in other words
june7
2018
3
Salem Report
By Representative Brad Witt
I was recently
in Salem for the regular-
ly scheduled Legislative
Days, and for the Special
Session called by Gover-
nor Brown. The Special
Session was called specifically to address
an inequity in Oregon’s tax statutes fol-
lowing our disconnect from the federal
tax structure. We passed legislation that
will allow about 12,000 sole proprietors
to be eligible for the same adjustments as
other small business entities in Oregon.
These are small business owners who
contribute to our communities in myriad
ways, especially in rural areas. Although
we still need to have a serious discussion
about our revenue system as a whole, I
felt it was important to support the Gov-
ernor’s quest for tax fairness.
My House Interim Commit-
tee on Transportation Policy gathered
to hear some very important information
regarding major transportation projects
and the management of traffic conges-
tion in the Portland Metro area. Statis-
tics gathered between 2013-2015 showed
that traffic delays had increased 23%,
and it has only gotten worse. HB 2017,
the transportation package that passed
last session, called for the Department
of Transportation to look at “congestion
pricing,” as a means of managing traffic,
better known as tolling. The Transporta-
tion Commission is still weighing wheth-
er or not to do this, which method to em-
ploy, and where the greatest benefit will
be realized. As this will certainly affect
my constituents, I will keep you posted!
Other committees are delving
into equally interesting topics. Legis-
lators heard about everything from the
state of our public defender system to the
construction standards for “tiny homes.”
Much of this testimony is constituent
driven, when citizens like yourselves
bring issues to us to be studied and hope-
fully resolved. It doesn’t always mean a
new law. Sometimes it just means doing
things differently.
Outside the building, you
might be interested in knowing that
the Joint Committee on Student Suc-
cess is touring the state examining the
best practices employed in Oregon’s
most successful schools. At each of its
first five stops, members of the com-
mittee have heard students describe
the need for more teachers, more men-
tal health counselors, better in-school
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
continued on page 7
Food Bank News
May 12, 2018 was a successful day for Vernonia Cares Food Bank.
Offering two raffle baskets as a fundraiser during the plant sale yielded over $150
for the food bank. Successful raffle basket winners were Henry Langmaid (bottom
left) and Anna Salt.
While the raffle sale was
operating, Peter O’Leary (right),
representing the National Letter
Carriers, picked up 388 pounds
of food for our local food bank.
Great work, Peter!
Contributors
Jeremy Simmons
Representative Brad Witt
Photography
Scott Laird
Want to advertise?
Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
One year subscriptions
(24 issues) $35
Vernonia’s Voice is published
on the 1st and 3rd Thursday
of each month.
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
www.VernoniasVoice.com
RIDE INN
Burgers & Fries
9 Beers on Tap
Growlers To Go
Home of the
Bear Creek Pub
Prime Rib Dinner
every Friday & Saturday
Check us
Out on
Facebook
NowOpen!•15rooms•Fullyremodeled
900 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
971-227-0462
503-382-9380
jeromecordell@gmail.com
Marie Krahn
Massage Therapy
Auto injury recovery/medical billing
• Accepting: Medical Benefits Cards
• Medical Massage Cupping
• Swedish Massage
• Reiki • Deep Tissue
• Reflexology
• doTerra Aroma Touch
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Myofacial Release
Mariolino’s
Pizza & Grill
lic#5495
Farmwoman’s Nursery
Lorna Poetter
(503) 429-8200
Open for
breakfast, lunch & dinner
Daily Specials
We have ice cream!
Cones-Shakes-Sundaes
503-429-5180
mariekrahn@frontier.com
503.429.0214
831 Bridge St.
Serving Vernonia since 1970
721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
(503) 429-5018
2121 N Mist Drive (503) 369-09 2 3
PoetterFarm@gmail.com
FB: Farmwoman’s Nursery