Legislative Summary

the roller coaster that is 2020

By OCA’s Political Advocate Rocky Dallum

Nobody could have predicted the unprecedented events we have witnessed in the first four months of 2020. Very few of us have ever experienced the level of adversity and uncertainty we collectively face as individuals and as an industry right now. Undoubtedly, you are all doing what you can to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of your families and businesses. OCA is doing the same as we work to advocate on behalf of ranchers in light of the myriad of issues emerging as a result of COVID-19, as well as continuing the work we do with Oregon’s legislative and executive branch leaders. Like many of our partner organizations, we are also trying to engage in the political process as the election year proceeds.

As you all know too well, agricultural businesses are not immune to the economic challenges faced by the COVID19 outbreak and state and federal response. OCA worked throughout March and early April to ensure the best protections for ranchers. We joined the larger business community, first in encouraging language be placed in any stay-at-home order that would consider protecting essential industries, such as food production and agriculture. More recently, we have worked hard to urge the Governor to suspend implementation of the Commercial Activities Tax. Additional items could be taken up in a special session, but that will not happen until late May at the earliest.

Given the vast coverage of COVID-19 and even talk of a special session, it is easy to forget that as of our last publication, the 2020 legislative session had still not adjourned. Through late February, we all watched closely after Republicans left the Capitol to stop several cap and trade bills. Republicans offered to return to work prior to the Constitutional deadline of March 8, if the cap and trade bills were killed, but Democratic leadership refused the offer, instead effectively ending the session on March 5.

Looking back, many legislators are grateful that precious state resources were preserved simply by not completing the session and for OCA, the result was the death of a handful of concerning bills, including cap and trade. During the February revenue forecast, the state economists projected a $600 million surplus, but now, given the current unemployment figures, the state will almost certainly see a significant dip in state revenue as the biennium continues. As for policy bills, ultimately, only three bills passed, none of which OCA closely followed.

We will continue our work, both as we all adjust and react to the immediate and longer-term impacts to ranchers from the COVID-19 outbreak, and our regular policy agenda for ranchers. As of publication, the Governor has suspended many state agency task force and rulemaking efforts. Legislators are following suit, recognizing that many industries and stakeholders have pressing needs to attend to. Still, we anticipate continued conversations around water, tax, carbon, wildlife and a wide range of additional issues we continue to monitor and engage on behalf of Oregon’s ranching families.

Finally, while it may get lost in the shuffle, we hope you all submit your ballots this month. In many districts, the primary election will determine the legislators who will likely win their district seat come 2021. Candidates are struggling to adjust to a campaign without fundraising events or door-to-door engagement. OCA and other organizations are working to adjust our normal political engagement, but we continue to talk with candidates about our issues and needs.

Undoubtedly, some of this update will be outdated as the news cycle evolves very quickly these days. We hope all of you are safe, healthy, and can continue to meet the needs of your families and communities. We are all in this together and hope that life returns to as normal as possible and soon so Oregonians can get back to work. OCA will continue to do its best to represent your needs during these difficult times. •