Friends and Neighbors,

Here are some highlights from the past week and helpful community information for you! 

 - Shelly

Protecting Girls' Sports: A Fight We Can't Afford to Lose

Before the vote on HB 2037, I recognized my intern, Tayla, who is a collegiate basketball player. 

This week, I joined my House Republican colleagues to protect girls' sports. We were joined by nearly a dozen young female athletes, many of whom have directly competed against males and been forced to change in the same locker room.

As a former athlete, a coach, and the mother of three daughters who have all competed in girls’ athletics, I know firsthand the dedication, sacrifice, and pride that comes from fair competition. Our daughters deserve a level playing field. They deserve to know that their hard work will not be erased by policies that ignore biological differences.

Recent events have again brought national attention to this issue. At the Oregon state high school track and field championships, two female athletes made headlines when they refused to share the podium with a male competitor who had previously competed in boys’ events. They were pushed out of the photos by an OSAA official. In another case, a male dominated girls’ sprinting events, setting records and taking opportunities from female athletes. These are not isolated incidents—they are real and happening now in our state.

We keep being told it’s not common, and we shouldn’t worry about it. But tell that to the girl who lost her spot on the podium, or the one who didn’t qualify for state because she was beaten by a boy. Each time this happens, it’s one too many. Fairness in women’s sports is not negotiable, and dismissing these stories as rare misses the point: every lost opportunity matters to the girls who have worked for years to compete at the highest level.

House Bill 2037 would require all Oregon school districts and athletic organizations to designate sports teams as male, female, or co-ed, based on the biological sex listed on a student’s original birth certificate. The bill also provides clear guidelines for locker room and bathroom use, ensuring privacy and safety for all students. All present House Democrats voted against the bill.

Girls and women have fought for decades for equal opportunities in athletics. We cannot allow those gains to be rolled back. This is one of the most significant civil rights issues of our time.

Orange Thunder Rolls Into Super Regionals!

Oregon State Baseball is on the move! After an electrifying performance in the NCAA Regionals, the Beavers are officially headed to the 2025 DI Baseball Championship Super Regionals. The team showed grit, talent, and true Beaver spirit to punch their ticket to the next round.

This Beavs fan is rallying behind the orange and black as OSU continues its road to Omaha. Good luck!

Watch my Floor Courtesy from earlier this week.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH TRANSPORTATION? 

Democrats are finally preparing to release their long awaited transportation tax hike bill. I learned this not from a committee hearing, press release, or email. We learned about the bill and what was in it during a Clackamas County Planning Commission meeting where the outline was shared before it was even shared with the Transportation Committee or most legislators. This is outrageous and sloppy.

The bill, which sounds like it will be officially introduced on Monday will be HB 2025 and will includes:

⛽️ 37.5% increase to the gas tax
📃 $70+ to Title Fees
📃 $50+ to Registration Fees
🚗 2% sales tax on new cars
🚘 1% additional car sales tax
💸 0.2% increase to payroll taxes
📍 NEW per mile driven tax (RUC)

Read all about it the full proposal here. As this journalist puts it, the proposal "empt[ies] Oregonian's wallet to fill the tank."

HB 2025 seems to try to bridge the Democrats initial plan, with this other one from this week that proposed a 100% increase in the gas tax to bring the tax to $.80/gallon (highest in the nation!), a 400% increase in the tax on workers' wages, car sales taxes, and big hikes on title and registration fees, all to fund empty buses, bike lanes, and costly climate initiatives. 

A recent letter to the editor in The Oregonian from Portland and Eugene environmentalists explains the thinking behind these new proposals and might help you understand where many in the Democratic caucus are on transportation.

To them, a transportation package is more about advancing an agenda that changes people's behaviors instead of filling potholes, making sure roads and  bridges are maintained, snow is plowed, and making room for people to drive. To them, it's an opportunity for some good ol' fashioned social engineering. They want to make it so hard and inconvenient to drive, people will be forced to take public transportation. This is all part of their climate change agenda.

With this understanding, it makes sense then why these environmentalists took time to write an apocalyptic criticism of Republicans' transportation proposal. When you read that letter, you might believe that Republicans want to keep college students, seniors, and people with disabilities from getting their groceries. Let’s clear things up.

