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Hello friends,
It’s hard to believe the end of July is near! Summer is flying by, and it’s been a busy time for many of us in the legislature. Read on for updates on our wildfire season, what I’ve been up to around the state, exciting federal investments headed to Oregon, and more!
Oregon’s wildfire season this year is among the worst in the country. We’ve already seen 640 significant fires this year alone, burning more than 1.2 million acres across Oregon, with dozens of fires still actively burning. The recent surge in fire activity is largely due to dry, hot conditions and lightning strikes. Fire meteorologists warn that our fire danger is in the 97th percentile, making any ignition, whether from lightning or human activities, highly dangerous.
We must do everything we can to prevent human-caused wildfires from making the situation worse. Activities like campfires, smoking in vegetated areas, driving or parking vehicles on dry grass, and using gas-powered equipment without spark arrestors – all pose serious risks.
Given the wildfire threat statewide, folks must be prepared for anything when planning outdoor activities:
I deeply appreciate the dedication of the hundreds of firefighters who have come from over 18 states to safeguard homes and lives. Let’s all be sure to do our part to keep ourselves, our neighbors, and our beautiful state as safe as possible this summer.
On July 25th, James Bailey Maxwell, of Idaho, was piloting a firefighting aircraft near the Falls Fire in the vicinity of the Malheur National Forest. Tragically, his plane disappeared that night and was found by search and rescue teams from Grant and Harney Counties and personnel assigned to the fire on the morning of July 26.
I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Maxwell’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters, and my thanks to the search and rescue teams for their work in bringing Mr. Maxwell home.
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Wildfire Program Advisory Council
The legislature is working to fill twelve openings on Oregon’s Wildfire Program Advisory Council (WPAC) to recommend and implement policies that prevent wildfire, better respond to wildfires, and create more fire resilience across our state. WPAC is a 19-member council established by the legislature in 2021. Appointees are selected by the Governor and the Legislature to participate in quarterly meetings and assist in developing a report to the Legislature in October in the year following their appointment. Here is the list of the twelve openings and a copy of the application.
Those interested in applying should email jack.lehman@oregonlegislature.gov with the subject line “Wildfire Program Advisory Council APPLICANT” – someone from the legislature will respond with next steps. Applications are due by August 18th so act now if you are interested.
The Joint Committee on Transportation’s spent the day in Eugene on July 17th. The day started with members of the Committee arriving in Eugene and joining local leaders and staff from the Oregon Department of Transportation on one of LTD’s electric buses for a tour of some of Lane County’s most pressing transportation needs.
After the bus tour, the committee hosted a roundtable at the Lane County Events Center to learn more about the challenges our cities and Lane County face in funding maintenance and safety improvements as our population continues to grow. It was great to see so many perspectives represented around the table, sharing their feedback about how the committee can create a transportation package with our community's needs in mind.
Some consistent themes I heard from roundtable participants were the need for stable, sufficient funding for cities and counties to maintain existing infrastructure and funding that makes our roads, bridges, and multi-modal corridors safer for drivers, riders, and walkers. There was also a strong emphasis on how we can best prepare our community for potential natural disasters.
The day wrapped up with a public hearing where more than 40 members of our community provided testimony on what they would like to see prioritized when the Joint Committee takes on this issue in 2025. You can view the full public hearing here.
I want to thank everyone who made this tour such a success – the members of the Transportation Committee, our local leaders who shared their time and thoughtful insights, the members of the public for making their voices heard, and the staff in the Legislative Policy and Research Office who coordinated logistics for the event.
Oregon to receive $197 million to combat climate change
Last week, Governor Kotek announced that Oregon has been awarded a federal grant totaling $197 million, specifically earmarked for initiatives aimed at reducing climate pollution and meeting goals included in the Priority Climate Action Plan.
This funding represents a big opportunity for our state to accelerate our efforts in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, support more resilient communities, and grow our economy. The grant will support a diverse array of projects and programs across Oregon – including clean energy, transportation infrastructure, sustainable development, and more.
This grant is a testament to Oregon's proactive stance in addressing climate change and our commitment to leading the way in environmental stewardship on a national scale.
Update on federal funding for the I-5 Bridge
The I-5 Bridge Replacement Project has received an additional $1.5 billion in federal funding, bringing the total federal investment to $2.1 billion and marking a major step forward in completing the project. This grant was made available by the federal Bridge Investment Program established by President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.
Oregonians deserve a seismically sound, equitable, and modern transportation system, and the I-5 Bridge is integral to realizing this vision. This grant significantly advances our efforts toward building a bridge that will grow our region's economy and bolster our workforce for decades ahead. This funding will also help sustain thousands of family-wage jobs, reinforcing our region’s commitment to economic growth and stability.
I want to thank Administrator Greg Johnson, the IBR team, and the Bi-State Legislative Committee for their dedicated efforts in securing the maximum available federal funding. This commitment from our federal partners underscores the critical importance of the I-5 Bridge to West Coast infrastructure.
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I was honored to welcome legislators and staff from across the western United States to Portland for the Council of State Governments West annual conference. The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) provides state legislators and legislative staff with professional development and relationship-building opportunities. The conference included policy sessions, the chance to connect with legislators from other states, and informative tours of Oregon businesses, infrastructure investments, and more. It was great to see so many legislators and staff come together in Portland!
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While I was in Portland for the CSG West conference, I had the chance to join a meeting of the Oregon Clean Tech Task Force. This task force will propose solutions to addressing barriers to expanding Oregon’s leadership in clean technology manufacturing, including:
- Industrial land and infrastructure;
- Incentives and procurement;
- Workforce development and job creation;
- Research, innovation, and entrepreneurship;
- Transmission capacity; and
- Regulatory environment.
Members of the task force have come together to galvanize Oregon’s competitiveness in attracting, expanding, and sustaining new and existing clean energy technology manufacturers. This task force will work to leverage opportunities from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which includes roughly $60 billion in tax credits, direct loans, and grants for domestic manufacturing across the clean energy supply chain.
I was honored to help kick off the Eugene Symphony’s 15th annual summer concert series at the Cuthbert Amphitheater. It was a wonderful night listening to beautiful music on a gorgeous summer night – it’s shows like this, along with the broader arts & culture community in Lane County, that make Eugene such an amazing place to call home.
I’d like to thank Eugene Symphony Director David Moss for his gracious invitation, the professional musicians, the dedicated Board of Directors, the many volunteers who help keep the Symphony going strong, and the concert sponsors whose support allowed the Symphony to make this event free to our entire community. Bravo!
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-271, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/fahey
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
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