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Lawmakers Approve Bill To Streamline Property Tax Relief For Wildfire Victims

Andy Nelson/Register-Guard/Pool

People whose homes were damaged or destroyed in last year’s Oregon wildfires would have an easier time getting property tax relief under a bill approved Friday by state lawmakers.

The measure allows counties to automatically cut or even waive taxes, if the tax assessor decides the property has lost market value as a result of the damage.

 

Rep. Jami Cate, R-Lebanon, represents several communities hit hard by the Beachie Creek Fire. She said the bill is one part of a long recovery process. 

“It has been so much work, and I know there’s still so much to be done to help people rebuild," she said. "But this is a great step.” 

The bill would only affect counties that were part of the wildfire-related state of emergency declaration last year. The measure has cleared both chambers and is headed for the governor’s desk. 

 

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
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