LOC News
State Funding for Water/Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Advances – Contact Your Legislator
On Thursday, the Joint Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development voted to advance HB 3089-A, with a -A2 amendment, to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee. It is anticipated that the bill will be scheduled in the full Joint Ways and Means Committee in the coming week.
Cities are encouraged to contact their legislator to urge their support for the legislation, which would provide $6 million in state general funds to help Oregonians that are struggling to afford drinking water and sewer services. The need for state/federal funding to provide this type of water-specific ratepayer assistance was identified as one of the LOC’s top legislative priorities for the 2021 legislative session.
Water and sewer rate affordability is an ongoing issue of concern for many cities and for their ratepayers – even prior to the pandemic. The costs of providing safe drinking water and reliable wastewater service continues to increase due to complex regulations, emerging challenges (including resiliency and drought), and significant infrastructure needs. While many cities have implemented local ratepayer assistance programs, those programs are funded through local ratepayer dollars are often insufficient to meet needs.
Contact: Tracy Rutten Rainey, Lobbyist – trutten@orcities.org
Last Updated 6/18/21