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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
House Floor sessions were held every day this week, and although many bills were passed, I really don't know what was accomplished. There were controversial and inappropriate resolutions followed by ones that honor heroes and people who have given decades of service to the State. There were bills that do nothing and bills that don’t benefit Oregonians. We moved through many of the agency budget bills, but not all of them despite them being ready. Floor was often only a few hours when there was ample time to move more bills. It is all just baffling to me. In all the time I have been around the Legislative process I have never seen a session so disorganized as this. Will we be able to get the budget bills, our constitutional obligation done before June 29th at midnight? Well, that is up to the party in charge of both calendars, so we will see. Come Monday, there are only 7 days left and a 12 hours on the Floor rule, so that’s 84-hours… tick-tock.
The highlight of this past week, however, was attending the Southern Oregon University graduation ceremony last Saturday to watch and celebrate my son who completed his Masters in Education. It was my first time back to a graduation ceremony at Southern Oregon University since I graduated from, then Southern Oregon State College, in 1990. Thirty-five years goes by fast.
As I watched graduation, I reflected back to 1990 and the excitement I had at graduation knowing I would be working in the State Capitol for the 1991 session. I remember that feeling of anticipation and my passion for the Legislative process. I was going to make a difference, a positive influence on Oregon!
However, 35 years later, what I see today as I work in the Capitol, is legislation being passed that is not making a difference or setting these graduates up to be successful. I see one sided decision making that aims to limit these graduates’ opportunities, take away their rights, increase their taxes, and put them in a position where they must decide to stay and fight, like I did, or leave Oregon to fulfill their dreams.
For them and for all Oregonians, I will continue to stand up to lopsided legislation and in hopes that someday we will see a change in Salem. A change that will finally bring balance to the process and give hope to the next generation.
As always, I appreciate your support. Please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
SB 83 - Wildfire Remapping
House Republicans have now tried four times to pull SB 83 out of committee and to the floor for successful passage, which would repeal the deeply flawed wildfire hazard maps. It sits held hostage as a bargaining chip to force Republicans to agree to use Oregon’s kicker to pay for wildfire suppression. Despite the fact that it passed off the Senate Floor unanimously!
For a third and fourth time, the motion to withdraw the bill from committee failed, despite bipartisan support. We will continue to pull this bill until the majority party realizes these maps MUST be repealed.
In a new proposal, Governor Kotek has supported using 60% of the kicker for wildfire funding and distributing the remaining funds to Oregonians who have incomes less than $95,000 per year. This is not an equitable solution. Everyone who paid into the kicker fund deserves THEIR money back, not just those the Governor picks and chooses.
Yesterday, Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Redmond) gave a remonstrance on the House Floor expressing her strong support for SB 83 and why Oregon needs this legislation. Please watch it here. Despite her desires, her caucus will NOT give the bill the votes it needs to become law.
HB 2025 - Transportation Tax
I've written about HB 2025 in recent newsletters, but I wanted to share a new update regarding the price tag of this legislation. The non-partisan Legislative Revenue Office released its revenue impact statement on HB 2025’s -13 amendment with a price tag of $15.5 billion over ten years – the largest tax hike in Oregon’s history. In comparison, the 2017 transportation package (HB 2017) was estimated to raise $5.3 billion while the 2019 Corporate Activity Tax (HB 3427), the hidden sales tax on everything you purchase, was projected to raise more than $12 billion over ten years.
Oregonians are already overburdened by taxes and inflation. HB 2025 is not the way to fund our transportation system and yet, the bill passed on a partisan vote in the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment Friday. In fact, Sen. Mark Meek (D-Gladstone) was removed from the committee and replaced with Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego). This change was made because Sen. Meek was opposed to the bill and would have voted in opposition, which would have killed the bill in committee. The only way to move the bill out of committee was to remove him from his ability to vote and that is exactly what the Senate President did.
