The 2023 Legislative Session has completed and, yet again we have secured substantial funding for our district.

This session, for sure, was challenging. I had to fight harder on every front than I ever have had to before. We didn’t get everything. There is still a lot that we need to come back for, but I’m happy that I was able to secure tens of millions of dollars for crucial projects in Senate District 16 that otherwise would have gone somewhere else.

The tax dollars returning to Senate District 16 will fund projects like:

Tillamook County “Shilo” Levee Rehabilitation – $1,267,000
City of Bay City Water Reservoir Isolation Valves – $225,000
Columbia County Circuit Court Capital Improvements – $2,000,000
Columbia Pacific Food Bank Equipment Upgrades – $520,000
Family Peace Center of Washington County – $4,052,000
Oregon Youth Authority Tillamook Dorm Renovation – $8,420,000
Clatsop Community College Marine, Environmental Research & Training Station – $8,010,000
Clatsop Community Action Food Bank Warehouse Renovations & Equipment Upgrades- $570,000
Washington County Center for Addiction Treatment and Triage – $5,060,949
Liberty Theater – $33,627

Total Senate District 16 Tax Dollars Returned: $30,158,576!

Funding for projects in Senate District 16 are focused on my priorities of education, infrastructure improvement, addressing the homelessness crisis and law-enforcement support.

From The District

Join us on YouTube or Soundcloud this month’s episode of From the District where we discuss a range of topics, such as: office hours, parades, broadband, and interim committees!

Committee and Council Appointments

I’m pleased to announce my appointment to the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriation as well as the Governors Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council. Even when the legislature isn’t in session there’s work to do to improve the education our children receive. I look forward to working with my colleagues and representing the voices of Senate District 16!

Senate District 16 Community Events

It has been a busy month since we exited the Capitol.

The month of July started my special events circuit in Cloverdale with Clover’s Day celebrations on July 1st.

On the 4th of July I had the privilege of joining two parades. The first was in Clatskanie and then I moved on to Warrenton.

Participating in parades and joining in the community fun is one of my favorite ways to celebrate our Independence Day. It was really great to visit with folks and see all the ways the communities in our district were celebrating our nation’s birthday.

July 15th I headed out to Pacific City to join in the fun of Dory Days. For those of you that are not familiar, Dory Days is an annual celebration of the local dory fishing culture unique to Pacific City, Oregon. It has been recognized by the Oregon Heritage Commission as an Oregon Heritage Tradition and joins only a handful of other events for this honor. The festival occurs every year on the third weekend of July and is hosted by the Pacific City-Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association.

July 22nd, I headed up the coast a few miles to celebrate Garibaldi Days. It was so much fun to celebrate with everyone! Thank you Garibaldi Days Community Festival for such a wonderful event.

Upcoming Community Events

Join me in celebrating these wonderful community events during the month of August:

August 6th Vernonia Days Parade

August 12th Astoria Regatta Parade

August 20th Banks BBQ and Parade

Office Hours throughout Senate District 16

Throughout the session I had many visitors to my office in the Capitol. Now that the legislative session has come to a close, I have continued meeting with constituents in much the same way. But instead, I have been hosting office hours throughout the district and have had wonderful meaningful interactions with constituents all over the district. This week alone, I have been able to meet with over 50 constituents. I have held office hours in Banks, St. Helens, Tillamook, and Seaside and will continue to publish more as we get the date, time, and location settled. The next two are North Plains, and Astoria. If you are in one of those areas, please do make an appointment to visit with me so I can hear about what is important to you.

North Plains Office Hours: August 14th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, I will be at the North Plains Public Library for in-person meetings with constituents. If you are in the North Plains area and are interested in scheduling a 30-minute meeting with me during these office hours, please sign up through this calendar link Senator Weber North Plains Calendar or you can call (503)986-1716 or email sen.suzanneweber@oregonlegislature.gov and a member of my staff will work with you to find you an open time slot.

ASTORIA Office Hours: August 16th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, I will be at the Clatsop Community College Room 224 near the Bandit Café, for in-person meetings with constituents. If you are in the Astoria area and are interested in scheduling a 30-minute meeting with me during these office hours, please sign up through this calendar link Senator Weber Astoria Calendar or you can call (503)986-1716 or email sen.suzanneweber@oregonlegislature.gov and a member of my staff will work with you to find you an open time slot.

Signed into law

After a bill has passed through the House and Senate, it must be signed by the Governor to become law. If you would like to see what new bills have been signed, you can follow this link to the Governors Bills Signed page.

Here are a few notable bills I am happy to announce have been singed into law.

SB 406 allows residential property owners in Tillamook County to build additional housing on their lots. This allows homeowners to build accessory dwelling units in addition to their homes, or to place multi-family housing on lots that previously may not have allowed it. Local governments can put practical limits (infrastructure, parking, etc), but cannot outright ban multifamily units. Not only does this increase much-needed housing, but it’s also a victory for private property rights.

SB 498 exempts the value of farm, forest or fishing business from estate tax. We are so blessed to live in a community that relies so strongly on our natural resources. However, too often we see these businesses sold to large corporations or even shut down rather than passing them down to the next generation. In large part, the crushing estate taxes (or, as I call them, “death taxes”) make it nearly impossible for the next generation to make the business affordable. This bill works to make passing your business down to the next generation more affordable.

HB 3632 extends the statute of limitation on sex crimes from 12 years to 20 years for some of the most serious sexual crimes, such as rape, sodomy or sexual abuse. Unfortunately, many victims of sexual crimes don’t report them to authorities for various reasons, and our neighboring states have either extended or removed their statutes of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes.

Around the State

Statewide Single Audit Report Fiscal Year 2022 (oregon.gov)

Leave Oregon Applications Start August 14th

Employees who need to take time off for important life events can apply for benefits for Paid Leave Oregon starting Aug. 14, 2023.

Paid Leave Oregon covers paid family leave, medical leave, and safe leave for working Oregonians. Employees can apply for the following reasons:

To care for themselves or members of their family during the birth of a child, or to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or placement of a child in their home through foster care
To care for themselves during a serious health condition
To care for a family member when they have a serious health condition
If they or their child experience sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking

To apply for leave, employees will use the Oregon Employment Department’s (OED) new online system called Frances Online.

The PACT Act and VA Benefits

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Claims received by August 9 will be eligible for 12 months of backdated compensation

Thanks to the PACT Act, millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now eligible for VA health care and benefits.

While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency. Most Veterans and survivors who apply for benefits or submit an “Intent to File” by August 9, if granted, will have their benefits backdated to August 10th of last year.

For Veterans that cannot attend a local event, VA.gov/PACT is a one-stop shop to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. They can also apply by calling 1-800-MYVA411.

The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

After the passage of the PACT Act last August, more than 500,000 claims for benefits have been filed by veterans to receive expanded healthcare and benefits entering the month of May.

The VA has established a PACT Act webpage to help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

To file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care, please contact your local Veteran Service Office in Oregon.

Office Announcements

During the session my office shared a weekly newsletter, as well as our weekly video From The District. While we are in the interim we will continue with both the newsletter and video on a monthly basis.

Remember, when contacting me, please leave your name, town you live in, and a phone number.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716 District Phone: 503-300-4493
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-405, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.SuzanneWeber@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/weber/