Bad Bill Alert: Democrats Want to Control How You Rebuild Your Home
Democrats are pushing Senate Bill 78, a bill that would prohibit homeowners from rebuilding their home if the replacement exceeds 2,500 square feet or is more than 10% larger than their previous home—even if it was lost to a wildfire or natural disaster. This is a direct attack on property rights and limits the freedoms of homeowners and victims of wildfires and other natural disasters that force Oregonians to rebuild.
Imagine losing your home in a fire, only to have the government tell you how big your new home can be. This kind of government overreach punishes homeowners who simply want to rebuild what they lost.
Oregonians deserve the freedom to rebuild their homes without unnecessary restrictions that infringe on their property rights. If you agree, tell the Senate Natural Resources Committee that you OPPOSE SB 78!
There is a public hearing on SB 78 Thursday, March 6th (tomorrow) at 1:00 PM in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. We need your voice to help stop this Democrat-led attack on your property rights!
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Testify in person at the Capitol in Hearing Room D. Sign up here.
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Testify remotely via Microsoft Teams. Sign up here.
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Submit written testimony here.
Democrats Are Moving SB 916 Forward: Make Your Voice Heard!
SB 916 is a gift to Democrats' union allies, shifting the cost of strikes onto small businesses, local schools, and taxpayers who have nothing to do with them.
A recent article by Willamette Week recently uncovered that under SB 916, Portland Public Schools would have been forced to divert $8.7 million from students to cover the month-long Portland teachers strike in 2023—this in a district already delivering some of the worst student outcomes in the state.
But instead of prioritizing education, Democrats are pushing for taxpayer-funded payments for striking workers that takes money away from classrooms and raises costs on small businesses and taxpayers alike.
There is a work session scheduled for Thursday, March 6th (tomorrow) where the Senate Committee on Labor & Business will vote to pass this bill out of committee. We need to keep the pressure on. If a simple majority of the committee votes YES, it will go to the Senate floor where the full Senate will vote on the bill. Please contact lawmakers who hold the power to pass this bill out of committee and tell them to vote NO on SB 916.
Send our pre-written email to Democrat members of the Senate Labor & Business Committee.
Subject: Oppose SB 916 – Don't make us pay for union strikes!
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am writing to express my strong opposition to SB 916, which would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits. Oregon’s unemployment insurance system is designed to support workers who lose their jobs involuntarily, not those who choose to walk off the job. Expanding benefits to striking workers would place an additional burden on taxpayers in the name of offering your union allies (your strongest campaign donors) a political favor.
The same unions that back SB 916 also pushed Ballot Measure 113 in 2022, which punishes legislators for exercising their right to deny quorum. At the time, AFL-CIO argued that “regular people in Oregon show up to their jobs, day in and day out,” and that politicians should “face real consequences” for skipping work. AFL-CIO’s Deputy Political & Legislative Director even stated, “By voting YES on Measure 113, we can create real consequences for politicians who want special treatment when they skip work.”
Now, the same unions are supporting SB 916 which goes against the interests of small business owners, school districts, and everyday Oregonians like me who are already struggling with rising costs and high taxes.
I urge you to vote NO on SB 916.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
Previous Newsletters
3/3/2025 Bad Bill Alert: Democrats Want to Tax Your Tires
2/17/2025 Defending Oregonians from Bad Policies & Government Overreach
2/08/2025 Bad Bill Alert: A Threat to Oregon's Business Climate
1/29/2025 Fighting for A Better Future for Oregon Students
1/24/2025 Your Voice Matters: How You Can Engage in the 2025 Legislative Session
1/17/2025Welcome to the 83rd Legislative Assembly!
1/13/2025 Republican Leaders Respond to Governor Kotek’s State of the State Address
12/10/2024 Tackling Wildfire Costs, Budget Missteps, & Housing Solutions
11/20/2024 Insights & Updates from the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus
Capitol Phone for the Senate Republican Caucus: 503-986-1950
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-323, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email the Senate Republican Leader, Daniel Bonham:
Sen.DanielBonham@oregonlegislature.gov
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