In our Chamber's efforts to keep you informed be aware that Sunshine Division is available to those who need food:

• We remain open at both of our locations for clients to continue receiving emergency food. Food boxes are served near the entrances (outside) in a manner that ensures the safety and necessary precautions to thoughtfully care for our clients, volunteers, and staff.

• Clients are able to receive a food box 1x per week with this current method of distribution. These do not count toward their regular visit allotment as this is a unique situation.

• For their hours, locations, and eligibility requirements, go to their website: https://sunshinedivision.org/

• Based on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oregon Health Authority, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, and local public health officials, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is closing all of its community centers and pools, and canceling all indoor PP&R activities, programs, and rentals. The tentative reopening date for the bureau’s indoor facilities is April 1, 2020.

  Portland Parks & Recreation has monitored the COVID-19 situation since it began. We continue to be in communication with, and to follow the guidance of, the Oregon Health Authority, Multnomah County Health Department, and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management regarding the situation.

  For more of the bureau’s COVID-19 information, please visit

  portlandoregon.gov/parks/covid-19

  CLOSED/CANCELED THROUGH March 31^st:

  ·          All Portland Parks & Recreation facilities: All community and arts centers, swimming pools, and sports facilities are closed through March 31^st, 2020.

  ·          All Portland Parks & Recreation indoor programs: All indoor recreation and athletic programs are canceled through March 31^st, 2020.

  ·          PP&R facility rentals and permitted events in PP&R community centers: All indoor permitted events are canceled.

  CURRENTLY OPEN OR PLANNED TO TAKE PLACE:

  • All Portland Parks & Recreation parks, playgrounds, golf courses, trails, and natural areas are currently open. Park visitors are encouraged to follow direction from public health agencies and elected officials around social distancing. 
  • PP&R outdoor activities and events with less than 250 people can go on as planned.
  • PP&R will encourage participants at outdoor offerings and events to follow social distancing guidance. 

# # #

Mark Ross - Public Information Officer

Portland Parks & Recreation

503-823-6634

The 2020 short session has concluded.

House Speaker Kotek and Senate President Courtney will not convene additional floor sessions for the remainder of the session.

Republican leaders issued press releases this morning that their caucuses would come back to the Capitol on Sunday, the last day of session, to pass budgets. It was expected that Democrat leadership would decline, and they formally did this afternoon. The session is now effectively adjourned.

What's next...

1. The Emergency Board will meet to fund various critical needs such as Coronavirus response and Umatilla flooding response.
    
2. The Governor is preparing an Executive Order to implement the aspects of the Cap-and-Trade bill that she can direct her agencies to administer.
    
3. A special session will likely be called in the next month to address and pass some of the legislation that died during the short session.

This is what we know as of now.

Candidate Filing Deadline Day is next Tuesday, which will present the next opportunity for legislators to co-mingle. It'll be an interesting day.

We believe the Senate Republican "walkout" will commence this week as the Ways & Means Committee will approve SB 1530 - Cap and Trade - on Monday morning and send it to the Senate floor. Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) will need to be temporarily replaced in order to facilitate this, as she remains a strong opponent of Cap and Trade, and her vote would kill the bill in committee.

The question at this point is whether House Republicans may follow suit.

The effect of the walkout is that the Senate cannot conduct business with fewer than 20 members. By boycotting the session, Republicans will leave the Senate with only 19 senators (we expect Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) to stay in Salem). All committees will continue to pass bills, but the full Senate would not be able to pass them. Because the session is constitutionally mandated to end at 12 AM, Sunday, March 8th, all bills not passed by the Senate would be dead at that time.

It remains to be seen how the Governor and Democrat leadership will deal with the walkout, but it will likely get intense over the next two weeks in terms of the messaging, the threats, and the looming possibility that there may be some executive action to call special sessions or invoke "emergency powers" to conduct votes with less than a constitutional quorum.

Things are about to get very interesting.

In the meantime, OSCC continues to be busy with its priorities. You can see the OSCC Legislative Priorities here. 

Other than SB 1530, we continue to believe our biggest threat is House Bill 4010, which would effectively eliminate 50% of the state tax incentives for Opportunity Zones. The House Revenue Committee passed a version of HB 4010 on Thursday night which disconnects from the federal capital gains tax incentives to invest in OZ's and effectively levies a 4.95% state tax on any investment gains made in an OZ. You can view the one-pager here. 

