Lunch Hour with Rep. Greg Smith in Enterprise

SALEM – Representative Greg Smith (R – Heppner) will be holding a lunch hour meeting Friday, January 6, 2012 in Enterprise at Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill.

Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill
111 West Main Street Enterprise, OR 97828

Representative Smith will visit with Enterprise residents and those from the surrounding communities to discuss and address questions about the upcoming legislative session in Feburary.

SALEM, Ore –

“I’m pleased the 2009-11 re-balance package includes funding for the Joseph airport, an important economic development asset for Wallowa County,” Rep. Smith said. “The re-balance will also maintain funding for K-12 education for the current biennium, which will keep our schools open for the rest of the school year. Now that the rebalance plan has been finalized, we can begin the difficult task of developing the new 2011-13 budget.”

Highlights of the re-balance package include: $35.5 million to the State School Fund, $22 million to the Department of Corrections, and $4.2 million to the Department of Human Services to pay for services for senior citizens, mental health treatment and the developmentally disabled. The measures will go before the full Joint Ways and Means Committee next week before moving on to the full House and, later, to the Senate.

Oregon Representative Greg Smith

SALEM, Ore – Representative Greg Smith (R – Heppner) and Enterprise Mayor Steve Lear will hold a morning meet and greet Saturday February 19, 2011 in Enterprise at Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill.

Saturday, February 19, 2011
8am – 9am
Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill
111 West Main Street
Enterprise, OR 97828

Representative Smith will visit with Enterprise residents and those from the surrounding communities to discuss and address questions about the upcoming legislative session.

Oregon Representative Greg Smith

HEPPNER, Ore – The Oregon Farm Bureau Federation Political Action Committee has endorsed Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) for re-election as State Representative in House District 57. Oregon Farm Bureau is a 54,000-member grassroots and nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state’s farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas.

Representative Greg Smith earned an “A” grade on the Oregon Farm Bureau’s recently released 2009 legislative report, the highest grade the OFB gives legislators. Based on key votes from the 2009 legislative session, the OFB biennial scorecard measures each legislator’s performance on issues important to Oregon farmers.

“We know that we have a friend in Greg Smith. He works hard to represent the interests of our family farms and ranches in Eastern Oregon. Congratulations on your excellent voting record and endorsement from OFB. It is well deserved,” said Larry and Corrine Lindsay of Lexington, Oregon. (Lindsay Feed Lot/Lindsay Ranches)

In a letter to Rep. Smith, OFB President Barry Bushue wrote “Your voting record with the Farm Bureau was exemplary. It demonstrates that you understand the issues important to agriculture, and your commitment to get good results from Oregon’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities.”

During his current term, Rep. Smith voted to pass OFB-supported legislation such as a bill allowing state agencies to purchase Oregon-grown agricultural products and a bill to crack down on metal theft. In addition, Rep. Smith stood with the Farm Bureau in opposing bills such as the tax increase on businesses, later known as Measure 67, and a ban on agricultural field burning.

“As indicated by the Oregon Farm Bureau PAC’s endorsement, Representative Greg Smith has been rock solid in his support of agriculture. My wife and I are grateful to have a representative that we may count on.”-Phil Hassinger (Union County Farmer)

“I’ve been a strong supporter of Oregon agriculture throughout my five terms in the Legislature,” Rep. Smith said. “I’m pleased that the Farm Bureau has recognized my efforts to protect family farmers and ranchers, and I appreciate their continued support as I seek a new term in the House of Representative.”

HEPPNER, Ore – Rep. Greg Smith (R – Heppner) has been endorsed by Crime Victims United for re-election as State Representative in House District 57. Crime Victims United is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of crime victims and works to influence public safety issues in the Legislature.

“I share Crime Victims United’s efforts to promote a more balanced judicial system through legislative action and public awareness,” Rep. Smith said. “I’m honored to receive their endorsement and I look forward to working with Oregon’s crime victims to make our state a safer place.”

Crime Victims United endorsed Rep. Smith because of his efforts to uphold voter-approved measures that require mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of violent crimes. Rep. Smith has also worked to preserve and strengthen public safety services and Oregon’s corrections system – an effort that has also earned him the support of the union representing corrections employees.

“I’m committed to upholding Oregon’s public safety laws and holding people accountable for their crimes,” Rep. Smith said. “As State Representative, I’ll continue my efforts to give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs and improve public safety.”

This endorsement comes on top of the endorsements of the Oregon State Police Officers Association, Oregon Council of Police Associations and Trooper PAC.

Representative Smith also earned a 94% from the Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance on the 2009-2010 Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance Scorecard.

During the 2010 primary election, the Sheriffs of House District 57 had this to say about Representative Greg Smith.

