Michelle Emmons

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

In addition to improving benefits, training, and resources to enable law enforcement officials to better serve their communities, I will advocate for increasing public safety, fire and EMS capacity through collaborative contracts, and volunteer recruitment and retention into paid postions. I also support trauma informed training and the integration of social services and trauma-based response staff as part of these teams, improved infrastructure for emergency communications, and prioritizing transportation resources to develop alternate transportation routes for evacuation and emergency response purposes. Learn more

Economy

Tax incentives and targeted investments in small business enterprise, particularly rural sectors of agriculture, tourism, forestry, wood products, and green innovation, are crucial to our success in attracting and growing our local business communities. Innovative workforce development in manufacturing, sustainable resource management, and green energy will help expand local jobs. Eliminating red tape for start-ups and complicated regulatory processes will help bolster and retain businesses. Learn more

Providing incentives for more efficient farming equipment, employee housing, and cooperative year-round microenterprise will help take the load off our family farms and foresters, so they can continue to grow our food and support some of our country's best carbon sequestration options right here in Oregon. Learn more

Education

Removing public school resources by introducing a voucher system under the guise of "school choice" does little to enhance majority students' experience, and instead, subsidizes those who can already afford private education. We must protect taxpayer investments in our public schools. Learn more

Raising the Corporate Activity Tax gross receipts to a higher level will also help maintain opportunities for small business owners to stay in business. Learn more

Environment / Energy

In order to ensure that good forestry practices will improve our landscapes with healthy habitat, provide top-notch recreational opportunities, and maintain strong protections for clean air and water, our legislators must come to terms with how to fairly balance the prioritization of public resources and cost of wildfire prevention. This is especially important as timber continues to play a significant role in Oregon's economy. To secure a healthy future for all Oregonians, I will work with my colleagues to help find the most equitable solution for funding fire prevention and response, while promoting stewardship incentives and sustainable land management practices for all natural and working lands. Learn more

During the State's transition to sustainable energy, we must also support agricultural enterprises by rewarding good stewardship practices and offset associated expenses - specifically considering the complexities relevant to rural communities such as water rights, supply chain interruptions, geographical challenges, layers of regulations and an inefficient permit process at the County level. Learn more

Healthcare

I also support Rural Designations at both the Federal and State levels to help reduce medical facility expenses, attract and retain qualified EMS and medical experts, and help lower the cost of emergency transportation. Expanding capacity between rural communities for Exemptions for non-prescription drugs from the Corporate Activity Tax may also encourage rural pharmacies to remain operational. Learn more

Housing

Oregon must consider how affordable housing is integrated throughout both urban and rural areas, based on individual community needs, including limited equity cooperatives and other preferred incentives for low-income residential ownership. While recent Middle Housing legislation was intentioned to expand local inventory with diversified housing options, implementation for these projects needs to integrate "affordable housing" minimums and employ a decision making process at the local level to determine appropriate development. To help enhance nieghborhood character, preserve access to public green spaces, and property values, while considering the cost of necessary infrastructure upgrades to accompany such development. Regional incentives may also help implement transitional and short-term housing benefits as part of an effort stabilize individuals willing to work within a system of accountability toward more permanent options. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

In order to defend and repair our houses and infrastructure, we must continu to ensure access to community resiliency programs, including home-hardening materials and Firewise resources for all citizens. Learn more

Transportation, water delivery, electricity, and communications infrastructure must be strengthened if we intend to grow our communities. Based on community feedback, Oregon legislators will be tackling a new transportation bill in 2025. By boosting the number of trips, expanding rural lines within our district, or incorporating more train stops into regional tourist hotspots, the State may specifically promote more alternative transportation options in rural regions. Rail infrastructure could also be increased to leverage supply distribution to and from remote areas, reducing carbon emissions and highway road degradation. Learn more