Bottom line: If you care about Opportunity Zones, Chambers need to speak up! We expect the House to vote on this bill as soon as early as Wednesday, so contact your State Representative now. Our message is simple: NO on HB 4010. You can go to our Voter Voice and send your messages here.

Here's a rundown of key OSCC Issues:

• Cap-and-Trade (SB 1530). Although the bill was delayed last week, we expect the full Ways & Means Committee to approve the bill on Monday morning. This will likely trigger a Senate Republican 'walkout' to deny a quorum in the Senate to prevent passage of the bill. 

• CAT Tax "Technical" Fixes (HB 4009). This bill is supported by OSCC as it will lower penalties on underpayment of taxes, particularly in the first year, as businesses grapple with this new gross receipts tax. This bill was not an attempt to re-visit the policy, and OSCC cautioned members not to expect too much with this bill. OSCC's objectives here were to lower penalty provisions, which the bill does. This bill will likely be impacted by the Senate Republican walkout. 

• Statewide Lodging Tax legislation (HB 4047) will make permanent the 1.8% statewide lodging tax rate that was passed in 2016. OSCC assisted ORLA in passing this bill through a tough House vote, 37-18. You can see the joint ORLA/OSCC floor letter in support of the bill. This bill will likely be impacted by the Senate Republican walkout. 

• Interfering with Non-Competes (SB 1527). This issue was negotiated as both business and labor landed on a 12-month enforceability for non-compete agreements. Under the new law, non-competes can now only apply to employees making more than $97,300 per year and are only effective for 12 months. OSCC considers this issue settled. We expect the bill to pass the House Committee this week and ultimately pass. This will not be impacted by the Senate walkout. 

• New Requirements for projects in Economic Development Zones (SB 1525). Last week, we reported that this bill may have been a vehicle for mischief - to amend HB 4045 into it. OSCC opposed HB 4045, which imposed prevailing wage requirements on projects within enterprise zones, strategic investment zones, and renewable energy investment zones; specifically, the requirement to pay prevailing wages.
  
  We are pleased to report there was no mischief in the passage of SB 1525, which was a very minor consensus bill dealing with new reporting requirements for enterprise zone projects. One more small victory. 

• Aviation fuel taxes / Public Airport Investments (HB 4036). We believe the Joint Transportation Committee will likely pass HB 4036 on Tuesday night. The bill would increase the aviation fuel tax by 2 cent-per-gallon to increase funding for public airports by $4 million per year. The tax increase will be a point of contention. Many Republicans, and some Democrats, prefer a scaled down version that would continue the current 2-cent tax but not increase taxes. Others support the additional 2-cent tax. We believe the House has the votes to pass this bill, but its future is in doubt in the Senate.

After 75 minutes of debate and motions, the full Ways & Means Committee has just passed SB 1530, the Cap-and-Trade bill.

Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) voted with Republicans on all amendments and in opposition to the bill. Ordinarily, this would result in the failure of the bill due to a 6-6 tie from the Senate committee members. Senate President Peter Courtney was added to the Committee roster today and broke the tie on the bill, allowing it to pass.

Senate Republicans moved several amendments, including an amendment to refer SB 1530 to the voters for the November 2020 election. All amendments failed.

Today's committee vote will trigger a 'walkout' from Senate Republicans, who have made it clear their intention to deny quorum to defeat the legislation. House Republicans are also indicating they may follow suit.

Despite the walkout, legislative committees will continue to meet and pass legislation. However, the Senate will not be able to vote on legislation due to lack of quorum. The same would hold true for the House if House Republicans also denied quorum.

By Constitution, the short session must be completed by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 8th. Legislation not passed by that time is considered dead and must start again, either in a special session or in the 2021 long session.

We are now done with the first two weeks of the 2020 session.  There are three weeks to go before the constitutional end date of March 8th. It was an extraordinarily busy week as most bills were scheduled for hearing or some sort of consideration. As of right now, most of the 250 bills that were introduced in the 2020 session are still alive. By our count, only 50 bills are formally dead.

Some good news: The quarterly revenue forecast was released on Wednesday. State revenues are expected to increase yet another $183 million. Revenues have increased an astounding $675 million since the 2019 Close-of-Session forecast which was the basis for the final 2019-2021 budget.

