Team Boice Update

View Online
Newsletter Header #2 - Representative Boice

Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov


Team Boice Update

Hello Friends,

This month has been so action-packed, we've decided to provide you with two newsletters from Team Boice! We always want to keep you up to date on everything that's happening and how we're showing up for you at The Capitol, throughout Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties. 

Yours truly,

court boice signature

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1401
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-382, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boice​

Line Break

It's Time to Repeal The Statewide Wildfire Risk Maps

SB 762 hurts many Rural Oregonians. Citizens who manage their property well, encourage their neighbors, play by the rules, and pay their taxes deserve better and we expect the US Forest Service and Federal Land Management, where most of the catastrophic fires ‘start’ – TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS. The Southern Oregon Legislative Delegation is working hard to protect and respect your private property pights and the effectiveness of certain provisions.

SB 762 outlined very specifically how Oregon State University and ODF must model fire risk and design the map. Because of the language of the bill and technical difficulties, both versions of the map have been fraught with errors and inaccuracies, misclassifying properties and causing undue harm.

Stop Chaos Repeal Maps

The Majority Party fights us on this, it will be clear that they are more interested in protecting government bureaucrats than they are in being transparent about how they are spending your Tax Dollars. Democrats auditing themselves is not going to work. We need something different.

We are committed to holding government agencies accountable and will be pushing ODOT, and other agencies, to return to their core mission of fixing roads, plowing snow, and transporting goods, people, and services across the state.

Line Break

Read more: ODOT faces revenue crisis despite $5.3 billion funding bill passed in 2017

Our Oregon Department of Transportation is one of our biggest funding challenges!

Line Break

Kevin and Heather Harter Visit Representative Boice, Joined by Joe Spendolini

Rep. and Guests Heather Harter, Joe Spendolini, Kevin Harter

Left to right: Rep. Court Boice, Heather Harter, Joe Spendolini (Board Chairman) South Suburban Sanitary District, Captain Kevin “Lucky” Harter 

Line Break

Mark Cruz presents Rep. Boice with Newly Published Book, "The People Are Dancing Again"

Mark Cruz pictured with Representative Court Boice

Mark Cruz presented me with a book in my office at the Capitol, titled “The People are Dancing Again: The History of the Siletz and Rogue Tribes of Western Oregon."

I encourage you to give this book on Oregon's Native American culture a look. Mark is well-respected at The Capitol and writes diligently on policies best for Oregonians, as well as the Klamath Tribes of his ancestry.

Line BreakOp-Eds

From the Office of Oregon State Rep. Court Boice

Read these op-eds straight from the office of Representative Boice:

Saving and Recovering Oregon's Forests - Solutions '19' 2/7/25

Rebuilding Southern California - Oregon Lumber Mills Are The Answer 1/27/25

Proposal to Oregon Governor Kotek - Wildfire Emergency Declaration 12/6/24

Line Break

The Coos Bay Comeback - TONIGHT!

The Coos Bay Comeback
Line Break

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

I'm so glad to have met with these representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention so we can continue the important work of safeguarding Oregon's citizens.

American Foundation for Suicide PreventionLine Break

Rep. Boice - Miles Traveled In Service to District 1

My region goes from our coastal Highway 101, California Oregon border up through Bandon and over to the Eastside of Coos Bay.

Rep. Boice and Chief Britt

514 miles round trip - smiles. I miss my big pickup, but yep, it is a bit impractical in terms of minimizing what I have to expense out. I've got a mid-size Sedan that has been incredible and quite economical, all considered. 

Since February of 2023 - I've distanced over 58,000 miles between Gold Beach to Salem, District 1 travel and return and of course throughout Southwest Oregon - averaging 2,300 miles per month. Chief Britt on her own has traveled over 25,000 miles in her role.

Line Break

Southwestern Oregon Community College Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Workforce Training Programs

Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is the only state college and one of only 18 colleges nationwide to receive a prestigious federal Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. SWOCC will receive $1.5 million to expand workforce training to meet the growing demand for skilled workers, leveraging partnerships with local businesses to offer targeted training in the Transportation and Manufacturing Sectors.

“This grant will support the creation of a diesel mechanic program, training for Commercial Driver’s Licenses, the expanded operation of our pre-apprenticeship program in heavy equipment, as well as the establishment of a millwright registered apprenticeship program,” said Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction at Southwestern. “We estimate serving over 300 students in these programs over the next four years.”

Southwestern Oregon Community College Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Workforce Training Programs
Line Break

The Future of Oregon's Energy: Energy Horizons Ep. 1

First in a 6-part series, this episode explores Oregon’s energy future and environmental challenges, and possible ways forward. What is energy? Why is it important? How is energy impacting the environment? Are we running out of energy? What can we do next? These questions and more are covered.

Watch the FULL EPISODE here.

Line Break

OnTheMap for Emergency Management Tool Updated to Include 2019-2023 ACS and 2022 LODES Data

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released version 4.24.3 of OnTheMap for Emergency Management. Version 4.24.3 updates American Community Survey (ACS) tabulations to the 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates and LODES data to 2022.

OnTheMap for Emergency Management Tool Updated to Include 2019-2023 ACS and 2022 LODES Data

OnTheMap for Emergency Management provides real-time access to a range of detailed Census Bureau data about the people living and working in areas affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, winter storms, and federal disaster declaration areas.

Explore our OnTheMap for Emergency Management data tool and our help and documentation.

Line Break

Representative Boice Meeting With The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Working for energy policies to keep our electric rates as low as possible!

