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Sen. Chris Gorsek updates Wood Village on short session, transit and property-tax ideas
Summary
Senator Chris Gorsek told the council the upcoming five-week short session will focus on financial fixes, described local transportation and library wins, and discussed longer-term options such as resetting property-tax bases on sale to return resources to East County.
State Senator Chris Gorsek addressed Wood Village about the state's short session and East County needs, urging continued advocacy for local priorities and describing budget constraints that will limit action. He highlighted a recent transit extension and a new Division Street library opening as wins for the region and said the short session narrows the legislature's focus to financial matters.
On property taxes, Gorsek raised the idea of 'reset on sale' as one option to improve local revenues: "What if you only raised the taxes to a point that is the norm for that tax bracket? What if you raise those, but you didn't do it until somebody had moved out?" he asked, arguing that changes could put more money into the coffers of Wood Village and neighboring jurisdictions. He and council members also discussed the need to protect East County's voice in Salem during tight budget cycles.
