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To contact me, please click here: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
Here are some moments from the past week and valuable community insights to help you stay informed.
~ Virgle
Land swap moves to legislature
The News-Review
Roseburg’s long-planned expansion into the Charter Oaks neighborhood undertook a new strategy this week with a legislative proposal brought to the state capital by Rep. Virgle Osborne, R-Roseburg, and Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford. House Bill 3921 moved quickly with assignment to the house committee on housing and homelessness, a public hearing Monday and a work session already scheduled for April 7.
Coalition Tells Lawmakers to Keep Their Hands Off Bottle Bill
Willamette Week
A coalition of businesses and environmental groups interested in the Bottle Bill today urged lawmakers to abandon a proposal that would add a 5-cent surcharge to the existing 10-cent deposit collected on beverage containers. The proposal is part of House Bill 3940, which also proposes to take money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, draw on an insurance tax, and make certain adjustments to the forest harvest tax to fund wildfire prevention and response.
Oregon lawmakers introduce bills to reduce income tax for tipped workers, overtime
FOX 12 | KPTV
“We stand united and prepared to use every tool available to advance these ideas and elevate Oregonians’ concerns regarding affordability and our costly income tax structure,” read the letter signed by members of the House Republican Caucus.
According to a release from the Republican lawmakers, A recent January poll revealed that 79% of Oregonians favor cutting taxes to make Oregon more affordable and 70% favor eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. The same poll showed 56% of Oregonians say that taxes are too high. Oregon ranks as the 10th most expensive state to live in and it has the 5th highest individual income tax rate. Only California, Hawaii, New York and New Jersey have higher individual income tax rates. Furthermore, a recent University of Oregon study found that Oregon’s tax burden is by far the most commonly offered incentive for out-of-state businesses to recruit Oregon workers.
“House Republicans see this as a bipartisan call from Oregonians to lower the cost of living in our state and an opportunity for the Legislature to be responsive to the urgent needs of our constituents,” the letter continued.
“We want families to keep more of what they make by cutting income taxes and opposing new taxes and regulations that increase the cost of living,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) regarding the legislation. “Lowering costs for Oregonians, starting with their tax bill, is our top priority.”
Oregon House Democrats have not yet released comment in response.
Representatives Harbick, Diehl, Osborne, Boice, Skarlatos and Yunker Stand Ready to Pass Senate Bill 83 scheduled for work session on April 8, 2025, in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire.
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UMPQUA VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN
Had a quick visit with a few of the great women of our Umpqua Valley Republican Women's group this week.
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UCAN HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START IN GREEN
I did a site visit of the newest Head Start facility in Green today. Read a book to the children and received a lot hi fives and a few hugs. I absolutely love our community.
Just wanted to remind everyone of the Town Hall on April 18th.
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 cannot 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.
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.
Yours Truly,
 State Representative Virgle Osborne, House District 2
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1402
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/osborne
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