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CapitalPress.com
Friday, January 15, 2021
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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!
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