Signing Off for the Spring!
We are just two weeks into the interim between legislative sessions, and wanted to give one final update before our office is prohibited from sending official newsletters in the lead up to the primary election--or what is known as our "blackout period". This period will begin tomorrow and end on May 21st, two months from now! Which is a crazy reminder how quickly Oregon switches gears from our Short Session to Election Season, but the calendar doesn't lie!
The Blackout Period is obviously not ideal to keep you as informed on happenings throughout House District 11 as we'd like, but we also appreciate the importance of not influencing the outcomes of our elections. We have done our best to cover major events this Spring in the section below, and we look forward to resuming our monthly interim newsletters after May 21st.
As always, please reach out to our office if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! My office is still a resource for you by email and phone during the blackout period.
Lebanon Fire Station 31 Progress
Lebanon Fire District was proud to conduct their first ceremonial flag raising on March 12th to mark their relocation into the new Station 31/Headquarters building. Battalion Chief Brett Kibble (Left), Battalion Chief Ken Savage (Middle), and Division Chief of Operations John Tracy (Right) graciously undertook the task of hoisting the flag.
Lebanon Fire District is excited to announce that a public open house is scheduled for June, following the completion of the entire construction project. Please stay tuned for further updates and details on their social media channels!
Easter Egg Hunt in Sweet Home
Every community has their annual Easter egg hunt festivities, but the Sweet Home Rotary Club goes above and beyond to provide an amazing experience for the kiddos in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club! Don't miss the egg hunt at Sankey Park the day before Easter, followed by snacks and activities offered just down the road!
Civil War History Event in Lebanon
Don't miss an important opportunity to learn about Civil War history at the Lebanon Public Library! Keith Menk and Ashley Wendell will be giving a free talk on April 17th about medicine during the Civil War. Please consider coming along and supporting the amazing work the Lebanon Museum Foundation does for passing along history!
FFA Plant Sale April 19th
The annual Lebanon FFA plant sale is right around the corner and the greenhouses are full! The sale kicks off on April 19th at 9:00am, and is a great way to support our amazing FFA chapter.
2024 Young Women's Fire Academy Signups
The Young Women's Fire Academy is offering a transformative experience for aspiring firefighters and young women eager to explore the dynamic world of emergency services. The classes will take place on July 13th and 14th, but the application deadline is May 3rd. Tailored specifically for individuals between the ages of 14 and 19 residing in Oregon, their academy provides a comprehensive curriculum taught by local female firefighters. From mastering fire suppression techniques to honing leadership skills, their program is designed to foster an interactive, supportive, and inspiring atmosphere where participants can gain invaluable insights into the fire service industry. With a focus on empowerment and skill development, the Young Women's Fire Academy is more than a training ground—it's a pathway to personal and professional growth, equipping participants with the tools they need to succeed in any career path they choose!
For more information and to download an application packet, visit this website.
Republicans Request Governor's Veto
Last week I joined a long list of Republican Legislators in the House and Senate asking Governor Kotek to veto SB 1578, which creates a costly state-run interpreter scheduling system. This bill is also concerning as its key beneficiaries are AFSCME and Unite Oregon, which have deep ties to the majority party.
 
I-5 and I-205 Tolling Plans Halted
A major victory came last week when Governor Kotek sent a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission announcing a halt to tolling plans on I-5 and I-205 in the Portland Metro Area. Public opposition to this plan has been overwhelming, and the Governor's order shows that grassroots advocacy still matters here at the state level. Make no mistake, the state will still be looking for other avenues to generate revenue in 2025, and it will be something we'll all have to keep a close eye on next session.
 
2024 Legislative Summary Graphics
In our previous newsletter I shared a graphic which gave a brief overview of how many bills were introduced, died, and passed this session. Since then, the Legislative Policy & Research Office here at the Capitol compiled additional data about this year's session and shared it in the graphics below.
2024 Short Session Wrap Up
One Week Left in 2024 Legislative Session
2024 Session Reaches Halfway Point
Week Two of Session -- Bills Are Dying!
The 2024 Legislative Session Begins
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