Their main argument is that “one out of every three Americans does not drive,” and that redirecting tax revenue from less-used services—like public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian paths—to more widely used roads and bridges is somehow an attack on non-drivers.

But that statistic includes children and teens who aren’t even old enough to drive. The reality? Only about 2% of Oregon commuters use public transit. And those riders cover just 10% of the cost to operate the system—the rest is subsidized by taxpayers (YOU), costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

If you buy their argument that public transportation is widely used, here’s another fact: public transit ridership was HIGHER before the Legislature passed a tax on your wages. In 2018, Oregon transit agencies provided about 130 million rides. Today, it’s closer to 100 million. Despite a near 450% increase in funding from the payroll tax, transit agencies are serving fewer riders than before.

If Portland and Eugene want to keep funding empty buses, they can ask their city councilor or county commissioners. But workers in places like Albany, Medford, Coos Bay, and La Grande shouldn’t have to foot the bill.

Regardless of what the money is spent on, one thing is clear to me: no amount of money is going to fix ODOT's management crisis. That's a fundamental difference between my Democrat colleagues and I. They think they can buy success if they just tax you enough. But it's just about weekly that new stories emerge about the dysfunction inside the agency. This week, The Oregonian reported on "a lack of feedback, trust and communication from the agency’s top executives." The culture at ODOT needs to change, and that isn't really something you can put into statute. You can't legislate culture. 

Keep an eye on your email or follow me on Facebook to be alerted when you can testify on the Democrat's tax bill. We anticipate public hearings to be scheduled for next week.

GETTING PAID TO STRIKE

This week, the House passed Senate Bill 916, a bill that fundamentally changes the way our state handles labor disputes. If signed by the Governor, Oregon will have the most generous system in the country to pay striking workers. 

While supporters claim this bill “levels the playing field” for workers, the reality is far more troubling. SB 916 doesn’t just help workers in need; it incentivizes more frequent and longer strikes, putting students, parents, and local businesses at risk. School districts, already stretched thin, will now be forced to reimburse the unemployment fund every time staff walk out, diverting critical resources away from classrooms and student success. This is money that should be supporting our kids, not subsidizing labor disputes.

Superintendents from around the state were united in opposition to this bill because they understood the risks it poses to our kids' education. Something that our GAPS superintendent wrote me stood out: "We do not have schools to provide jobs--we have schools to educate kids." 

We broke the House of Representatives record with the number of floor letters on this bill. A floor letter is a way for members to submit written materials into the House record. Nearly all these floor letters were from local Oregon businesses and school districts opposing this bill.

Republicans offered common-sense alternatives, like requiring unions to use their own strike funds before tapping into taxpayer-supported unemployment insurance. Unfortunately, those ideas were rejected. 

I spoke strongly against this bill. You can watch that here.

URGENT: Protect Oregon Agriculture - Say NO to SB 1153!

As a lifelong advocate for Oregon’s farmers and ranchers, I’m deeply concerned about Senate Bill 1153—a bill that threatens the future of water use in Oregon agriculture. Here’s why we must stand together and speak out:

SB 1153 is a solution in search of a problem. There’s no evidence that current water transfers are harming our rivers or streams. Yet this bill would impose vague, undefined standards and sweeping environmental mandates that even the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) isn’t equipped to handle.

It undermines innovation and efficiency. Water transfers are the only practical way for producers to adapt to drought, crop rotations, irrigation improvements, and conservation upgrades. SB 1153 puts those adaptive tools—and our ability to feed Oregon—in jeopardy.

It bypasses a fair, transparent process. This bill was introduced without consulting the agricultural community. Our voices have been ignored, and the legislation continues to move forward behind closed doors.

It’s inequitable and inconsistent. Municipal water systems are exempt, but farmers, ranchers, and rural communities are targeted. That’s a double standard we can’t accept.

It adds more bureaucracy and litigation risk. OWRD is already backlogged. SB 1153 will only create more delays, more lawsuits, and stall vital conservation projects.

It lacks a fiscal analysis. New mandates, no cost transparency. That’s not responsible policymaking.

Our livelihoods, our rural communities, and our food supply are at stake.

Take Action NOW:

Contact Democrat legislators and urge them to OPPOSE SB 1153. 

THE "BILL LIMITS" REFORM MIRAGE

The Oregon Legislature really outdid themselves this year, shattering the all-time record for most bills ever introduced—3,446!

