City of Grants Pass Voices Opposition to State Transportation Bill Ahead of Special Session

On the eve of a Special Session of the Oregon Legislature, the City of Grants Pass is voicing its opposition to the state transportation bill known as "LC2." A letter to the Transportation Committee has been signed by Grants Pass Mayor Clint Scherf, City Council President Victoria Marshall and City Manager Aaron Cubic. Grants Pass currently receives approximately $3 million each biennium through State Highway Fund (SHF) allocations, which are distributed by a formula that directs 50% of revenues to the state, 30% to counties and 20% to cities. In the letter, the City Council states it has significant concerns about the burden of repeated or escalating taxes and fees on working families and small employers. It recognizes the necessity of sustained investment, but also believes successful transportation packages succeed when they pair revenue with accountability as well as sensitivity to household and business costs. To that end, Grants Pass urges the Committee to preserve the 50/30/20 revenue sharing model within SHF, identify revenue sources that do not further increase the tax burden on Oregon households already struggling with rising costs, and strengthen ODOT accountability and oversight through clear project lists, timely reporting and outcome measures so communities can see and trust the return on each dollar invested. ...Read more

Be Prepared for Wildfire Smoke to Impact Air Quality in Jackson & Josephine Counties

Jackson County Public Health is encouraging residents to be prepared for air quality to be impacted by surrounding wildfires. Wildfire smoke from the Dillon Fire in Siskiyou County, California and the Emigrant Fire near Eugene has the potential to impact air quality in Jackson and Josephine counties for short periods of time. Smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on various weather factors such as wind direction and the amount of smoke produced by a wildfire. Therefore, people must be watchful about air quality during wildfire season. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, exacerbate chronic heart and lung disease, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Populations known to be most vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures include children, older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and people of low socioeconomic status including those who are experiencing homelessness and have limited access to medical care. ...Read more

State Regulators Approve Lower Rate Increase for Avista Customers on September 1st

The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently approved an all-party stipulation between PUC staff, consumer groups and Avista agreeing to a general natural gas rate increase at a lower level than originally requested. The amount general rates will increase on September 1st differs based on customer type and energy usage. Stipulating parties agreed to an annual revenue increase of $4.2 million or an overall average increase of 3.5% across all customer types combined including residential, commercial and industrial. This is a 46% decrease from Avista's original request to increase annual revenue by $7.8 million. Residential customers using an average of 48 therms per month will experience a bill increase of around $1.36 or 2% on monthly bills. Avista serves more than 106,000 customers in southwest and northeast Oregon. ...Read more