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ODOT releases 2024 Bridge Condition Report

Don Williams
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ODOT releases 2024 Bridge Condition Report

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) just released their 2024 Bridge inventory and condition report.

Kris Strickler

According to ODOT Director Kris Strickler, “Much of our transportation infrastructure is aging and nowhere is this more apparent than with Oregon’s bridges and pavements. We do our best to preserve and repair our bridges as replacing them is costly. We face a growing backlog of bridge preservation needs caused by the structural revenue issue facing transportation agencies across the nation. ODOT is working with our partners to identify sufficient and sustainable funding that would allow us to fund our critical core services including preserving our bridges, maintaining our transportation system, and making travel safer for all Oregonians.”

ODOT inspects bridges over a two-year cycle and summarizes bridge condition ratings on state highways based on National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and ODOT data. NBI ratings look at the major structural components of a bridge (deck or driving surface, superstructure, and substructure (base), or culvert rating), deficient bridge classification, and structural condition rating.

According to ODOT, “A significant portion of state-owned bridges are still in fair condition due to regular maintenance. However, much like maintaining a car, continuing to make expensive repairs on bridges nearing the end of their lifespan becomes less cost effective and practical.

The normal lifespan of a bridge is between 75-100 years and 60% of our inventory was built before 1973. In the foreseeable future, there will be more than 1,000 Interstate Era bridges that must be replaced. However, current funding levels pay for on average only three bridge replacements each year. At this rate, an Oregon bridge will need to stay in service for over 900 years, well beyond the expected service life.”

Compared to other western states, ODOT has the most bridges in fair condition. To keep bridges in fair condition or better ODOT performs both maintenance and preservation activities. Effective bridge preservation actions are intended to delay the need for costly reconstruction or replacement by applying preservation strategies on bridges while they are still in good or fair condition and before the onset of serious deterioration. Bridge preservation encompasses preventive maintenance and rehabilitation activities.

Highlights from the report

  • ODOT owns and maintains 2,781 bridges.
  • 60% of state-owned bridges in the National Bridge Inventory were built before 1973.
  • Last year, ODOT completed 1,331 state-owned bridge inspections.
  • ODOT paved 35 bridge decks, repaired six bridges in poor condition and addressed 63 other bridges with high-priority maintenance needs.
  • ODOT assessed 130 bridges for load rating in 2024 and placed new or revised restrictions on 11.

For the full report visit here

Senator Anderson

News Release
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Senator Anderson

As we speed toward spring, I thought it would be good to give you a rundown of long session in Salem. I will keep these comments to the pillars we discussed for our communities to be successful in Senate District 5- Housing, childcare, health care, and education. 

Housing

As I hope you are aware, I have been the Vice Chair of Housing and Development Committee trying to tackle our housing crisis for the past 5 years now. Over this time, the Legislature has passed many bills, discussed numerous ideas and spent over $2.6 billion dollars in housing. I say this, because the problem has not been solved. Building permits are lower now than they were when the Governor declared an emergency over two years ago. I often wonder how that can be. 

I don’t have the specific answer in my pocket, but I do know the answers lie in three things: land, regulations and infrastructure. These three areas are vital to solving the housing crisis in Oregon, I would even dare to say, nothing else matters but these three areas to help with housing. Land has become a political hot potato in Salem and the Legislature invested hundreds of millions so far in infrastructure. We now land on regulations. 

I have two bills that will streamline the land use approval process inside the UGB of cities (974) and then a “shot clock” bill (6) that will require building permits are approved or denied in 45 days or less. These two bills can speed up the home building process dramatically. We are having hearings and lots of discussion on these two bills in the Legislature. 

Childcare

Childcare has been a huge part of my passion in Salem. We must have more affordable options and childcare facilities so our work force can work. Young parents are the backbone of a growing community, we need them badly up and down the coast and rural Oregon.

I have a bill to site childcare in affordable housing projects (439) that has been stalled in committee because of union bosses not wanting to give in on prevailing wage requirements. Mind you, we have an agreement to not do prevailing wage on affordable housing projects now, but if you add just one childcare facility there the whole project must go to prevailing wage. This can increase costs for the project by 50% or more and ultimately moves the project to unattainable. It is disappointing to see unions blocking this legislation to carve out childcare facilities to site on affordable housing projects. I hope they reconsider.

We will have further reports on education and health care as bills in those committees heat up and move to the floor. I am watching those committees every week to make sure we are continuing to invest in our children, seniors and communities up and down District 5. 

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or thoughts on bills happening in Salem. 

Dick 

Schedule
Pancake Breakfast

I attended a pancake breakfast at Mo’s in Lincoln City. This breakfast was a fundraiser to raise money for a project that the students at Saint James Santiago School. This was my server!

