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Dear Friends,
Happy Friday! As I mentioned in my latest newsletter, last week was Legislative Days at the Capitol. As you may know, I serve on four very intense policy driven committees. Between the committee schedules, caucus meetings, and constituent and lobby meetings - it was a busy few days. Like most, I always prefer to be busy than bored.
On that note, I am narrowing down the list of legislative concepts I plan on submitting for the 2025 Legislative Session. Please reach out to my office if you have a specific idea in mind that needs to be changed at the legislative level.
As always, please reach out to my office with any questions, concerns, or request for help. We are always happy to try and help.
Sincerely,
 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
During last week's Legislative Days, the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards heard from the Oregon Employment Department (OED) as to why there have been so many delayed claims for Unemployment and for Paid Leave Oregon. They stated that the main reasoning was an increased amount of claims, not enough employees, and the new online system (Francis). However, the numbers tell a different story, and I was more than happy to point that out and question the impacts to Oregonians.
Oregon has a long history of poorly ran government software programs...remember Cover Oregon? I had the opportunity to ask a lot of hard questions. To me it is simple, but I’m not sure the agency appreciated my Domino’s Pizza comparison. You can read more HERE.
Currently, my office is assisting with several constituent claim issues. If you need help, please send my office an email.
The Joint Committee on Transportation is doing a 12-stop tour throughout Oregon in the next several months to discuss how Oregon can address safe, functional, and efficient multimodal transportation system. These meetings will also help shape policy an budget for the 2025-27 Transportation Package.
The next stop on the tour is in Tillamook, which is where I hope the Newberg Dundee Bypass will be presented to the committee. It is an important project for HD 23 and the greater region.
As energy prices continue to climb, there may be resources available to help you with energy efficiency projects. The Energy Trust of Oregon is a nonprofit that provides information and cash incentives to help people and businesses lower their energy use and utility bills.
Energy Trust incentives can help reduce the cost of your energy projects, including heating systems, air conditioners, water heating, weatherization, lighting, solar panels and more. Incentives are available to customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Learn about these incentives at energytrust.org, check out these tips on no-cost ways to save energy at home, or take a free online home energy assessment.
Energy Trust offers higher incentives to help make home projects more affordable for people with lower incomes. And offers coaching to help businesses manage their energy use to start saving right away. Your electric or natural gas utility company may also be able to help you save with bill payment assistance and utility bill discounts for income-qualified customers.
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1423
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-387, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/scharf
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