Paid for by Committee to Re-Elect Greg Smith | Pac ID# 3420
P.O. Box 215 Heppner, OR 97836
541-993-5236 | electgregsmith@gmail.com
Camp Umatilla Receives $12.6 Million in Federal Funds
District 57 – The Joint Emergency Board has approved Federal Funds Capital Construction expenditure limitation totaling $15.0 million for two new projects at Camp Umatilla and increased existing Federal Funds Capital Construction expenditure limitation by a total of $12.6 million for two projects currently underway at Camp Umatilla.
The Oregon Military Department (OMD) has received a commitment from the National Guard Bureau to fund several new and ongoing projects to improve the Regional Training Institute at Camp Umatilla in Umatilla, Oregon.
Camp Umatilla is a National Guard training center capable of providing individual and group training for units up to battalion size (300-800 soldiers). The Regional Training Institute at Camp Umatilla is one of two infantry training schools west of the Mississippi, used both by active duty soldiers and by the Oregon Training Command and Oregon National Guard units to fulfill their weekend and annual training missions.
Representative Greg Smith Condemns Violence
Salem, ORE. – Today, Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) issued the following statement on protests planned in Oregon this Saturday:
“We fully support the right to protest peacefully; however, we do not condone the destruction of property or any acts of violence or intimidation. We appreciate the efforts of our Oregon State Police and other Law Enforcement Officials to maintain peace in our great state.”
September 2020 Revenue Forecast Released
Salem, ORE. – Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) issued the following statement on the revenue forecast released today:
“I am pleased with the direction of our economy, but during these difficult times we still need to manage our expectations. Our brothers and sisters throughout the state need our compassion and our thoughtfulness to get through this difficult time. I am proud of how Oregonians have responded with resiliency and I am confident that we will overcome the obstacles ahead.”
House District 57 Secures Funding for Rural Hospitals
Small rural Oregon hospitals have help on the way, with $50 million in grant funding coming from Business Oregon. Hospitals in Morrow, Umatilla, and Wasco County will receive just under $8 million dollars total, with Good Shepherd of Hermiston receiving just over $6.1 million.
Rep. Smith Votes YES on SB 1606
SALEM, OR – With the 2020 1st Special Session coming to a close, we’d like to look back on what was accomplished. Rep. Smith voted yes on HB 1606 which prohibits hospital from conditioning admission or treatment, or suggesting that treatment is conditioned, on patient having POLST or executing advance directive or other instruction regarding administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration. Rep. Smith said in an interview, “For our loved ones, this is a necessary act of compassion. I’m proud to use my voice and my vote to support our families.”
Special Session Underway
SALEM , OR – The 2020 1st Special Session has begun and Legislators from across the state are coming together to address issues ranging from police reform to housing policies. Representative Smith also hopes to address the unemployment mishaps so many Oregonians can collect the money that they so desperately need.
Representative Greg Smith Brings State Dollars to HD 57
SALEM, Ore. – Yesterday, as a member of the Subcommittee on Capital Construction, Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) voted to secure over $20 Million in Capital Construction investments to be distributed throughout House District 57.
“It is important to return tax dollars paid by the hard-working people of House District 57 back into the community,” said Representative Smith. “I’m pleased that significant investments in education, public safety and mental health, water, and transportation were secured this session.”
Below is a breakdown of the budget allocations:
- Umatilla County Jail Expansion/Mental Health: $1.6 Million
- Early Childhood Education in Hermiston and the Port of Morrow: $2.4 Million
- Umatilla Surface Water Pumping and Wastewater Treatment: $7 Million
- Condon Airport Runway Renovation: $2.6 Million
- Blue Mountain Community College facility for animal science programs: $6.5 Million
“Funding the Umatilla County jail expansion was my top priority this session,” continued Smith. “This investment will give our public safety personnel the space and tools needed to help those in crisis. With the assistance of Sheriff Rowan, Senator Hansell, and Representative Barreto we were able to successfully ensure project funding.”
The Capital Construction bills (HB 5006, HB 5030, and HB 5050) will go to the House and Senate for final votes later this week.
Representative Greg Smith Hosts Leadership Hermiston Day at the Capitol
SALEM, Ore. – Today, Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) welcomes the 2019 Leadership Hermiston class to the Oregon State Capitol.
The two-day visit began yesterday with a legislative reception hosted by Representative Smith and his wife, Sherri, at their Salem home. Many elected officials, lobbyists, and key staff joined the Smith Family at the reception to honor the Leadership Hermiston class.
“It is my privilege to host Leadership Hermiston,” stated Representative Smith. “This year’s class is top- notch. I am so proud to have these amazing leaders representing House District 57 at their Capitol today.”
The agenda for the day includes an opportunity to observe House and Senate floor sessions, discussions with state agency directors, meetings with the Speaker of the House and the House Republican Leader and an intimate meeting with Governor Brown.
“Visiting the Capitol is a highlight for Leadership Hermiston participants,” said Fran Rice, facilitator for Leadership Hermiston. “We are very thankful to Representative Smith and his staff for putting together such a comprehensive agenda for our trip to Salem.”
Leadership Hermiston is an annual 10-month program sponsored by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. The program offers monthly sessions designed to inform participants of current concerns involving their community, including business, government, agriculture, health services, human services, education, media, and the justice system.
Representative Greg Smith, Dean of Oregon House, marks Oregon’s birthday with tribute to pioneer fam
SALEM, Ore. -Today, State Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) marks Oregon’s statehood anniversary with a tribute to his great-great-great-grandmother and Oregon pioneer, Ann Elizabeth Bills. Bills sewed what is believed to be the first U.S. flag ever flown in Oregon.
“As my colleagues and I gather on the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives, with the distinct privilege of conducting the people’s business, I think it’s important that we take a moment to stop and reflect on the history of our wonderful state,” said Representative Smith. “The people we’ve now come to know as the Oregon pioneers met over 150 years ago just a few miles from our State Capitol to develop the foundations of the Oregon State Constitution that we still hold true today. The names of those pivotal individuals adorn the walls of the House Chamber and keep us grounded in our service to the people of Oregon.”
On February 14th, 1859 Oregon was officially admitted to the union and became the 33rd State of the United States. After unionization, a woman named Ann Elizabeth Bills began the dedicated work of sewing the first Oregon-made U.S. flag. The flag flew high on Fourth Street, in Portland, on Independence Day.
“I am honored to be the great-great-great-grandson of that talented woman, and as a member of the Oregon House, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to continue my family tradition of serving our great state,” concluded Representative Smith.
Bills’ flag is currently being displayed by the Oregon Historical Society.