Coos Bay Kick Off

I attended the Kick-off the Coos Bay Comeback for the world premiere of the Coos Bay Story. The Pacific Coast International Port Project is poised to put Coos Bay back on the map for shipping on a global scale.

Here I am with Matt Friesen the Director of External Affairs for the Port of Coos Bay.

To watch the Coos Bay story on YouTube, click HERE.

To learn more about the PCIP project https://pcipproject.com/

School based advocacy group

I had the pleasure of meeting with youth constituents from the district who joined Southwest School based health advocacy group when they came to the Capitol.

Surfside

Representative Gomberg and I met with the Surfside Village Cooperative to celebrate the purchase of their Resident Owned Community.

Thank you to Graece Gabriel for taking this picture!

Town Hall

Representative Gomberg and I had our first Legislative Town Hall in person at Oregon Coast Community College. We were joined by many constituents in person as well as those who joined in via zoom. Thank you to everyone for a great turn out!

If you missed the first town hall don’t worry! We are putting these on monthly either in person or virtually.

Depoe Bay Dock

I had the honor of joining Depoe Bay in their grand re-opening of the Depoe Bay Harbor, following a nearly $5 million renovation including new piers.

From Left to Right: Representative Dave Gomberg, Mayor Kathy Short, Senator Dick Anderson, and Depoe Bay Commissioners Liz Martin and Jack O’Brien.

Photo Credit thanks to Rick Beasley.

Read the Lincoln County Leader article on this event here.
Testimony

I presented Senate Bill 1086 in the Senate Labor & Business Committee, a key measure to address the statewide workforce shortage of building inspectors.

You can watch my testimony here.

Bills to Follow

SB 433-Permits the owner of a self-service storage facility to advertise a notice of sale of personal property that is subject to a lien twice on a public website that regularly advertises personal property for auction or sale.

SB 438- Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner.

SB 566-For the part of the state located in the Pacific Time Zone, abolishes the annual change in time from standard to daylight savings time and maintains standard time for all 12 months of the calendar year, if California and Washington make the same change within the next 10 years.

SB 567- Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish and implement a childcare provider incentive program.

SB 838– Exempts the State Park and Recreation Department from the Public Contracting Code in conducting purchases from local businesses.

SB 974- Reduces to 45 days the time under which a city or county must decide a land use application for single-family dwellings.

SB 1086-Requires the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish an apprenticeship program for building inspectors.

Latest NewsYachats News

Yachats News: Oregon Senate Adds Plastic Utensils Some Packaging and Hotel Toiletries to Expand Bag Ban
Katu

KATU: Oregon Lawmakers Consider Bill to Boost Child Care Provider Support

Community Updates

SWOCC

Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is pleased to announce investment in the future of skilled trades with a $100,000 donation tied to the launch of a diesel mechanic technology program at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). This donation is the first step toward the college constructing a shop building for the new hands-on training designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the diesel repair industry.

Community Spotlight

Ron Kutch

If you live in Coos Bay, and even if you don’t, there’s a chance you have heard of Ron Kutch. He has been a resident of the area for over forty years and deeply loves the area. “It’s home,” is a phrase that was mentioned more than once in the time spent with Ron for this interview.

Ron has lived in Coos Bay since 1985, when he was moving into the area the big industries such as timber and the port were on the way out. In the 1980’s the timber industry left the area taking thousands of jobs with it- most of which never came back.  The Port of Coos Bay was seeing around 350 ships through the port yearly. Today that number is closer to 50. Another issue that faced the area was the reduction in the harvest level of federal and state timber. From 1993 to 2017, in Coos and Douglas Counties, there was a 73 percent drop in the harvest of timber.

Ron has seen all the issues that have plagued the Bay Area over the last forty years. While many left the area Ron and his family didn’t- because it is home. Ron and his wife were foster parents for twenty years, and once the children left the house, he became more involved in other aspects of the community. He currently is the Chair of the Legislative Action Committee for the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on just about every board of directors in the area.

Two of the big issues that face Coos Bay are housing and industry. The industries can’t come in unless people have somewhere to live. The Pacific Intermodal Port, or PCIP might be the solution to part of this issue. The 2.3-billion-dollar project hopes to bring in an estimated 6,000 jobs. The jobs that this project will bring in will be good paying jobs for residents and a boost to the local economy. However, there is another hurdle that Ron believes is important to address as well, “You can bring the industries in, but people still need a place to live- Housing is essential.”

