By Representative David Gomberg, House District 10
7/17/2023
Two years ago, the Oregon legislature was flush with over $4 billion (with a “B”) Federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) dollars. I went to work to secure funding for a dozen projects across our district. The following year we received over $70 million for dams, ports, parks, plazas, housing, water and sewer. Every community benefitted, but the City of Toledo was the big winner with $3 million for the Pool District, $2.4 million for sewer extensions at the Port, and $4 million for a new fire hall in Eddyville.
This year we were budgeting without that influx of Federal cash. Instead, we had lottery bond dollars and a better-than-expected forecast of income tax revenue. Most of the increased tax income went to schools, housing, and behavioral health. Competition for infrastructure project money was fierce.
Still, working with community leaders, we again succeeded in bringing home transformative investments across our district.
I would say that our big winners this year were western Benton County and the small city of Depoe Bay.
In Depoe Bay, the aging docks are failing. They got $2.9 million last year for pilings and restoration. But costs just kept increasing. So this year we brought home another $1.5 million to finish the job. The City will also receive $2.3 million for affordable housing to construct six duplexes with 12 units total. That’s a total of $6.7 million for a town of 1500 people or about $4,500 per capita.
Philomath will benefit from $1.9 million to replace the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo stands at Skirvin Park destroyed by fire last year. The City of Monroe will receive $1.5 million for water infrastructure improvements. And small farmers in the area will benefit from $9 million to help them become compliant with the State Meat Inspection Program through a bill I authored.
NewsTimes photo
Benton County is new to our district with the boundary changes that took effect in January. I hope they are seeing the results of an activist legislator working for them. We didn’t get all of what we needed or wanted. We had our disappointments. But we did better than most! Here’s a comprehensive list of what we brought home at the close of the session:
- $1.5 million to finish the Depoe Bay harbor restoration
- $1.5 million for water infrastructure in Monroe
- $2.2 million for sewer and water in Waldport
- $1.9 million for the renovation of Philomath’s Skirvin Park
- $3.8 million for wastewater infrastructure in Newport
- $2.3 million for Depoe Bay housing
- $8.1 million in bonding for Oregon Coast Community College
- $2 million for maritime workforce training programs
- $10.2 million for local seafood and meat producers
- $3 million for Small Business Development Centers
- $3 million for County Fairs
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Here is news for small family farms and fishing businesses.
Currently, Oregonians can pass $1 million from their estate to heirs tax-free. In more limited circumstances, owners of timberland and ranches can pass along $7.5 million without incurring estate taxes. Governor Kotek has now signed Senate Bill 498, which creates a tax exemption for family farm, forest and fishing estates worth up to $15 million. The bill is intended to ease the succession problems such operations often face. The state already has a tax credit meant to reduce estate tax burdens for farmers, but the provision is saddled with 36 requirements that often discourage families from using it.
This measure was introduced by Republicans and largely opposed by Democrats because of concerns it will reduce state revenues and benefit the wealthy. I supported the bill.
I’ll also add that I have heard much criticism of the recent session from the minority concerned that their bills were not heard and did not advance. Senate Bill 498 is a clear example that such was not the case.
Across our rural district, family farms and fishers are at risk. Easing estate transition will help keep those families engaged and those enterprises alive.
The general estate tax threshold of $1 million has not been adjusted for more than 20 years and needs attention. Many homes in our district are or soon will be worth that much. A million dollars isn’t what it used to be.
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Throughout recent sessions, firearm safety has been a subject of attention and controversy. I certainly receive regular emails challenging the constitutionality of any firearm restraints.
This year, House Bill 2005 passed, outlawing untraceable “ghost” guns, but with considerable amendments removing other sections. Senate Bill 348, which would implement by legislation the contents of Ballot Measure 114, did not move forward.
Ballot Measure 114 passed in November with 50.6% of the vote. The law would ban future purchases of so-called “large capacity magazines” that can carry more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It also requires those wishing to buy a firearm to get a permit first. Permits will require applicants to complete a safety class and a federal background check. Since its passage, firearms groups, sheriffs, and gun store owners filed several lawsuits. In January, a state court judge blocked the law from going into effect.
A federal judge now says Oregon’s new, stricter gun safety rules are constitutional. In a 122-page written order issued late Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut (appointed by then-President Donald Trump in 2019) found banning large capacity magazines and requiring a permit to purchase a firearm are in keeping with “the nation’s history and tradition of regulating uniquely dangerous features of weapons and firearms to protect public safety.”
This latest decision is likely to be appealed. In a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, the court’s conservative majority decided that no one should need special permission to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms outside their home.
Capital Chronicle photo
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The Central Coast had a historic role in symphonic music long before the Newport Symphony Orchestra and its forerunner, the Yaquina Chamber Orchestra.
Swiss-born composer Ernest Bloch and his wife Marguerite settled in Agate Beach in the summer of 1941. Their home still stands and the area is marked by the Ernest Bloch Memorial Wayside. While here, he composed some of his most well-known works, many of which have been performed by the Newport Symphony Orchestra.
Ernest died in 1959, Marguerite in 1963.
To educate the public on Ernest Bloch and his life and times in Agate Beach, the Lincoln County Historical Society’s Ernest Bloch Legacy Committee is hosting a free program on July 21 (4 to 7 pm) and July 22 (1 to 4 pm) at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. Noted London-based Bloch scholar Alexander Knapp will lecture on Bloch’s musical history, his works, his photography, and his associations with such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Ansel Adams.
Details on the event can be found by visiting www.coastarts.org/events/bloch-legacy.
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Susan and I are proud to sponsor an annual scholarship at Oregon Coast Community College. Tuesday we joined other donors for an unveiling of the updated Donor Recognition Wall. Another highlight this week was a reception at the newly remodeled Brulee Restaurant benefitting Family Promise of Lincoln County.
Regular readers know of my passion for economic development, infrastructure, and the environment. And they know of my care for arts and culture and for animals.
Sunday I was honored by the animal welfare community and Fences for Fido for my successful work on animal welfare this session.
Animals had a good year! We passed my bill to promote adoptions by naming the Shelter Rescue the Official Oregon Pet. We passed my bill to shut down the puppy mill pipeline and get pet stores to focus on adoptions rather than imported mass-bred animals. We approved legislation prohibiting sales of cosmetics tested on animals. And we passed my bill for transparency and accountability at the Oregon National Primate Research Center.
Later this week I’ll be at the North Lincoln Hospital “Under the Stars” Gala. Have a great week and I’ll hope to see you out there soon.
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email: Rep.DavidGomberg@oregonlegislature.gov
phone: 503-986-1410
address: 900 Court St NE, H-480, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg
