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Friends,
It’s been a busy few weeks, and there’s a lot to share, so read on for highlights from May Legislative Days in Salem, a brief look at the state's economic outlook, a snapshot of news shaping Oregon's future, resources for constituents, and more!
Looking back on May Legislative Days
During the final week of May, legislators returned to Salem for three days of interim committee hearings. During this time, legislators formally meet to receive updates on topics of importance to the state. Committee hearings focused on evaluating outcomes of previous legislation, getting updates from state agencies about their work, and previewing topics that may come before the legislature during the 2025 session. You can review full agendas and links to recordings of the May committee hearings here.
During legislative days, the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response heard an update on the implementation of HB 4002. Most major counties in Oregon are on track to launch new drug addiction programs called “deflection” programs. These new programs are intended to help drug users avoid jail and criminal charges and start down the path to treatment and recovery. These county programs are part of Oregon's efforts to combat addiction and provide support to individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.
The House Committee on Education held a hearing about the Early Literacy Success Initiative – targeted investments the legislature has made to help address the reading proficiency of Oregon’s students. This article highlights how districts are spending those resources – on literacy coaches, tutors, and new curriculum – and some of the work ahead.
Recapping the May Revenue Forecast
During legislative days, our state economists presented an update on the state’s economy and our revenue forecast. Statewide, Oregon’s economy is stable and growing. This means our state will have the funding we need to continue paying for the critical ongoing programs that Oregonians rely on, thanks to prudent budgeting and strong leadership. I was also encouraged to see steady productivity and solid labor market gains, as well as job growth in the semiconductor industry, both in the near- and long-term, due to jobs-boosting bills like the CHIPS Act.
In recent sessions, we’ve made key investments in housing and wrap-around services, childcare and early learning, mental health care and addiction treatment, and job creation opportunities. Our work this interim leading up to the 2025 session must be focused on protecting programs that working families depend on – making sure they’re implemented well, demonstrate success, and are sustainable into the future.
Oregon must have a safe, efficient, equitable transportation system that gets our people and goods where they need to go. Whether your drive, bike, walk, or take public transit, it’s essential that we can trust our transportation network will reliably get us to work, school, or play safely.
Oregon was the first state in the country to pass a gas tax, way back in 1919 – for many decades, it worked well as a tool to fund the maintenance and operation of our transportation system. But in recent years, higher fuel efficiency and an increase in the number electric vehicles on the road (both of which are good things!) have meant that funding from the gas tax hasn’t kept up with the cost of maintaining our roads. The gas tax was the cornerstone of transportation funding in the 20th century – but given a future where an increasing number of cars will be electric, it’s time to reimagine how we fund Oregon’s transportation needs.
This summer, the Joint Committee on Transportation will embark on a 12-stop Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour (which includes a stop in Eugene on July 16th). It’s essential that legislators hear directly from community leaders and the public about what their communities’ transportation needs are, and what funding solutions they would support to meet those needs.
I would strongly encourage interested Oregonians to attend one of these events and share their thoughts with the committee – the input they receive will directly shape the legislature’s transportation planning work in the lead-up to the 2025 legislative session.
For a full list of tour stops, read the legislature’s press release here. For a report about the first stop that happened on June 4, read this write-up by reporter Dick Hughes.
Joint Transportation Committee members listening to community input during their recent stop in Portland.
When founders of a private business are ready to retire, they typically want or need to take equity out of the business. However, many also want to ensure the continuity of the business’s operations and to know that the business will carry on their legacy. This goal is particularly the case in mission-driven businesses that are committed to producing products or delivering services that fill a community need or address social or environmental problems (e.g. sustainability sector, social services).
During the 2019 session, I was proud to introduce and pass HB 2598, which established an innovative solution to allow Oregon business owners to set up a “perpetual purpose trust” that shares can be retired into, creating liquidity for owners looking to take a step back and ensuring the business will continue operating and fulfilling its defined purpose into the future. It’s now been over 4 years since the law took effect, and I was glad to see that OPB published an article last month about purpose trusts in action, including highlighting how several businesses in Eugene have utilized this process to remain pillars in our community.
Sundance Natural Foods recently transitioned to a "perpetual purpose trust" ownership structure! - Photo from OPB
I want to update you on some important changes the Oregon Employment Department (OED) is making to improve customer service and catch up on their outstanding work. OED is taking proactive steps to overhaul its customer service procedures in response to significant delays in processing claims. Recognizing the frustrations experienced by Oregonians, particularly in accessing timely assistance via phone inquiries, OED is making changes to its phone service hours:
- Temporary Closure on Mondays – Starting June 3, phone lines for Unemployment Insurance (UI), Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), and Contributions & Recovery divisions are closed on Mondays.
- Permanent Hours Change – Effective June 4, staff are now answering calls from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with callers on hold assisted until around 6 p.m. This change also affects UI live chat services.
OED suggests using messaging through a Frances Online account or the Contact Us form for efficient communication. They recommend one request per account issue. To check claim status, individuals should log into their Frances Online account daily, review their action center, and respond to any questionnaires.
These adjustments are supposed to streamline processes and improve assistance from the Oregon Employment Department, ensuring a smoother experience for claimants.
As always, my office is here to help you navigate all OED claims, and we will continue to keep you updated on their progress and any further developments.
Approximately 12,000 Oregon taxpayers who used TurboTax to prepare their 2023 federal and state tax returns may be able to reduce their tax owed or increase their refund by amending their state return.
Intuit, the makers of TurboTax, said the software program might not have selected the best deduction option (standard vs. itemized) for some taxpayers, resulting in a possible overpayment to the state. Intuit has contacted the affected taxpayers and provided instructions for filing an amended return at no charge.
Taxpayers will need to complete the amended return in TurboTax, print it out, and then choose one of the three options below to file their return.
- Mail their return to the Oregon Department of Revenue at P.O. Box 14700, Salem, OR, 97309-0930.
- Bring their printed amended return to one of the Department of Revenue offices. (Drop boxes are available to accept documents after regular business hours in Salem, Bend, Eugene, Medford, and Portland.)
- Enter the information from the printed return into Direct File Oregon to electronically file their amended return free of charge. Directions for using Direct File Oregon to file an amended state return are available on the Department of Revenue website.
Affected taxpayers have three years from the date their return was originally filed or from the due date of the return, whichever was later, to file an amended return.
EWEB is offering a limited-time supplemental incentive for energy-efficient home improvements, to help its customers save energy and reduce utility bills during the hottest and coldest months of the year. This incentive doubles the standard EWEB rebate amount for ductless heat pumps, ducted heat pumps, and insulation installations.
The incentive program will be open until August 31st, 2024, or until program funds are depleted. You can visit eweb.org/supplement for more information or call 541-685-7088 to connect with an EWEB energy expert. EWEB also offers standard and income-based rebates for customers who may not qualify for this specific program.
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The Eugene Public Library's Summer Reading program is designed to help children and teenagers maintain their reading skills over the summer break and offer fun activities for people of all ages. From June 1 to August 31, you can visit the Downtown Library, Bethel Branch, or Sheldon Branch to collect a Book Bingo card. With this card, you can embark on a journey through diverse writers, styles, and stories, one square at a time. Plus, children and teens can each select a free brand-new book to take home.
Participation is open to everyone, even without a library card. However, signing up for one allows you to maximize your library experience. Library cards are free for City of Eugene residents, students in the 4J and Bethel School Districts, and children aged 0-5 residing in these districts.
Whether in session or out, my office and I are always here to help! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance navigating local or state government services or to share your thoughts and ideas on the issues facing our community and state.
Yours truly,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1414
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-295, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/fahey
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