Window to work on drug re-criminalization, wildfire prevention funding, drug costs closes march 10

By Damian Mann for Ashland.news

Sen. Jeff Golden voiced frustration from his Salem office about the lack of political traction to reduce wildfire risk during an online town hall meeting Tuesday night.

“We’re just asking for more Phoenixes, Talents and Paradises,” he said, referring to the devastating 2020 Almeda Fire and the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed a community in California.

The Ashland Democrat, who spoke to about 40 people on the Zoom call about the short legislative session, said it will take a concerted effort to get more action on reducing wildfire risk, including garnering support from the timber industry and insurance companies.

Golden cited other topics that have taken center stage this session, which include a response to Measure 110, which decriminalized drugs in the state, and Gov. Tina Kotek’s $500 million proposal to increase housing.

“Most Republicans want to repeal Measure 110 entirely,” Golden said. “What that brings to my mind is going back to the war on drugs.”

Some Democrats want to give the law time to take effect, but Golden said more has to be done to provide the behavioral health support to get addicts the treatment they need.

Golden said he remains optimistic about Senate Bill 1593, which would increase the behavioral health master’s degree programs at six Oregon universities, including Southern Oregon University.

This proposed fast-track program would provide more treatment for the drug addicted. Measure 110, in addition to decriminalizing drug use, mandates treatment programs.

Golden said there is an ongoing dispute among legislators about what type of penalties people could face if they use drugs in public places, an issue that has confronted many cities in Oregon.

One faction at the Legislature wants a misdemeanor penalty of up to a year in jail, while another wants a lesser misdemeanor penalty of up to 30 days in jail.

“There’s a lot of theatrics and symbolism around this,” he said.

One of Kotek’s priorities is housing, particularly affordable housing, which has resulted in a back-and-forth about how many acres cities can bring into their urban growth boundaries.

Affordable housing has been a sticking point because it is generally not as profitable for builders, Golden said.

“The housing crisis requires some flexibility,” he said.

To create more land for housing, one earlier suggestion was to allow cities with populations under 25,000 to bring in more than 75 acres and for those over 25,000 to bring in 150.

“We are now at 50 acres and 100 acres,” Golden said. “It’s not perfect, like a lot of our stuff.”

Peggy Lynch asked Golden if there was any thought about raising property taxes from the current limit of 3% to 5% a year, which would provide more money for local governments to take some of the burden off state government.

Golden said it would require a vote of the people to change the Constitutional limit.

“There has to be a critical mass of public opinion that we all need to pay more,” he said.

But he said there are other ideas floating around about raising the dollars needed for wildfire risk reduction.

One bill the Legislature is considering would create a special district for the entire state that would have a cap of 25 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, generating more than $100 million.

Another is to charge a surcharge of $10 on every tax lot in the state, generating roughly $20 million.

He said Ashland has stepped up as a leader in helping reduce wildfire risk. Similar efforts will require support from communities, the state and the private sector.

“What is it going to take to get the insurance companies to cooperate with us,” he said.

In response to a question about why timber companies haven’t stepped up to help out, Golden said, “I’m leery to make this all about cartoonish villains.”

Still Golden said there has been a steep decline in taxation on timber companies over the years, while indicating some timber companies pay sizable corporate income taxes.

Ashland has been a statewide leader in its efforts to reduce wildfire risk, he said.

Golden said the Legislature has passed Senate Bill 1508, which caps the amount a patient can be charged to $35 a month.

“This is exhibit A in the greed and predatory practices of the pharmaceutical companies,” Golden said.
He said he wasn’t sure how much legislation will get passed during the short session, which ends March 10, but he said it has been hectic.

“It’s so intense and condensed so far,” he said.

Reach writer Damian Mann at dmannnews@gmail.com.