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The interim is here! After six months of grinding away inside the Capitol walls, we wrapped things up in grand fashion on June 27th and gaveled out of a topsy turvy session that unfortunately left a lot of unsolved policy questions. Regardless, everyone now gets some time to rest while still remaining focused on constituent issues (which are year-round). Last interim, our office put out monthly newsletters, but we're upping the ante and putting them out bi-weekly this time around to hopefully keep House District 11 more informed on events happening near them!
A unique aspect of this interim (at least since I've worked in the Capitol), has been the total closure of the building since July 7th. This meant filling the "other duties as needed" clause of my contract, and taking much of the office with me for the summer - cart by cart. Suffice it to say, my place is home to a lot more plants than ever before! The upside of all of this is we're being promised a fully re-open Capitol by September Legislative Days, an exciting prospect for someone who hasn't seen the building in an even remotely "normal" capacity since I was an intern back in 2022. While we can't hold our breath too much on the construction timeline, it'll be fun to be back in the building once summer wraps up, whether for a Special Session to advance a transportation deal or just for Leg Days!
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Speaking of a special session, we'd be remiss not to touch on the ongoing predicament with ODOT after the Legislature's failure to pass a transportation package last month. We've been hearing the new plan is a 6-cent gas tax increase to stop the layoffs and keep ODOT functioning, without cheating local jurisdictions of their share of the gas tax revenues. There is no telling yet when we might get called back for a special session - especially when the Capitol building is closed, but it's clear that the Governor is still looking at quick fixes to the problem, rather than looking into the chronic waste and mismanagement that the agency has been plagued with. Let's be clear: ODOT has money, and we're arguing about the 2% chunk of their budget for road maintenance in the pie chart below. That's where the layoffs are being driven from.
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Combines!!! Undoubtedly my favorite time of year. After our grass swaths have laid out for 7-10 days, the moisture has usually dried out enough that the seed can be combined without getting ruined - too wet, and it's not only miserable to combine, but the seed can actually lose its ability to germinate. This year, my 14-year-old niece is running a combine for the first time, and being a trooper! Hard to believe my dad sent me out solo when I was 11 and watching her by comparison - so nerve racking to trust that it's going to be okay, but also so fun to watch her gaining confidence in such a big piece of equipment.
Days are definitely long, meaning Conner gets work calls at very odd hours - but we make it work, because serving the needs of our constituents doesn't end at Sine Die!
 
At a recent city council meeting, Lebanon PD Officer Zachary McKinney was awarded the Lifesaving Medal in recognition of his swift action in a life-or-death situation! Chief Stevenson presented the honor before a packed room of fellow officers, city leaders, and grateful community members, praising Officer McKinney’s resolve and calm under pressure when delivering multiple rounds of CPR to a patient that wasn't breathing.
The recognition wasn’t just for one heroic moment—it was a celebration of the compassion and professionalism he brings to the job every day. We hope that's clear just how deeply appreciated Officer McKinney is by the community he serves, and it's an honor to have him as our spotlight this week!
Lebanon Police Chief Frank Stevenson Presents Officer McKinney with his Lifesaving Medal
Movies at the Mill in Lebanon Begins Tonight
Movies at the Mill kicks off tonight with a magical showing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at Scroggins Mill! Hosted by the Lebanon Downtown Association and Santiam Excursion Trains, this event brings the community together for an evening of outdoor fun, food, and film.
Local vendors will be on hand with tasty treats, and families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to get cozy under the stars. The movie begins at dusk, so come early, grab a good spot, and enjoy the first of many unforgettable summer nights!
 Brownsville Citywide Garage Sale Tomorrow
Bargain hunters, get ready: Brownsville’s much-loved Citywide Garage Sale returns tomorrow, July 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.! With dozens of sales happening all over town, it’s the perfect chance to hunt for hidden treasures, score great deals, and explore the community along the way.
Pick up a garage sale map at local spots like DariMarket, Dollar General, Randy’s Main Street Coffee, and City Hall, or download it ahead of time here to plan your route. Whether you're on the lookout for antiques, clothes, or just a fun way to spend a summer Saturday, you won’t want to miss it!
 Family Movie Night Series in Sweet Home
Sweet Home’s New Life in Christ Fellowship is kicking off its 9th annual Family Movie Night series tonight with a showing of Chicken Little! This free, family-friendly event is a summer favorite, offering a relaxed evening under the stars with snacks provided and plenty of fun for all ages.
Bring your chairs, blankets, and a flashlight, and settle in for a heartwarming outdoor movie experience. With a welcoming atmosphere and a great lineup ahead, it’s the perfect way to spend a Friday night in the community.
