The interim is the best time to connect with legislators to share your priorities and understand theirs.
Invite them for a tour, meet for coffee or go to one of their town hall meetings.
The NWPA team has been touring the state, meeting with over 30 legislators and candidates in their districts this interim so far. From Tillamook to Talent, Phoenix to Philomath, the team has hosted tours for our clients with key policymakers. We're discussing the key issues, planning for the 2025 session, and providing updates on the good things our clients are doing in their communities. It's a great part of our job and something we love doing.
Here are a few examples (including a post from former Speaker Dan Rayfield).
Local Legislators and Leadership have toured Deschutes County's "Deflection" and behavioral health services programs, Central Oregon's planned CORE3 emergency response and training facility, St. Mary's Home for Boys' residential treatment facilities, Madras housing infrastructure and homeless shelters, Jefferson Fire/EMS, La Clinica's new Acute Care Clinic and learned about Rogue Workforce Partnership's and Central Oregon communities' priorities for their regions in recent months.
NWPA staff has worked closely with local partners to put together these in person educational tours.
Oregonians to Vote on 5 Ballot Measures in November
The official list of ballot measures Oregonians will get to vote on in the November 2024 election has been released by the Secretary of State's office.
Measure 115 would allow the House of Representatives to impeach certain state elected officials such as the Governor and Secretary of State.
Measure 116 would establish a new commission to better determine salaries for lawmakers and state officials.
Measure 117 would bring ranked choice voting statewide.
Measure 118 would increase corporate taxes (a 3% tax on gross revenues [sales]) to give every Oregonian $1,600 once a year. This could lead to cuts in other state services.
Measure 119 would make it easier for cannabis company employees to unionize without interference, and was just confirmed this week.
Measure 118 Would Mean Higher Corporate Taxes
"Just two of the more than 50 new laws proposed by Oregonians through the ballot initiative process stand a chance at appearing before voters in November.
Friday was the deadline for groups to submit the more than 100,000 petition signatures needed to give voters a chance to approve or reject ballot measures. Only two measures – one that would tax corporations more to give $750 annual payments to all Oregonians and one that would restrict union-busting in the cannabis industry – submitted signatures by Friday."
Read more about the ballot measures in the Capital Chronicle.
U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Homelessness
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson has reignited the debate over homelessness, affecting policies on sleeping on the streets. The ruling, considered a landmark case by the National Homelessness Law Center, allows cities to penalize public camping even if no alternative shelters are available. This overturns a previous lower court decision that had limited such bans. However, due to a 2021 state law, Oregon cities, including Grants Pass, still face restrictions on enforcing camping bans, thus minimizing immediate changes. Governor Tina Kotek, who authored the law, defended it, emphasizing that many cities have already made reasonable accommodations for unhoused individuals. Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, Oregon’s unique legal landscape means local jurisdictions must navigate both state law and the recent decision. While state law prevents a complete rollback to pre-2013 camping bans, some local officials, like Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, anticipate little change. However, the ruling has sparked calls from some lawmakers and officials to revisit and potentially repeal the state law to align more closely with the new Supreme Court ruling. This ongoing debate highlights the complex and often conflicting approaches to addressing homelessness, with cities like Portland and Grants Pass exemplifying the varied responses to this pressing issue. |
Oregon Democrats Join Republicans in Push to Revisit Homeless Camping Laws After Supreme Court Ruling
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allowing cities to ban homeless encampments, some Oregon Democrats have joined Republicans in calling for changes to state camping laws. The ruling has prompted centrist Democrats Sen. Mark Meek and Rep. Paul Evans to advocate for revisiting a 2021 state law that limits how cities can regulate camping in public spaces. This law, HB 3115, mandates that local regulations be "objectively reasonable," a standard that some lawmakers and officials find vague and restrictive.
Meek, Evans, and others argue that the law confuses and hinders local governments' ability to manage public spaces effectively. They are drafting a letter to senior party members to push for changes, suggesting that the law might need rewriting or be moot due to the Supreme Court decision. However, some influential Democrats, such as Rep. Pam Marsh and Sen. Kayse Jama, believe the 2021 law strikes a good balance and have not seen significant problems with it.
The League of Oregon Cities is analyzing the Supreme Court ruling and considering whether to support changes to the law. Meanwhile, advocates for those experiencing homelessness argue that the state law is essential for protecting the rights of unhoused individuals and preventing cities from enacting overly restrictive measures.
The debate is set to continue, with potential changes to the law being considered when lawmakers meet next year. Key figures such as Senate President Rob Wagner, House Speaker Julie Fahey, and Governor Tina Kotek have not yet commented on the Supreme Court ruling or indicated their stance on possible changes to HB 3115.
1,032 Housing Units Are Underway in Madras
Legislators recently visited the City of Madras to learn about its efforts to build affordable and middle-income housing. The city expects its population to nearly double over the next 10 years. "The need for more housing in Madras has rarely been higher than it is now, with yearly population growing at a rate of .5%, and neighboring counties seeing population growth rates between .72% in Crook County, and 1.25% annually in Deschutes County.
The city of Madras identified a need for more housing and outlines specific goals to not only create more housing, but more middle and low-income housing as well."
Read more on the current and planned development projects.
Transportation Funding on the 2025 Agenda
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It's Time to Engage!
Relationships with Legislators remain important, because the next Session is right around the corner.
Now is the time to begin scheduling meetings and tours, and inviting Legislators to learn more about your programs and hear about your priorities for 2025.
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