Interim Newsletter: August
Another month has passed in the interim, and it's been another month of working through things that we didn’t have time to do during session! This past month, I've worked on updating our records, meeting with constituents and members of the lobby, and doing my best to hold state agencies accountable.
Rep. Cate continues to be busy on and off the farm, but stays in tune with the day-to-day operations of the office (even it means sending the occasional email after midnight)! The intensity will slowly pick up as we get closer to the next “Long Session” which begins in January.
We've also been keeping a close eye on the wildfires burning across the state in recent weeks. Thankfully, House District 11 has largely been spared of major fires directly threatening our communities, but many across our state have not been so fortunate. Rep. Cate signed onto a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week (more on that below), requesting emergency wildfire disaster assistance, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that all state and federal resources are being utilized to protect Oregon's precious rural landscape.
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This month we would like to congratulate Lieutenant Donna Randall on her retirement from the Linn County Sheriff's Office!
Donna spent a total of more than 23 years serving the people of Linn County! She began her career with LCSO in 1993 as a reserve in the jail, where she worked until 1994. She then left for other endeavors, including serving in the Marines, before coming back to the office in 2002.
Since 2002, she has spent her entire time in the jail and served as a Deputy, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, and Lieutenant. She also spent time as a Field Training Officer, spent 20 years with the incredible Search and Rescue program, and also was a part of LSCO's Mounted Posse!
Her presence in our community will be sorely missed, but we wish her the absolute best in her retirement as she begins her next chapter of her life in Montana!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Applications Open for LSCO's Fall Citizen's Academy
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applicants for their upcoming Fall Citizens Academy! This program offers a unique and detailed look into the dynamic operations of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and is open to any qualified and interested Linn County citizen.
The 9 week Fall Academy will run from September 18th through November 13th. Classes will be every Wednesday evening from 6PM-9PM. There will also be one Sunday “field trip” to the firearms range and Animal Control, with that date to be determined later.
Citizen’s Academy students are introduced to each of our divisions and specialty teams. They receive classroom instruction and hands-on training in areas such as patrol, detectives, corrections, firearms, defensive tactics, traffic enforcement, narcotics investigations, swift water rescue and dive recovery, prisoner transport, and search and rescue.
The atmosphere at the Citizens Academy is fun and informative for attendees 18 years of age and older, however, applications will be considered for those as young as 16-years-old, provided they attend and take part in Citizens Academy with their parent or guardian.
For questions, please contact Community Services Specialist Michael Mattingly at mmattingly@linnsheriff.org.
Weekly Community Market in Sweet Home
A friendly reminder that the Sweet Home Community Market continues to run every Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm until September 21st! Shop food, crafts, clothing, antiques, handmade creations, unique artwork, and most importantly, have a chance to get to know our little community better through these small businesses.
Citywide Garage Sale in Lebanon
Lebanon's Citywide Garage Sale is just eight days away! On August 17th, you'll have a great opportunity to clean out your clutter and turn it into cash at absolutely no cost with Lebanon's FREE garage sale ad service. Simply provide the details of your sale, including location, date, and a brief description of items, and the City will help spread the word.
Teen Challenge has offered to be at their Thrift Store Location (2735 S Santiam Hwy, Lebanon) at the end of the garage sale day (5:00pm) for you to unload unsold items for donation. They will also have a garbage bin donated by Republic Services.
Hands on History in Brownsville
The Linn County Historical Museum is hosting its annual Hands on History event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 24th! This event highlights the history of our region, and gives you a chance to try your hand at many of the activities of yesteryear.
Last year's festivities included beeswax candle dipping, cornhusk doll making, panning for gold, photos taken with an old-time camera, Belgian Draft Mules giving wagon rides, and so much more. We also hear that there will be new surprises, so don't miss out! This event is entirely free!
Free Library Card for Students at Harrisburg Library
The City of Harrisburg recently released the exciting news that all students in the district are eligible for a free library card that allows them to have greater access to learning materials outside of the classroom. Homeschoolers are also eligible!
Update on Public Utility Commission's Rate Hike
Two months ago, we mentioned that the Public Utility Commission was considering massive rate increases for PGE and Pacific Power customers next year. Now, Pacific Power announced it is lowering its rate increase request for 2025 from 17.9% to 11.9% overall. For residential customers, that’s a drop from 21.6% to 14.9%.
To be clear, if these rates are approved, this will still lead to economic struggle for countless Oregonians who are forced to keep up with inflation while their sources of income do not. Our office is currently looking into the Public Utility Commission to see what constituents have to say about the performance of this agency, and to evaluate possible policy changes in the 2025 Legislative Session.
Letter to USDA for Wildfire Disaster Assistance
Rep. Cate was proud signatory on the Oregon House Republicans' letter to US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday, Aug. 2, in support of a federal disaster declaration to offset certain agriculture losses and damages from the wildfires.
The letter supports a request by Gov. Tina Kotek to designate the event a disaster, thereby unlocking emergency funds through conservation, hay and grazing, and livestock assistance programs. The letter also supports the governor’s request to expand grazing on federal lands and improve access to weed-free forage.
While House District 11 has largely been spared of major fires so far this summer that directly impact our communities, areas further east have not been so fortunate. More than a million acres have burned in Oregon, the most of any state.
 
Measure 114 Update
We continue to receive questions regarding the status of the 2022 gun-control Ballot Measure 114, and wanted to provide an update. In another victory for gun rights, the Oregon Court of Appeals recently declined the state’s motion to put Ballot Measure 114 into effect while it appeals last year’s ruling by a Harney County judge that declared the measure unconstitutional. The Court did however agree to expedite the state's appeal. Regardless of that eventual outcome, we expect the state to continue to advocate through the justice system for Measure 114's implementation going forward, and we will have to continue to monitor the situation as it evolves.
Interim Newsletter: July
Interim Newsletter: June
Blackout Ends, Monthly Newsletters Are Back!
Signing Off for the Spring!
2024 Short Session Wrap Up
Capitol Construction Update
Two years into its massive renovation project, the Capitol building is covered in more scaffolding and construction equipment than ever, but we wanted to remind you that it is still open to the public! The hallway between the two wings (which we call the galleria), is now closed until session, meaning you have to enter through the side entrances on State St. These are accessible to the public Monday through Friday from 7:00am-5:30pm!
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