Friends and Neighbors,

Several big things on the horizon for you to be looking at:

Last week, The House and Homelessness Committee advanced a big, bipartisan housing package, HB 2001. 

This bill is now 74 pages. With any bill that large, there is some good, and there is some bad - it's far from perfect. I believe it is a step in the right direction to build more housing long-term in Oregon, which will help bring down the cost of living.

As amended, HB 2001 would fully fund the Governor's $130 million request that accompanied her homelessness state of emergency declaration. While I think this funding will do some good, I have doubts if this bill will fully get us to the Governor's goal of building 36,000 homes per year. 

As a member of the Housing and Homelessness committee, I was involved in bipartisan negotiations on the package. The most recent amendment included $5 million in grant funding for agricultural workforce housing, which I and other Republicans on the committee fought for. This grant will aid Oregon agricultural producers in providing safe housing to farmworkers.

The next big order of business is the Semiconductor Package - I also sit on this committee. With Intel already in Oregon, we have a big opportunity to benefit from the Federal Government's $52 billion investment into bringing microchip manufacturing back to America.

It's no secret that Oregon has an anti-business climate because of the policies passed over the last decade. High tax rates, low incentives, and an uncooperative government won't help bring large-scale semiconductor manufacturing back to Oregon. The Semiconductor Committee has been considering SB 4. I am skeptical that this current proposal will be big enough to lure these jobs back to Oregon. Just because we already have Intel here doesn't mean we are a shoo-in. We are competing with other states.

This semiconductor conversation is also an issue of national security. Our modern economy, our military, and critical infrastructure run on these microchips. SB 4, in its current form, gives the Governor unprecedented powers to overrule local communities in the siting of a large-scale manufacturing facility. I am always cautious when giving the Governor more power.

I am always open to your feedback. Please send me a note at Rep.JeffHelfrich@oregonlegislature.gov or at 503-986-1452.

Talk soon,

Representative Jeff Helfrich

Standing Up for Victims of Sex Crimes

This upcoming Monday, at 8 AM in the House Committee on Judiciary, my bill to extend the statute of limitations for sex crimes is up for a public hearing. Under current Oregon law, a victim of sex crimes have a limited amount of time to file charges against their abuser. If they come forward after that time, they won't have access to justice. This bill would ensure that no matter when they come forward, they have access to justice.

If you can, please sign up to testify here, or submit written testimony here.

Cracking Down on Fentanyl

I recently co-chief sponsored legislation to tighten gaps in current law that do not provide for criminal penalties for those who possess over 1 gram, but less than 5 grams of fentanyl. Our laws also do not provide any way to prosecute fentanyl in pill form.

Along with Rep. Lily Morgan, we passed HB 2645 which would close those two gaps in Oregon law. Drug use is out of control in Oregon and fentanyl is killing our friends, family, and neighbors. We have a long way to go in our fight against drug use, but this is a step in the right direction.

Banning Chinese Spyware on Government Devices

Recently, the Federal Government banned the download of TikTok on federal government devices. HB 3127 would do the same thing in Oregon.

As state legislators, we don't often deal in matters of national security, but this is an area in which we need to step up to protect our information and technology.

I am proud to sponsor this bill, and was proud to testify in support of the bill this last week.

House Republicans Send Letter to The Governor on Proposed Forestry Plan

This week, the entire House Republican Caucus signed a letter to Governor Kotek about the alarming Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that the Oregon Department of Forestry is moving forward with. As proposed, the plan would cut timber harvest by 27% statewide. This would devastate local jobs and tax revenue for vital public services like police, education, and infrastructure maintenance.

Read the whole letter:

Where is my Tax Refund?

The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun issuing refunds due to taxpayers who have filed their 2022 tax returns.

To check the status of your refund, use the Where’s My Refund Tool on Revenue Online. They will need your:

• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN);
• Filing status; and
• The exact refund amount shown on:
• Line 46 of their Form OR-40, or
• Line 71 of their Form OR-40-N, or
• Line 70 of their Form OR-40-P 



Here are common reasons refunds may take longer and what to do about it.

• Filing a paper return. Paper returns take longer to process and, as a result, it takes longer to issue related refunds. File electronically instead.
• Filing electronically and requesting to receive a refund via a check takes longer. Request direct deposit instead.
• Filing more than once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund. Taxpayers should file just once.
• Filing during peak filing periods. Refunds are also issued slower during peak filing periods, like the last few weeks before the April 18 deadline. Filing well ahead of the deadline will help taxpayers get their refunds sooner.
• Refunds may be delayed when errors are identified on returns. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting additional information are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
• Taxpayers who check Where’s My Refund one week after they file and receive a message saying their return is being manually processed should watch their mailbox for correspondence from the department. If it has been 12 weeks or more since they filed their return and they haven’t received a letter from the department, taxpayers should call (503) 378-4988 or (800) 356-4222 to speak with a customer service representative.

Speaking of Taxes... Oregon takes A LOT

I wish I could say I was shocked by a report that came out this week showing that Oregon has the 2nd highest effective tax rate in the nation. Behind Massachusetts, Oregon taxpayers will send the second most money to the state government... This is unsustainable.

The Dalles Townhall on Homelessness

I have heard many concerns recently about the proposed siting of additional homeless services in The Dalles. I hope you will be able to attend this town hall to hear about what is going on with those projects.

Learn more about the projects here.

East Multnomah County Birthing Center

It's frustrating to hear about the potential closing of the Legacy Birthing Center in Gresham. Local governments are working together to look into options with the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor. I will keep you updated with any new information.

Working with the District

Rep. Helfrich spoke with representatives from Habitat for Humanity about our region's housing needs.

Rep. Helfrich recently met with students and staff from Mt. Hood Community College to talk about funding for community colleges and the great programs they provide to train our future workforce!