Friends,
As summer winds down, some rural schools are re-opening, and wildfires are appropriately the focus of our resources and attention, we want to make sure to briefly update you on some other priority items.
The Census is extremely important to House District 60
The 2020 Census is still underway with just a little over a month left. It is extremely important you complete your Census information before the deadline, especially in our rural communities. The Census is used to determine things like the number of seats your state gets in Congress, state and federal redistricting, federal funding for our local communities, and more. Many community-based programs depend on funding which depends on information provided by the Census. This has a direct impact in your community if the population is undercounted.
If you have not yet filled out your Census questionnaire, you can do so online at: https://my2020census.gov/. It is a quick process, usually 4-5 minutes to complete and your responses are confidential.
Legislators were recently informed that Census responses in many rural Oregon counties and cities are being extremely undercounted, which means we are at risk for programs to be underfunded despite having the needs and the population to serve.
Please respond to the Census today and make sure House District 60 is counted.
Wildfire Update
Many of our communities in House District 60 are experiencing wildfires in our area and smoky conditions. Please be safe while driving through hazy conditions and stay indoors if you have additional health issues or trouble breathing. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by these fires.
According to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s update on Monday, Oregon has experienced 1,567 fires for 99,281 acres burned. This includes fires and acres burned across all fire jurisdictions in Oregon, such as ODF-protected lands, federal lands, tribal lands, and the rangeland in southeastern Oregon. The ten-year annual average is 2,150 fires and 557,811 acres burned.
Here are the active fires in House District 60:
· Steen Mtn Complex Fire, N of Monument, 90 percent contained
· Indian Creek Fire, E of Juntura, 65 percent contained
· Crane Fire, SE of Lakeview, 45 percent contained
· Hog Ridge Fire, NMW of Dayville, 60 percent contained
· Baldy Fire, NE of Ironside, 90 percent contained
· Little Mud Creek Fire, W of Frenchglen, 90 percent contained
Restore the Oregon Promise Scholarship Program
Senator Findley, Rep. Bonham, and I sent a letter to the Governor and members of the Emergency Board requesting that they restore funding for the Oregon Promise scholarship program. The $3.6 million budget reduction to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission will result in the Oregon Student Assistance Commission revoking Oregon Promise scholarships that had already been awarded to an estimated 1,550 students. We owe it to the students to make this right.
You can read a copy of the letter here. We have yet to receive a response from the Governor’s Office.
Our Next Joint Virtual Town Hall – September 10
It’s been very valuable for me to hear from you during our virtual town halls. Thank you for joining us from your computer or telephone and inviting others to join as well.
Each town hall, we discuss different topics varying from schools and businesses, to COVID and public safety, and mostly importantly, answer questions and concerns from you.
Questions can be submitted in advance when you register, asked live during the webinar, or via the Q&A chat option. The event is open to the public and media, however, registration is required in order to attend, please register early.
My office stands ready to help you with any issues you are having or questions you may have. While we are currently working remotely, we can be reached via my email address at rep.markowens@oregonlegislature.gov.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with and for you, and to represent your interests in Salem. Stay safe.
