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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
This week, House Republicans rolled out a proposal to cut and reprioritize funding within the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). As you know, the transportation package has been one of the biggest topics of concern and discussion this year. If you don't recall the majority party's solution to solving Oregon's transportation crisis, you'll want to review my previous newsletter about the proposed tax package.
House Republicans do NOT want to raise taxes. Instead, we evaluated the efficiency and programs that are outside of their core mission of paving roads and maintaining bridges. We laid out 25 steps we can take to save ODOT over $730 million - more than enough to cover what ODOT says it needs without raising taxes. This a real solution to a real problem. You can read about the entire proposal here.
Sincerely,
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 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
Transportation for ALL Oregonians
UNEMPLOYMENT PAY FOR STRIKING WORKERS GETS HEARING IN HOUSE COMMITTEE
On March 20, Senate Bill 916 narrowly passed out of the Senate with 16 aye votes — two Democrats joined Republicans in voting no. SB 916 would allow striking employees to be eligible for unemployment benefits. If this bill passes, workers in both the private and public sectors will be able to start collecting unemployment pay after two weeks of being on strike.
The bill received a public hearing on April 30 and now sits in the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards waiting for a work session. If SB 916 passes, Oregon would be the second state to enact a law like this, just behind Washington State, which passed it last week and is now sitting on the Governor's desk waiting to be signed. But even Washington Democrats recognized some limits that Oregon Democrats have not. In Washington, public employees cannot legally strike and Washington's law only covers legal strikes. Oregon would be alone in paying public employees to strike.
The other major difference is that Washington caps UI benefits for striking workers at six weeks. SB 916 has no cap, so an employee could get up to 26 weeks of UI benefits for striking.
The unemployment trust fund is intended to support employees who tragically lose employment and need support while they exist in limbo between jobs. This fund is paid into by employers, not employees. The argument against this bill is simple: it’s just not fair to the thousands of small businesses not connected to the labor dispute who are now footing the bill.
The Oregonian Editorial Board wrote a scathing editorial condemning the bill early March.
Dallas Band Performs Opening Ceremonies
The Dallas Band performed Opening Ceremonies at the Capitol and they did a great job! The band consists of students from Dallas High School and LaCreole Middle School, and is directed by Stephen Burroughs.
The Dallas Band is made up of 6 different ensembles. The middle school has two beginning bands, an intermediate band, and an advanced band. The high school has Wind Ensemble and Stage (Jazz) Band.
This program has been working hard to foster community support through grants and fundraisers. This year they received over 40 instruments as part of their instrument drive, as well as a grant from the Dallas Education Foundation which they used to purchase 18 beginner instruments to increase access for students who can't afford to purchase or rent their own.
Down the road they are hoping to grow large enough to develop a marching band for the district. As a former band member myself, it was my pleasure to welcome them to their Capitol. You can watch their awesome performance here.
 State Farm Day
 State Farm lobby day at the Capitol with HD 23 constituents; State Farm Agent Mitch Ratzlaff and State Farm Government Affairs Coordinator Jeff Aeschliman.
Bambinos Goes Mobile
Bambinos started back in 2007 as one woman’s dream, Beth Jones, to minster to at-risk moms and children in our community. Today they operate out of Main Street Plaza in Dallas right next to the Food Bank and will now be able to travel around the county and expand outside the county with their new bus!
Bambinos is not funded by the State, but rather operates completely on private donations and grants. Bambinos’s operations cost in 2024 were roughly $85,000. During the past year, they received the following grants: Dallas Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Salem Health, Spirit Mountain Community Fund and the Willamette Health Council.
If you would like to donate to help them, they are always in need of the following items:
- Diapers wipes (especially larger sizes and pull-ups, OK if not a complete package)
- Formula (all types, no expired food, please)
- Receiving blankets
- Hygiene items
- Safety items (outlet/doorknob covers, drawer latches)
- Car seats (new only, please)
- Baby gates (new only, please)
- Funds for any of the above items
In addition to these items, they are always in need of people who can pledge to send them a monthly gift that can be put toward their operating expenses. A pledge for as little as $5 per month can still make a big difference. To help, please visit their web site at: Bambinos Donor - Bambinos Oregon 👶
Juliette's House
Juliette's House Annual Dinner & Auction with President and CEO, Russell Mark.
“Hope Grows Here” was the theme for the annual fundraiser for Juliette’s House. The Dinner & Auction raise awareness about child abuse and neglect while generating critical financial and in-kind support for children referred to us for abuse, trauma, and grief.
It was my honor to attend and raise my paddle to help fund such a worthy cause. It was the perfect way to wrap up April and Child abuse prevention month.
Juliette’s House provides no-cost services to children and families in crisis, including clinical care, trauma recovery, abuse prevention education, and advocacy. Their mission is to provide compassionate intervention through prevention, assessment and support for children and families who may have been impacted by child abuse.
If you are interested in volunteering, internship opportunities, scheduling prevention education training, or donating to support Juliette’s House, please visit their web site for more information: Juliette’s House
Yamhill County Veterans Event
George Fox University Stunt Team
 In just its second year of competition, the George Fox STUNT cheer team captured the D3 national championship on April 25. While not an NCAA-sanctioned sport, STUNT is classified by the NCAA as an emerging sport. Unfortunately, most of the student athletes just wrapped up their semester and are headed home for the summer. So, the team will join me on the House Floor next session for a courtesy to congratulate them in person!
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1423
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-387, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/scharf
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