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Dear friends,
On Thursday, March 7, the Legislature concluded its 2024 "short" session. We worked long hours and passed significant legislation to help Oregon get back on track. Below in this bulletin is a rundown of key policy and funding bills from the 2024 session. In upcoming editions of my monthly e-bulletin, I'll dive deeper into particular policy areas.
Thank you to everyone who joined Representative John Lively and me for our town hall in Springfield on March 14. We enjoyed robust discussion around accomplishments of the 2024 legislative session and heard from engaged constituents about their priorities going forward. Thanks also to those who attended the bipartisan Lane County legislative delegation town hall on March 23. It's always great to connect with community members and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to discuss progress made in Salem for Lane County.
Lane County legislators [Sen. James Manning (second from left), myself, Speaker Julie Fahey, Speaker Pro Tempore Paul Holvey, Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Rep. Charlie Conrad] talk with town hall participants. Photo credit: Will Gray
Here's an article with video clip from KEZI that summarize the Lane County legislative delegation town hall.
Below you will find information on:
- 2024 "Short" Session Accomplishments
- Tax Season Reminders from the Dept of Revenue
- ODOT Working Again on I-105 and Encourages Drivers to Plan Ahead
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
2024 "Short" Session Accomplishments
Here's a rundown of key policy and/or funding packages and important bills from the 2024 session:
Housing and Homelessness
✔ Helping unhoused Oregonians find stability and a path to a better life (SB 1529, SB 1530, SB 1537, SB 1585, HB 4134)
✔ Putting affordable housing within reach for every Oregon family (SB 1527, SB 1530, SB 1537, SB 1564, HB 4063, HB 4134)
Safe, Healthy Communities
✔ Taking on the drug crisis (SB 1553, HB 4001, HB 4002, HB 4150, HB 5204)
✔ Cleaning up our streets (SB 1553, SB 5701, HB 4002, HB 5204)
✔ Reducing crime and supporting victims (SB 1503, HB 4140, HB 4146, HB 4156)
✔ Increasing access to mental health care and drug treatment (SB 1508, SB 1557, SB 1578, HB 4002, HB 4081, HB 4092, HB 4149, HB 5204)
✔ Preventing and responding to climate disasters (SB 1545, SB 1561, HB 4015, HB 4083, HB 4132)
✔ Keeping our government accountable, stable, and transparent (SB 1515, SB 1538, SB 1571, HB 4026)
✔ Balancing the budget and maintaining funding for critical state services (various).
Strong Schools, Strong Economy
✔ Ensuring schools are protecting the rights and safety of students (SB 1502, SB 1532, SB 1552, HB 4084, HB 4147)
✔ Setting Oregon students up to succeed in the 21st century (SB 1532, SB 1551, SB 1552, HB 4082, HB 4084, HB 4154)
✔ Lowering rising costs for hard-working Oregonians (SB 1530, SB 1585, SB 1595, SB 1596, HB 4113)
✔ Supporting Oregon’s workforce (SB 1580, HB 4004, HB 4045, HB 4080, HB 4092, HB 4098, HB 4127)
After each session, the Legislative Policy & Research Office tallies the number of measures introduced, committee meetings held, and statistics from that session. Please refer to this informational graphic for those details:
Here's a link to the same infographic, where it can be viewed in larger format.
Tax Season Reminders from the Dept of Revenue
The Oregon Department of Revenue has several helpful reminders for Oregonians as the tax filing deadline (April 15) approaches:
Free Electronic Filings Options Available
All Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of the free file options that can be found on the Department of Revenue (DOR) website. A variety of choices are available, and taxpayers can use the information below to help them pick the one that best fits their needs.
Direct File Oregon is a new option in 2024. It allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not linked with the IRS. Taxpayers need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.
Direct File Oregon is suited for taxpayers who want a guided experience filing their Oregon tax return electronically. Creating a Revenue Online account and logging in to file provides the best experience. A how-to use Direct File Oregon video is available.
Free guided tax preparation is available from four companies that participate in the Free File Alliance for taxpayers that meet income requirements. This option is best for taxpayers that have income less than $79,000 and need to file both their federal and Oregon returns. Each company has different requirements for who qualifies for free filing and offers must be accessed from DOR's website.
Free tax filing assistance is available through AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, MFS-CASH Oregon, and the United Way's MyFreeTaxes. Each offers in person and drop off services for tax preparation by trained volunteers. Many of these programs require an appointment. Information about these services and an interactive map to find a location near you are available on DOR's webpage.
Where's My Refund?
Taxpayers can see the status of their refund by using the Where's My Refund tool on Revenue Online. To check the status of their refund, taxpayers will need their:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN);
- Filing status; and
- The exact refund amount shown on:
- Line 46 of their Form OR-40, or
- Line 71 of their Form OR-40-N, or
- Line 70 of their Form OR-40-P
DOR recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where's My Refund tool. Most refunds are issued within two weeks, but returns that need more review may take up to 16 weeks before a refund is issued.
ODOT Working Again on I-105 and Encourages Drivers to Plan Ahead
Work on the I-105 bridge over Coburg and Country Club Roads is ongoing to:
- Remove the current driving surface;
- Make repairs; and
- Install a new protective surface for years to come.
Over coming weeks, drivers can expect:
- Work Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- Single lane closures as needed
- Crews in both eastbound and westbound lanes
Construction schedules can be delayed by unexpected weather events, staff and material availability, and more. Visit the project webpage for updated information or go to TripCheck.com for traffic impacts.
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