Ron believes that one of the ways to get anything done is to work together. He is an active participant in weekly state Chamber of Commerce calls and bi-weekly Coos Bay Chamber calls that meets with the Representatives and Senators in the District. He networks at the Bay Area Chamber meetings and sends out information to their 500 members. He encourages everyone to follow along in the legislative process by picking a bill and following it through session.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Ron to show you how passionate he is about the place he calls home, “I moved around a lot growing up. At 26, I was ready to put down roots in a small town. I would not have picked Coos Bay, but this is the place God had for us.  Over the past 40 years, it has become home. I deeply love the area. Of course, there is the natural beauty and the small-town feel, but what I really love is the spirit of the folks who are trying to rebuild the community. Some are relative newcomers, some whose family has been here for 100 years or more. We were dealt a great hand years ago, but then someone came along and stacked the deck against us. Some of us are working our tails off to right that wrong. We are trying to regain the prosperity brought about by hard-working people. It will not be the same. Big Timber is gone, and it will not be coming back – at least not like it was. But we have such opportunity here – especially with the Port. We have all the pieces in place to “Git ‘R Done”. We just need a big push AND the help of our State and Federal representatives to get over the hump.”

If you are in the area, be sure to say hello to Ron and sit down with him so he can share his story of what he loves about his home with you as well.

You can learn more about the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Here

If you would like to nominate someone for the district spotlight, please email my Office Manager Sam at [email protected].

Get Involved

The connection between people and their government is bolstered when the public has substantial opportunity to let their concerns be heard by their elected officials. Below are a few ways that YOU can join in on the legislative process.

  • OLIS- Oregon Legislative Information System– This is where you can find extensive details about every bill as well as follow them through the legislative process. This is also where you can view committee hearings online.
  • Legislative Session Participation Guide– This is a wonderful resource with everything you will need to know about how to participate in the Legislative Session. Links to find your legislatures, how to follow bills and watch meetings, how to testify and visiting the Capitol.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1705
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-303, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/anderson

Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: [email protected]

A win/win for health care in Lincoln City and the person providing it.

Don Williams
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A win/win for health care in Lincoln City and the person providing it.
Elise Garrett, AGNP, of Ocean Medical in Lincoln City, OR

It’s a funny thing this story writing business.  I had done an interview with Elise Garrett, AGNP to share her story with Lincoln City. For those that don’t follow medical abbreviations, AGNP stands for Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.

Elise has opened a new medical clinic here in Lincoln City and wanted to share the good news.

According to an AI definition; “An AGNP, or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, is a specialized nurse practitioner who provides comprehensive healthcare to individuals from adolescence through older adulthood, focusing on the unique health needs and challenges associated with aging.”

Well, how lucky are we in Lincoln City to have a new clinic open up to help us feel better and live a healthier life?

Elise dutifully answered my questions and as I was getting ready to share that with you, dear readers, Elise was kind enough to submit her own version of what we spoke of. And as the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” So, without further ado, I present Elise’s testimony.

“I originally grew up in Georgia. I’ve lived in Texas and Utah but I always wanted to live coastal. So I made the leap of faith and moved to Lincoln City about 2 years ago.
I’ve been in the medical field for approximately 30 years. I started working as a CNA when I was 17 yrs old. Originally, I thought that I’d like to do Labor and Delivery but at one point I took a job in Hospice and Palliative care. While doing that I met some really amazing people including a holocaust survivor, a man who worked with John Glenn the astronaut, another individual was a world traveler who would tell me all about his amazing adventures. I also took care of a spicy, little lady who was Lucille Ball’s stunt double…red hair and all! Everyone I cared for was very special to me. It was during that time that I realized I wanted to focus my career more and specialize in adults and geriatrics. So basically I treat anyone 18 and older.
I have always enjoyed helping others and becoming a healthcare provider just felt so natural to me. Being able to help others live healthier, longer lives and have a better quality of life makes me even more passionate about my job. Opening my own provider’s office allows me to bring personalized care to the community and surrounding areas. Our office is quiet and relaxing and we try to make it a pleasant experience for all.
I love learning new skills and spending time educating myself so I can bring a lot of different modalities and the most up-to-date ways of healing to my patients.
For fun, I love taking my chiweenie dog for walks on the beach and spending time with my family and grandchildren.
My future goals include adding more practitioners to our office and bringing more resources to our community. My personal goals are to travel more and of course, someday I’d LOVE to live beachfront!!!”

According to Ocean Medical’s website, “Elisa Garrett is a board certified Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) with 40 years of experience in the medical field.

Elisa has exceptional clinical skills combined with her natural ability to build trust and rapport with patients and their families, giving you the best care possible!

She follows evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience while utilizing modern medicines as well as multiple methods of treatment.”

Also on the site is included this: “We are Lincoln City’s newest Medical Office! Founded in 2024, this clinic was born from a dream and frustration with the lack of reliable healthcare on the Oregon Coast.

Our goal is to become a trusted and reliable part of our community as we prove to you, that your healthcare matters most to us. Locally Owned and Operated.”

In our brief conversation Elise’s enthusiasm for her profession was clear. She wants to help everyone she sees to live their lives to their fullest potential; not simply by diagnosing symptoms and dispensing drugs by incorporating a holistic approach to health.

Her approach to medicine is one where lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and as she says “grounding and earthing” are key components. 

