Here’s just a bit from this week’s Legislative Report under Land Use & Housing by Action committee member, Peggy Lynch. There’s much more, too. Check it out here –> https://www.lwvor.org/natural-resources/legislative-report—week-of-6%2F29#viewer-0nljn195147
News from the League’s Legislative Report dated 6/29/26:
LAND USE & HOUSING
Peggy Lynch
On June 16, the House Interim Committee On Housing and Homelessness received an abbreviated report on the expanded ability of cities to swap Urban Growth Boundary lands that may have problems about development with lands more readily serviceable. The League warns of caution as cities consider this option.
The Land Conservation and Development Commission will meet June 25-26 in Salem. agenda and meeting materials. Rulemaking, housing and data centers are on the agenda Here is a link to the data center Staff briefing.
From the Capital Press March 10: A lawmaker is shelving a controversial proposal (SB 1586 2026) to increase Oregon’s competitiveness in computer chip manufacturing by allowing the industrial conversion of farmland outside Hillsboro. Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, ..“decided not to advance the bill” during this year’s short legislative session, but said there’s still a need to boost employment in the state and will “look forward to continuing that work.” The League submitted strong testimony in opposition.
Data Centers have become a major political issue in Oregon and around the U.S. Governor Kotek has established a Data Center Advisory Committee. League members are monitoring, not just how they are related to land use, but water and energy use and tax consequences. Look for legislation in 2027.
Building homes near jobs, stores and transit saves public dollars, a paper by Pew Trust partners. This is a view that LWVOR continues to support and why Oregon’s land use planning program is so valuable.
See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report.
Thank you for your attendance at the Spring Garden Tour 2026!
That was a very hot day but you came out anyway. Thank you! We hope you enjoyed the gardens!
Saturday, June 13th • 10AM to 4PM
Thank you Musicians and Artists!
You make the event so very good!
Participating artists include Kathy Salveson (art glass), Victoria Carnate (jewelry & ceramics), Elaine Moriarty (plein air painting), Luci Ferguson (diamond dots), Don Pearson (art jewelry), Jaynene (bird houses)
Participating volunteer musicians include The Sunny Sky Boys (Joe Ross and Jerry Ashford), Farm Party, Twisted Pick, Swiftwater Bluegrass Band, Aleta McGee, Kim Blossom, Dave Morrison, Wanda Eddy
10 :00 – 11:30 Farm Party – Americana & Folk
11:30 – 1:00 The Keynotes – Hispanic, Asian, Hawaiian, Rock, Polka, Variety
1:00 – 2:30 Best Foot Forward – Classic Country with Steel, Guitar & Accordion
2:30 – 4:00 Swiftwater Bluegrass Band – Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Dobro, Bass
Thank you to the businesses that sold tickets!
We so appreciate your help!
• While Away Books, 932 W Harvard Ave, Roseburg
• My Coffee, 1700 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg
• Central Feed & Supply, 231 E. Central Ave, Sutherlin
See more here: https://lwvuv.org/spring-garden-tour-2026/
Link to CD2 Candidates Forum 4/30/26:
The Watch Party was fun. Check out the virtual forum
The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley held a Douglas County ‘Watch Party’ for the CD2 candidates forum on 4/30/26. This was an informal Zoom event to watch and learn. Find out what 8 candidates have to say, and figure out who to vote for.
Five Oregon Leagues have worked together to develop a “Watch Party” for this important election. Five Leagues – Douglas, Deschutes, Rogue Valley, Klamath and Union County – in the CD 2 area including Douglas County.
Cliff Bentz has been invited. All other eight other candidates confirmed.
The Video is Up! This is the video taken at the Douglas County Commissioner Candidates Forum at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on 4/21/26.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/Lmykjt9vbQE
Thank you to all candidates who shared their time with us, and to all who participated as audience members.
Block the SAVE Act!
Call your Senators and tell them to vote no on the SAVE Act. It’s an attempt to foil our election standards. Stop this attempt to also suppress the vote. This bill Read about it: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22
This bill would block millions of Americans from voting according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Read what they have to say here.
Dam News!
3/6/26
Judge Upholds $77,767 in Fines Over Botched 2023 Winchester Dam Repairs
Second Water Quality Enforcement Ruling in Fewer than Five Years Against North Umpqua’s Biggest Fish Killer
Read more here.
Link to Ruling:
https://waterwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DEQ_Proposed_Final_Order_030926_1.pdf
“History teaches us that among the men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing as demagogues and ending as tyrants.” —Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) The Federalist No. 15
Thank you, Robert Leo Heilman! March, 2026
The Video of the Homeless Forum
is online
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-RMCfoLUc
The video was taken on Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 at the
Roseburg Public Library. We hope you were there! It was very interesting!
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Phone numbers have been added to Legislators’ Contact info on our webpage.
New Postmark Rule (as of Dec. 24, 2025) Merry Christmas!
The new postmark rule may interfere with the mailing and receipt of your ballot beginning this year. We need to let everyone know!
Even if you mail you ballot early, it still may not make it on time to be counted. Starting April 1, 2025, mail from many post offices (over 50 miles from processing centers) sits overnight, adding a day to delivery and postmark dates.
Add a further delay: Postmarks now show when mail is first processed by a machine, not when you drop it off. This can make mail appear late for deadlines (IRS, ballots, legal docs).
Best Ways to Get Your Ballot into the Elections Office ~
- Go to a Post Office and request a free, manual postmark for the actual mailing date.
- Use a Drop Box – There’s a Drop Box in the Courthouse near Room 124, outside the Courthouse, and in the Roseburg Public Library. Other Drop Box locations: https://www.douglascountyor.gov/179/Official-Drop-Site-Locations.
Join the League
Observer Corps!
Let’s Find Out What Exactly is Going On!
The way to find out what is going on with local government is to participate with our new Observer Corps. This has been a League function from the beginning but LWVUV has not had an Observer Corp officially for years.
It’s time to start it up again!
If you would like to spend a few hours a week or less, this is for You. You can help your League and community by signing up to be present at local government meetings and being consistent.
Observers are only present at meetings; they do not participate or even say anything. We only ask that you take notes and then report to the League board. We need You!
We will conduct an Orientation luncheon meeting in person in January 2026. Let us know your availability and any preferences you may have by emailing info@lwvuv.org.
Thank You!
Check here for links to recent events.
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. 