Latest News & Updates
SALEM, Ore. – Yesterday, as a member of the Subcommittee on Capital Construction, Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) voted to secure over $20 Million in Capital Construction investments to be distributed throughout House District 57.
“It is important to return tax dollars paid by the hard-working people of House District 57 back into the community,” said Representative Smith. “I’m pleased that significant investments in education, public safety and mental health, water, and transportation were secured this session.”
Below is a breakdown of the budget allocations:
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Umatilla County Jail Expansion/Mental Health: $1.6 Million
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Early Childhood Education in Hermiston and the Port of Morrow: $2.4 Million
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Umatilla Surface Water P...
SALEM, Ore. – Today, Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) welcomes the 2019 Leadership Hermiston class to the Oregon State Capitol.
The two-day visit began yesterday with a legislative reception hosted by Representative Smith and his wife, Sherri, at their Salem home. Many elected officials, lobbyists, and key staff joined the Smith Family at the reception to honor the Leadership Hermiston class.
“It is my privilege to host Leadership Hermiston,” stated Representative Smith. “This year’s class is top- notch. I am so proud to have these amazing leaders representing House District 57 at their Capitol today.”
The agenda for the day includes an opportunity to observe House and Senate floor sessions, discussions with state agency direc...
SALEM, Ore. -Today, State Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) marks Oregon’s statehood anniversary with a tribute to his great-great-great-grandmother and Oregon pioneer, Ann Elizabeth Bills. Bills sewed what is believed to be the first U.S. flag ever flown in Oregon.
“As my colleagues and I gather on the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives, with the distinct privilege of conducting the people’s business, I think it’s important that we take a moment to stop and reflect on the history of our wonderful state,” said Representative Smith. “The people we’ve now come to know as the Oregon pioneers met over 150 years ago just a few miles from our State Capitol to develop the foundations of the Oregon State Constitution that we still h...
SALEM, Ore. – State Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) has been appointed by House Speaker Tina Kotek to serve on the following committees in the 80th Legislative Assembly:
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Joint Ways and Means Committee, Co-Vice Chair
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Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government, Co-Chair
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Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction
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Joint Student Success Committee, Co-Vice Chair
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Joint Tax Expenditures Committee
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Joint Legislative Administration Committee
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Joint Legislative Audit Committee
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House Committee on Revenue
In addition to Representative Smith’s committee assignments, he has also been appointed by HouseRepublican Leader Carl Wilson to continue to serve as the Caucus Budget...
SALEM, Ore. - State Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) has been appointed by House leadership to serve on the Joint Interim Special Committee on Sole Proprietors. The committee was formed following Governor Kate Brown’s proclamation issued May 9th calling for a special session of the Legislative Assembly to consider amending the tax code for small businesses, specifically sole proprietors.
“I’m honored to have been tapped by House leadership to serve on this special committee and to have the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion surrounding tax reform,” said Rep. Smith. “My goal as a member of this committee will be to advocate for a policy that will maximize tax relief for our job creators and small businesses. I look...
SALEM, Ore. - As the 2018 Legislative Session concludes, Representative Greg Smith (GOP - Heppner) was successful in securing over $25 million of funding for projects that will directly benefit House District 57. District 57 includes Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman, and Wasco Counties.
As a member of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction, Smith worked to allocate funding for the below projects through the amendment process. The amendments were successfully adopted into the 2018 Budget Reconciliation, Capital Construction, and Bonding Authorization bills. Yesterday evening, Representative Smith then helped passed the bills through the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means of which he serves as Co-Vice Chair.
"I fi...
SALEM, Ore. - This morning Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) was successful in securing $9 million for development and construction of an Eastern Oregon University (EOU) Fieldhouse.
Smith was able to obtain the funding through an amendment to Senate Bill 5702, the 2018 Bonding Authorization Bill. Smith serves as a member of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction where the bill was considered. He also serves as the Co-Vice Chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee which oversees the entire state budget.
"Eastern Oregon University is our rural university," stated Smith. "This facility will help recruit and keep our Eastern Oregon athletes and youth in Eastern Oregon."
A new fieldhouse will support EOU's Athletics...
HERMISTON, Ore. - Yesterday evening Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) was presented the 2018 Nobel Laureate Award at the Hermiston Distinguished Citizens Award Banquet. This is the first year the Greater Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, which represents hundreds of local businesses, has bestowed the distinguished award.
Congressman Greg Walden presented the award to Representative Smith. In his remarks, Walden stated:
"Chances are that if there is a project or community effort underway in Hermiston or anywhere in the Columbia Basin for that matter, you will find this person's (Smith) fingerprints all over it, and his leadership behind it."
"Tonight's recipient works hard to carry the needs of our community and region to the rest of the sta...
Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) and his wife Sherri have been selected by the Umatilla County Fair Board to serve as the Grand Marshals of the 2018 Umatilla County Fair. Smith and his wife will serve as Grand Marshals of the parade and play host to thousands of guests at this year's fair.
"Sherri and I are incredibly humbled to have been named by our friends to serve as the Grand Marshals of this year's fair," said Representative Smith. "We have been proud supporters of county fairs over the years and understand just how important these events are to our communities. This is an honor my wife and I will cherish for the rest of our lives."
Rep. Smith has been a fierce advocate for county fairs across the state since taking office in 200...
Representative Greg Smith (GOP-Heppner) has been appointed by legislative leadership to serve as the Co-Vice Chair of the newly formed Joint Committee on Student Success. As the ranking House Republican on the committee, Rep. Smith will work with his colleagues to identify strategies to help improve Oregon's high school graduation rate, absenteeism rate and prioritize reforms that result in more taxpayer dollars being invested in classrooms.
"Our state is full of thousands of hardworking teachers and education leaders who want to see our students succeed," said Rep. Smith. "But for many years now, the outcomes we have seen in our classrooms have failed to meet even modest educational benchmarks. We are investing more money than ever into our...