There’s not much I can add except some facts such as where her new office is.

Ocean Medical is located near the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) building at 4488 NE Devils Lake Blvd, Lincoln City, OR. Their phone number is (541) 614-0407. Office hours are Monday -Friday 7am-4pm. They have convenient web based appointment services which are located at www.oceanmedicallc.com.

A Grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for March 24,2025 at 12pm.

Ocean Medical is accepting new patients and looks forward to hearing from you.

Long time Taft teacher Duane Ticknor

LCH Reader
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Long time Taft teacher Duane Ticknor

Duane Ticknor

Duane Ticknor, born in Greeley, Colorado and formally of Lincoln City, Oregon died suddenly in Sun Lakes, Arizona where he was enjoying his retirement. He has gone home to the Lord, to his father and mother, son Rick, and sister Joie. Duane leaves behind his beloved wife Vonnie, his sons Rod, Robert and George, sisters Rosie and Ruthie, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Duane Ticknor

Duane was a teacher and counselor in Lincoln City School District at Taft High School, where he spent his entire teaching career beginning in 1968. He coached wrestling and girls volleyball and left an immeasurable impact on his students.

Duane had a great love of hunting and fishing. He bagged many big game animals and was a very successful fisherman. He especially loved his trips to Alaska with his son George and
hunting buffalo and antelope with his buddy John Stotka.

His lasting impact on his family, friends and students will be forever remembered, including
those who he will never meet as an organ donor.

A summer memorial service in Lincoln City is being planned. Date and time still to be
determined.

Submitted by Robert Ticknor.
[email protected]

 

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks to speak at Gleneden Community Beach Club

News Release
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Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks to speak at Gleneden Community Beach Club
Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks

Tuesday, March 18, 6-8pm
News release- “Meet the (new) Sheriff
New Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks will present at the Gleneden Beach Community Club (110 Azalea St.). He’ll give an update about the county, review the department’s activities and talk about changes coming for 2025 and beyond. Questions and answer session included. Cookies served. Free presentation. FMI, visit glenedenbeach.org.”

The hits just keep coming…

Don Williams
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The hits just keep coming…
Salem Capital building

Senate Bill 426 would make home or business owners liable for the wages of any employee working for a contractor at the owner’s home or business if contractor did not pay that worker.

“Digest: The Act makes laws about unpaid wages for workers who work on construction projects. Makes an owner and a direct contractor jointly and severally liable in a civil action for any unpaid wages owed to the unrepresented employees of the direct contractor and subcontractors at any tier. Provides the statute of limitations for actions regarding recovery for unpaid and overtime wages. Requires subcontractors to provide certain payroll records and other information to the owner or the direct contractor, upon request. Permits the owner and the direct contractor to withhold payment to a subcontractor in certain circumstances.”

Here is an easier to read summary presented to the Senate:

So, if you have already paid the contractor or subcontractor, if they did not pay the people they owed, home and business owners would have to pay that worker’s wages again. And they can be held liable for those damages.

House Bill 3362 looks to add 4 percent tax on tire purchases in Oregon

Don Williams
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House Bill 3362 looks to add 4 percent tax on tire purchases in Oregon
AI image by Grok

Sponsored by Ken Helm (D-27th district) and Chris Gorsek (D-25th district) 

HB3362 seeks to impose a 4 percent excise tax on all new tire purchases in Oregon for the purpose of rail transit, tire pollution and wildlife crossing. No comments from the sponsors of the bill were posted on this site.  However, there is a clearly explained aticle available at Oregon roundup

According to Facstdemocracy.com;

Digest: (Introduced o January 28, 2025),

“This Act creates a tax on tires to pay for rail transit, tire pollution and wildlife crossings. 

Imposes an excise tax on retail sales of tires.

Directs the Department of Revenue to transfer tax revenue to specified funds for purposes related to rail transit, tire pollution prevention and mitigation and wildlife passage infrastructure.

Establishes the Tire Pollution and Rail Transit Fund.
Establishes the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Fund.
Directs the Department of Transportation to establish a tire pollution prevention and mitigation program.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.”

It is scheduled for a public hearing this Tuesday, March 4th, at 5 pm

Senator Dick Anderson 2/28/2025 Newsletter

News Release
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Oregon Senator Dick Anderson
Oregon state Senator Dick Anderson


(Click here for online version)

As Oregon’s families continue to navigate the rising cost of childcare, I recognize the hard work that parents put in everyday to balance work and family life. Ensuring that parents can find high-quality, affordable childcare is a priority that deserves thoughtful and practical solutions.

In the Oregon legislature, we believe in empowering parents and communities, not burdening them with unnecessary regulations. Our approach to improving childcare is rooted in the belief that families know best when it comes to caring for their children, and the government’s role should be to support, not control their choices.

