[OMS_MANAGERS] Legislature Advocacy

[W Darin Rutledge, Executive Director]

I think it’s a good idea! I know I’ve mentioned these things to one of our legislators, but an organized push might actually create the impetus to make it happen. The only caution is to make sure we don’t dilute the OMSRG advocacy with this messaging, or vice versa. That’s probably more of a concern with some legislators than others, but with everything that’s on their plate right now, many legislators are already getting itchy about not having a voice in policy matters and may already have other priorities for a special session. We certainly don’t want our efforts to become white noise.

 

Maybe the right approach is to include the issues below as a “follow up” to our OMSRG efforts, so that it’s all-inclusive of a support package for Main Street businesses? 

 

Also, Governor Brown is set to address the media in a few minutes regarding her recommended budget for the 21-23 biennium. That may help shape some of our messaging. The link for the press conference is https://oregon.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=41b11f32beefba0380ee8ecb5&id=941862c6c5&e=de2a7ea0b2 in case anyone wants to watch. 

 

D

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> on behalf of Kelly Haverkate <kellyjhaverkate at gmail.com>
Reply-To: Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM
To: Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Legislature Advocacy

 

Hi Kevin,

My representative actually took me up on a meeting.  SO, I'm meeting with him on Friday morning, downtown.

I'm happy to talk about all these things....  If there are more talking points, let me know.

 

Kelly

Downtown Dayton

 

On Tue, Dec 1, 2020 at 12:02 PM Kevin Teater <kevin at downtownbeaverton.org> wrote:

Hey everyone,

 

We talked a lot about advocating for the Main Street Revitalization Grant with our state legislators. How would you all feel about advocating your legislators to return for a special session to implement some commercial relief strategies? It sounds like they are thinking about it.

 

What are some of the strategies you feel would be most helpful in your communities? These three are on the top of my mind:

Commercial eviction freeze extension.
To-go cocktail approval.
Financial relief for restaurants (at a minimum. Businesses of all types could use it though).
I'd want to see some equitable unrolling of financial relief though. Organizations like ours can help people apply if there is enough time in the process. First-come, first-serve hasn't worked well here.
Kevin Teater (he/him)

Executive Director

Beaverton Downtown Association

www.downtownbeaverton.org

PO Box 311

Beaverton, OR 97005

(503) 332-5419

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