REST IN PEACE, JACKIE.

On Wednesday, we were shocked with the news of Senator Winter’s passing. She courageously battled lung cancer for the past few years. Our hearts are heavy, and our prayers are with her family.

Senator Jackie Winters, 82, was always full of life. She was a trailblazer, a stateswoman, a dedicated public servant, and passionate advocate for all Oregonians. She always had a bright smile and that smile and her legacy will far outlive her energetic personality.

She was the first African-American Republican elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1999. Before that she was a successful business woman, owning a barbecue joint called Jackie's Ribs. 

Jonathan Kollaer v. Leukemia

Jonathan is part of the Dutch Bros family.

On April 16, he went into the hospital because he thought he had the flu. Shortly after he arrived he was told he had Leukemia. He started chemo treatment at OHSU 4 days later. Jonathan is self employed as a tile guy and is well known for his specialty tile work. The doctors told him he will be out of work for at least a year. He’s the sole provider for his family of 3 high school aged kids, his wife, 27 snakes, 2 dogs and a cat. Jonathan’s oldest child and grandson reside in California. 

This week, all of the Albany Dutch Bros locations donated 100% of their Wednesday's profits to the Kollaer family to help them battle his cancer. They raised $25,744!

His Go-Fund-Me page's goal is $20,000. Let's see if we can make that goal, too!

#KOLLAERSTRONG #JONATHANVSLEUKEMIA #DUTCHBROS

PERS “Reform”

On Thursday, SB 1049 was considered before the House of Representatives. This bill was the Democrat’s attempt at reforming the PERS system, which faces a $27 billion unfunded liability. There is bipartisan agreement that our public pension system threatens our essential public services like education, fire, and police protection. These services are important to save. That is why I voted ‘no’ on this bill.

The bill made a lazy attempt at dealing with the PERS problem. It simply shifted money around and extended the minimum payment schedule on the deficit by 8 to 10 years. The bill would redirect some of the contributions employees make to their retirement account into a “stabilization fund," which is unfair to our public employees. In addition, nothing is to keep this small cost savings in place because the Governor can give public employees that money back, in the form of pay raises for public employees, next time collective bargaining comes around.

Essentially, this bill is tantamount to refinancing a mortgage, which is not a long term PERS fix.

This plan simply kicked the can down the road. “Legislators voted to shortchange contributions to the system for a decade in order to generate cost savings now. It’s risky. If the system’s investment returns hit another rough patch, or the economy hits a downturn, the retirement system’s funded status could take a major hit, which will put more upward pressure on costs.” (Oregonian: Oregon Senate passes PERS reforms in ‘hardest vote of our lives’)

If we truly want to save our essential services from PERS, we need REAL reforms. Not shell games, not simply shifting money around, not punting the problem. We cannot continue the "tax and spend" strategy and expect to cut costs, which is what we need. 

Even more peculiar than the policy of the bill, was the politics of the bill.

The bill was introduced just 24 days ago. Obviously, PERS reform was not at the top of the majority party's agenda this session to wait until just 2 months until session is over. Additionally, Republicans were not involved in the process. Senator Knopp has long been a leader on PERS reform. He has introduced at least 9 bills this session that would make meaningful reforms to the system. None of them received a hearing in committee. This is just another example of why one-party rule is bad for Oregon. We get one-sided policy.

After a relatively short floor debate, the SB 1049 looked like it was going to fail. The vote ended at 29-31, when Speaker Kotek put the body "at ease" (a parliamentary procedure that allows members to move about until the body comes to order again). As a chief sponsor, when the Speaker realized the bill may not pass the House remained at ease for 30 minutes while Democrats who voted 'no' filed into the Speaker's office one by one. Representative Salinas and Greenlick ended up switching their votes after a talk with the Speaker and the bill passed 31-29.