Now for the reality check: The 2020 session could very well come to a grinding halt this week. Democrat leadership will push Cap-and-Trade (SB 1530) out of the Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, which means it could be on the Senate floor as soon as Thursday. At this point, we have every reason to believe that Senate Republicans will leave the capitol to deny quorum. Things could get very interesting by the end of the week as many possibilities could unfold, including (1) 11th hour dealmaking to lower the temperature and keep the session on track, although it's hard to see how this would include Republicans providing a quorum to vote on Cap-and-Trade, (2) House Republicans may also elect to leave the capitol in a show of solidarity, and (3) the Governor exploring "emergency" powers to pass Cap-and-Trade without a quorum.

It should also be noted that the politics of Cap-and-Trade are already baked. There is no business group or interest group that is going to alter the outcome - or negotiate a truce - except for the environmental lobby or Timber Unity.

Other than SB 1530, we continue to believe our biggest threat is House Bill 4010, which would effectively eliminate all state tax incentives for Opportunity Zones. The Oregon Education Association is imploring House Democrats to eliminate them. Bottom line: If you care about Opportunity Zones, Chambers need to say something! Either put your testimony on the record at lro.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov or let your Representative and Senator know that local communities oppose this bill!

Here's a rundown of key OSCC Issues:

• Cap-and-Trade (SB 1530). This bill passed the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee on Thursday afternoon on a 3-2. Senator Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay), a previous opponent of the bill, is now supporting the new bill, allowing it to pass to the Ways & Means Committee. OSCC is anticipating that SB 1530 will pass the Ways & Means Committee at 11:00 am on Tuesday, setting up the pivotal conflict of the session. 

• Statewide Lodging Tax legislation (HB 4047) will make permanent the 1.8% statewide lodging tax rate that was passed in 2016. The rate was scheduled to be reduced to 1.5% this year, but in order to lock in the higher rate for statewide tourism promotion instead of other unrelated objectives, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association agreed to keep the rate at 1.8% so long as the money is dedicated to tourism promotion. OSCC testified in support of this bill, but its fate is uncertain.

• Unemployment Benefits for Striking Employees (HB 4007). On Wednesday, the House Committee on Business & Labor closed the door on this bill. HB 4007 upended Oregon law by ensuring that striking employees are not disqualified from receiving unemployment. OSCC strongly opposed the bill and was pleased to see it die. 

• Real Estate Transfer Taxes (HJR 203). Other than a public hearing, we've seen no activity on this measure which would repeal Oregon's ban on real estate transfer taxes. 

• Interfering with Non-Competes (SB 1527). Last week, this issue was negotiated as both business and labor landed on a 12-month enforceability for non-compete agreements. Under the new law, non-competes can now only apply to employees making more than $97,300 per year and are only effective for 12 months. OSCC considers this issue settled. 

• Eliminating Opportunity Zones (HB 4010). OSCC joined cities and other economic development proponents on Wednesday night to testify in opposition to HB 4010, which would disconnect Oregon from the federal Opportunity Zone tax incentive that included in the federal 'Tax Cut and Jobs Act' passed by Congress in 2017. We've heard from many of our local chambers about the importance of maintaining Opportunity Zones as a tool to support local economic development. We view this as our biggest threat to date. If you want to preserve Opportunity Zones in your community, you need to speak up and send your testimony to: lro.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

Bill of the Week - SB 1525:

• New Requirements for projects in Economic Development Zones
  (SB 1525). Last week, we reported that HB 4045 died in committee. OSCC opposed HB 4045, which imposed prevailing wage requirements on projects within enterprise zones, strategic investment zones, and renewable energy investment zones; specifically, the requirement to pay prevailing wages. 
  
  But now there is opportunity for mischief in SB 1525, which is a very minor consensus bill dealing with new reporting requirements for enterprise zone projects. There is a possibility that HB 4045 may get stuffed into SB 1525 in the House Business & Labor Committee. We need to make sure this does not happen! Please submit your testimony to hbl.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. The Committee needs to know that your chamber does not support adding HB 4045 into SB 1525! OSCC will be watching this issue closely. The public hearing for SB 1525 is Monday morning.

