By Representative Cyrus Javadi, House District 32

Friends and Neighbors,

Last week, I finally received a response from Governor Kotek regarding my March 7th letter regarding the devastating impacts of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Her response was less than I had hoped for. In essence, the Governor acknowledged that this plan would cut local services significantly, but her solution seemed to be state welfare for the North Coast. She called the North Coast’s self-reliance on timber an “outdated funding model.” I’m afraid I have to disagree. Timber is one of Oregon’s greatest renewable resources and should remain a viable economic driver for our region.

I hope there is still time for the ODF to revise the implementation before the September deadline.

This week I have gotten thousands of emails on HB 3501 and SB 603. These bills would have the effect of making homelessness a permanent crisis in Oregon. HB 3501 would allow tent cities nearly everywhere, and SB 603 would give homeless individuals $1,000 per month. BOTH of these bills are dead because we have already passed the deadline for bills to be passed out of their first committee, so they are unlikely to move forward. However, HB 3501 was scheduled for a public hearing this upcoming Thursday at 8 AM, likely as a courtesy to the sponsors. Regardless, register to testify on the bill here or submit written testimony here.

Before I go, I want to throw out a quick reminder that the May 16 elections are coming up. There are school board elections in every school district on the North Coast. You should be receiving your ballots in the mail any day now. Don’t forget to vote!

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with comments, questions, or concerns at 503-986-1432 or Rep.CyrusJavadi@oregonlegislature.gov.

EARTH DAY: Votes for Common Sense Energy Policies

In recognition of Earth Day, House Republicans forced votes on five pieces of legislation that would have protected Oregon from future environmental hazards, boosted clean energy, and helped us further understand the long-term impacts of renewable energy infrastructure on our environment. Every bill with Republican chief sponsors died in committe and was voted down.

NEXT WEEK: House Bills 2002 and 2005

On Monday, the House will take up HB 2002, a bill that goes beyond what most Oregonians believe is reasonable when it comes to abortion and “gender-affirming care.” We are scheduled to be on the floor for 9 hours, with most of that time being dedicated to debate. On a related note, SJR 33 passed out of a Senate committee this week. The bill would refer a constitutional amdendment to voters asking them to enshrine abortion and “gender-affirming care” into Oregon’s Constitution.

Below is a fact sheet that explains the most extreme aspects of HB 2002:

On Tuesday, the House will take up HB 2005, an omnibus gun control bill that will further erode Oregonian’s 2nd amendment rights with no apparent benefit to public safety. The bill will likely be challenged in court if passed and will likely be found unconstitutional.

This article from CNN explains well how there is an all-time high interest from those who identify as liberal, women, and minorities in owning firearms for self-protection.

In a time of rising crime, we must ensure that those most vulnerable to being victims of crime have the legal right to protect themselves. HB 2005 does the opposite.

Oregonians Deserve Tax Relief

Tax Day is a hard day for Oregonians, but it doesn’t have to be. Oregonians, along with Bay Staters (Massachusetts), paid the largest share of their income in taxes, with middle-tax Oregonians bearing the heaviest burden in the nation. Oregon consistently lands in the top 5 most expensive states to live or retire in.

That is why I supported the House Republicans’ Tax Day Package that would have given Oregonians much-needed relief. The bills would have repealed unfair double taxation and given middle-class Oregonians a broad-based tax cut. Unfortunately, all five bills were blocked by the majority party.

Thank you, Oregon League of Conservation Voters!

I recently got to meet virtually with the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) to chat about their legislative priorities! Thanks, Cheryl, Eric, and Gordon for talking. We may disagree on some things, but we can work together to protect our environment!

Opportunity for Your Input at Dept. of Forestry

The Oregon Department of Forestry is inviting public comment on planned projects, timber sales, and other management activities in state-owned forests in fiscal year 2024.

Public comment is now open through 5 p.m. on June 8. Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans (AOPs) for state forests in the Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath Falls, Tillamook, West Oregon, and Western Lane Districts.

These plans lay out on-the-ground activities expected to take place in the coming fiscal year. State forests, by law, must provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to Oregonians. To achieve the legal mandate, these lands are managed to create healthy, productive forests, high-quality habitats for native fish and wildlife, clean water, timber, revenues to rural communities, and recreation and education opportunities.

Overall management policies and management goals are established in long-range Forest Management Plans and Implementation Plans. Annual Operations Plans describe activities to achieve the objectives and goals laid out in the longer-range plans. ODF is seeking input on the draft AOP summary documents, which can be viewed on the State Forests website.

Common topics included in an Annual Operations Plan include:

Timber harvest operations
Recreation improvement and maintenance projects
Forest road construction, maintenance, and improvements
Reforestation/replanting and young stand management activities
Habitat improvement for native species
Invasive species management

The most useful input speaks to these specific activities and whether they are consistent with longer-range plans, offers suggestions to improve efficiency or effectiveness, corrects errors, provides additional information, and is solution-oriented, understanding that state forests are working forests and by law must provide a variety of economic, environmental, and social benefits. Activities that affect fish and wildlife habitats are reviewed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, while operations that may affect threatened and endangered fish and wildlife habitats are shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Public comment on planned projects, timber sales, and other management activities in the North Cascade District fiscal year 2024 Annual Operation Plan will be conducted separately.

ODF is offering several convenient avenues to comment on AOPs:

Online comments can be submitted received through ODF’s comments page
Comments can be emailed to: odf.sfcomments@odf.oregon.gov
Comments can also be mailed to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310

Congrats, Peyton!

Tillamook High School Junior Peyton Rawe was selected as the Western States Angus Queen by the American Angus Association at the Western Angus Futurity Show in Reno earlier this month.

She was invited to the show after being named Oregon’s Angus Queen after an extensive selection process.

She will serve as a representative for the industry over the course of the next year at trade shows and Angus female and bull sales. The Western States Angus Queen represents Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and California and serves as a face for the industry.