Friends and neighbors,

I hope you and your family had a good long weekend in honor of Memorial Day. This day is not about barbecues and being off work and school. It’s about the sacrifice of those who served, who never made it home. As an Airman in the First Gulf War, I know the sacrifice our veterans make, but I will never know the ultimate sacrifice.

As we bring the 2023 session to a close, things are starting to slow down. Most committees, besides budget committees, have closed, and the overall workload has decreased.

I have been in the Capitol every day, working for House District 52. We've passed some good bills this session, as I have outlined previously in this newsletter. You can read those here.

This weekend is the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's free fishing weekend.

They make it easy to take your family fishing – with free fishing events, recommended family-friendly fishing locations, and how-tos on everything from buying your gear to cooking your catch. Learn more here.

I always welcome your feedback, questions, and comments. Please send me a note at Rep.JeffHelfrich@oregonlegislature.gov or at 503-986-1452.

Talk soon,

Representative Jeff Helfrich

Mark Your Calendars!

The Dalles

Boring Strawberry Waffle Breakfast

Join me for waffles on Sunday, June 11th! I'll be serving food and talking with constituents at the Boring Strawberry Waffle Breakfast.

Policy Update

Increased Funding for Critical Public Safety Programs

As a member of the Public Safety budget committee, we are in charge of passing several budget bills impacting public safety services across Oregon.

We recently passed the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training's budget, which will provide resources to increase academy class sizes to help more quickly work through the backlog of police officers waiting for training and certification. This will help get more officers on our streets quicker. Current class sizes are at 40 students. With this budget, those class sizes will be increased to 60.

I also supported the budget for the Oregon State Police (OSP). The budget will help increase staff and put more troopers on the road. The graph below shows that over the last 30 years, Oregon's population has far outpaced the rate at which we are increasing staff for OSP. This budget won't solve this troubling long-term trend but is a step in the right direction.

Around the Capitol

Oregon Fire Chiefs at the Capitol

This week the Oregon Fire Chief Association was in Salem showcasing their equipment and rigs that keep our communities safe across Oregon.

I missed the festivities because I was on the House Floor voting on bills, but my staff checked out the vehicles and tried on a hazmat suit!

A Family Affair

Last week, my chief of staff brought her daughter to work. It was such fun to experience the excitement of the Capitol through the eyes of a toddler!

Working with the District

Dustin Nilsen, Planning Director for City of Hood River, was in Salem to testify about housing, homelessness and short-term rentals. After committee, I gave him a tour of the House floor!

On Monday, we observed Memorial Day. I was honored to be asked to place a wreath at the Idlewild cemetery ceremony in Hood River. It was in honor of all who served our great country. My wife and I teach our children that this day is not about barbecues and being off work & school. It’s about the sacrifice of those who served, who never made it home.