Call to Action! Let your voices be heard regarding HB2020 Cap and Trade
We need your voice and immediate action is needed!

Often folks feel like their voices are not heard. This is our prime time opportunity to get Oregon Ag’s voice heard and on the record. We ask that you consider submitting a letter for the record talking about the impact cap and trade would have on your farm, community and Marion County. Written testimony can be submitted directly to the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction at jccr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. (See below for talking points and letter format suggestions) Public Comment is open until March 2 and written testimony can be submitted until then. We have provided sample talking points to assist you in drafting your letter, please use these as a guide, and put into your own words as much as possible.

Click here to read the official statement from the Marion County Farm Bureau:  TESTIMONY AGAINST CAP AND TRADE

For reference – here is a link to the bill in question: Link to HB2020

Address your letter as follows:

Your name and contact information
To: JOINT COMMITTEE ON CARBON REDUCTION
(Insert DATE)
Testimony in opposition of HB 2020

Suggested Talking Points:

As you craft a letter for the written record, please find these bullet points as a guide. The goal is to highlight farming and ranching activity in your county, challenges a carbon price will present, and the impact on the community.

We believe agriculture is a solution to sustaining and improving our environment

Reducing our adverse impact on the environment is the goal of every farmer because we know firsthand healthy soils, clean water, and productive lands build healthy communities and benefit everyone

Farmers and ranchers are innovating and increasing our efficiencies and optimizing resources we use

HB 2020 does punish those who have taken proactive measures to increase water, fuel, nutrient, and input efficiencies and discourages future investments

Profit margins in farming are meager, and family farms are sensitive to price increases. HB 2020 will substantially increase the costs of production on my farm.

Fuel and natural gas price will increase. Farmers and ranchers are price takers and cannot reflect those increased costs in the price of our products

Young farmers and ranchers face real challenges continuing the family farm or become entrepreneurs. Adding additional costs and regulations compounds those challenges

Rural communities will be hit disproportionately hard by cap-and-trade. Oregonians enjoy traveling the state and experiencing beauty. Additional economic impacts on rural Oregon communities will curtail the diversity and experience that Oregon offers

Shelly Boshart Davis posted this message on her Facebook: “As written, HB2020 will change Oregon’s economy while having a minuscule and insignificant affect on climate change and carbon emissions. I am not willing to risk good-paying family-wage Oregon jobs in *hopes* that other states will follow suit. Let’s be proud of what Oregon has done and will continue to do to Keep Oregon Green!” #CapKillsJobs

Two Salem public hearings are starting this week at the State Capitol. Today Friday, February 15 at 1:00 PM and that hearing is likely to go all afternoon. The second public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 18 at 5:00 PM.

The five additional hearing dates and locations are listed below:

Springfield: Friday, February 22 – Springfield City Hall, Council Chamber (12-3 pm)
Medford: Saturday, February 23 – City Council Chambers, Medford City Hall (9 am-12 pm)
Remote: Monday, February 25 – Remote testimony (live video feed from various rural locations), Oregon State Capitol (TBD)
The Dalles: Friday, March 1 – The Dalles Civic Auditorium, Community Room (12-3 pm)
Bend: Saturday, March 2 – Central Oregon Community College, Cascade Hall, Room 246-248 (9 am-12 pm)

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2018

Final Legislative Report from OFB: Click Here

House Votes: Click Here

Senate Votes: Click Here

Bill Tracking Login Information Courtesy of Oregon Farm Bureau

http://mycm3.com/Account/Login.aspx

username: fbmember@oregonfb.org  password: oregonfb

State Government:
    Oregon Legislature:  http://www.leg.state.or.us/
    Find Your Legislators:   http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
Marion County Commissioners:  http://www.co.marion.or.us/BOC/

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