We are now done with the first week of the 2020 session. There are four weeks to go before the constitutional end date of March 8th.  It was an extraordinarily busy week as most bills were scheduled for hearing or some sort of consideration.

Some observations of the first week: (1) Senate President Courtney has a serious health condition and is not certain to be in the capitol. This could have major implications on key votes and also has major implications for key negotiations, (2) relationships are already showing signs of strain, and (3) the Timber Unity rally on Thursday was impactful and emboldened Republican lawmakers in their strong stance on Cap & Trade legislation.

Friday was the first significant deadline of session. If a bill was not scheduled for further consideration by Friday evening, then that bill is considered dead.  Unfortunately, this only claimed about 20 of the 250 bills that were introduced.  Legislative leadership has become very proficient at maneuvering bills to keep potential agenda items alive until the very end. However, one key bill opposed by OSCC has died (see below).

OSCC had a very busy week with its priorities.  

As of today, we believe our biggest threat is House Bill 4010, which would effectively eliminate all state incentives for Opportunity Zones.  Democrats in the House appear poised to eliminate them.  Bottom line: If you care about Opportunity Zones, you'd better say something. 

Here's a rundown of key OSCC Issues:

Ø  Cap-and-Trade (SB 1530).  Carbon cap-and-trade was the theme of the first week of session. The Senate President's office introduced SB 1530, which includes several changes from the failed HB 2020.  First, it attempts (although unsuccessfully) to phase in the fuels tax, initially in the Portland Metro area and then in cities that store 10 million or more gallons of fuel. It's a surprisingly large number of cities.  Second, the bill gives trade exposed natural gas users (certain manufacturers and farmers) 100% rate relief for the first three years of the program. After 2025, these manufacturers must conduct an energy system management audit and make any state-required energy efficiency investments in order to qualify for bill credits. Homes that use natural gas will see a 7% increase in their rates in 2022, and most propane users receive no protection from rate impacts due to cap-and-trade. 

We are expecting SB 1530 to pass the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee this week and be sent to the Ways & Means Committee.  At this time, Senate Republicans have signaled their intention to leave the capitol in order to block passage of this bill, but negotiations are ongoing.  Some Senate Democrats do not appear to be willing to blow up the session over Cap & Trade. Senate President Courtney's absence also has implications here.

Ø  Statewide Lodging Tax legislation (HB 4047) will make permanent the 1.8% statewide lodging tax rate that was passed in 2016.  The rate was scheduled to be reduced to 1.5% this year, but in order to lock in the higher rate for statewide tourism promotion instead of other unrelated objectives, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association agreed to keep the rate at 1.8% so long as the money is dedicated to tourism promotion.  OSCC testified in support of this bill Tuesday evening in the House Revenue Committee and will lobby legislators on it.

Ø  Unemployment Benefits for Striking Employees (HB 4007). On Wednesday, the House Committee on Business & Labor will hold a public hearing and possible work session on HB 4007. HB 4007 upends Oregon law and ensures that striking employees are not disqualified from receiving unemployment. Most states do not allow workers on strike to collect unemployment benefits, including Oregon. Were HB 4007 to pass, it would levy significant costs on Oregon's public and private employers.  OSCC strongly opposes this legislation.

Ø  Real Estate Transfer Taxes (HJR 203).  We've seen no activity on this measure which would repeal Oregon's ban on real estate transfer taxes.

Other Key Issues Coming Up This Week

Ø  Technical Assistance for Employers (HB 4087).  Last week, OSCC joined our local chambers in support of HB 4087. This bill would transfer civil penalty reserves to fund technical assistance for employers in Eastern Oregon and the free online publication of BOLI technical assistance and compliance manuals. OSCC supported the -1 amendment, and the business community worked with Commissioner Hoyle last week on sideboards to ensure that there isn't an incentive to increase penalties in the future.  HB 4087 is scheduled for a work session to move the bill out of committee with amendments on Monday.

Ø  Interfering with Non-Competes (SB 1527).  This week, business and labor representatives sat down to negotiate a reasonable compromise to noncompete agreement legislation. Our biggest concern with SB 1527 was the dramatic shift in enforceability of an agreement from 18 months under existing law to only 6 months. There will likely be a middle ground at 12 months.

