Smith, Gordon - (R - OR)
 

Senators Smith and Wyden Introduce Joint Agenda for Oregon Extending their shared priorities beyond Oregon’s borders, U.S. Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden announced their joint legislative plan for the 109th Congress (2005-2006): a “Bipartisan Agenda for Oregon.” Smith and Wyden both serve on the Senate Committee on Finance, which oversees many areas of health care and tax policy the Senators intend to address. _____________ Helping Americans Buy Their First Homes Realizing the dream of homeownership is one of the greatest moments in a lifetime. Senator Smith is working to pass four bills which will go a long way toward increasing the number of American homeowners: The First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act would provide a tax credit to help pay for a first-time home purchase. The Mortgage Insurance Fairness Act would make mortgage insurance tax deductible. The New Homestead Economic Opportunity Act would create an expanded tax credit available to home developers who build in low-income areas and sell to low-income individuals and families. Soon to be introduced legislation that will allow Federal Housing Administration (FHA) homebuyers to purchase homes with zero down payment.

Recent Issues...   March 2006 2nd -  Keep America Up To Speed By Investing in Rural Broadband Networks 2nd -  More Funding and Training Available to Oregon Law Enforcement to Combat Methamphetamine February 2006 28th -  Safety Top Concern in Review of Port Deal, Smith Says [ ] 16th -  Smith Maintains Opposition to Higher Electricity Rates 15th -  Competition Key to Lowering Rates, Improving Quality 14th -  Smith Wants Canada to End Lumber Give Away [ ] 9th -  Smith Says Lights Out to Budget Proposal for Bonneville Power Administration 6th -  Smith and Wyden announce $8 million for Nanotechnology 2nd -  Smith Says Medicare Drug Plan Must Become More Efficient 1st -  Smith Argues for Strengthening Title IX to Improve Women's Sports Participation January 2006 17th -  Smith Statement on NOAA Decision Not to Add Oregon Coastal Coho Salmon to the Threatened Species List December 2005 22nd -  Oregon to Receive Federal Funds for Oregon Nanotechnology, Defense Projects 21st -  Senate Approves Smith Drought Relief Bill 21st -  Smith,Kohl Introduce Legislation to Extend Manufacturing Partnership Program 15th -  Commerce Committee Passes Smith Bill Targeting Cross-Border Fraud

MORE NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR SMITH _____________________ Thursday, March 02, 2006 SMITH ADDRESSES DOUGLAS TIMBER OPERATORS --  Last week, Senator Gordon Smith gave the keynote address to the annual meeting of DTO in Canyonville.  In his speech, Senator Smith covered the extension of the county payments safety net, the Northwest Forest Plan and the need to fund and implement the plan to produce an annual 1.1 billion board feet in western Oregon.  “No people know more than the people of Douglas County the effect of the Clinton-Gore timber policy,” Senator Smith said in his address, citing the 99% decline in timber harvest on the Umpqua National Forest between 1984 and 2004.      SMITH SENDS MESSAGE TO CANADA ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER --  The Senate Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism and Economic Development – chaired by Senator Smith – recently held an oversight hearing on the economic effects of the ongoing Canadian softwood lumber dispute.  Oregonians Steve Swanson (Swanson Lumber Products) and Bill Kluting (Western Council of Industrial Workers, United Brotherhood of Carpenters) testified regarding the real impacts on Oregon jobs of subsidized and dumped Canadian lumber.  Senator Smith noted, “Oregon mills can compete against anyone’s mills. They just can't compete against the Canadian government.”   FINAL BISCUIT SALES MOVE FORWARD --  Having recently received a positive judgment from Judge Hogan, the Forest Service has announced two final timber sales within roadless areas of the Biscuit Fire.  Both areas are bounded on three sides by roaded areas, have low potential for future wilderness designation and will not require road construction for timber removal.  To date, seven-tenths of one percent of the Biscuit Fire has been logged, producing over $9.5 million is stumpage receipts and deposits. FIELD HEARING ON POST-FIRE RECOVERY – Last week, Congressman Greg Walden convened a field hearing in Medford on post-fire research and recovery.  The hearing followed a tour of federal and private lands burned by the 2002 Timbered Rock Fire, and highlighted the difference in approach to salvage and reforestation.  Congressman Walden and Senator Smith have both introduced legislation that would speed the federal review of reforestation needs, expand the scientific knowledge base of post-fire recovery efforts and accelerate reforestation projects. SENATE HEARING REVIEWS FOREST SERVICE BUDGET –  This week the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on the Administration’s proposed budget for the Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2007.  The hearing focused on the proposal to extend the county payments safety net and an Administration proposal to sell surplus and isolated tracts of land identified for disposal and vetted through a public process. MALHEUR NATIONAL FOREST SUPERVISOR DEPARTING --  Roger Williams will be advancing to the position of Director of Forest Management in the Regional Office for the Southern Region based in Atlanta, Georgia.  Williams has served as Forest Supervisor for the Malheur National Forest since August 2002.