MY THOUGHTS ON THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION TO HALT TOLLING… FOR NOW

Earlier this week, the governor announced plans to halt tolling along I-5 and I-205 in the Portland metro area. This is a long overdue but welcome announcement. The entire process has been riddled with flaws and missteps from the beginning – including an unacceptable failure to inform the public and listen to feedback from those who would be impacted most.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’ve been working hard to bring Oregonians’ voices to the table and make their concerns understood loud and clear. From the hearing room to the House floor, I’ve brought this issue directly to Secretary Buttigieg, the Federal Highway Administrator, and I’ve introduced multiple bills to pump the brakes on tolling.

With this decision, Oregonians were successful in making their voices heard, and our communities will be better off because of it. Stopping tolling will protect our neighborhoods from traffic congestion and save Oregonians from paying a regressive tax just to get to work. I hope this decision to halt tolling gives families some peace of mind, and now I urge the governor and state officials to kill these proposals permanently so Oregonians never have to go through this again.

RECAP: Working to Pump the Brakes on Tolling

ADVANCING LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSES

I’m leading bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes poison control centers, which play a vital role in preventing accidental deaths and offer important educational resources to raise awareness about dangerous substances – including fentanyl.

Just last week, the Oregon Poison Center sounded the alarm on rising fentanyl overdoses among children. There were 16 children younger than six who were poisoned by fentanyl in Oregon in 2023 – up from zero in 2020.

Extending these key programs will help save lives while reducing pressure on emergency rooms across the country. I’m glad our bipartisan proposal passed the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee this week, and I’ll continue working to get this signed into law before the September deadline.

AGRICULTURAL LABOR WORKING GROUP ISSUES FINAL REPORT

The bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group, which I served on alongside 13 other members of the Ag Committee, released a final report that details policy recommendations to address workforce issues facing our nation's ag producers. The report comes after months of engaging with stakeholders, employers, and workers from across the country – particularly focusing on ways to modernize the H-2A visa program for nonimmigrant agricultural workers.

I helped lead several proposals that were adopted in the final report, including a provision to protect workers from extreme heat exposure. I’m proud of the work we did to find areas of consensus on this complex issue. It’s an important step forward as we continue working to address the labor shortages facing farms and ranches across the country.

MEETING OREGONIANS

I had another jam-packed week of constituent meetings this week!

I started the Happy Valley Youth Council as mayor in 2010 to get more young people engaged in government and leadership. This week, I was excited and honored to show the current class of youth councilors around the U.S. Capitol. I appreciate their service and can't wait to see what the future has in store for them!

Local government is where my public service career began, and I have a deep appreciation for everyone who steps up to serve their communities. It was great to visit with League of Oregon Cities on Wednesday about their priorities and my efforts to support them in Congress. Thanks for all that you do to make Oregon a better place to work, live, and raise a family!

I also enjoyed visiting with Lake Oswego youth councilors and city councilors on Tuesday. Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of Oregonians. As a former mayor, I know that we as local leaders don't see Republican ideas or Democrat ideas – only good ideas that solve problems.

🇺🇸 On Wednesday, I had the honor of visiting with Peter Ostrovsky, a Gold Star father from Bend. I can't begin to imagine the grief that must come with such a difficult loss, and I expressed my sympathy and appreciation for his son's selfless service to our nation.

POLL RESULTS FROM TUESDAY’S TOWN HALL

Tuesday evening, I held another great conversation with thousands of Oregonians from across the district. I was able to get to 15 questions, covering everything from border security and foreign aid to tolling and health care. I truly appreciate everyone who took some time out of their evening to participate!

As promised, here are the results from the three poll questions that I asked:

IN CASE YOUR MISSED IT: NOW ACCEPTING ARTWORK FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

My office is now accepting artwork for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition! The deadline to submit artwork for high school students in the 5th District is Monday, April 29, 2024 at 5 p.m. PT.

I strongly encourage high school students from across the 5th District to apply. It’s a great chance for students to showcase their artistic talents, and I look forward to seeing their submissions and recognizing the creative capabilities of the bright young students in our district!

One winner will receive two round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend a congressional reception honoring artwork from across the country. The winner will also have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year.

Learn more about the rules, requirements, and how to submit your art by visiting my website HERE.

ONE MORE THING!

🍀 I hope everyone has a happy and lucky St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

Thank you for reading my weekly newsletter. It's an honor to be your voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Your thoughts, concerns, and comments are very important to me. Always feel free to get in touch by calling (202) 225-5711 or by visiting my website at chavez-deremer.house.gov.

Sincerely,