Friends,

Happy 4^th of July weekend! I hope you have some time with friends and family planned to celebrate. The Legislature may not be in session, but there’s still a lot to share. Read on for an opportunity to provide input on Oregon’s transportation system, what I’ve been up to in our community, some good news for the Oregon Coast, resources for constituents, and more!

The Legislature’s Transportation Committee is coming to Eugene on July 17th!

This summer, the Joint Committee on Transportation is embarking on a 12-stop Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour, and they’ll be visiting Eugene on Wednesday, July 17th!  While they’re in Eugene they’ll be hosting a public hearing at the Lane Events Center in Meeting Room 1, on 7/17 from 5 pm to 7 pm. This is an important opportunity for the committee to hear directly from you about what our community’s transportation needs are and what funding solutions you would support to meet those needs.

I strongly encourage anyone interested in transportation issues to attend the event and to 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. I hope to see you there!

In the Community

Eugene Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Community Solutions Summit

Last month, I spoke at the Eugene Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Community Solutions Summit about the work the legislature has done to address housing affordability in our last two sessions.

Simply put, we must build more homes to meet the needs of our community – that means breaking down barriers that make it harder to build more housing, while increasing access to the tools that will help ramp up the production of all types of housing. The shortage of homes in Oregon is making housing less affordable, it’s driving homelessness in our state, and it makes it more difficult for people to live near where they work and go to school.

There isn’t one solution to solving the housing crisis, but we must commit to changing the status quo and to collaborating at every level. This won’t be possible without the support of local businesses and community leaders, so I was grateful for the Eugene Chamber of Commerce’s invitation.

Williams Place Grand Opening

On June 14th, I attended the grand opening of St. Vincent de Paul’s newest transitional housing facility for veterans experiencing homelessness — Williams Place. This property, named in memory of Anne Williams, the former director of housing programs at St. Vincent de Paul, offers 10 individual units complete with onsite resident services, case management, and laundry facilities.

Williams Place was designed through a trauma-informed lens, aiming to provide a supportive and secure environment for unhoused veterans who often face heightened rates of service-related trauma. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Veterans Administration, Eugene’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grant Per Diem program, the dedicated team at St. Vincent de Paul, and everyone whose efforts made this project possible.

Good News for the Oregon Coast!

Oregon’s coastline and the wildlife that live there are a big part of what makes our state special. More than a decade ago, Oregon established the Marine Reserves Program at five designated sites focused on conservation and scientific research to protect and responsibly manage coastal habitat.

Governor Kotek recently signed HB 4132 into law, boosting funding for the marine reserves program to craft an adaptive management plan centered on ecological and socioeconomic research, while also enhancing collaboration with local tribes and coastal communities. This funding will allow the program to continue protecting our coastline and generating meaningful science that will help inform future policies that responsibly manage our coastal ecosystem for generations to come. If you’d like to learn more, this article in the Curry Coast Pilot provides a great overview.

Resources for constituents

Staying safe this 4th of July

As Oregonians get ready to celebrate the 4th of July, please remember that fireworks pose a serious risk of starting fires. Some communities, like Eugene, have restrictions in place for the use or sale of fireworks, and I encourage you to follow these restrictions to keep our communities safe, especially given the heat wave we’ve projected to experience this week.

If you’re in an area that allows fireworks, please remember to keep them away from people, pets, and buildings at all times. If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t try to relight it! Instead, soak it in water, throw it away, and always keep a bucket of water or a charged hose nearby in case of a fire. 

Remember, fireworks are not allowed on beaches, in state parks, at campgrounds and several other places. Learning about fireworks safety can help prevent accidents and fires. If you’d like to learn more this website hosted by the Oregon Fire Marshal is a great resource!

Cooling Resources and the Oregon Health Authority Air Conditioner and Air Filter Deployment Program

Temperatures in Eugene are expected to get dangerously high for at-risk populations this weekend. If you or a loved one needs a place to beat the heat, this page has helpful cooling resources available to the public in our area.

The Oregon Health Authority runs the Air Conditioner and Air Filter Deployment Program, which offers free air conditioners and air filters to vulnerable Oregonians, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. This program has played a vital role in increasing access to essential cooling units, promoting comfort and safety when temperatures rise. Check here to see if you qualify!

Energy Trust of Oregon 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. 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 also offers higher incentives to help make home projects more affordable for people with lower incomes. They also offer coaching to help businesses manage their energy use to start saving right away. It’s also possible that 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.  Please note that incentives are only available to customers in certain areas, so you’ll need to contact Energy Trust Oregon to determine if you qualify.

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