“Representative Smith has shown through his voting that he is dedicated to the protection of the citizens and law enforcement officers of Northeast Oregon. Greg does a great job for our public safety.” -Union County Sheriff, Boyd Rasmussen

“Representative Smith has shown true diligence for the public safety of Wallowa County as he represents us in Salem.” -Wallowa County Sheriff, Fred Steen

“I have known Rep. Smith for a number of years as Morrow County Sheriff. He has always been an advocate for public safety. He and I have worked together multiple times in drafting legislation for public safety issues. He continues to be an advocate and an outstanding partner for the citizens of Morrow County.” -Morrow County Sheriff, Kenneth Matlack

Heppner – Rep. Greg Smith (R – Heppner) has been endorsed by Crime Victims United for re-election as State Representative in House District 57. Crime Victims United is a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of crime victims and works to influence public safety issues in the Legislature. “I share Crime Victims United’s efforts to promote a more balanced judicial system through legislative action and public awareness,” Rep. Smith said. “I’m honored to receive their endorsement and I look forward to working with Oregon’s crime victims to make our state a safer place.” Crime Victims United endorsed Rep. Smith because of his efforts to uphold voter-approved measures that require mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of violent crimes. Rep. Smith has also worked to preserve and strengthen public safety services and Oregon’s corrections system – an effort that has also earned him the support of the union representing corrections employees. “I’m committed to upholding Oregon’s public safety laws and holding people accountable for their crimes,” Rep. Smith said. “As State Representative, I’ll continue my efforts to give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs and improve public safety.” This endorsement comes on top of the endorsements of the Oregon State Police Officers Association, Oregon Council of Police Associations and Trooper PAC. Representative Smith also earned a 94% from the Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance on the 2009-2010 Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance Scorecard. During the 2010 primary election, the Sheriffs of House District 57 had this to say about Representative Greg Smith. “Representative Smith has shown through his voting that he is dedicated to the protection of the citizens and law enforcement officers of Northeast Oregon. Greg does a great job for our public safety.” -Union County Sheriff, Boyd Rasmussen “Representative Smith has shown true diligence for the public safety of Wallowa County as he represents us in Salem.” -Wallowa County Sheriff, Fred Steen “I have known Rep. Smith for a number of years as Morrow County Sheriff. He has always been an advocate for public safety. He and I have worked together multiple times in drafting legislation for public safety issues. He continues to be an advocate and an outstanding partner for the citizens of Morrow County.” -Morrow County Sheriff, Kenneth Matlack

Committee to Re-Elect Greg Smith P.O. Box 219 | Heppner, Oregon 97836 | 541-676-8719

SALEM— Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) today voted to pass a bipartisan ethics reform bill to establish a one-year “waiting period” on former legislators before they can seek and obtain non-elected positions in the state’s executive branch.

“Oregonians are understandably cynical about potential conflicts of interest in government, especially when legislators exchange their elected office for high-paying agency positions,” Rep. Smith said. “To eliminate any doubt, I supported HB 3638 to impose a one-year “waiting period” on legislators before they can seek and obtain these salaried, non-elected positions in the executive branch.”

HB 3638 was a product of bipartisan compromise and was unanimously supported on the House Floor. While the bill imposes a one-year waiting period for legislators to take agency positions, it exempts positions that require Senate confirmation, which are already subject to public scrutiny and debate.

An additional compromise allows a former member to take a position in state government as long as recruitment for position is advertised, the minimum qualifications do not include legislative service, and employer considers other qualified applicants. Rep. Smith said this measure ensures a fair and competitive hiring process for all Oregonians seeking state employment.

“This bill is an example of how Democrats and Republicans can work together to improve Oregonians’ confidence in their legislature,” Rep. Smith said. “The Senate should approve this bill and send it to the Governor’s desk before adjournment.”

HB 3608 establishes a tax credit for the transportation of woody biomass from forests to biofuels producers, a tax credit for biomass electrical generation, and a tax credit for the purchase of equipment to collect or process waste materials. The bill also directs the Oregon Department of Energy to conduct a study of biomass facility sites in Oregon.

“As we all know, there is a real need to put Oregonians back to work, especially in Union and Wallowa Counties,” said Rep Smith. “Forest experts have told me that approximately 4.25 million acres of Oregon forestland have the potential to profitably harvest woody biomass through thinning excess trees. By passing this legislation, we will not only create more jobs in the woods, but also increase forest health and help reduce the potential for wildfires.”

The legislation I am supporting compliments the work Congressman Greg Walden is advocating in Washington D.C.,” said Representative Smith. “While he works to open up the national forest for thinning, I am working to have the financial incentives in place to induce industry to return to Northeast Oregon.”

(Mace Cadwell: Owner of Bronson Lumber Co. in Union and Wallowa Counties)

In 2009, Representative Smith was successful in passing into law HB 3112, which provided for a personal property tax exemption for logging equipment until 2018 and allows machinery dating back to 1992 to be included.

Support for legislation:
“The legislation Representative Smith is working on is needed if we are to have a viable biomass sector in the logging industry in NE Oregon. Not only will the bill move Oregon loggers from the unemployment lines, it will move Oregon’s green energy into the nations power lines” said Mike Wiedeman, co-owner of Ant Flat Renewables of Enterprise. Wiedeman, is also president of the American Loggers Council. The ALC represents 30 state and regional logging associations whose membership comprise over 50% of the US logging capacity.

“It is only by returning to a natural resource based economy, where we can harvest timber, are we going to strengthen Oregon’s economy and put people back to work,” said Mace Cadwell, owner of Bronson Lumber in Union and Wallowa Counties. “I appreciate Greg’s work on this issue.”
“Representative Smith’s bipartisan legislation to promote the harvesting of biomass materials will greatly assist business and industry in Northeast Oregon,” said Gary Neal, General Manager at the Port of Morrow. “Financial incentives for the transportation and production of woody biomass materials originating from Oregon’s dead and dying forests will generate new jobs right here at home.”