Oregon: $18M for refugees, $25M fight pot gangs, more…

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

The Oregon legislature is meeting today for a quickly called Special Session to send money to targeted programs,

Here is the list of what they plan to vote on today:

• $215 million: Rental assistance:

• $25 million: Fight illegal marijuana crime gangs

• $18 million: Afghan refugees

• $100 million: Drought-Heat help

• $14 million: Outdoor recreation outfitter guides: (those impacted by drought)

On the refugees, fund political analyst Jim Moore stated to KATU-TV news, “…a lot of states across the country with the end of the U.S. Occupation in Afghanistan and pulling out, have opened up their doors, saying we will take Afghan refugees..so it would go for instance to help churches, who do that anyway, to help them expand what they’re doing, to help local agencies in different counties and things like that, to open more doors, get more refugees in here”

On the fighting marijuana crime and heat/drought aid, Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp said, “The illegal marijuana situation in Southern Oregon is absolutely an emergency. The drug cartels are committing murder, stealing water, assaulting Oregonians, and engaging in human trafficking. Law enforcement needs our support to stop these dangerous operations.Oregon’s farmers and ranchers were hit hard by the heatwave this summer. The resources included in the drought package are going to do a lot of good. Our economy relies on a robust agricultural sector. We need to come together for them.”

On the rental relief, OPB stated “A related proposal, posted to the Legislature’s website Friday, would ensure landlords cannot evict tenants who can show they already applied for emergency rental assistance, so long as that assistance is sought by June 30 of next year. It would protect such tenants from eviction until financial help arrives, their application is denied or Oct.1, whichever comes first. The law would also continue to require landlords to give 10 days’ notice before filing for eviction, rather than the typical 72 hours.Oregon’s current “safe harbor” provision, set to expire Feb. 28, ensures tenants can’t be evicted for not paying rent if they’ve applied for emergency assistance. But that protection only lasts for 60 days once tapped, less time than it has taken aid to arrive in many cases.”

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