So, naturally, the Democrats came up with a solution: a bill to limit bills. HB 2006 limits how many bills legislators can introduce… and if you do the math, it caps the maximum number of bills at a whopping 3,435. That’s right—11 whole bills fewer than this record-breaking session.

For those who like details, in addition to the maximum of 3,435 bills, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President can authorize any additional bills they see fit. Notable: this can be fixed in House Rules – we don’t need legislation.

11 taken to the hospital in mass stabbing at Union Gospel Mission shelter in Salem, Oregon

Eleven people were taken to the hospital in a mass stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem on Sunday night, police officials said, adding that they have a suspect in custody. Officers were called out at about 7:15 p.m. on reports of multiple stabbing victims at the Union Gospel Mission on Commercial Street NE, which serves as a men’s shelter. Initial reports state that 11 people were taken to Salem Health hospital with varying types of injuries. There’s no immediate word on the current status of the victims.

12 injured in stabbing at Salem Union Gospel Mission; suspect charged

A series of stabbings outside of a shelter in Salem injured 12 people, some severely, according to police. The suspect, who is now in custody, faces attempted murder and assault charges. The stabbings happened at about 7:15 p.m. at the Salem Union Gospel Mission, at 777 Commercial St. NE. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office said Monday it has charged Tony Latrell Williams from Bend with attempted murder and expects he’ll be arraigned in court Monday afternoon.

Bipartisan support sees wolf bill pass in House 

An Oregon Senate bill to strengthen Oregon’s wolf compensation program is on its way to the governor’s desk.  The Oregon House on Tuesday, June 3, passed SB 777 on a vote of 44-12 with three excused. The Senate passed the bill on March 25 on vote of 28-1 and with one excused.  The significantly strengthens Oregon’s Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Grant Program.

Sen. Todd Nash, R-Enterprise, ushered the bill through the Senate, while Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, shepherded the bill through the House.  “I’ve been working on wolf management and depredation issues for nearly two decades, both on the Fish and Wildlife Commission and now in the Legislature,” Levy said in a press release. “SB 777 A reflects years of hard work and real-world experience — it finally gives our ranchers a fair, workable system that acknowledges the true cost of coexisting with wolves. I’m proud to see it pass with strong bipartisan support.”

Wolf depredation bill passes House chamber

Senate Bill 777, which changes the way funds are awarded for wolf depredation compensation, passed the House chamber Tuesday and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) was a chief sponsor of the bill. Speaking on the House floor she asked her colleagues to think of those in the states agriculture industry. “These (ranching) families are not asking for wolves to be wiped out, they’re asking for a system that acknowledge the burden they carry and helps them survive,” she said...

...Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) was one of seven representatives besides Levy who spoke in favor of the bill on the floor. He acknowledged that for many of his colleagues it was a difficult vote, and that he commended them for reaching across the aisle. The bill changes the way livestock producers are compensated for wolf depredation, basing it on fair market value among other factors. The bill passed on a 44-12 vote with three excused. It passed the Senate chamber on a 28-1 vote.

Drug trafficker sentenced to 15 years in prison after largest meth bust in Oregon history

The ring leader of a drug trafficking operation out of Lane County was sentenced to 15 years in prison following what authorities say is the largest bust of meth in Oregon state history. Martin Manzo Negrete, 51, was living in Lane County “unlawfully” as a Mexican national when he oversaw the operation that brought large amounts of meth from California to Oregon for distribution, the U.S. Department of Justice said. In 2021, law enforcement officials executing a federal search warrant uncovered multiple spots in Lane County with illicit material, including a storage unit with 384 pounds of meth, as well as 14 guns, some stolen, and more than $76,000 in cash. Manzo Negrete and four of his associates were arrested as part of the investigation, with a fifth suspect arrested later on.

Oregon lawmakers approve higher compensation for ranchers whose livestock is killed by wolves

That money, ranchers say, does not account for the secondary effects that those deaths can have on other livestock and their owners’ wellbeing. Proponents of the bill said higher payouts would more accurately reflect the amount of time and effort that ranchers devote to raising livestock. “This mirrors successful frameworks used in Wyoming and Colorado, and it recognizes that a calf isn’t just a commodity,” Rep. Bobby Levy, a Republican from Echo, said Tuesday. “It is the result of years of careful breeding, pasture management, labor and investment.”

