Dear Friends,
I want to express our office's appreciation to all who have taken the time to work on some good legislation and also to express thanks for the work being done.  We do appreciate the kind words as we appreciate the end of session.
During Thursday's floor session, we as a legislative body expressed our appreciation to several people who have made contribution to Oregon by voting on resolutions honoring them.  We honored Carl Flipper, a North Portland Humboldt activist; Judge Clifford Freeman, first Multnomah County Juvenile Court Referee; Halim Rahsaan, Oregon Sports Hall of Fame member; Judge Mercedes Deiz, A Multnomah County Judge and community activists; Judge Roosevelt Robinson, Multnomah County Judge; and Gladys Miller Thompson, Warm Springs Reservation Native American language teacher.  We passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 sponsored by Rep. John Dallum (R-The Dalles) out of the House Education Committee where I learned about Gladys Miller Thompson's work to preserve the Wasco Tribe language.  Mrs. Miller Thompson, who is 90 years young, is working with her granddaughter to preserve the language of the Wasco people, Kiksht.   I think it is important to recognize and say "thanks" to these Oregonians who have made significant contributions.
Best, Gene

House Passes ReStore Exemption Bill
On Thursday, our priority bill to exempt Habitat for Humanity ReStores from paying property tax passed the House unanimously.  This bill was the result of an idea from Alison Hamm, the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity Board President.  When the Bend Habitat purchased their property, they were told they would be required to pay property tax.  This did not seem right – other resale stores, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, do not pay taxes.  Alison suggested a simple change and we worked with the Department of Revenue to draft the correct language add ReStores to the list of organizations that are exempt.   Since the deadline had passed to submit new bills, I used one of my two ‘priority bills’ to draft this legislation.  The bill was written late in the session and I knew it would be difficult to pass any bill at this point in time.  Fortunately, I remembered that Speaker Jeff Merkley had been employed by Habitat for Humanity in Oregon and I asked him to be a co-Chief Sponsor.  Having such a powerful ally and advocate of Habitat has helped our cause.  Now, we have to be sure it gets through the Senate and to the Governor for signature.  David Love, executive director of Bend Habitat for Humanity reported, “This bill could save $10,000 which will be used to provide more affordable homes.”

Cougar and Bear Control Bill Passes House
We’ve received many emails about House Bill 2971 and I'd like to explain why I supported this bill.  The bill has been misunderstood as overturning Ballot Measure 18, which banned sport hunting of cougars and bears.  The bill does not overturn Measure 18; in fact, is uses some of the same language that is in the measure.  HB 2971 does not change the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cougar Management Plan.  That plan was developed after months of public hearings and input and it allows ODF&W to hire hunters to hunt and capture cougars in order to keep the public safe.  HB 2971 does not provide for more cougars to be killed.  It does allow ODF&W to appoint volunteers as “Agents of the State.”  Cougars are being taken and will continue to be taken under the Cougar Management Plan.  The only question is who pays.  I believe ODF&W should not continue to spend hunter license fee dollars to pay for something that a number of volunteers are willing to do for little or nothing. 

The Center Foundation Scholarship Awards Dinner
I am thankful my committee schedule allowed for a quick trip to Redmond on Thursday to attend the 2007 Scholarship Awards Dinner.  The Center Foundation in Bend sponsored the event and Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds Catcher Johnny Bench gave a wonderful keynote address.  The following high school seniors and juniors were honored and received scholarships.  My congratulations to these wonderful and dedicated students.
Bend High School: Marcus Eschelbach and Beau Walker
Crook County High School:  Courtney Barnes and Rachael Grier
La Pine High School: Ryan Ruark
Mountain View High School: Teresa Brna, Kevin Brown, Karlie Crew, Mary Goodrich and Lillie Mansfield
Redmond High School: Amber Gomes, Samuel Hartley, Tanner Hase and Kal Middaugh
Sisters High School: Christina Holler and Slater Smith
Summit High School: Amie Corso, Campbell Miller and Ryan O'Hallaren

We'll Miss You, Mac
Former Rep. Mac Sumner (R-Molalla) passed away after a brave battle with cancer.  Mac was very well-respected in the Capitol and we will miss his leadership and friendship.  I enjoyed serving with Mac and my deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Sandy, and the family as they mourn Mac's passing.