Here is what we are focusing on:

Prioritizing Families and Flexibility

A strong family is the backbone of our communities, and every parent should have the freedom to choose the childcare solution that works best for them—whether it’s through traditional daycare, in-home care, or family- based childcare. This is why I support policies that provide tax relief and support for families who want to make the most of their childcare options.

Promoting Affordability

Childcare is expensive and hard to find; no family should be forced to choose between working to support their household or caring for their children. Through initiatives such as expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, we can help reduce the financial burden and ensure that families can keep more of their hard-earned money. I am also exploring solutions which can lead to a larger supply of facilities and more affordable and flexible childcare options.

Strengthening the Workforce and Supporting Providers

Childcare workers are a vital part of our economy and communities. We must ensure that they have the resources and flexibility they need to offer high-quality services, while also maintaining the freedom to operate and innovate. By supporting workforce development initiatives and providing tax incentives for businesses that invest in childcare options for their employees, we can help boost childcare availability and job opportunities in Oregon.

Together, we can create a childcare system that helps families succeed while ensuring that our children have the best start in life. I will continue working to support policies that empower parents, protect families, and strengthen our communities.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. Let’s work together to make our district an even better place for families to grow and thrive.

Remonstrance
Speaking on the senate floor regarding childcare. “A child’s future doesn’t begin in the classroom; it begins in the earliest years, with access to safe, reliable care. Supporting working parents and increasing childcare availability isn’t just an economic issue- it’s an investment in the well-being of our children.”

You can watch the YouTube clip HERE

Live Town Hall
Get caught up on all the goings-on in Salem in this live conversation with Senator Dick Anderson and Representative David Gomberg.

The public is welcome to join in-person for a viewing at the Lincoln City OCCC Campus, 3788 SE High School Drive, 8-9 a.m. Friday, February 28. The event is also scheduled to be live streamed via Zoom:

https://oregoncoast.zoom.us/j/98367095358

How a bill become a law
Last Newsletter I touched on the process of how a bill becomes a law through the legislative process. This week I thought it would be interesting to highlight the difference between the State and Federal Government.

Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause is a key element to the United States Constitution. Found in Article VI, Clause 2 states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties is the “supreme law of the land.” This means that if a state law conflicts with the federal law, federal law takes precedence. In other words, when there is a clash between state and federal authority, the federal government’s decisions, policies and laws will override those of individual states.

This clause helps maintain a unified legal framework across the entire country, ensuring that the national government has the ultimate authority in matters that concern the entire nation. The Supremacy Clause plays a crucial role in upholding the balance of power between state and federal governments and preventing legal conflicts from undermining the country’s system of governance.

10th Amendment
The 10th Amendment of the United State Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights and states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

In simple terms, it emphasized that any power not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution is left to the states or to the people. This amendment highlights the principle of federalism, which is the division of power between the national and state governments. It serves as a reminder that the federal government’s authority is limited to what is written in the Constitution, and all other powers remain with the states or the people themselves.

The 10th Amendment is important because it protects the rights of states and individuals by ensuring that the federal government doesn’t overstep its constitutional boundaries. It’s a critical safeguard for preserving the balance of power in the United States.

State vs Federal
While the federal government focuses on issues that impact the nation as a whole, states have the authority to govern local issues, which allows for diversity and flexibility across the country. This system of checks and balances ensures that power is distributed, preventing any one level of government from being too powerful.

Bills
Here are some bills I am sponsoring that are related to Early Childhood Education:

SB 439- Says that building a childcare center in a place that provides affordable housing does not mean that a person building the whole place must pay prevailing wage, but building the childcare center itself does require paying prevailing wage for labor.

SB 561- Creates an Oregon personal income tax subtraction for childcare expenses paid by a taxpayer during the tax year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2031.

SB 567- The Act would create an incentive program for childcare. It directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish and implement a childcare provider incentive program. It establishes the Child Care Provider Incentive Fund.

SB 962-Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to administer a grant program to award moneys to tenants to update dwellings for use as a family childcare home.



In the News
Revolving loan
Oregon Announces 0% interest loans for new affordable housing construction- Last week the State of Oregon introduced a new loan program with provides 0% interest loans to cities and counties to build new housing. Read the full article at FOX 12 Oregon

KTVZ
Oregon House, Senate Republicans outline education priorities, legislation this session- Read the KTVZ 21 article HERE.

Community Updates
Nye Beach
On January 31st, 2025, the residents of Surfside Village CO-OP, Nye Beach in Newport became resident owned!

Oregon legislation requires that when a park is put up for sale, the residents are given the opportunity to purchase the property first. Surfside Village was first put up for sale in 2015, however the owners and the committee of residents were unable to come to an agreeable purchase price, they were advised to wait and see if they could purchase again in the future. When the property was put up for sale again in 2024, they worked with Casa of Oregon for over ten months to make this possible.

