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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
May 10, 2025 Legislative Update
House District 24,
It has been another busy week! On Thursday night, State Senator Bruce Starr and I held a townhall in McMinnville. I am grateful to those that took time out of their evening for an update on the 2025 Legislative Session. Thank you to Mayor Kim Morris for hosting! I am proud to call McMinnville my home. Keep reading below for an update.
Largest Fentanyl Bust In Us History; Leader Arrested In Oregon
Earlier this week, federal authorities announced one of the largest fentanyl busts in U.S. history when over 400 kilograms of fentanyl, including three million pills, were seized from the Sinaloa Cartel.
Sixteen people were arrested across five states, including Oregon. Among them was cartel leader Heriberto Salazar Amaya, an illegal immigrant living in Salem, whom authorities say had been removed from the U.S. twice already.
Illegal drug cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel are killing Oregonians with fentanyl at rapidly increasing rates. In 2022, illicitly manufactured fentanyl contributed to 65% of all overdose deaths in Oregon, making it the deadliest illicit drug in our state.
In 2023, Oregon law enforcement officials seized over three million counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Nearly all these drug seizures occurred along the I-5 corridor within Oregon counties designated as high-intensity drug trafficking areas (HIDTA).
Oregon shouldn’t be a sanctuary for criminals who flood our communities with deadly drugs and violent crime. This should be a wakeup call that if we don’t modernize our sanctuary state laws, Oregon will continue to be a haven for dangerous criminals instead of allowing local law enforcement to take them off our streets.
This session my colleagues sponsored HB 3551, which requires public bodies and law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws with respect to any individual who is convicted of a violent felony or Class A misdemeanor or felony sexual offense. No movement has been made on the bill since it was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary in February.
House Republicans Announce Proposal That Protects Families From Tax Increases, Stabilizes Transportation
Last week, my colleagues and I announced a transportation proposal that protects Oregonians’ pocketbooks at a time when they’re facing rising costs and tax hikes. Our proposal prioritizes core functions of our Transportation Department, sidelines spending in non-essential programs and divisive agendas, protects federal transportation funding, and preserves critical road safety services.
In identifying approximately $685 million in refocused spending, cost savings, and spending cuts, we’re committed to delivering functioning roads without asking Oregonians to pay more.
Proposed cuts to ODOT’s budget include the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), which the agency budgeted $306.7 million for in the 2025-2027 biennium. The STIF was introduced in HB 2017 and proposed that the state take over some of the responsibility of funding public transportation from local governments. The payroll tax alone cost Oregonians approximately $110 million per year.
Most of the funds benefit metropolitan areas -- with 60% going to the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, 7% going to Salem Area Mass Transit District, and 6% going to the Lane Transit District. All other counties each received less than five percent of the funds.
A majority of Oregon taxpayers are not using public transportation, so why are they paying for it? My colleagues and I remain steadfast in the belief that we do not need to raise taxes to fund ODOT.
We will continue to promote cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in state agencies so they can return to their core missions — serving the people of Oregon.
National Teacher Appreciation Week
I want to offer a big thank you to our teachers for everything they do. Teaching the next generation is a huge responsibility. We all have teachers that played a role in where we are today.
Hillside Ribbon Cutting Celebration
It was an honor to join friends from the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting for Hillside, one of our premier Senior Facilities, who has been updating their buildings and building more independent living houses. I enjoyed celebrating this wonderful community accomplishment!
Oregon Farm Bureau Advocacy Day
My office was happy to meet with members of the Oregon Farm Bureau for their annual advocacy day at the State Capitol! I am grateful to the hardworking men and women who produce food and fiber for our state and the world each and every day.
Lions Club Advocacy Day
This week was also the Lions Club advocacy day! Lions Clubs International is a global service organization with a focus on community engagement and humanitarian aid. It was great meeting with folks from our local McMinnville Lions Club.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK - STORY NIGHT
Story Night is a community outreach where real women share real stories of real hope. There is much we can all gain by taking time to hear the stories of others and find ways to build relationships and connectivity.
Earlier this year, I shared my story with about 200 ladies. If you missed it, you can listen to the recording on the Story Night Podcast or watch on YouTube.
Ladies, I'd like to invite you and all your girlfriends to join us this Thursday, May 15th at The Grand Ballroom in McMinnville for the next Story Night. Bethany Palacios began her life as an orphan in Liberia. She is now Ms. Black Oregon and preparing for the Ms. Black America pageant. Don't miss her inspirational story. Tickets are FREE but likely to sell out, so don't wait! Visit storynighthope.com to get your tickets.
This Mother’s Day, I want to recognize and honor all the women who have been a motherly figure in somebody's life. Mothers raise us to become the best versions of ourselves and give so much of themselves for us to grow and thrive.
It’s important we recognize and appreciate those who are putting in the work to raise the next generation. We value mothers everywhere and are so grateful for you!
I am honored to serve you and our community at the State Capitol this session. Please stay in touch and reach out if there are any issues you would like us to work on.
Reach My Office
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All my best,
Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer
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