ORLA Update: May 20, 2022

RRF / Elections / Liquor Privatization...

Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Senate Vote – Oregon Senators Voted Yes
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate was unable to overcome a filibuster on a motion to begin debate on a $48 billion bill that would have replenished the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).  The vote to invoke cloture and overcome the filibuster failed by a vote of 52-43 (60 votes were needed to prevail). Read the press release from the National Restaurant Association for more information. Highlights of the vote from yesterday:

• Every Democrat (and Independent) present voted in favor of invoking cloture. Notable that Joe Manchin was secured. Three Democrats were not present: Rosen (NV), Brown (OH), and Van Hollen (MD).
• Five Republicans voted to invoke cloture: Blunt (MO), Cassidy (LA), Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), Wicker (MS). Two Republicans were not present: Sen. Ernst (IA) and Marshall (KS).

Primary Election Roundup
There has been an increase in the number of industry members who have expressed a willingness to run for office. ORLA members Cheri Helt (BOLI Commissioner candidate), Daniel Nguyen (State Rep Candidate), Janelle Bynum (Current State Rep), and former ORLA staff member Christine Drazan are all working to bring more industry expertise to our policy making decisions. Here are a few highlights from this week’s primary election on state races:

• This November we'll see three high profile women on the ballot for Governor: Christine Drazan, Tina Kotek, and Betsy Johnson. ORLA has relationships with all three candidates and regardless of the outcome we are confident in our ability to maintain an active working relationship with the new Governor and their staff.
• The BOLI Commissioner race looks setup for a runoff between Cheri Helt and Christina Stephenson. If Christina (who currently sits at 47.4%) is able to get just over 50% of the vote once Clackamas County counts their ballots then only her name would appear on the general election ballot.
• More updates to come as we enter general election season. If you want to stay in the know, please plan on joining the monthly ORLA Government Affairs Committee meetings typically held on the last Friday of the month.

Portland Lodging Alliance (PLA) Statement on Portland City Budget
ORLA was involved in group discussions on the City of Portland's budget earlier this week. Generally, the high level social service and public safety investments and content within the budget seem on point. What continues to plague Portland are the deficiencies in management and a desire by our members to see consistent progress on the streets. One of ORLA’s local groups is called the Portland Lodging Alliance and current ORLA Board Members George Schweitzer and Daryn White Cyrus sit on the PLA Steering Committee. Joining them in leadership are Brandon Carter of the Bidwell downtown and Martin McAllister who runs the waterfront Marriott Hotel. This coming week the Portland Lodging Alliance is submitting comments on Mayor Wheeler’s proposed budget to the City through their online public comment portal.

Liquor Privatization Off the November Ballot
There’s one less thing to worry about on the November ballot now that the Northwest Grocers Association have pulled their initiative petition from the signature gathering process to qualify as a state measure. Initiative Petition 35 would have opened the door to liquor sales in grocery stores here in Oregon. Although the convenience may seem enticing on its surface there are far ranging implications if the current alcohol system were to be disrupted with cost escalations on liquor inevitable for ORLA members. See the story summing it all up here on OPB. ORLA has been an active part of the opposition campaign to this effort ever since our Government Affairs Committee voted unanimously to oppose these efforts when this was attempted the last time.

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