Read more about the PERS bill here: PERS reform passes after Speaker whips last-minute votes; After shaky start, Oregon House passes PERS reform

GOVERNOR'S NEW KICKER PLAN

Gov Kate Brown has unveiled a proposal to cap Oregon’s record kicker payment at $1000 per taxpayer. That would leave about $500 million with the state, she says. That means if you are a “rich” person, you'd not get your kicker even though you paid the most into the system. Why this attack on the successful? “Rich” is relative - look at the levels for joint filers. Doesn't everyone deserve their money back? Who’s money is it? PLUS we already have a system in place where ANY taxpayer can check a box on their tax return to have their kicker go to K-12 education. If one doesn't want their kicker, there's a process to donate it. (h/t Rep. Bill Post)

See on Facebook here.

THE LABEL IS THE LAW

"The label is the law." 
Here is an informative video from local farmer, Brenda Frketich, spraying a field and providing a clear explanation how we farmers follow agricultural regulation, keeping our communities and workers safe.

What the video here: https://www.facebook.com/nuttygrass/videos/725338777868685/

#nuttygrass #thelabelisthelaw #orag

LOCAL BUSINESS STEPS UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY

The level of community involvement from my District, is second to none!

Local industry leader, Oregon Freeze Dry LLC, has committed $50,000 towards the purchase of equipment to support Linn-Benton Community College’s Mechatronics Program.

Building upon a long relationship with the college, OFD’s donation will help meet the educational and training needs of students in the Mechatronics program. 

Read more: https://www.linnbenton.edu/news/oregon-freeze-dry-50k-gift.php

Once again, our community taking care of their own!

ALBANY FEATURED IN AAA MAGAZINE

Albany was featured in this month's edition of AAA's  Oregon Magazine, Via. They highlighted the Carousel, Sybaris, Monteith House, and the delicious Downtown Waffle.   #ALBANY

RED CROSS

The Red Cross stopped by the office this week to make sure we knew about the awesome services they provide. Along with their emergency response services, blood drives, and much more, they provide free smoke alarms and installation to those who need them. They told us that they know of at least 5 lives that have been saved because of their smoke alarms. Having smoke alarms is so important. If you don’t have them installed in your home, make sure to do it. Call, email, or sign up on the Red Cross website now!

OREGON CIVICS 101 by Renée Perry

Hello friends of District 15!

This installment, we are taking a look at the Oregon Governor.

The Governor

In case of contested elections or a tie: The two houses of the Legislative Assembly, will elect and/or determine the outcome.

Article V – THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1 – Chief Executive, Term and eligibility

Section 2 – Qualifications

Section 3 – Who isn’t eligible

Section 4 – Election of Governor

Section 5 – Votes and tie

To continue reading about the Executive Branch and remaining Sections 6 through 18 of THE CONSTITUTION OF OREGON, click here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/OrConst.aspx

DID YOU KNOW Oregon does not have a Lieutenant Governor?

Only 5 states do not have a Lt. Governor: Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wyoming.

There, that wasn’t so bad? Now, don’t forget to follow the Representative on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Do YOU have a question about Oregon politics or visiting the Capitol? Hopefully we can provide an easy and digestible answer. Send questions directly to my email: renee.perry@oregonlegislature.gov

Always happy to help,

ALS LUNCHEON

With all the craziness at the Capitol right now, its nice to get away and support a good cause. 

This week, an ALS Luncheon was held to help raise money for ALS research and awareness. Many legislators, community members, and business leaders were there to support the cause. 

To learn more about ALS and how you can help find a cure visit, http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html

Check out what is going on in Albany here:

https://albanyvisitors.com/calendar-of-events/calendar/

https://albanydowntown.com/events/

https://www.cityofalbany.net/calendar

CONSTRUCTION ALERT

Linn County

OR 34: Seven Mile Lane to Sunset Drive paving Lanes are closed for paving with 24-hour work zone speed restrictions. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic. Work is from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights. No work will be done Friday - Sunday.

OR 34 is being repaved and shoulder rumble strips added between Seven Mile Lane and Sunset Drive, east of Interstate 5 and west of Lebanon.

Work began May 5 and will be completed in mid-June.

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