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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2021)
8 CapitalPress.com Friday, January 15, 2021 PAID ADVERTISEMENT Gearing up for the 2021 session H O W T H E 2 0 2 0 E L E C T I O N I M PA C T E D T H E M A K E U P O F T H E 2 0 2 1 O R E G O N L E G I S L AT U R E A N D W H AT W E E X P E C T T O S E E T H I S S E S S I O N . O FB’s endorsed candidates largely fared well in the 2020 General Election, with 85% of OFB-en- dorsed candidates win- ning their elections. The 2021 Oregon Legislative Session will also see a record number of Farm Bureau members serv- ing in the Legislature: five members serving in the House and two in the Senate. Given that less than 1% of Oregonians are farm- ers and ranchers, we are proud to have almost 7% of the Legislature com- posed of farmers and ranchers! We are grateful to have so many Farm Bureau members serving their state and their com- munities, and we look for- ward to working with them to provide a strong voice for Oregon agriculture at the Capitol. In terms of composition, the 2020 General Elec- tion brought only slight changes to the Oregon Legislature. The Oregon Senate will remain at 18 Democrats and 12 Repub- licans. In the Oregon House, Republicans will gain one seat, but Dem- ocrats will retain a com- manding 37-23 majority. Notably, in the Oregon House, Republicans cap- tured two coastal districts previously held by Dem- ocrats. The success of Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay) and Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) in coastal districts signifies a major cultural shift in the state as reliably Republican suburbs have swung wildly to Democrats, while once reliably Democrat coastal districts have become Republican. The 2021 Oregon Legis- lative Session will remain extraordinarily important to agriculture, with significant policy proposals likely to come forward that would have a direct and negative impact on farm and ranch families. Democrats continue to maintain a super majority in both chambers, meaning they do not need any votes by Republicans to raise taxes, and the 2020 elec- tion did not meaningfully Support finding solu- tions to water shortages around the state that protect senior water right holders, while find- ing innovative solutions that work for the agri- cultural community. n Oppose land use pro- posals that undermine protection of Oregon’s farmland. n Oppose Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) reinterpreting existing authority in an overly narrow or pre- scriptive manner. Environmental Stew- ardship — Farmers and ranchers work to reduce their environmental impact and care for our natural resources for future gen- erations. OFB works to ensure that ag producers are recognized for their environmental steward- ship and that Oregon’s natural resources are actively managed. n Oppose carbon policies that would increase costs on farmers and ranchers while not change the politics on retain access to the tools resulting in meaningful issues key to OFB. While they need. changes to climate. not as dramatic as initially With COVID-19-related Protect Access to Pro- feared, budget shortfalls duction Tools — All farm- n Support carbon policies restrictions on meetings that recognize and pro- are projected to continue and gatherings projected ers and ranchers should mote the sequestration into this year. As a result, to last into the new year, have access to the tools role played by Oregon’s we expect to see a num- the 2021 Legislative Ses- and practices that work working lands. ber of proposals to make sion will look different than best for their operations. up lost revenue through n Support forestry and usual. The 2021 Session OFB works to ensure new taxes and fees. OFB will begin on Jan. 19, and farmers and ranchers are wildfire prevention pol- will remain stalwart in icies that place natural it is likely that at least part able to continue to use the opposing any new cost resource management tools they need to be suc- of the session will take increases on agriculture. at the forefront and rely cessful in their businesses place remotely. A remote on local expertise. and maintain the viability We also expect to see session will pose a chal- of their operations. n Support active man- new employment man- lenge for lobbyists and agement of our state’s dates coming out of the the public alike, as remote n Oppose new bans on wildlife. COVID-19 crisis and wild- participation poses signif- pesticides and GMOs. fire season, including a icant hurdles to legislative n Oppose changes that n Support continued number of mandates spe- access and accountability. and increased funding significantly limit appli- cifically directed at farm for invasive species cation practices. However, a remote ses- employers; paid COVID- control. sion also represents a Strengthen Oregon’s 19 leave, paid childcare, n Support measures to unique chance for rural Economy — Agriculture harassment/discrimina- ensure wildfire preven- Oregon to ensure our plays a critical role in the tion mandates, Workers’ tion and protection of voices are heard in Salem. state’s economy. Most Compensation presump- We are hoping that remote forestland and farm- farmers are price-tak- tion, and