We will see HB 2025 on the House Floor this week in the final days of session. The question now is, do the Democrats have the necessary 36 votes to pass it? Because this bill contains multiple new taxes, it requires a 3/5th majority to pass. They will NOT be getting a yes vote from me.
HCR 40 - Trail Blazers
HCR 40 passed on the House Floor this week, and for the second time this session, I received the Liberty Flag for being the only NO vote.
I didn't oppose this resolution because I dislike the Trail Blazers, I voted NO because I have concerns for what's ahead. Let me explain...
Earlier this week the House passed SB 110 which allows a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to enter a perpetual revenue sharing agreement with the State of Oregon. In short, the bill provides a State backed loan of up to $2 billion to an MLB franchise to build a new stadium in Portland if they decide to locate here. The MLB franchise will then pay back the 30-year loan with payroll taxes from their players and visiting players paychecks, along with other game related revenues. By the payroll tax going to repay the loan, it's money that will NOT be going into the general fund to be used for education, community services, paving roads, etc.
HCR 40 says:
“…we urge the current and future owners of the Trail Blazers, in partnership with the National Basketball Association, to make a lasting commitment to keep the team based in Oregon for generations to come”.
If I was the current or future owner of the Portland Trailblazers, who play in an arena built in 1995, which is located in a part of Portland that is difficult to get to, due to ODOT not completing the Rose Quarter project (promised in the 2017 transportation package), I would absolutely be coming to the Legislature to say, “You passed a resolution begging us to stay, we want a State loan too for 30 years just like you gave to the MLB. We also want a brand-new arena or we are relocating out of State”.
SB 110 opened a door, and HCR 40 said to the Trailblazers future ownership “come on in”. Therefore, I could not support the resolution.
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Retirement Goodbyes
A big congratulations and thank you to Mr. Al Tindle of Dallas who officially retired (for the second time) from the Oregon State Police after 51 years of service. Listen to my unofficial resolution honoring Al for his dedication and service. He will be greatly missed in the Capitol. Best wishes on his new adventures.
Farmer Rancher Day
 Governor Kotek officially signed HB 3141, recognizing the third Tuesday of every March as Oregon Farmer and Rancher Day. Thank you Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson (R-Prineville) for bringing this legislation forward.
Perrydale School Board
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This week I surprised two Perrydale School board members at their final school board meeting before retiring from the board. I was honored to present them with certificates of appreciation and a small gift from my office.
Current Chair Amber Burns (left) has served on the Board for 8 years, and Trina Comerford (right) has served for 12. I had the honor of serving on the school board with both of these women and I cannot thank them enough for all the years they gave to the school, students, faculty and community.
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 The Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) was created by House Bill 3005 during the 2023 Legislative Session to build out child care infrastructure statewide. Business Oregon works with the Department of Early Learning and Care, other state agencies, and private and non-profit entities to implement this grant and loan program.
The Child Care Infrastructure Program is a competitive statewide grant focused on providing funds for the establishment, expansion, and improvements of child care facilities across the state. The first round of Child Care Infrastructure Fund funding awarded a total of $10 million in grants to 64 child care businesses in 29 different Oregon counties for eligible projects.
This round will consisted of $15 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects that further the wellbeing of children and families in Oregon.
The following organizations in HD 23 received the latest awards from the Childcare Infrastructure Funds:
- $80,008 to Leanne Joy Baker Daycare in Newberg for updating the drainage, improving ground cover, installation of a covered patio, addition and improvement of outdoor play structurers, and new fencing.
- $100,000 to Green Acres Preschool & Daycare, LLC. In Newberg for renovations and facility enhancements including plumbing, electrical, flooring, HVAC, fencing, insulation, concrete treatment and kitchen needs.
- $23,000 to Buckle My Shoe Childcare, LLC. in Newberg for new electrical, air filtration and mini split heating and cooling system.
Heat-Related Illness Webinar
Newberg Lavender Festival
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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