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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This legislative session is filled with critical issues that need your attention and action. From protecting Oregon’s public employee retirement system, to securing reliable energy sources, to fighting back on new taxes, your voice is essential in shaping these decisions. Whether you testify in person, virtually, or in writing, your input can make a significant difference.
Your testimony and outreach can influence these decisions, and I encourage you to get involved—attend hearings, spread the word, and submit your thoughts. Together, we can advocate for responsible governance and protect Oregon’s interests.
Thank you for standing up and being a part of this important conversation!
The base bill is bad enough, but this gut-and-stuff amendment to HB2200 is worse (note the amendment is not yet published on OLIS, but is shown below.) The Oregon State Treasurer aims to decarbonize PERS at the expense of its financial health. The amendment fundamentally conflicts with the fund’s pecuniary (monetary) duty to its beneficiaries. The biggest red flag? The bill explicitly shields the Treasurer and the Oregon Investment Council from any liability for the inevitable financial consequences. If "going green" were truly in the best financial interest of pensioners and taxpayers, why would the Treasury need protection from lawsuits? If this were a sound investment strategy, there would be no need for legislative intervention or legal immunity. The reality is clear: This amendment politicizes pension fund management by prioritizing climate activism over fiduciary duty. Oregon’s public employees and taxpayers deserve better. PERS exists to secure retirement futures, not to bankroll an ideological agenda with uncertain, speculative returns. This amendment is not yet publicly posted, but plans are in motion to fast-track it with a hearing in the Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee as soon as Thursday. Oregon taxpayers and retirees—you are on the hook if this fund underperforms. Now is the time to speak up and demand responsible stewardship of PERS! Reject HB 2200 and protect Oregon’s pension fund from reckless, politically motivated investment strategies.
The bill says "Whereas the urgency justifies taking every possible action in the fund portfolio to reduce investment risks associated with a rapidly changing climate." Supporters of this bill believe that if Oregon removes PERS carbon investments, we will reduce wildfire risk. Sorry, that's not at all how investments, forest management, or the environment work.
It calls out that the transition to green investments must be "fair, collaborative, and inclusive." Huh?!
Oregon's PERS is already under water, it's not returning enough in investments to cover the payouts. Oregon taxpayers are already on the hook for billions, this will just make it worse. The time to speak out is now.
A sound alternative: My colleagues and I have introduced another bill that would protect PERS from activist investing. HB2571, the Public Pension Protection Act, assures that the Treasury invests solely in the monetary interest of the fund. Democrat leadership won't give it a public hearing. They also denied a hearing during the 2023 session.
  
HB 3362 Proposes a 4% tax on tire sales in Oregon that the Democrat Majority says will fund rail transit, reduce tire pollution, and support wildlife passage infrastructure.
What we can expect if this bill passes:
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Increased Costs: Increases tire prices, squeezing consumers and straining small businesses.
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Doubtful Impact: Questions the effectiveness of rail transit and pollution solutions.
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Tax Overload: Piles on more taxes with murky, unproven benefits.
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Wrong Focus: Prioritizes niche projects over urgent needs like road repairs.
"The tire tax isn’t just a cash grab—it’s a masterclass in boutique environmentalism, slapping a broad new levy on a daily necessity to fund projects that sound noble but smell like pork." - Jeff Eager
Read More about the Tire Tax from Jeff Eager here
Public hearing scheduled for March 4, 2025, at 5PM
I have introduced House Bill 3247 which makes a power company have a new power source that meets certain standards before the company can close a power plant.
Oregon needs a clean, reliable source of baseload power to meet current and future energy demands. We cannot meet our future energy needs with wind and solar alone - far from it! We need abundant baseload power, and hydroelectric is part of the answer for Oregon. Nuclear is as well, and I've introduced a number of bills to bring clean, reliable nuclear energy to Oregon.
This bill makes sure that a baseload power source such as hydroelectric will not be removed unless there is an equivalent replacement source of baseload power ready to go online.
Not only do these dams provide much needed power, but they also provide flood control, water storage, recreation, jobs, and more.
Please consider testifying in person, virtually, or in writing. Just paste these two together for a link to the bill.
Public Hearing on Thursday, March 6th, 8 am, House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment.
It is easy to testify, virtually, in person or in writing, to support or oppose a bill.
Learn more here: Citizen Engagement Home
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.
In Liberty,
 Representative Ed Diehl
House District 17
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-378, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/diehl
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