wildfire smoke land from the effects of testimony will make it eas- ers, which means they requirements are all on the ier for Oregon’s farmers wildfire. cannot adjust the price table. OFB will continue to and ranchers to be able to of their product to reflect Promote Oregon Agri- oppose new mandates on tend to their operations at increases in their cost culture — Promote coex- farm employers. home and also testify on of doing business. OFB istence, collaboration, and On the natural resources proposals that will impact works to protect the communication for the them in Salem! side, we are anticipating viability of Oregon agri- benefit of Oregon’s farms bills to require water mea- Please watch your culture, help farmers and and ranches. OFB works surement and reporting, ranchers stay in business, to promote coexistence emailed OFB Action Alerts bans on specific pesticide closely for opportunities to and ensure that Oregon and ensure that all crops products, challenges to engage remotely and help farmers and ranchers are are supported in our state. livestock management, competitive in regional, us continue the amazing n Support legislative and other bills that will national, and international grassroots engagement changes needed directly impact agriculture. we saw successfully markets. to allow Oregon to We will continue to fight defeat major proposals in n Oppose costly new develop a state hemp to protect our members’ 2019 and 2020! (Sign up employment mandates. plan that meets USDA’s farms and ranches. for OFB Action Alerts at requirements. n Oppose new tax OregonFB.org/advocacy.) Finally, with the state’s increases on Oregon’s Enhance Rural Commu- increasing focus on racial farms and ranches and nities — Agriculture is the OFB Priorities for equity, the Governor’s the businesses they economic driver in many the 2021 Oregon Recommended Budget rely on. rural areas. OFB supports contained several propos- Legislative Session n Oppose new fees policies that will create als around the nexus of on natural resources new opportunities for rural Safeguard Water and environmental and racial services. Oregonians and address Land Use — Access to justice, including a focus the challenges of living water and land is vital for n Reduce regulatory on the impacts of agricul- and working in remote all farms and ranches. red tape for activities tural practices, such as areas. OFB works to protect needed to support pesticide use on farm- access to water and n Support broadband farms and ranches. workers, indigenous com- farmland for farmers and access. n Oppose acquisitions of munities, and others. OFB ranchers across the state. n Support access to vital private land for public will work to thoughtfully n Oppose new measure- community services. purposes. engage on these issues, ment and reporting while ensuring farmers mandates. n Join Farm Bureau today HELP US KEEP AG STRONG AND VIABLE! A t the county level since 1919 and the state level since 1932, Farm Bureau has represented and fought for the interests of Oregon’s farm and ranch families for generations. will be unprecedented opportunity for farmers and As a grassroots organiza- ranchers to communicate tion, we are only as strong with lawmakers and legis- as our membership. Voting lative committees without members are profession- making a trip to Salem. ally engaged in agriculture, while supporting members Along with your engage- value a strong agricultural ment at the Capitol, sharing With the 2021 Oregon your story with lawmakers, sector. If you’re reading Legislative Session about please know that OFB this, we hope you join us to start on Jan. 19, Farm Bureau needs your support if you haven’t already. We staff are working extremely hard to stop legislation need your support. Visit more than ever. that makes it more costly, OregonFB.org/join today. Between proposals around complicated, and/or bur- And if you are a Farm COVID-19 relief, wildfire densome to grow crops and Bureau member, please mitigation, and redistrict- raise animals in this state — make sure you’re signed ing — along with myriad bills involving water, labor, up for emailed OFB Action and are also striving to pass bills that benefit hard-work- Alerts at OregonFB.org/ taxes, and pesticide use, ing farm and ranch families advocacy, and take the among other important and Oregon’s rural commu- time to respond to them. issue areas — this will be nities. We thank you and yet another critical session With at least part of the with significant impacts on session going virtual, there appreciate your support! Oregon’s ag community. OFB 1 st VP Bailey, 3 rd VP Otley reelected O n Dec. 10, 2020, at the 88 th Oregon Farm Bureau Convention, which was all virtual, the House of Delegates unanimously reelected Angi Bailey, owner of a nursery specializing in Japanese maples and member of Multnomah County Farm Bureau, as OFB’s 1st Vice Pres- ident — and Shane Otley, a cattle rancher, hay farmer, and member of Harney County Farm Bureau, as OFB’s 3rd Vice President. “We are honored to have Angi and Shane continue to serve as officers on the OFB Board of Directors and help guide our grass- roots organization into the new year and beyond,” said OFB President Barb Iverson. Congratulations to Angi and Shane! S219086-1