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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
Wildfire bills get mixed reviews as a key legislative deadline looms
The Oregonian
Lawmakers in both parties signaled Tuesday that they want the state to increase funding to fight and prevent wildfires – but they don’t want to tax beverage containers to do it. The House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment voted Tuesday to forward to the House Revenue Committee a bill that proposes several new ways to fund wildfire suppression. That keeps the bill alive for further discussion ahead of a Wednesday deadline...
Wilsonville Democrat Courtney Neron, Salem Democrat Tom Andersen, Republican bill author Bobby Levy of Echo and Roseburg Republican Virgle Osborne also spoke against the idea. “We really should not be touching the Bottle Bill,” Osborne said. “But I’m also afraid that if we let this die we’re going to have another wildfire season with no funding...”
...The Senate Committee on Natural Resources also voted Tuesday to advance a bill that would repeal a highly controversial wildfire risk map...
...Republicans argue it is “riddled with inaccuracies” given that no one surveyed individual properties. Homeowners fear that insurance companies have used the map to change their premiums or deny coverage. Under state law, insurance companies are prohibited from using the map for that purpose, and the state’s Division of Financial Regulation argues they never have. But rural property owners have insisted they felt punitive effects from what they say is a flawed map. The Senate committee on Tuesday unanimously approved an amendment to Senate Bill 83 which repeals the map and related requirements...
“...The wildfire hazard map caused fear and uncertainty, burdening families with costly and unfair one-size-fits-all mandates,” House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, a Canby Republican, said in a news release. “With this step forward, we’re delivering the change that rural Oregon has long deserved.”
WATCH: Oregon Senate committee votes to scrap controversial wildfire hazard map
KGW
In politics, it can be rare that both parties agree on something, especially something as controversial as a simple map, but the wildfire hazard map was anything but simple. "We are repealing the map because it doesn't make sense for Oregonians," said Oregon state Sen. Jeff Golden. "It put a lot of restriction on what you can and can't do if you live in the wild-urban interface, and the state could fine you," added Rep. Virgle Osborne. The map was initially introduced in 2021, after the Labor Day wildfires of 2020 that burned over a million acres across the state. Osborne, who worked as a first responder on those devastating fires from nearly five years ago, said the map wasn't specific enough for every homeowner.
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https://www.lifenews.com/2025/04/09/oregon-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-bill-to-establish-oregon-adoption-day
Republican Rep. Virgle Osborne, the child of a then-controversial biracial relationship in 1968, said that his mother didn’t tell his father she was pregnant. Instead, she traveled from Arizona to Oregon where she gave birth to him.
“Although some people might call it cowardly that she left and went to another place and had me, she could’ve had an abortion,” Osborne said. “She chose not to have an abortion. And now, I get to be here with all of my colleagues, every day, enjoying this great session, because I was born and not aborted.”
Charter Oaks swap voted onto House floor | City | nrtoday.com
...The bill would allow for the swap of approximately 220 unincorporated acres of the Charter Oaks area for about 290 acres of steeper lands, the latter of which would be disincorporated from Roseburg and in effect given back to the county. As the bill does not cost the state any money, it has no prior referral to Joint Ways and Means and will instead be sent to the house floor for a vote of all 60 representatives...
Lookingglass Elementary School, Pre-K Visit
I had the privilege of visiting the Pre-K class at Lookingglass Elementary on Monday. They were learning about transportation and how it works. So, I was asked to bring one of my jeeps to share with the students. It was a pleasure to see how excited they were and eager to ask questions.
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Glide Veterans Memorial accepting applications for memorial wall | Briefs | nrtoday.com
Glide Veterans Memorial is accepting applications for memorial wall.
Applications are open until June 30. To apply, individuals must submit a completed application form, a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 and a $50 check to Glide Veterans Memorial.
More information: glideveteransmemorial@gmail.com
Yours Truly,
 Virgle Osborne, State Representative, 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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