Ø  Eliminating Opportunity Zones (HB 4010).  OSCC joined cities and other economic development proponents on Wednesday night to testify in opposition to HB 4010, which would disconnect Oregon from the federal Opportunity Zone tax incentive that included in the federal 'Tax Cut and Jobs Act' passed by Congress in 2017.  We've heard from many of our local chambers about the importance of maintaining Opportunity Zones as a tool to support local economic development.  We view this as our biggest threat to date.  If you want to preserve Opportunity Zones in your community, you need to speak up and send your testimony to:  lro.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

Ø  BOLI Screening of Employers/Employees (HB 4113).  OSCC testified in opposition to HB 4113, which would require BOLI screening of all employers - and all employees - if there are minors employed in the workplace.  The legislation appeared well intended - to protect minors from sex offenders or other criminals in the workplace - but OSCC testified that employers no longer have the tools to screen employees for criminal background and that it was unfair to subject employers to civil penalties and lawsuits if they themselves have no ability to screen employees for criminal backgrounds. OSCC is expecting an amendment this week from BOLI to address our concerns. 

Casualties of the first deadline:

Ø  Prevailing Wage Requirements in Economic Development Zones (HB 4045). HB 4045 died in committee on Friday.  HB 4045 imposed public procurement requirements on projects within enterprise zones, strategic investment zones, and renewable energy investment zones; specifically, the requirement to pay prevailing wages. Requiring prevailing wage rates on private construction projects offsets the very local economic development incentives provided by tax abatements. This bill would have jeopardized future economic development projects.

                         

We need you to take a stand and oppose HOUSE BILL 4010, which would effectively eliminate all state incentives for Opportunity Zones. We view this as our biggest threat to date. OSCC joined cities and other economic development proponents on Wednesday night to testify in opposition to HB 4010, which would disconnect Oregon from the federal Opportunity Zone tax incentive that included in the federal 'Tax Cut and Jobs Act' passed by Congress in 2017.  We've heard from many of our local chambers about the importance of maintaining Opportunity Zones as a tool to support local economic development.  What are the risks of disconnecting? Disconnecting will create added complexity and confusion, particularly for the Oregon investor who is willing to focus on smaller and rural community projects in Oregon. The added complexity will also make it more difficult for local and regional agencies to establish programs that leverage the incentive to achieve broadly targeted goals. Disconnecting from the federal OZ incentive will not eliminate OZ’s in Oregon. Disconnection only changes the eligibility of Oregon tax payers to realize the capital gains incentives in future years for investments made in Oregon. Out of state tax payers or multi statecorporations can still invest in, and receive tax benefits from, Oregon’s OZ’s and Oregon investors can invest in out-of-state funds or properties in OZ’s in other states. How will disconnect affect local Oregon investors and taxpayers? As noted by the Legislative Revenue Office “Bottom line, only Oregon taxpayers are affected by a disconnect.”1 Disconnecting from the federal code will penalize Oregon investors. HB 4010 would treat Oregon investors differently, and will not give Oregonians investing in their own communities the same benefits as those who invest elsewhere, or out-of-state investors spending the same money in our communities. At-best, this will lead to out-of-state ownership and control of Oregon assets at the expense of local ownership and control. At worst, disconnecting Oregon from the federal tax code means no investment in our neediest areas. Disconnection may simply discourage Oregon taxpayers from making local investments in Oregon companies and properties. Any potential benefit of OZ’s will be lost, and place Oregon as the national outlier. Whether or not OZ’s incentivize investment that may not otherwise occur is an open question, but there is no question that Oregon’s disconnect can only disincentivize local investment by Oregon taxpayers.  If you want to preserve Opportunity Zones in your community, now is the time to speak up and send your testimony as soon as possible to: lro.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

PRESERVE OPPORTUNITY ZONES - OPPOSE HB 4010

The first day of the 2020 legislative session is now in the books.

The 2020 Legislature introduced about 250 bills. Last week, the OSCC Government Affairs Committee and Board convened to develop the OSCC legislative priorities for 2020. 

