December 13, 2021 3:15 a.m. 

After conversations with House and Senate Leaders from both parties, on Friday Governor Kate Brown outlined the priorities she says lawmakers have agreed to for Monday’s special session of the Oregon State Legislature.

Governor Brown said, “Oregonians facing potential eviction do not have time to wait – they need an immediate solution that keeps them in their homes. And in the last year, people across Oregon have faced unprecedented challenges due to record heat and persistent drought conditions”. Governor Brown thanked legislators from both sides of the aisle who worked with her to put together a package of policies and investments that “…meet the pressing needs of Oregonians”.

The release said Governor Brown has worked with legislators to create a policy and funding proposal to take immediate action on these subjects:

*Housing: $215 million to prevent winter evictions and transition to long-term locally-delivered prevention services, as well as an extension of safe harbor protections for renters who have applied for rental assistance.

*Drought relief: Provide $100 million to help Oregonians impacted by this summer’s extreme heat and drought conditions.

*Illegal cannabis suppression: Provide $25 million for a comprehensive statewide plan to address the proliferation of illegal cannabis around the state and ease the associated humanitarian impacts.

*Afghan refugee resettlement: $18 million to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oregon.

The release said the legislature plans to address a number of other issues as well.