 Blue Pool Trailhead Weekday Closure
Heads up, hikers! The Blue Pool Trailhead and a portion of the McKenzie River National Scenic Trail will be closed on weekdays from July 16th through July 30th for public safety, due to a habitat restoration project by Eugene Water & Electric Board. The closure includes both the main hiking trail and the bike bypass trail.
Weekend adventurers are in luck—access will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays, and hikers can still reach Blue Pool from the north via the trailheads at Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls. Just be aware that parking is limited and fills quickly. Looking for alternatives? Nearby trails like Clear Lake, Proxy Falls, and areas south of Trail Bridge Reservoir offer scenic options to explore. More details available here.
 Tie Dye Workshop at Lebanon Library Next Tuesday
The Lebanon Public Library has swapped out its July 22nd Teen Printmaking class for something even more colorful—a Tie Dye Workshop! Open to ages 12–18, this hands-on event promises creative fun and vibrant results.
Space is limited, so be sure to call the library at 541-258-4926 to reserve your spot. Don’t miss your chance to add some custom flair to your summer!
 Boys & Girls Club Talent Shows Next Week
Get ready to cheer on some amazing young performers at the 2nd Annual Boys & Girls Club Talent Show! Join us for two fun-filled evenings as BGC members from Sweet Home and Lebanon take the stage to show off the talents they’ve been working on all summer long.
The Sweet Home show (not included in graphic) takes place July 23rd from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at 890 18th Ave. The Lebanon show that follows on July 25th from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at 305 S 5th St. These events are free, fun, and full of heart—you won’t want to miss them!
For your child to participate in the talent show, they need a permission slip filled out. Permission slips can be found in the front office at both locations. Please turn them back into the office completely filled out.
 Harrisburg Summer Sounds Thursday Concert Series
Harrisburg’s Summer Sounds concert series is back and bringing live music to Thursday nights under the gazebo! Running through August 7th, these free concerts start at 6:30 p.m., with food trucks opening at 5:30 p.m. (and early at 3:00 p.m. on July 24 for the Business Expo).
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the evening with friends and neighbors. Wine and beer are welcome (but not sold), and nonalcoholic drinks are available on site. Just remember—friendly, leashed pets are welcome too, as long as everyone cleans up after themselves!
Blood Drive in Halsey Next Friday
The Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive in Halsey next Friday, July 25th, and your donation could make all the difference. Summer often brings a steep drop in blood supply—about 20%—just when the need is at its highest. With more travel and outdoor activity comes a greater demand for lifesaving blood, and the Red Cross is asking for the community’s help to meet it.
Appointments are encouraged and can be made here, or by calling City Hall at 541-369-2522. As an added bonus, we’ve heard donors may be eligible to receive a free Fandango movie pass via email after donating—just one more reason to roll up your sleeve and give this summer!
 Stand By Me Day Next Saturday in Brownsville
Mark your calendars: Brownsville’s beloved Stand By Me Day is set for Saturday, July 26th! This one-of-a-kind celebration honors the iconic film shot right here in town and draws fans from all over the world. With the date moved to a Saturday this year, even more locals can join the fun and help bring the story to life. From film-site tours to themed festivities, it’s a day packed with nostalgia, community spirit, and small-town charm
 Lebanon Fire District Bowling Fundraiser July 27th
Get ready to lace up your bowling shoes, because the Lebanon Fire District is hosting its 2nd Annual LFCAIRS Bowling Bash and Silent Auction next Sunday, July 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Linn Lanes! This fun-filled evening supports the Lebanon Fire Community Assistance and Initial Relief Service, a local nonprofit that provides critical help to neighbors in need, from fire loss victims to families in crisis.
Whether you're bowling with friends or bidding on great silent auction items, your participation helps make a real difference. Tickets are $15 per bowler or $100 for a team, and can be reserved on Eventbrite, at Station 31, or by calling 541-451-1901. Come out and support the incredible work LFCAIRS does for our community!
 Harrisburg Harvest Festival Returns August 1st
Mark your calendars: The Harrisburg Harvest Festival is bringing the heat with its crowd-favorite Truck & Tractor Pull on August 1st and 2nd! Get ready for two nights of high-octane fun as engines roar and dirt flies in this thrilling hometown tradition.
Best of all, it’s all for a great cause—proceeds go to support our incredible local FFA students. For more details and to grab tickets, see their website!
Harrisburg Education Foundation Color Run Fundraiser
Get ready to run, splash, and support local schools! The Harrisburg Education Foundation is hosting a colorful fundraiser on August 2nd with its annual Color Run. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to get moving and give back.
Register now or find more information at this link!
 Central Linn School Supply Drive Until August 8th
Georgia Pacific is helping local students gear up for a great school year with a School Supply Drive benefiting the Central Linn School District! From now through August 8, community members can drop off donations at Halsey City Hall or the Brownsville Dollar General.
A huge thank you to Georgia Pacific for leading the charge—and to everyone in the community who’s pitching in to support our students. Every backpack, notebook, and pencil makes a difference!
