Last Friday, the Oregon Legislature officially adjourned the 2022 Legislative Session and State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) highlighted legislation and funding allocations for District 57.
“During the 2022 Legislative session, the legislature was looking to invest in critical projects and programs (HB 5202)” said Smith.
“Municipalities and organizations all around the state submitted funding requests. As a co-vice chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee and a member of its Subcommittee on Capital Construction, I was able to make sure these funds were allocated not only to Portland and urban areas, but also returned to hardworking tax payers in our rural communities.”
Below is a list of District 57 specific allocations:
- $4,590,000 – Northeast Oregon Regional Acute Care Center
- $3,048,464 – City of Milton-Freewater Police and Dispatch Center
- $1,500,000 – Columbia Basin Apprenticeship Training Center
- $1,000,000 – Eastern Oregon University Visual & Performing Arts Scholarship
- $1,000,000 – Umatilla County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $1,000,000 – Gilliam County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $1,000,000 – Sherman County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $1,000,000 – Morrow County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $1,000,000 – Wheeler County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $1,000,000 – Wasco County Fairgrounds Infrastructure
- $900,000 – South Wasco County High School Track Renovations
- $500,000 – City of Dufur Sidewalk Improvements
- $500,000 – City Heppner of Community Development Fund
- $405,000 – Glover Hall Renovations (Wheeler County)
- $250,000 – Umatilla County Road Digitized Pilot Project
- $166,666 – City of Antelope Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Spray Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Mitchell Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Fossil Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Grass Valley Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Rufus Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Maupin Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Moro Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Wasco Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Tygh Valley Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Condon Community Development Fund
- $166,666 – City of Arlington Community Development Fund
“Recognizing that homelessness is a pervasive issue in the entire state, I was proud to co-chief sponsor HB 4123” said Representative Smith, “this legislation allocated grant funds to homeless response projects in eight communities across the state, two of which will directly benefit District 57.”
- $1,000,000 – Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Homeless Response System
- $1,000,000 – Umatilla County Homeless Response System
“For years, rural pharmacies have been hurt by excessive and unnecessary taxes, however, SB 1524 takes a major step in alleviating the problem” said Representative Smith, “this legislation exempts pharmacies with nine or fewer locations in Oregon from the Corporate Activities Tax. SB 1524 is a major win for rural Oregon and as the senior member of the House Revenue Committee, I believed it was paramount to include this provision within the bill.”
“The federal government’s new infrastructure package will be allocating funds to the State of Oregon specifically for broadband infrastructure” said Representative Smith, “HB 4092 expands the duties of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council to ensure they are able to prepare the state for these incoming funds. Understanding that rural Oregon is in desperate need of expanded internet quality and access, my fellow co-chief sponsors and I supported the bill because it equips each of our communities with the necessary resources to implement broadband expansion.”