There are currently 28 Resident Owned Communities (ROC) in Oregon. Unlike traditional manufactured home communities, ROCs are not subject to market-based rent increases and there is no profit margin in monthly site fees. This cooperative ownership gives homeowners the ability to control costs, improve facilities and make their own rules while providing the peace of mind of land ownership.



Community Spotlight
Kidco
For many children in our communities, access to quality early education can make all the difference in their academic journey and beyond. Head Start, a national program focused on early childhood education, health and family well-being, serves as a lifeline for those who might otherwise face challengers before they even begin their formal education. By providing a solid foundation in a child’s early year, Head Start doesn’t prepare them for school- it prepares them for life.

Kidco Head Start started over 60 years ago in Sweet Home and since then has expanded to serve around 450 families in 28 classrooms at 12 different sites and locations throughout Linn and Benton Counties. The Philomath location, which is in Senate District 5, currently serves 17 families in the area. Kidco Head Start/ Early Head Start is a free infant/ toddler and preschool program.

The infant/ toddler program serves pregnant mothers and their children to 36 months of age. Kidco is the only provider licensed for Early Head Start in Linn-Benton Counties. The preschool program serves children who turn three or four years old.

One of the most important goals that Kidco has is to help children become confident and secure learners. The philosophy behind their curriculum is that young children learn best by doing, supported by responsive, caring and knowledgeable adults. That can be seen firsthand when you step foot in their buildings. The educators at Kidco believe in the importance of play. Their classroom extends to the playground and there is no screen time when students are in the building. The children in the classroom go outside and play every single day they are at the facility- weather permitting. All the activities they plan, organization, selection of materials, and how they interact with the children, are all designed to give each child a successful transition into kindergarten.

All the staff that my Office Manager Sam talked to while she visited the facility last week had been previous families. They are all extremely passionate about their jobs and the gifts they have been given. Head Start doesn’t just help the children, but their families as well. There are so many programs offered for parents including financial wellness, mental health support and extra supports offered directly to the child and family through an Interagency Committee.

There are many success stories that come out of Head Start. The children and families are given the tools to set themselves up for generational successes. In conclusion, Head Start continues to play a vital role in providing children with the early education and support they need to succeed in school and beyond. By fostering a strong foundation in academic skills, social development, and emotional well-being, Head Start helps level the playing field for children, setting them on a path toward lifelong success. As we move forward it is crucial to ensuring that every child can thrive from the very beginning of their educational journey.

Learn more about Kidco and what they do HERE



If you have someone you would like to nominate for our district spotlight, please email my Office Manager Sam at [email protected] with your nominations.

Meet the Team
Bryan Iverson, Chief of Staff
Bryan Iverson

Chief of Staff

[email protected]

Michael Town II

Legislative Director

[email protected]

Michael Town II
Sam
Samantha Bebout

Office Manager

[email protected]

Get Involved
The connection between people and their government is bolstered when the public has substantial opportunity to let their concerns be heard by their elected officials. Below are a few ways that YOU can join in on the legislative process.

OLIS- Oregon Legislative Information System- This is where you can find extensive details about every bill as well as follow them through the legislative process. This is also where you can view committee hearings online.
Legislative Session Participation Guide- This is a wonderful resource with everything you will need to know about how to participate in the Legislative Session. Links to find your legislatures, how to follow bills and watch meetings, how to testify and visiting the Capitol.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1705
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-303, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/anderson

Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: [email protected]

Bill introduced in Oregon legislature to allow minors to vote

Don Williams
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Bill introduced in Oregon legislature to allow minors to vote
Rep Courtney Neron

Representative Cortney Neron (D-House District 26) introduced a bill to that reads; “Permits an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and registered to vote to cast a ballot in school district elections.”

A quick internet search shows that ,indeed, 16 and 17 year old kids can register to vote but…

ORS 247.016
Registration of person who is 16 or 17 years of age

Subject to this section, an otherwise qualified person who is at least 16 years of age may register to vote.
A person who registers to vote under subsection (1) of this section may not vote in an election until the person attains the age of 18 years.
If a person who registers to vote under subsection (1) of this section will be under 18 years of age on the date of the next election held on a date listed in ORS 171.185 (Dates for legislatively prescribed elections) or the next special election, the person’s voter registration information, including but not limited to the person’s name and any identifying information, may not be disclosed as a public record under ORS 192.311 (Definitions for ORS 192.311 to 192.478) to 192.478 (Exemption for Judicial Department). [2007 c.555 §2; 2015 c.8 §8; 2017 c.468 §1]
 

No explanation is listed as to why she proposed this bill.

Click here to see bill.

Rep, David Gomberg’s 1/13/2025 newsletter

Oregon House Rep. David Gomberg
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Rep, David Gomberg’s 1/13/2025 newsletter

Day One
1/13/2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,

If you are reading this on Monday, January 13, the 83rd Assembly of the Oregon Legislature is now underway.

