COVID-19

SB 1582 Funding for cultural organizations

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Donna | 0 Comments

This bill dedicates out of the General Fund, the amount of $27,414,113.59 to bailout Oregon arts organizations and declares it an emergency. To be eligible for a grant, an Oregon cultural organization must demonstrate to the department’s satisfaction that, at any time during fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2023, the organization experienced a significant loss in earned revenue because of…

HJR 201 Ending the emergency

Posted on March 4, 2022 by BJ

VOTE:YES
Died in Committee

SB 1516 prohibits Covid-19 vaccination mandate

Posted on March 4, 2022 by BJ

VOTE: YES
Died In Committee
Declared an Emergency

Rep. Reschke bills: Stop endless emergencies. End medical discrimination.

Posted on January 29, 2022 by BJ | 2 Comments

State Representative Reschke announced he will introduce two bills for the 2022 short legislative session, which begins in Salem on February 1st. End the State of Emergency HJR 201 is a resolution, that upon passage, would immediately terminate the Governor’s state of emergency declaration that first began March 2020. The resolution does not require the Governor’s signature to take effect,…

NFIB Lawsuit against OSHA’s vaccine mandate

Posted on November 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) filed a legal challenge against the Biden Administration’s emergency temporary standard, which would mandate businesses with 100 or more employees require workers take the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing and wear masks while at work. NFIB filed a petition for review at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit arguing…

Super majority Blocks TAX RELIEF; and Legislation to End Covid Emergency

Posted on June 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

June 9th, Senate Republicans moved to debate a measure that would have repealed taxes on basic necessities. Under current law, prescription drugs, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and baby formula are taxed under the corporate activities tax. Senate Bill 521, a Republican proposal, would exempt these items from taxation. Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) made a motion to withdraw SB 521 from…

Bill to Require More Schoolchildren to Be Vaccinated for Childhood Diseases Called Off Mid-Pandemic

Posted on February 16, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Two years ago, Democrat lawmakers killed a bill to end Oregon’s philosophical exemption to school vaccination requirements, as part of a compromise to end a Republican walkout. This year, a similar bill, Senate Bill 254, is dying before debate gets going. “Oregon is at a critical moment with the implementation of vaccinations for COVID-19, and we have determined this does not make it possible…

Southern Oregon lawmaker introduces bill that would bar Governor Brown from shutting down businesses during COVID-19

Posted on February 10, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Representative David Brock Smith‘s district covers parts of Curry, Coos, Douglas, and Josephine counties. House Bill 3177, the “Covid Business Equity Act,” would explicitly limit the Governor’s power to impose restrictions on restaurants, bars, gyms, and other fitness establishments — unless those restrictions apply to all businesses broadly. Rep. Brock Smith highlighted the job losses in the hospitality sector as…

2021 Oregon Legislature: Priorities, uncertainties

Posted on January 29, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

The 2021 Oregon Legislature is under way at the capitol building in Salem, but this session is far from normal. It is marked by pandemic related issues and restrictions and a $1.7 billion budget shortfall. By far, the top issue is the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Sen. Betsy Johnson. “We have heard both pro and con about the vaccine,” Johnson…