Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2020)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 15, 2020 -- SEVEN Guest Editorials Pandemic, Policy, Politics By Senator Bill Hansell As I was nearing the conclusion of my first leg- islative session in May of 2013, someone asked me what my plans were for the interim. That caused me to pause. I had never even thought about it, because in my entire working life, I had never had an interim. But I quickly figured out the answer, which was to keep on serving the citizens of my Senate District, in any way I could. Had someone asked me in February 2020, “What are my plans for a pandem- ic?” I would not have had an answer. But I sure do now. So far in this interim, the COVID-19 pandemic is front and center in ev- erything we legislators are doing. Most all of what I am doing falls into three cate- gories of focus: pandemic, policy and politics. I have learned more about this pandemic, this disease, this plague then I ever imagined. But to formulate good policy you should know what you are fighting and what you need to fight it. The last pandemic was the Spanish flu of 1918 over a century ago. The one thing about the COVID-19 virus, that seems to be universally agreed upon, is the prima- ry method of spreading is through breath droplets. Masks and physical dis- tancing really do work, which I have been trying to do. When it comes to pol- icy development and re- source allocation, this is where the bulk of my time has been being spent. I would never have guessed that I would be on hours and hours of daily conference calls. But such is life in a pandemic. One of my high pri- orities and policy focus has been keeping our ru- ral health care facilities functioning. Decrees from Salem, while probably good for the most part, have had serious impacts on rural hospitals and health care. I have made phone calls, I have worked with my colleagues, I have both authored and signed on to letters to the governor and other officials about the dire straits rural health care is facing. I believe funding, both state and federal, is beginning to be available, but it hasn’t been without its drama. The politics portion is the most frustrating. Why can’t we come together across the aisle to do what is best for the citizens of Oregon? The COVID-19 virus is not a Republican or Democrat nor does it pick and choose its victims by party affiliation. This pan- demic has made for strange bedfellows at times. From my perspective, the Senate Republican caucus has been more aligned with Gover- nor Brown much of the time than the other caucuses, including her own. But at the end of the day this pandemic battle would be a whole lot easier and more effective, if we could leave politics out of the game plan both on the national and state level. However, until that time comes, it will be part of what I need to do, to make sure rural Oregon does not get the short end of the stick. The stakes are too high. Our office has been and will continue to help in any way we can. Please feel free to contact us if you have issues with which you need assistance. The best way, since we are all working from home, is by email at sen.billhansell@oregonleg- islature.gov. We will do all we can to be of help. In the meantime, stay safe, be smart and mask up in public. Senator Bill Hansell is from Athena, and during the COVID-19 pandemic is spending most all of his time in his home on Third Street. However, his wife Margaret does have him working outside, when he isn’t on a conference call, with an assortment of hon- ey-do projects. Due to the State guidelines regarding the Coronavirus outbreak, All Wheatland Insurance Offices will be closed to the public. Employees will be working in a secure location in order to continue taking care of business. Please call 541-422-7410 to talk with an agent regarding any of your insurance questions. You will be able to make premium payments during this time by calling 541-422-7410. Payments can be made by credit card or debit card. For cash payment options, please call the 541-422-7410 number to make arrangements. We all are praying this situation will be over very soon. Please be safe. Economic relief, beware of payback traps By Daniel Van Schoiack, CPA Last week’s article outlined two forms of re- lief available to business, nonprofit organizations and churches who have experience economic hard- ship from the COVID-19 restrictions; the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Di- saster Grant (EIDL). Both of these programs were part of the recently passed Cares Act by congress. Generally a business or nonprofit organization with 500 or less employees can apply for both of these relief programs. However, there is a trap, the amount of proceeds from the PPP that are equal to the amount of an EILD Grant must be paid back per section 1110(e)(6) of the Cares Act. But as a Candidate forum April 20 The forum being held for candidates running for Morrow County positions will be broadcast electron- ically on Monday, April 20 at 6 p.m. The Heppner Chamber reminds those who are interested in partic- ipating to sign in to Zoom prior to 6 p.m. at https:// zoom.us/j/287416202. The meeting ID is 287416202. Candidates included in the forum will be Joseph B Armato, Jim Doherty, Joel R Peterson and Michael Sweek for Morrow County Commissioner, position one; Theresa Crawford, Glen Diehl and Kelly L Doherty for Justice of the Peace; and Sabrina L Bailey Cave, Cody High, Jaylene Papineau and Eric Patton for Treasurer. For additional informa- tion contact the Heppner Chamber at 541-676-5536 or email heppnerchamber@ centurytel.com. DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM result of last week’s crash of the EIDL Grant program, that might not be a big con- cern to some applicants. Originally, the maxi- mum amount of the EIDL Grant was $10,000 per applicant. However, due to the overwhelming number of applicants, there was an unofficial announcement that the amount of EIDL Grants might be reduced to $1,000 per employee for some recipients, if they re- ceive any payment at all. As previously mentioned, the proceeds from the paycheck protection program are also subject to repayment for failure to maintain or re- store average number of employees and total wages to a prior base period. Also, since 75 percent of the proceeds from PPP must be used for payroll cost, it is important to monitor and account for the funds in a separate bank account. As an alternative to applying for the Payroll Protection Plan, a qualify- ing employer can use the employee retention credit where relief is immediate as a credit against federal pay- roll taxes. The credit applies to 50 percent of wages from March 13 through Decem- ber 31, 2020. The credit can be applied to a maximum of $10,000 in wages, there- fore the maximum credit allowed is $5,000. The credit can be applied on any federal payroll reporting Form 941 beginning with the 2 nd quarter of 2020. An employer may also request an advance payment for the credit by submitting Form 7200. It is important to note that an employer may not use both the Payroll Protec- tion Plan and the employee retention credit without triggering a repayment. While the PPP might pro- vide a greater dollar amount of benefits, those who apply must be aware of the pay- back traps that come with it; including amounts received as an EIDL Grant. Daniel Van Schoiack CPA is a member of the American and Oregon So- ciety of CPA’s. YOUR PERFECT BUNDLE BUNDLE NOW. SAVE ALL YEAR. $ Now save $ 30/mo. for a whole year on a bundle with DIRECTV and AT&T Internet. 