Rep. Boice, Jim Kolen, and Visitors

Left to right: Kelsey Bozeman, Pete Radabaugh, Jim Kolen, Representative Court Boice, Keith Brooks, Keith Burkhalter

Line Break

Lowering Costs for Seniors and Retirees

Read the article here: Oregon One of The Worst States For Retirement

Line Break

Dr. Nicole Rush Honored with Optometrist of the Year Award

Dr. Rush’s career has been one of extraordinary dedication, not just to her patients, but to the entire optometric profession. She has remained a symbol of calm, grace, and unwavering commitment.

Dr. Rush’s dedication to optometry runs deep, and she credits her father, Dr. John Rush, a former president of OOPA and past trustee to the AOA Board of Directors, for instilling a passion for the profession at an early age. Her leadership style, grounded in leading by example, has made her an inspiration to her peers, her patients, and countless optometry students across the state.

Dr. Nicole Rush Honored with Optometrist of The Year

I am proud to call Nicole's father, John Rush, a very good friend. John has been an outstanding optometrist for 55 years. John served his country as a Vietnam Veteran and raised his wonderful family in Curry County! John also constantly volunteered greatly within his communities. Thank you and congratulations to both Doctors Rush.

Line Break

Ted Case and Tucker Billman of ORECA Meeting with Rep. Boice Regarding Ruralite Magazine

I met with ORECA to discuss upcoming issues of the Ruralite Magazine. Stay tuned!

Ted Case, Tucker Billman, Representative Court Boice
Line Break

Oregon Democrats Are Going to Get Your Kicker, One Way or Another

Read more here.

Line Break

A Visit from the Future Farmers of America

We had a wonderful visit in my office with the representatives from the Future Farmers of America! These young people were so inspiring.

Future Farmers of America

We're looking forward to working with the FFA in the future to assure a better future for farmers across the state of Oregon.

Line Break

Oregon Students Continue to Be Failed by Our State

Read the article here: Bleak Student Performance in Oregon Schools

Line Break

Roseburg High School Leads Our State with Great Vision in Preparing Our Youth for The Workforce

I had the great pleasure of attending Roseburg High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) showcase this past week. I applaud the work they're doing to prepare our youth to enter the ever-competitive workforce.

Read more here.

Roseburg High SchoolLine Break

Pumping The Brakes on The Diesel Ban

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently implementing its own version of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), which would require all medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers to exclusively sell zero-emissions vehicles with the production date of 2025 and beyond.

Oregon’s ACT went into effect Jan. 1, 2025, following ten other US States that have adopted California’s ACT regulations on sales of trucks. However, testimonies submitted to the legislature demonstrate that DEQ may be pushing ACT regulations too quickly for Oregon.

House Bill 3119 requests the delay of the implementation of the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations until Jan. 1, 2027, to, first, better understand the effects and consequences such regulations would have on Oregon.

Line Break

Upcoming April 25th Veterans Brain Injury Providers Workshop and Veterans Community Town Hall

Guest

Left to right: Representative Court Boice, David "Dave" Kracke

Rep. Court Boice hosted a special planning meeting for the upcoming April 25th Veterans Brain Injury Providers Workshop and Veterans Community Town Hall. This event will focus on the special needs of our brain injured Veterans, Service Members and support for their families.

Planning Meeting

Left to right: David "Dave" Kracke, U of O's Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) Brain Injury Policy Coordinator, Rep. Alek Skarlatos, House District 4, Rep. Boomer Wright, House District 9, Rep. Court Boice, House District 1, Ramiro "RJ" Navarro, Army Veteran and Oregon's Veterans Legislative Caucus coordinator for the Chair Rep. Thuy Tran, HD-45, Elias LaLande, Chief of Staff for Rep. Alek Skarlatos.

Line BreakVeteran's Corner HeaderLine BreakJerry Law, Representative Court Boice, Lloyd Olds

Left to right: VFW Post 966 Post Commander Col. Jerry Law (former Chair of the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce), Rep. Boice (who is the son of a Marine VFW Post 966 Board Member), and Lloyd Olds, former Curry County Commissioner.

Line Break

VA Extends Education Benefits By a Year for More Than a Million Veterans

More than a million U.S. military veterans who served in multiple enlistments are now eligible for an extra year of education benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced on January 3rd.

The decision, announced on Jan. 3 by VA Secretary Denis McDonough, gives veterans who meet the requirements a full 48 months of education assistance. The policy change comes in the way of a Supreme Court decision last year, which ended a cap of three years of educational support. 

“The bottom line is this: Veterans who separately accrue benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to both benefits,” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in the Supreme Court’s opinion on the case. 

Read more about the expanded education benefits and how Veterans can access them here. 

Line Break

The Legendary Veteran Frank Moore

Frank was a Veteran, Family Man, Great Patriot and Good Friend to so many people in Oregon. This video demonstrates his incredible heart, his challenge to each and everyone of us as the Legend lives on! God Bless the Moore Family and Wonderful Legacy.

Watch here: A Perfect Life & Love: Frank Moore at TEDxPortland

It's a 20 minute video and a very heartwarming story.

Frank Moore Speaks at TEDxPortlandLine Break

Please Consider Getting Involved

To my District 1 Citizens - Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today. As you’re able to follow certain potential policies and legislation of your interest and expertise – please feel free to contact my office anytime and we’ll make it as easy as possible.

Register to Testify

  • If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you can register to testify either in support or opposition to the bill.
  • Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
  • To register, go to https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1, select the “Bills” icon on the top right corner of your page, enter the bill number, and select “Register to Testify.” Or, call 1-833-588-4500.
  • You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony​ Registration Form”
  • You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you can not testify in person.

Submit a Written Testimony!

  • If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
  • To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
  • Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Line Break

As always, it is my honor to serve you and our community at your State Capitol this session. Please stay in touch and reach out if there are any issues you would like us to work on.

Reach my office:

Office Phone: 503-986-1401

Email: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov

Office Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-000 | Salem, OR 97301

Follow our work on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepBoice