Jan 28, 2022 | News
ONTARIO — Committee assignments for Oregon House of Representatives for the 2022 legislative session were announced on Tuesday by Paul Hove, Speaker of the House.
District 60 Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, was appointed to four House policy committees. He will serve as the vice chairman of the Agriculture, Land Use, and Water Committee; as well as a member of committees on human services, education, and environmental and natural resources.
2022 marks Owens third legislative session.
Owens was appointed to the House District 60 seat in January of 2020 to replace Lynn Findley, who was appointed to the District 30 Senate position. The shuffling of seats was necessary as then-Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Vale, decided to leave his role as an Oregon lawmaker and run for the Second District Congressional seat left open by former U.S. Rep. Greg Walden.
Owens was then elected to his seat by voters in May of 2020.
House District 60 encompasses Baker, Grant, Harney and Malheur counties as well as a portion of Lake County.
The 2022 Legislature will convene on Feb. 1 and will be 35 days, as it is an even-numbered year.
Jan 27, 2022 | Press Releases
SALEM, Ore. – Representative Mark Owens (R-Crane) is introducing a bill during the 2022 Legislative Session that will restore the balance of power in Oregon’s government.
“This is really about transparency and a balance of power,” said Representative Owens. “Oregonians are growing tired of Governor Brown’s never-ending emergency and a rule-making process that they don’t understand. We need to introduce sensible limits to the power of the Governor’s office in our state.”
HJR 206, introduced by Representative Owens with bicameral support, would refer to the voters the option to vote to amend the Oregon Constitution to limit the Governor’s ability to declare an emergency or exercise powers under the declaration of emergency to only those granted by the law and for 30 days. This resolution would bring better balance to Oregon’s government which currently concentrates a large amount of authority in a single office.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in strict government mandates and regulations, dictating how people can live their lives, all directed by the Governor’s Office through the Oregon Health Authority. Oregonians have become discontent with rules like a permanent indoor mask mandate and want more transparency in the decision-making process.
“It’s time for accountability and fairness in how these decisions are made. One sole person should not have ultimate and unchecked authority when it comes to determining the rights and freedoms of Oregonians.”
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