You may have seen this in our latest Newsletter, but it is worth repeating — Democrats Working for You!
Illegal Cannabis Enforcement
Senate Bill 5561 approves $25 million to combat illegal cannabis activities and address the humanitarian crisis impacting workers at these sites.
Senate Bill 893 expands the scope of the Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant program at the Criminal Justice Commission to include funding for community-based organizations to address the humanitarian crisis that is occurring as people are forced to work in these unlawful cultivation or distribution operations
Drought Relief
Senate Bill 5561 includes a $100 million drought relief package to support farmers and irrigators across the state who have been impacted by drought, heat, or fire.
Senate Bill 892 establishes a forgivable loan program to provide financial assistance for Oregon farmers and ranchers who lost gross income in 2021 due to a qualifying natural disaster
Affordable Housing and Homeless Support
Senate Bill 5561 approved $1 million to each of the following cities: Albany, Ashland, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Grants Pass, Gresham, Hillsboro, Medford, Portland, Redmond, Salem, and Springfield. The $14 million total will address housing insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or homelessness over the next few months.
Helping Tenants, Paying Landlords
Senate Bill 891 extends safe harbor protections to prevent evictions of Oregonians who have rental assistance on the way.
Senate Bill 5561 includes a $215 million package to provide additional rental assistance, speed up the processing of applications, and ensure landlords are fully paid. Oregon Housing and Community Services committed to pay out this new state money by June 30, 2022, and the remaining federal dollars in the queue by March 31, 2022.