By Representative Cyrus Javadi, House District 32

The House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water recently held an informational hearing on HB 3585, my bill to address the concerns in the current draft of the Department of Forestry’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). If you have been following me for any period of time, you have likely heard me talk about this plan and the devastating impacts that it will have on the North Coast, especially Clatsop County. More on the hearing below…

As we come to the end of session, we are focusing on budgets. The recent revenue forecast was great news for taxpayers and budget writers alike. If projections hold, Oregon taxpayers will receive a $5.5 billion kicker, the largest kicker refund in Oregon history.

It’s hard to say what that means exactly for you, but earlier this year, when economists estimated a $3.9 billion kicker, Oregonians with an income of $33,000-$58,000 could receive about $820 back.

This revenue forecast means that legislators also have more money to invest in critical needs around the state. Budgets reflect priorities, and we must prioritize education, public safety, and housing.

I was proud to help introduce HB 3627, a bill to fully fund our schools to the tune of $10.4 billion. District leaders and teachers have told the Legislature they need at least $10.3 billion to maintain the current service level. However, the budget that we voted on was only $10.2 billion. Its frustrating that we do not give schools what they say they need, despite having the money to do it without raising taxes.

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

HCP Hearing

If this HCP plan moves forward, our communities will likely need to come back to the state for money to backfill the lost revenue to decrease timber harvest. I strongly disagree with the Governor that our economy is “outdated.”

We talked to the committee meeting about the need for great local involvement and the need to strike a better balance between environmental goals and the economic needs of the local community.

This graphic explains the impact of the HCP on the North Coast:

Community leaders from the North Coast came to testify in support of this bill. Thank you, Clatsop County Commissioner Courtney Bangs, Kevin Leahy (the Executive Director of Clatsop Economic Development Resources), and Lindsay Davis (Community Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator for Hampton Lumber & Family Forests), for coming out to support this important effort!

Watch the hearing here, and read Hampton Lumber’s blog post titled, “Yes, in My Backyard: Rural Oregonians Defend Deep Connections to Working State Forestlands” here. Here is a powerful experpt from their write-up:

“Some think our deep connection to these forests is a vulnerability,” says Bangs. “We don’t see it that way. We’re proud that we have the capacity and know-how to sustainably grow, harvest, and process wood the region needs. We have no interest in being severed from the natural resources 

that surround us.”  Wood will come from somewhere, she adds, and she’d rather it come from local and sustainably managed forests.  “Yes, in my backyard!” she says. “Yes, please!”  

Counties and residents most affected by the HCP harvest reductions are also skeptical that the state can make up the difference in lost ODF economic opportunity in their already underserved areas.  They point to impacts of similar habitat policies on federal forests in southern Oregon and see trouble on the horizon. Harvests were drastically reduced on 24 million acres of federal forest in the early 1990s to protect Spotted Owl habitat. Mills shuttered across the region. Unfortunately, despite the establishment of these large conservation areas, three decades later Spotted owl populations continue to decline.  Federal payments were legislated to try to offset some of the lost revenue, but these payments remain far too little to cover the now limited services in affected regions. Communities continue to struggle in part, because the payments fall short of compensating for the lost jobs and economic activity that is generated by active forest management.  Lindsay Davis, who works for Hampton Family Forests in Clatsop County has first-hand experience with this reality. Lindsay, the daughter of a mill worker in Josephine County, Oregon, lived through the shutdown of the federal forests thirty years ago. Her dad and extended family members lost jobs. Some lost hope.” 

Update on Sunset Empire Transportation District

The Sunset Empire Transportation District recently resumed bus service on some of its routes in Clatsop County, including weekday service along Highway 101 between Astoria and Cannon Beach.

The Astorian earlier reported that the transit district would restore some services after it had abruptly suspended operations and laid off workers due to a six-figure budget shortfall which first came to light at a board meeting last month.

Senator Suzanne Weber spearheaded an effort to get the Oregon Department of Transportation to provide a $505,000 emergency loan to the district to help it start operating again and bring back furloughed staff. It will also conduct an audit of the district’s finances in the coming weeks.

Listen to Paul Lewicki, the interim executive director of the Sunset Empire Transportation District, talk to OPB about the state of budget situation.

The Salvation Army is providing gas vouchers to people impacted by Sunset Empire Transportation District’s reduction in bus service. People can pick up vouchers at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Vouchers are also available 24/7 at Seaside’s dispatch center. Learn more here.

Standing up for Public Safety

The House receently voted on four bills that would have made our communities safer. Unfortunately, none of the bills moved forward. It’s no secret that Oraegon has a serious drug problem. Measure 110 has left thousands of Oregonians behind by increasing access to dangerous drugs, while failing to get those struggling with addiction into treatment. A recent analysis from Willamette Week showed that the system has helped only five people in Multnomah County get into drug treatment. A recent analysis from Willamette Week showed that the system has helped only five people in Multnomah County get into drug treatment. According to a recent statewide poll, 63% of Oregonians support reforming Measure 110 to reinstate criminal penalties for drug possession while still funding services. HB 2310 would have done exactly that. I was proud to support the bill, but unfortunately, it failed on a vote of 30-30.

Take a look at just a few of the headlines from the last few weeks in the media:

Armed Forces Day and Police Week

National Police Week was May 14 – May 20. I want to thank all those who have served and continue to put their lives on the line to make our communities safe. In honor of National Armed Forces Day, the Oregon National Guard held ceremonies on the Capitol Mall to celebrate our military’s sacrifice. The events included an F-15 flyover and a firing of a 105mm M119 in a salute to all those who serve.

Honoring Those Who Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice

Our freedom rests on those brave men and women who believed it was worth dying for. In the last two weeks, we celecrated two significant days in our nation’s history: D-Day and Memorial Day. On both day, we remember and honor those brave men and women who have given their lives for American freedom.

This week we honored the 79th anniversary of D-Day and the thousands who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. This statue, which sits on the shoreline of Omaha Beach in France, depicts a wounded soldier being dragged ashore by a fellow soldier. It reminds us of their immense sacrifice and valor.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1432
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-373, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.CyrusJavadi@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/javadi​