79 98 mo. For 12 mos. plus taxes & Internet equipment fee. w/ 24-mo. TV agmt & combined bill. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. TV price higher in 2nd year. $ 10/mo. internet equip. fee applies.* Incl Unlimited data allowance ( $ 30 value) at no add’l charge. † w/24-mo. TV & 12-mo. Internet agmts & combined bill. Savings based on extra $10/mo. off for 12 mos. compared to previous price, plus $10/mo. discount on internet and $10/mo. bill credit for 12 mos. on TV when you bundle. *$19.95 ACTIVATION, EARLY TERMINATION FEE, $20/MO. FOR TV FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING ON TV AGMT., EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN & ADD’L FEES APPLY. Price incl. SELECT TV Pkg., monthly service & equip. fees for 1 HD DVR & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill and $10/mo. bundle discounts for up to 12 mos each. Pay $54.99/mo. + taxes and fees for TV until discounts start w/in 3 bills. New approved residential customers only (equipment lease req'd). Credit card req'd. Restr’s apply. CALL your AT&T Dealer Today! Iv Support Holdings LLC 1-877-441-1933 Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T Internet services. Not all speeds available in all areas. Call or go to www.att.com/internet to see if you qualify. 1-YR BUNDLE PRICE: Ends 6/27/20. Pricing: $79.98/mo for first 12 mos. only. After 12 mos. or loss of eligibility, then prevailing rates apply (currently $85/mo. for SELECT TV Pkg.; $39.99/mo. for Internet), unless canceled or changed prior to end of the promo period. Must maintain all qualifying services and service addresses must match to receive advertised pricing. Pricing subject to change. $5/mo. autopay/paperless billing discount for TV: Must enroll in autopay & paperless bill within 30 days of TV activation to receive bill credit starting in 1-3 bill cycles. First time credit will include all credits earned since meeting offer requirements. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue credits. No credits in 2nd year for autopay/paperless bill. $10/mo. bundle discount for TV: Internet must be installed w/in 30 days of TV activation to receive credit starting in 1-3 bill cycles. First time credit will include all credits earned since meeting offer requirements. Must maintain both qualifying svcs to continue credits. No credits in 2nd year for bundled services. Includes: SELECT All-Included TV Pkg., Internet plans 768k to 100M, monthly service and equipment fees for one Genie HD DVR, and standard pro installation. Additional Fees & Taxes: Price excludes $10/mo. internet equipment fee, applicable use tax expense surcharge on retail value of installation, custom installation, equipment upgrades/add-ons (min. $99 one-time & $7/mo. monthly fees for each extra receiver/DIRECTV Ready TV/Device), and certain other add’l fees & charges. See att.com/fees for additional details. Different offers may apply for eligible multi-dwelling unit customers. † Must maintain a bundle of TV and Internet on a combined bill in order to receive unlimited data allowance at no add’l charge. Unlimited data allowance may also be purchased separately for an add’l $30/mo. For more info, go to www.att.com/internet-usage. DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreements. Must maintain a min. base TV pkg of $29.99/mo. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Visit directv.com/legal or call for details. The Addams Family: ©2019 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and BRON Creative MG1, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV, and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Blazing Fast Internet! ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY 19 . 99 $ /mo. where available 2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE America’s Top 120 Package MO. 190 CHANNELS Including Local Channels! CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100 for 12 Mos. 1-866-373-9175 Offer ends 7/15/20. All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Imagine The Difference You Can Make DONATE YOUR CAR 1-844-533-9173 FREE TOWING TAX DEDUCTIBLE Help Prevent Blindness Get A Vision Screening Annually Ask About A FREE 3 Day Vacation Voucher To Over 20 Destinations!!! One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances! Reclaim Your Freedom And Independence NOW! Call Inogen Today To Request Your FREE Info Kit 1-855-839-0752 © 2020 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved. MKT-P0108 Tax Problems: RESOLVED There are many ways we can tackle IRS or State tax relief together: ✔Tax Levies & Liens Release ✔Resolve Back Taxes ✔Wage Garnishment Release ✔Payroll Tax Negotiation ✔Stop Penalties and Interest ✔Tax Debt Negotiation & Settlement ✔Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping Services ACCREDITED BUSINESS ® A+ Rating Call us now for your FREE tax consultation & evaluation: 844-945-2056 Anthem offers a money-back guarantee designed to help you avoid wasting money on ineffective tax services. We will gather as much information from you as necessary and work with tax authorities to give you the best chance of reducing your tax debt. If for any reason that does not work out, and the government notifies us they refuse to reduce your overall tax liability or monthly payments by any amount, we will gladly refund you the fees you paid for our services in trying to reduce that debt. Money Back Guarantee does not apply to Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation Services. Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY! 877-557-1912 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Off er valid March 16, 2020 - June 30, 2020 Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *Terms & Conditions Apply Have a news story or photo for the Gazette? e-mail editor@rapidserve.net call 541-676-9228 or stop by the office on Willow St., Heppner Today