Opening day includes many formalities. The House will convene at 8:30 a.m. and the Senate at 9:30. The first order of business for each chamber will be the swearing-in of new and returning members. I often observe that on the first day, we get sworn in. After that we get sworn at…

The Senate will elect a President and the House a Speaker. We also elect a President Pro Tempore and a Speaker Pro Tempore to fill in when the presiding officer is not available to run the chamber meeting. Democrats will present nominations and the Republicans may do the same. The outcome of these elections is known in advance, as the majority Democrats in each chamber have already decided who they will support. I have been selected to serve as House Speaker Pro Tempore.

Session rules will then be voted on. And as the ranking member of the House rules workgroup, I will present that report.

Committees will be established and the bills filed in advance will be formally introduced. That will take time since more than 2,000 measures have already been submitted.

The Oregon Legislature begins its 2025 work on Monday, with just more than five months to pass a budget and tackle pressing issues including homelessness and housing, education, health and mental health care, highway funding and wildfire response. The 90-member Legislature must end its work by June 29.
While the reading clerks are going quickly through the list of bills, it’s a time for legislators to socialize a bit. Many of the new members will have met one another already during various orientations, but in many cases, it’ll be the first opportunity for returning members to meet new people from the opposite parties. Generally, only one guest is allowed on the floor with each legislator.

At 1 p.m. the newly sworn in senators and representatives, along with special guests, will meet jointly in the House chamber for further ceremony—speeches by the presiding officers and the Governor’s State of the State address.

Opening day is always one of pride and promise. It is a heart-warming, moving day for legislators, especially the new ones, who worked so hard to get to this point and are still a bit unsure about what lies ahead. But even for the veterans, it’s a very special day. And then the work begins.
Two thousand bills will be introduced on the first day and we can expect as many as 4,000 before we are done. That’s a lot! Most of these proposals come to us from advocate groups and constituents.

Mercifully, the very great majority of proposals will not become law. The pathway from introduction to adoption is a long and tedious one. About 500 bills, including budgets for more than 100 state agencies, are expected to make it to the finish line. So most will die in committee along the way. The main thing to watch for are deadlines.

The deadline for introducing any bills is February 25th. Bills introduced in the House must have a hearing, be approved in committee, and scheduled for a floor vote by April 9th or they are dead. If they advance to the Senate, they need committee approval and a full vote by May 23rd. After that, most committees begin to close down and the focus on the session turns to finalizing budgets. On May 14, we receive the final revenue forecast that tells us how much money we have. The session concludes on June 29th at the latest.
  • You can watch the House and Senate sessions here.
  • You can review all of the bills introduced here.
  • If there’s a bill that you’re particularly interested in following, or a committee whose work you want to follow, you can sign up to be on their email list. You’ll be kept up to date on any action involving the particular bill or the meetings and potential votes of the particular committee. The Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) has put together a simple primer on how to sign up. You’ll find it here.
  • Here is the complete list of Senate committee appointments. And here are the House appointments.
  • Here’s the committee schedule for the session, just updated to show room assignments.
  • And here are links to a wealth of information on how to engage with the Legislature in a variety of ways, again thanks to LPRO.

Big news this week is the start of the session. But there is other news of consequence weighing on me as well.

The Oregon fire season has thankfully concluded. But we are all aware of the terrible fires in and around Los Angeles. I hope that by the time you receive this, they will have turned the corner and be on track to contain them.

Legislators received the following email Thursday evening from our State Fire Marshal, Mariana Ruiz-Temple. I have edited it slightly for brevity.

As you may have heard, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized a significant number of resources at the request of California to help with the historic fires burning near Los Angeles.

As of Thursday night, the Oregon State Fire Marshal sent 15 strike teams with 300 firefighters and 75 engines through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. This system is made up of 306 fire agencies and administered and managed through the Department of the State Fire Marshal in partnership with our Oregon fire chiefs.

All 75 engines and 300 firefighters mobilized Wednesday and headed to California. These resources are working for CAL Fire and will follow their processes and procedures. One of the processes that CAL Fire implements is engine safety inspections before resources are assigned to an incident. These inspections ensure all engines on an emergency scene are equipped, mechanically sound, and able to respond.

All Oregon resources are assigned to the Palisades Fire.

We remain in contact with our partners in California to assess their needs as they respond to this crisis. We are extremely proud of these teams and our support staff for the monumental effort it took to get them on the road so quickly.

We are also proud of Oregon’s reputation, sending the most resources to help during this time.

I extended to our crews the support and comments we have received from you thus far. If you have any questions, please reach out.

Thank you and take good care.

Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal

Crews from five Lincoln and Tillamook county fire departments gathered in Gleneden Beach on Wednesday before heading out to Southern California. Read more here.
Over the past five years in Oregon, we’ve seen historic wildfire seasons and California has been up here every year assisting us with protecting homes and containing those fires. Now California needs our help. I’m proud to say that Oregonians have once again stepped up in a big way, quickly sending the greatest number from any state to help our neighbors to the South.

