall on December 1st! Sweet Home has made incredible strides this year in its beautification efforts, and we’re sure the tree lighting will add even more spirit to Main St.
Light Parade in Harrisburg
Harrisburg’s annual light parade will take place on December 2nd, and this year’s theme will be a Candyland Christmas! You can also register to be in the parade with the link in the flyer below.
Tree Lighting in Lebanon
A day of wonderful Christmas festivities will take place on December 2nd at Ralston Park in Lebanon! Make the trip for a tree lighting and so much more from 2:00pm to 7:00pm!
Cowboy Christmas in Lebanon
Interested in a slightly different take on Christmas? Come out to the 17th Annual Cowboy Christmas Tack and Horsey Craft Sale in Lebanon on December 2nd! More details are in the flyer below.
Holiday Bazaar in Brownsville
Consider coming out to the 4th annual Home for the Holidays bazaar next Friday, November 17th at 2:00pm in the banquet room of the Brownsville Christian Church! There will be two trees to bid on as well as many local artisans with homemade goods for sale. Scentsy, custom wood slab tables, home decor, Christmas ornaments, hand painted home decor, Christmas decorations, Christmas presents, hand-sewn treasures, freeze dried candy, and so much more! The Central Linn baseball team will be running the concessions again as a fundraiser for their upcoming season. Best of all--all money raised from the event will be donated back to the local school!
Linn County Wildfire Ready Night
Join Sweet Home Fire District for an evening of wildfire education on December 6th at Sweet Home Fire Station 21! House District 11 is unfortunately no stranger to wildfires, but there are things we can all do to be better prepared for these disasters when they strike! All Linn County residents are encouraged to attend.
Measure 110 Update
A major topic of discussion leading into the 2024 Short Session is drug policy reform. There has been a growing bipartisan effort to change Oregon's existing drug laws that were enacted by Measure 110.
In response to growing public pressure, Speaker Rayfield (D-Corvallis) and Senate President Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) have put together a committee to figure out a pathway of reform. This committee will continue to meet in the run-up to Session that begins next February.
While a total repeal of Measure 110 does not seem likely through the Legislature as Democrat leadership aims for fixes, over 60% of Oregonians are acknowledging Measure 110 has not been good for Oregon in its current state, so it is at least encouraging to see the most powerful people in our State Legislature finally beginning to take action against this growing crisis.
ODOT Warns About Winter Roads
Recently, ODOT made an announcement that they may need to cut back on snow plowing this winter as a result of budget constraints. The highest priorities roads will likely still be treated at the level they have in previous years, but we are concerned that lower priority roads in our rural communities will feel the brunt of this reduction of service.
Oregon's infrastructure and ODOT’s operation and maintenance budget are funded by gas taxes and weight mile taxes. As hybrid, electric, and more fuel-efficient vehicles are on the rise, gas tax revenues decline.
If you're planning to travel in treacherous weather, check out the current road conditions with this link.
Interim Newsletter: October
Interim Newsletter: September
Interim Newsletter: August
Interim Newsletter: July
2023 Long Session Wrap Up
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