Yesterday, OSCC did the following:

• Testified in support of additional BOLI Technical Assistance for employers (HB 4087). OSCC appeared before the House Business & Labor Committee to testify with Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle in support of her bill, HB 4087. This bill would transfer civil penalty reserves (approx. $100,000/ year) to fund technical assistance for employers in Eastern Oregon and the free online publication of BOLI technical assistance and compliance manuals. OSCC worked with Commissioner Hoyle on the -1 amendment, which removes the authorization to propose legislation that would increase civil penalties for Oregon employers. You can see OSCC's written testimony here. Chambers are encouraged to submit written testimony at: hbl.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov 
   
• Testified in opposition to HB 4113, which would require BOLI screening of all employers - and all employees - if there are minors employed in the workplace. The legislation is well intended -to protect minors from sex offenders or other criminals in the workplace - but OSCC testified that employers no longer have the tools to screen employees for criminal background and that it was unfair to subject employers to civil penalties and lawsuits if they themselves have no ability to screen employees for past criminal behavior. OSCC is expecting an amendment from BOLI to address our concerns. Chambers are encouraged to submit written comment at: hbl.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

Today, OSCC will be watching the following:

• Statewide Lodging Tax legislation (HB 4047) will make permanent the 1.8% statewide lodging tax rate that was passed in 2016. The rate was scheduled to be reduced to 1.5% this year, but in order to lock in the higher rate for statewide tourism promotion instead of other unrelated objectives, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association agreed to keep the rate at 1.8% so long as the money is dedicated to tourism promotion. OSCC will support the legislation for the simple reason that if HB 4047 is not passed, the statewide Lodging Tax will be used as a vehicle to fund all manner of new programs and objectives unrelated to the tourism promotion that local communities rely on. You can see OSCC's testimony here. It's being heard this evening in the House Revenue Committee.  Chambers are encouraged to submit written comment to: lro.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov 
   
• Interfering with Non-Competes (SB 1527). On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Labor and Business will hold a hearing on SB 1527, which interferes with and reduces the scope of enforceable noncompete agreements. OSCC's biggest concern is the dramatic shift in enforceability of an agreement from 18 months under existing law to only 6 months. OSCC is concerned that six months may not be long enough to protect the investment the employer made in the former employee or to protect intellectual property.  Chambers are encouraged to submit written comment to: slb.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

We need you to take a stand against harmful legislation that raises taxes and costs and kills local jobs. Senate Bill 1530 on Cap-an-Trade is being considered by lawmakers in the Senate THIS WEEK. Senators will be hearing public testimony on Saturday at 10:00am in Hearing Room C at the Capitol. It is critical that legislators hear from you on the impact this bill has on working Oregonians. We need your voice to tell legislators that Oregonians cannot afford SB 1530 on Cap-and-Trade.

Below are some talking points for testimony. We encourage you to make your comments personal.

• SB 1530 on Cap-and-Trade hurts small businesses and working Oregonians. Cap-and-Trade brings with it increased costs of everyday items like fuel, electricity, food and household goods. The average family would pay an estimated $700 - $1,000 more per year in higher costs for these items, including an immediate 22-cent increase in gas prices.
   
• SB 1530 on Cap-and-Trade hurts our economy with lost jobs and backroom deal-making. Politically-connected corporations would have an unfair advantage to escape the tax, while less politically-connected businesses would face higher taxes and costs. Cap-and-Trade would cost Oregon thousands of living-wage jobs as businesses move to other states with higher carbon emissions.
   
• SB 1530 on Cap-and-Trade hurts Oregonians with wasteful spending. Cap-and-Trade would allow unelected state bureaucrats to raise taxes and costs on businesses and consumers - without a vote of the legislature - at a rate of $700 million per year. There is no accountable plan for spending the additional money.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when testifying:

• Arrive early and get your name on the list to testify to ensure you have the opportunity to share your comments.
• Testimony will be limited to two minutes per person, so make sure you can make your key points in the time allotted. 
• Be sure to reference SB 1530, the Cap-and-Trade bill, when you testify.
• If you are unable to testify in person, you can submit written testimony by sending your comments to: senr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov.
• For more details about the hearings, please see the Legislature's website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2020R1/Committees/SENR/2020-02-04-15-00/Agenda

Cap-and-Trade hurts Oregonians across the state by saddling businesses and families with additional taxes and costs, ultimately harming our economy and way of life. This is a California-sized policy that would burden Oregonians with additional taxes and increased costs that impact everyday life. 

Contact your senator.