EASTERN OREGON ECONOMIC SUMMIT
A10 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022
Yasser Marte/Hermiston Herald
Oregon legislators take to the stage Friday, June 17, 2022, at the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit in Hermiston.
Organizer boasts success at summit in Hermiston
Legislators praise
bipartisanship
BY ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Herald
Unity became a common
theme at the 2022 Eastern Or-
egon Economic Summit in
Hermiston.
Participants, especially speak-
ers, mentioned the value of to-
getherness and praised past ex-
amples of people joining forces.
The summit was Thursday
and Friday, June 16 and 17, in
Hermiston.
“I’m happy,” Rep. Bobby Levy
of Echo said when it was her
turn to speak.
This moment came during
the state legislator panel on June
17. While the event promoted
the panel as a wrap-up of the
legislative session, lawmakers
discussed little policy. Instead,
11 state senators and represen-
tatives spoke of something else
on their mind: the importance
of friendly relationships in gov-
ernment.
Levy is the president of the
Eastern Oregon Women’s Co-
alition, which organized the
summit. The panel was a mix
of Republicans and Democrats.
Levy, a Republican, declared she
was glad to be working with,
and spending time with, all her
colleagues on the panel.
Sen. Michael Dembrow,
D-Portland, joked that Levy
“made it impossible not to show
up.” Others laughed, and this is
how the panel discussion went.
Levy, Dembrow, Rep. Greg
Smith, R-Heppner, Sen. Jama
Kayse, D-Portland, Sen. Bill
Hansell, R-Athena, Sen. Lynn
Findley, R-Vale, Rep. Ken
Helm, D-Beaverton, Rep. Da-
vid Gomberg, D-Otis, Sen.
Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro,
Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland,
and Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hay-
ward, D-Beaverton, all were on
the panel — up on stage, at the
ick expressed the sentiment that
same time.
there are no “good guys” and
“One side can’t do it on its
“bad guys” in the Legislature. In-
own,” said Kayse, chair of the
stead, there are people with vary-
Senate Committee on Housing
ing opinions, who all want to im-
and Development. Kayse said
prove the lives of Oregonians.
we must come together to solve
“People want to do the best
our shared problems.
they can,” he said.
Others agreed, with
Gomberg echoed
Dembrow stating we
this statement, as he
must see one another
said members have dif-
as people, beyond the
ferences in party, expe-
bumper stickers on our
rience, geography and
vehicles.
more, but they have an
Senate Republicans
“affection” for one an-
Levy
during the 2019 Leg-
other.
islature skipped floor
Legislators, including
sessions in protest of House Bill Hayward and Findley, made a
3427, the big tax on businesses
point of saying they have a duty
that helped fund K-12 educa-
to represent the entire state, not
tion. Later that same session,
just their own particular district.
11 Republican senators — in-
Also, part of their job includes
cluding Hansell — walked out
reaching out to people outside
to deny a quorum and protest a
their districts, learning what they
sweeping Democratic proposal
can from them and then return-
to address climate change.
ing home to tell their neighbors.
Findley said opposing people
According to Dembrow, leg-
were not enemies, and Freder-
islators must educate their con-
stituents on the “bigger picture.”
This education, according
to the Portland Democrat, in-
cludes telling the people of his
district about Hermiston.
Other panelists shared sim-
ilar feelings, adding distant
communities, places and peo-
ple have a lot more in common
than often thought. Sollman
said she relates to people in
Eastern Oregon because she,
too, comes from a farming area.
Frederick also shared his farm-
ing background.
Hayward said education goes
the other way, too. She said
Portland is not as bad as the
media says. This was something
she could tell audiences in East-
ern Oregon.
They pointed out that many
decisions aren’t contentious.
Republicans and Democrats ac-
tually find common ground on
most issues, according to panel
members. They are able to push
forward on issues like improv-
ing sewer systems and resolving
many water issues, without par-
tisan complaints, Gomberg and
Helm said.
Gomberg added, though,
that there is a change happen-
ing in state government. Much
turnover is taking place, he said.
This means many friendships
are lost, too. And legislators
must work hard to create new
relationships; those connections
help to advance legislation.
Speaking at the end, Smith
expressed confidence in the
ability of new legislators to work
with one another.
Smith praised the intelli-
gence and integrity of the three
major candidates for governor
— Democrat Tina Kotek, un-
affiliated Betsy Johnson and
Republican Christine Drazan
— and said he would be able to
work with any of them.
Levy said she would be happy
to invite legislators back for the
next summit.
NOW HIRING
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
Smart security.
Professionally installed.
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
Get FREE Professional
Installation and Four FREE
Months of Monitoring Service*
CALL NOW TO CUSTOMIZE
YOUR SYSTEM
844-894-8790
TE
R GU
15
2
% &
OFF
RD
TH
GU
T
1
A
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET! 1
Promo Code: 285
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
Know When People
and Packages Arrive
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
/mo.
+
5
% OFF
10
%
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
WE INSTALL
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
where available
OFF
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
Use Promo Code 4FREE
*Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 equipment purchase, professional installation and applicable services agree-
ment. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previouslyinstalled systems not eligible for off er. Off er not available in all states or
provinces. Equipment purchase may be fi nanced separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners.
Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply. New Vivint Customers only. Financing
eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners. Qualifi ed customers may fi nance equip-
ment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
System supports up to six cameras subject to suffi cient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is
limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this off er for complete equipment,
services, and package details, including pricing and fi nancing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana
Commercial Certifi cate #58280. See comprehensive Vivint license numbers on Vivint.com.
19 . 99
$
’S
Protection starts with prevention
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
NATIO
N
E
Peace of Mind
Starts Here
Blazing Fast
Internet!
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
1-855-536-8838
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
$
69
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
for 12 Mos.
America’s Top 120 Package
Including
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
1-866-373-9175
Offer ends 7/13/22.
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.