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I hope you and your loved ones had a good Christmas and New Year. With the new year upon us, the short session will be here soon and Salem will be bustling with committee meetings and floor sessions. Next week is Legislative Days, where we will be in Salem for three days to attend informational committee meetings and learn from our colleagues what legislative concepts they plan to introduce as bills for the short session.
If you are interested in upcoming legislative concepts I would encourage you to view the committee meetings online or in person. They are all recorded and can be watched later at your leisure. The committee agendas with live stream links can be found online here.
The committees I am currently assigned to are:
House Interim Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water - Vice-Chair
Joint Committee On Legislative Policy and Research
Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means
Joint Emergency Board
House Interim Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment
Joint Committee On Conduct - Alternate
House Interim Committee On Conduct - Alternate
If you are in Salem for Legislative Days or during the short session, please reach out to my office to schedule some time to meet. I always enjoy having constituents stop in and would love to meet with you.
Be Safe,
I hope you will join Senator Lynn Findley, Representative Christine Goodwin, and me next Thursday, January 11 at 5:30 PM (PT) for a live virtual town hall as we discuss rural healthcare access, concerns, and the impact of closures on the communities. Registration is required through Zoom.
The Bureau of Land Management has extended the application deadline for its 2024 Student Trainee Internship program. Applications will now be accepted through 9 p.m. MT Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Students must be 16 years of age or older and enrolled full or part time in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school. Interns that successfully complete the program are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to permanent or term positions within the Federal Government.
Direct links to listings for internship positions in Vale or Baker:
- Realty GS-2 Vale, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/765304500
- Contracting GS-3 Vale, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/764909600
- Public Affairs GS-4 Baker City, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/765299000
- Outdoor Recreation GS-2 Baker City, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/764650000
- Natural Resources Monitoring GS-3 Baker City, Vale, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/765021200
- Wildland Firefighter GS-2/3 (must be 18 years old) Baker City, Jordan Valley, Juntura, Vale, Ore. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/765011400
Applications must be submitted through https://www.usajobs.gov/ View tutorials on how to apply at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIQCTid16m4 or www.nifc.gov/careers.
Have questions or need help with an application? Contact Marisa Carney at 541-474-6374 or mncarney@blm.gov, or Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@blm.gov.
For more information about the BLM Internship Program, please visit: Internship | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov)
In 2023, the legislature created the Oregon Kids Credit, which is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. Families with $30,000 or less in annual income can claim up to $1,000 per child, for up to five children aged five and below. Since the credit is refundable, the portion of credit that is more than what a person owes will be refunded to them.
Who Qualifies
The amount of credit is based on age and number of dependent children, and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), BUT even people who don’t owe any tax can claim the refundable credits. For those with a MAGI of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children ages 0 to 5 at the end of the tax year. The credit is reduced when MAGI is more than $25,000 and is eliminated at $30,000. All filing statuses are eligible for the credit except for Married Filing Separate.
How to Get Credit
Eligible families need to file an Oregon state income tax return—something many of them may have never done because their low incomes mean they haven’t had a filing requirement. Families may need help with filing a return – learn more here about Oregon Kids Credit and other programs. Learn more here about free tax preparation assistance and resources
USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for Rural Business Development Grants! Deadline is February 28, 2024 at 4:30pm.
What does this program do?
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas.
Who may apply for this program? Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.
What is an eligible area? Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas.
Where can I find out more? Contact our State Office Business Programs staff at (541) 278-8049 ext. 129 or visit this page for more information.
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 OBI is proud to support the Bee, which is open to all Oregon students in grades six, seven and eight. Participating students must write a 500-word essay that identifies a community problem and explains how to address it using founding principles and civic virtues. Essays must be submitted no later than Jan. 8 using an online portal on the Oregon Civics Bee website, where students and their families can find additional guidance on founding principles, civic virtues and more.
A panel of judges will pick the 20 best essays and invite their authors to the May 30 Oregon Civics Bee event at Willamette University in Salem, where a quiz-style competition will identify the champion and runners-up. Second- and third-place finishers will receive awards of $750 and $500, respectively. The champion will win $1,000 and receive an invitation to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee in fall 2024. Intrigued middle-schoolers and their families can learn more by visiting the Oregon Civics Bee website, which features guides for teachers, students and parents, answers to frequently asked questions and, of course, the entry portal.
For additional questions, please email Katie Koenig at katiekoenig@oregonbusinessindustry.com.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens
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