|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Hi all,
It feels like summer is almost here. I hope everyone had a safe Memorial Day weekend. My family and I are forever grateful to those who selflessly sacrifice so much to keep us safe and protect our democratic values.
With the sun shining, it is just wonderful seeing our community out and enjoying this beautiful central Oregon weather. We have our first Legislative Days of the 2024 interim coming up this week, meaning members of the Legislative Assembly will be gathering in our assigned committees to discuss legislative concepts.
We have some major community wins to share with you, like affordable housing developments and expanding early literacy programs, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Jewish American Heritage Month, and my first trip to Outdoor School!
After legislative days, you can expect a special edition newsletter to keep you informed on policy updates. With the 2024 primary election and legislative communication blackout period behind us, you can expect our monthly newsletter back up and running.
Please enjoy the sunshine, and reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns.
Best,
Emerson
Legislative Days
This week the legislature will be gathering in the State Capitol for the first Legislative Days of the 2024 interim. During the interim, the legislature gathers periodically, about every eight weeks, to have Committee meetings, hear from state agencies, and discuss progress and updates on potential legislation for 2025. I am a member of the Housing Committee on Housing and Homelessness, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Natural Resources, and I am the Vice-Chair of the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee.
“Safe and Away” Public Hearing
Rep. Levy will be presenting a concept called “Safe and Away” in front of the House Interim Committee on Education. The concept is about safe and healthy technology use for students in classrooms, especially regarding cell phones. We will be sending updates after legislative days, and feel free to tune in to watch the hearing on May 30th at 10:30am. We will be hosting a virtual town hall on healthy and safe technology use in school in late June. More information on that to come soon.
$10.3 Million to Build Affordable Housing in Central Oregon
Oregon tax dollars are coming right back to our community through nearly $23 million in grants toward building 157 new homes across the state, with about half of that funding on its way to Central Oregon to build 77 units of affordable housing. Read about it on KTVZ here.
Grant awards came from the OHCS Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership Program that the legislature established to be one of the standing mechanisms that Oregon has in place to create affordable housing for more Oregonians.
Of the 10 projects receiving funding, 5 were in Central Oregon:
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $3.8 million for Adams Commons, a complex to create 19 units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received $2,599,996 for Rooted at 19th, a complex that will create 22 additional units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received another $1.47 million for Rooted at Antler for an additional 18 units of affordable housing.
- Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity received $1.45 million for a project in Redmond called Timber Cottages to build 13 additional affordable housing units.
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $950,000 for Woodlands, a complex consisting of 5 affordable housing units.
Since the creation of the LIFT Homeownership Program, $71.3 million have been awarded, resulting in 47 projects and a total of 752 homes that are affordable to Oregonians.
For more detailed information about each recommended project, please refer to the Housing Stability Council packet from April 26, 2024.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Expands Across Oregon
All 220,000 Oregon children ages 0-5 will have access to free monthly books, thanks to the $1.7 million program expansion aimed at promoting early literacy development and interest in reading. As a major supporter of this program, Rep. Levy was at the signing with Governor Kotek, celebrating this major win for children and families across Oregon. Click here to check your current local availability.
Redmond Water Summit
Together with state elected officials, local elected officials as well Warm Springs and conservation groups who have an interest in the Deschutes River and natural resources, Rep. Levy joined the Central Oregon Cities’ Organization to discuss the Deschutes Water Basin and its emerging challenges.
Camp Tamarack
Rep. Levy toured the outdoor school program and saw firsthand how beneficial this hands-on program is for our Oregon fifth and sixth graders. The program is filled with science-based activities that encourage exploration and investigation. The program is funded by a portion of Oregon Lottery revenues. Choosing a camp name is part of the fun- Rep. Levy went with her favorite bug, Rolly-Polly.
|
City of Bend Bike Safety Night
Thank you to all who came and participated in the City of Bend’s first ever Bike Safety Night. Rep. Levy had a booth with information on legislative precipitation when it comes to road safety, and a button-making station that was very popular with the kids- we made over 500 bike safety buttons!
Representative Emerson Levy
House District 53
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
| 