Oregon governor’s $217M homeless shelter bill faces uncertain future as budget woes mount

House Bill 3644 asks for more than $217 million in general fund money and lays the policy framework to run a statewide shelter program. The bill aims to continue funding the programs that state leaders have supported through a number of initiatives in recent years. What precisely the Legislature plans to do remains unclear. The bill is sitting before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, which determines state budget policy.

But there’s growing concern among housing advocates that the most recent revenue forecast could imperil the bill and potentially shrink state funding for shelters. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, the bill’s chief sponsor, is rallying support from local government leaders and shelter providers, sending an email Tuesday with the subject line: “Request for your advocacy — URGENT!” “To heighten my concern, I’ve heard from the Ways and Means co-chairs that they are uncertain that shelter is a state responsibility,” Marsh said in the email, which a recipient shared with OPB Tuesday.

Law enforcement unengaged as tensions between contractors and homeless camps escalate

For the second day in a row, confrontations escalated between private contractors hired by the Department of State (DSL) to clear homeless camps and a group of individuals living at the camps as well as some activists opposed the the camp's clearing. According to the state agency, someone had called the Oregon State Police (OSP) to respond to the confrontation, but the law enforcement agency did not come out. The DSL would not say who had called OSP. The state police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lieutenant Steve Dorn at the Albany OR Police Department:

28 years of chasing bad guys and still folding socks with military precision. Lieutenant Steve Dorn served in the Army, then spent more than a quarter of a century in law enforcement-which means he has been yelling,

"Get Down!" professionally since cassette tapes were still a thing. He survived boot camp, rookie year, paperwork avalanches, and that one time someone brought donuts WITHOUT coffee. Happy retirement to a man who's equal parts hero, warrior, and walking dad joke factory. We salute you and hope you enjoy every moment of your new adventures!

Lock It Down: Simple Steps for Better Password Security

Tips from our friends at the Linn County Sheriff's Office:

In a continued effort to help keep you and your information safe, your Linn County Sheriff's Office wanted to share some useful information on how to use strong passwords to keep you safe online!

Did you know that the average person uses the same three to seven passwords to log in to over 170 online accounts? Yikes! In addition to being reused, these passwords are often weak and can be easily guessed by cybercriminals. Here are just a few tips to help you keep on top of the password game!

Create Strong Passwords: Creating strong passwords helps prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to your online accounts. Your passwords should be as long, complex, and random as possible, and unique enough to you that you will be able to remember them! While many websites only require passwords to be eight characters long, it is recommended that you make your password at least 12 characters long. You should also include a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols (! @#$%) in your password. To keep your accounts extra safe, you can use password phrases, or passphrases, though if you do this, make sure you don't use any personal information in your passphrase that someone with bad ideas on their mind could use to get into your accounts. Don't Reuse Passwords: Reusing passwords for your online accounts may be convenient, and a lot of us do it, but it's also risky. If you reuse passwords, you could be at risk of having multiple accounts compromised at once! Someone guesses your Facebook password and if you use the same password across multiple platforms, that person also could now have access to your bank accounts, other social media accounts, or even.... your online dating profile (if that doesn't scare you into mixing up your passwords, we aren't sure what else will). Cybercriminals can also sell passwords or make them available online.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): You can also use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure your online accounts, when available. MFA requires multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a one-time use code from you sent via text or e-mail. As a reminder, never share these codes with anyone! By requiring you to use multiple forms of authentication, cybercriminals will have a harder time gaining access to your account, even if your password is compromised.

Stay Safe, Stay Legal: Know Fire Restrictions Before Your Trip

From our friends at the Oregon Department of Forestry:

Before traveling out for the weekend around Oregon. By checking local restrictions beforehand, you're saving yourself from a potential citation, recreating responsibly and helping prevent the next large wildfire. Be sure to learn about local updates on fire restrictions. Fire restrictions will vary from area to area, so check with the Oregon Department of Forestry for details here!

Coming Soon: The Ken Davis Golf Classic

From our friends at the Ken Davis Golf Classic:

July 11th is right around the corner!

Our 2nd Annual Ken Davis Golf Classic Tournament, in support of the YMCA, is at Mallard Creek. Gather your 4some and come play with us.

If swinging clubs is not your thing, hole sponsorships are available, along with other levels of sponsorship. Please don't hesitate to ask any any questions or check out the website here!