 
Changes to Public Access at Thomas Creek
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to important changes regarding access at Thomas Creek, located south of Highway 226 near Jordan Road. Due to ongoing issues such as fires, littering, drug activity, and fights, the private property that once allowed access to the north side of the creek has been fenced off and clearly marked with "No Trespassing" signs by the new property owners. This includes the popular rock outcrop often used for swimming and sunbathing.
While the public retains the right to be in the creek bed and up to the ordinary high-water mark under the Public Trust Doctrine, areas above this mark—including the rock outcrop and upper banks—are private property and off-limits without permission. The Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to respect these boundaries to help preserve public access and keep the area safe.
 Marine Board Walks Back Inner Tube Permitting
Our office has had several inquiries about new regulations of watercraft on Oregon's waterways, including the interpretation that even two inner tubes tied together would need a permit to be in the water. The problem? This was never the Legislature's intent with HB 2982. In response, the board has clarified that inner tubes are not "boats" and therefore are not subject to regulation. Unfortunately, nonmotorized boats still are, including kayaks, rafts, and paddleboards. The Statesman Journal did a great write-up on the situation here.
Intel layoffs ripple across Oregon economy
KOIN
Too many sellers, too few buyers — it’s a worry suddenly on the minds of some realtors in Washington County following Intel’s announcement they’re laying off nearly 3000 workers at its campuses in Hillsboro. The company that makes the brains inside a computer, the computer processor, had more than 22,000 workers at its Washington County facilities. But these layoffs will affect more than the Intel workers. They will affect Oregon’s economy. “Whether it’s the family, the local economies, the small businesses, yeah, there’s always a ripple effect,” said Deanna Palm with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. “And I think that definitely this should be a signal for a sense of urgency and doubling down on our economic development efforts here in the state of Oregon.”
Oregon is one of the worst states for business, according to new CNBC ranking
KOIN
Portland is one of the worst states for business, according to CNBC’s most recent annual American business ranking. The city ranked as the 11th worst state for business in 2025 based on seven categories that rated each state’s economy, infrastructure, workforce, cost of doing business, business friendliness, quality of life, and technology and innovation. This year’s rating comes just one year after Oregon ranked as the 28th best state for business — and eight years after it ranked as the 17th best in 2017. Experts with Oregon Business and Industry say this is the state’s lowest ranking in the history of CNBC’s state business ranking.
Oregon Transgender Athletics Lawsuit Part of Larger Bid to Redefine Title IX Nationwide
Willamette Week
A lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of three Oregon student athletes who challenged transgender girls’ rights to compete in female-only sports is part of a nationwide strategy by the America First Policy Institute to use Title IX to limit those athletes’ participation. The federal lawsuit was first reported by KATU-TV and picked up by several outlets. Less noted was the role of the Arlington, Va.-based think tank in coordinating the legal strategy and assisting the plaintiffs, even though the America First Policy Institute’s attorneys are listed on the complaint.
State audit: Oregon could be wasting millions in poorly managed contracts
KPTV
The state of Oregon could be doing significantly more to improve how it manages contracts and oversees public purchasing, according to a new audit released Wednesday by the Secretary of State’s office. The audit highlights key weaknesses in the state’s procurement system that could be costing taxpayers millions. It found Oregon lacks a centralized compliance program to catch risky spending decisions, is falling short on customer service that would help agencies follow regulations, and is not fully utilizing its purchasing platform, OregonBuys.
ODOT layoffs impact nearly 500 employees, largest in state government history, Gov. Kotek says
KOIN
More than 480 employees with the Oregon Department of Transportation received layoff notices today, and that number is expected to grow by next year. The notices arrived just a week after Oregon’s legislative session ended without approving the funds needed for ODOT to meet its budget. A second round of layoffs is expected to begin in early 2026. Oregon House Republican leader Christine Drazan told KOIN 6 that ODOT’s budget issues and price hikes drove her to oppose the transportation bill. “We’re talking about an agency that has a culture that refuses to stay within their budget and produce on behalf of Oregonians,” she said.
Oregon recreation liability bills fall short in legislative session – yet again
The Oregonian
Proponents of new protections for Oregon recreation businesses will have to hold out hope – yet again – for another legislative session. This year’s House Bill 3140 and Senate Bill 1196 represented the third attempt in the last decade to settle the issue of recreation liability, as lawmakers have struggled to reconcile with the Oregon Supreme Court’s 2014 decision to invalidate broad liability waivers that would protect recreational businesses from negligence claims...
2025 Legislative Session Wrap Up
Ramming Things Through in the Final Hours of Session
Priorities: Celebrating Black Drag? T-Bone Steaks?
HB 2025: Over a Billion in New Taxes!
Get Ready for Tax Increases!
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