Local crews deployed to California include Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Philomath Fire and Rescue, Monroe, Depoe Bay, and Newport.

The firefighters will be deployed for up to 14 days and are protecting homes and other buildings. The teams will be patrolling for hotspots and working alongside CAL Fire and other state and federal agencies.

 

KATU Channel 2, responding to false social media statements this week, reported that Oregon’s firetrucks are not being held up by emissions testing in California.
One of my primary concerns as a state representative is your cost of living. And that certainly includes the cost of essentials like electric power.

In December, the three-member Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to approve Pacific Power’s latest request to raise residential electricity rates by nearly 10% in 2025. The rates are lower than the company requested. Pacific Power in September petitioned to raise rates by nearly 11% in 2025.

PacifiCorp is the state’s second-largest investor-owned electric utility and serves about 574,000 customers – including much of HD 10.

The PUC has approved rate hikes nearly every year for the past four years, and today Pacific Power customers pay 50% more for electricity than they did in 2021. That increase is more than twice the rate of inflation.

The company has sought rate hikes for several reasons, including rising inflation, building infrastructure for clean energy generation and storage, and higher insurance costs due to wildfires and wildfire recovery costs. The commission allowed Pacific Power to raise rates most recently, in part, to cover $25 million worth of restoration work following the 2020 Labor Day fires.

The utility set records in 2024 for disconnecting customers from power for nonpayment. From January to October, Pacific Power disconnected more than 20,000 households, up from 8,000 during the same period in 2023, according to the Citizens’ Utility Board. In response, the Public Utilities Commission will prohibit the companies from disconnecting low-income customers who are enrolled in bill discount programs between January and April so people are not left without power during the coldest months of the year.

The company has focused on wildfire costs as a reason it needed to raise rates in recent years.

The company was found liable for several of the 2020 Labor Day megafires that burned thousands of structures and took nine lives. They have spent nearly $2.7 billion on lawsuits since, according to a recent report submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The federal government has now been added to the list of plaintiffs, seeking reimbursement for costs and damages federal agencies incurred fighting Oregon fires. Other plaintiffs include businesses like the wine industry who assert losses from smoke damage, and hundreds of family fire survivors.

Total damages could surge to as much as $46 billion.
Pacific Power is owned by PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate. PacifiCorp is worth $10.7 billion, according to its attorneys, while the Oregon Department of Revenue and Oregon Tax Court calculate its worth more than $19 billion.

The U.S. Attorney General’s Office is seeking reimbursement for costs related to the Archie Creek Fire and the nearby Susan Creek Fire, totaling up to $625 million. PacifiCorp sent about the same amount annually to Berkshire shareholders in earnings prior to the 2020 Labor Day fires, Securities and Exchange Commission filings show.

So as we all struggle to pay increasing power bills, a fundamental question is evolving. If courts assess punitive and compensatory damages, who should pay them? Shareholders or ratepayers?? And what is the future of this investor-owned electric utility?

PacifiCorp and its parent company have been calling for regulatory and legislative reforms to limit mounting multibillion-dollar wildfire liabilities. At the same time, some Oregon lawmakers want to stop utility companies from raising rates on customers while those companies are still resolving years-long lawsuits over wildfire culpability and costs.

 

Stay tuned. There is much at stake.
I’ll spend much of the next six months commuting to Salem. That means fewer local appearances. But I did take time this past week for a few interesting stops.

In 2023, I worked hard to pass legislation to get more Oregon seafood into local restaurants. Thursday I stopped by the Central Coast Food Web (CCFW) to see one example of how that effort is evolving.

With a state-of-the-art processing facility, local online market, and business support for producers, the CCFW is strengthening our local, coastal and regional food systems by providing services and support to small, independent food producers and making it easier for all people to eat local food.
Senator Anderson and I spent three hours answering questions for the Oregon Coast Learning Institute, an organization of retired and semi-retired people who desire to continue their education in an atmosphere of shared learning. I also visited Able House, a new safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental health crises or emotional distress.
And finally, I spent time at a standing-room-only forum of community leaders, police and sheriff deputies, business leaders, and local families concerned about potential deportations, property rights, and the fate of their families in a changing immigration landscape.

This is a time of challenge and of opportunity. If I can promise you one thing about this new legislative session, it is that we will not solve all of the problems Oregonians have been struggling with overnight. But working together and focusing on the common values and goals we share, we can make significant progress on the challenges we’ve been faced with. I continue to believe we can make things better.
Warm Regards,
Representative David Gomberg

House District 10
email: [email protected]

phone: 503-986-1410

address: 900 Court St NE, H-480, Salem, OR, 97301

website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg
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