Sunshine, Campfires & a Dash of Trail Seasoning

From our friends at the Linn County Parks & Recreation:

When you get a little dirt in your food while camping, it's called 'trail seasoning'. We have sites open at Sunnyside, Waterloo, Whitcomb Creek, John Neal to enjoy the sunshine for this upcoming weekend. We take reservations up to 24 hours in advance by phone at: (541) 967-3917 or online 24/7 here.  

Plus, check out many of the USFS campgrounds that are open on Hwy 20 and the Detroit lake area. Reserve at USFS parks here or call 877-444-6777!

Sip, Shop & Save — Tonight’s the Night!

From our friends at the Albany Downtown Association:

News from 1st Hand Seconds Boutique & Chicee Bridal: Quick reminder - TONIGHT is LADIES NIGHT! From 5 to 7 pm, 30% off the entire boutique, games, prizes, music, and refreshments.

Planting Seeds, Growing Minds: Garden Club Returns

From our friends at the Albany Boys & Girls Club:

Garden Club is getting ready to dig into a sunny new season! Garden Club is a program where the Albany Boys and Girls Club members learn the basics of gardening, from planting seeds to caring for plants, while exploring the importance of sustainability and nature. 

Play, Connect, Grow: A Special Day for Family Tree Families

From our friends at Family Tree Relief Nursery:

Family Tree Relief Nursery Clients: You're Invited to our Nature & Nurture: A Family Wellness Adventure at Bryant Park on June 26th from 3:30pm - 5:30pm! A Special Appreciation Event for Families Currently Receiving Services. As a token of our gratitude, Family Tree is excited to invite our current clients and their families to a Wellness Adventure in the Park - a joyful day of connection, play, and the healing power of nature.

What's in Store:

• Hot dogs and strawberry shortcake
• Fun, interactive activity stations for all ages
• Yard games, gentle yoga, seed planting, plant prints
• Scavenger hunt, nature crafts, and more!
• Discover the emotional connections between birds and humans
• Special Guests: Our local 4-H partners with crafts, insect demos & nature fun!

BONUS: The first 50 families to arrive will receive a door prize! This event is exclusively for families currently receiving services from Family Tree. Please reach out to your support person with any questions. We can't wait to see you there for a day of fun, learning, and togetherness!

Explore a Career in Law Enforcement — Youth Academy 2025

From our friends at the Linn County Sheriff's Office:

Join the Linn County Sheriff's Office for the upcoming Youth Academy at DPSST in Salem on June 30th from 8am-1pm! This free event is open to students ages 14-18 and will include hands-on learning experiences about the world of law enforcement! We will be joining DPSST, the Oregon State Police and other local law enforcement agencies for this exciting event! If you know a student in your life that is considering a future career in law enforcement, or maybe they just want to see what it is all about, then this is the perfect opportunity for them!

Spots are limited, so if interested register here today! We hope to see you there!

Calling All Helpers: Be Part of the Action at Jackson Street!

From our friends at the Jackson Street Youth Services:

We need volunteer help in the next few weeks with two specific things!

1. As some of you may remember, we completed a major renovation of Albany House, reopening in May 2022. Over time, unfortunately, our floors have shifted and are now in need of replacement. We have the opportunity to replace the flooring beginning June 16 through July 14. These dates may fluctuate slightly, but we anticipate Albany House being closed for one month. During this time, we will continue serving Linn County through our Corvallis House. We could really use some volunteer help moving furniture and getting the house ready on June 13th and 14th! If you are interested, or you know of a service club that could help us out, please contact Susan at volunteer@jacksonstreet.org

2. The Community Yard Sale is right around the corner! Item drop-off is June 25-26 and the sale is June 27-28. This is a completely volunteer-run event, and we could really use your help!

Click here to sign up for a shift! We really need assistance for set up on the 25th, breakdown on the 28th, and everything in between. This event is a joy to participate in! Hanging out on the farm with lovely people, pricing and selling cool stuff, and being a part of the Jackson Street community is pretty fun. Plus, there are inevitably home baked cookies and other tasty items for helpers. Email tsprink25@proton.me with any questions.

During the 2025 legislative session my office will continue to keep you updated and informed - and is always at your service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any community event announcements, legislative questions, or concerns. Talk soon,

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis