By Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham
Newsletter Excerpt,
An Oregon judge has once again overstepped their role by issuing a preliminary injunction that stops the city of Grants Pass from enforcing its own camping restrictions. This decision blatantly disregards the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, which decided that cities have the authority to regulate public spaces and address the homelessness crisis through local ordinances.
This is yet another example of activist judges attempting to legislate from the bench, by overruling on state law and ignoring the will of the people. By imposing such injunctions, these judges prevent local governments from implementing common-sense policies designed to maintain public health, safety, and order.
To the extent this judge is basing their decision on laws passed by the Oregon Legislature, I introduced Senate Bill 645 earlier this year to repeal the misguided statute enacted by House Bill 3115 (2021), which imposed an ambiguous standard on how cities and counties regulate the use of public property concerning homelessness. By repealing this statute, SB 645 seeks to restore the autonomy of local governments, allowing them to draft and enforce policies that address the unique needs and challenges of their communities.
SB 645 is currently referred to the Committee on Housing and Development and is awaiting a hearing. If you are interested in this issue, I encourage everyone to write a letter of support for the bill to have prepared once testimony opens. I will never stop fighting for commonsense solutions that improve the quality of life for all Oregonians.
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