Hello from the Umatilla County Fair! 🌽 A big thank you for the invitation to the FFA and 4-H dinner. It's always an honor to spend time with the young people, families, and volunteers who put so much heart into these programs. Our future is in good hands. Looking forward to seeing everyone around the fair this week. And a special thank you to the Walchlis for the wonderful watermelons. Delicious as always. 🍉 Hope everyone has a great time at the fair!

Oregon has passed 2,014,481 acres burned. That is a record, and we still have two months of fire season ahead. Still no civilian or firefighter fatalities, and 12,000 personnel are working 32 large fires. Closer to home: the Row Fire is locked in along Highway 26 with structure protection on McKay and Mill Creek. Round Butte near Madras was held at 1,000 acres over the weekend. The Grasshopper Fire south of The Dalles has good lines on the south end and should see containment climb. The Hagen Fire east of Pendleton sits near 38,000 acres with crews ready to reengage. Fires in the John Day corridor are in good shape, thanks in large part to our Rangeland Fire Protection Associations. This week brings heat, dry east winds, and gusty conditions by the weekend. Please be careful with anything that throws a spark.

Right now, House District 57 and communities across Oregon are facing one of the worst wildfire seasons in our state's history. Oregon is now the number one priority for wildfire response in the nation. Across our state, more than 1,300 fires have burned over one million acres. Thirty-four large fires are still active, and more than 12,300 firefighters from across the world are working around the clock to protect lives and property. And here is what every Oregonian needs to understand: our normal fire season has not even begun. August and September are historically our hardest months. We have already lost more than a million acres, and the worst of the year is still ahead of us. To every firefighter, law enforcement officer, EMT, volunteer, and emergency responder, thank you. Oregon is grateful for your courage and sacrifice. If you're impacted by these fires, please stay informed. Follow evacuation notices through your county sheriff, sign up for OR-Alert, monitor the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Emergency Management for updates, and if you need assistance, call 2-1-1 or visit your local emergency shelter. Eastern Oregon needs help. Not later. Not next session. Now. Our rural and frontier communities are holding the line with volunteer departments, aging equipment, and crews that are already stretched to the breaking point. These are the places with the longest response times, the fewest resources, and the most at stake, and they are carrying this fight for the rest of the state. Every day we wait, we lose more rangeland, more livestock, more homes, and more of the livelihoods that hold these communities together. This is already getting out of hand, and waiting until the damage is done is not a plan. This is not the time for politics. It's time for action. That's why I am once again calling on Governor Kotek and legislative leadership to immediately convene a special session so we can provide emergency resources, support our local communities, and ensure firefighters have every tool they need to protect Oregonians. Our people cannot wait months for a response to an emergency that is happening today. Please continue praying for everyone in the path of these fires, stay safe, and know that I'll continue fighting for House District 57 every step of the way.

I’m glad to see that IP28 will not be on the November ballot. The news came a few days ago, and it is worth celebrating. This measure would have turned hunters, anglers, ranchers, and farm families into criminals. Good people who simply live the way folks out here have always lived. That is not who we are, and it never will be. In Eastern Oregon, hunting and fishing are more than tradition. They put food on the table, and they get handed down from parent to child. That is a God-given right worth standing up for. Thank you to everyone who spoke up and made your voice heard. It made the difference.

Thank you to Doni Van Dolah for the invitation to last night's Maupin City Council meeting. Congratulations to Christine Wolfe on her retirement as Maupin City Recorder. So appreciate your years of service to the community! Thanks also to Mayor Carol Beatty, City Manager Nick Smith, Council President Tom Troutman, and Councilors Mike Foreaker, Randy Bechtol, Kathy Peck, Matthias Kesler, and Shelby Dumire. It is always the highlight of my week when I am able to celebrate with a community!

Oregon's wildfires are burning across District 57, forcing families from their homes with more than 200,000 acres lost. I am asking my legislative colleagues to join me in calling for an emergency special session. We cannot wait for this to get worse. It takes a majority of both chambers to bring ourselves back to Salem, so I am urging my fellow lawmakers to stand up and help us fund the fight for the families, farmers, and ranchers who need us now.

Happy 4th of July!🇺🇸 Proud to celebrate 250 years of American freedom today. Wishing you and your family a safe, Happy Independence Day. God Bless America. 🎉

This evening, we were pleased to attend the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation Distinguished Awards Banquet. I was honored to sponsor “Man of the Year”, as well as be the presenter for the “Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Congratulations to the following citizens on their prestigious recognitions, you are the heart of our communities! First Responder of the Year: Mark Amos Community Champion: Rian Middleton Outstanding Young Citizen: Colby Lerten Christmas Spirit: Josh Theros Woman of the Year: Aloras Winters Man of the Year: Eldon Marcum Business of the Year: Clayton Homes

Another busy day! We began with a visit to the Boardman Police Department and a meeting with Chief Rick Stokoe. The best part was a ride along with Captain Loren Dieter (we had to put Calvin in the “cage” in the backseat)! Interesting to hear the perspectives of the those who have their feet on the ground. Sure appreciate our law enforcement officers and staff. At the lunch hour, we joined the Boardman Chamber of Commerce for lunch and briefly shared a legislative update. Wrapping up the day, we took the opportunity to meet with representatives of the food processing industry. I am proud to work with each of these strong employers who contribute to our economy & communities.

Having a blast in Heppner with the leprechauns!

Congratulations to each recipient at the Boardman Chamber of Commerce 36th Annual Distinguished Citizens Awards banquet last night! We appreciate the dedication of each of these individuals & business. YOU are what makes our communities thrive! Educator of the Year - Christopher Hull Frontline Worker of the Year - Shari Stokoe Business Person if the Year - Dr. Derek Earl Business of the Year - Threemile Canyon Farms Pioneer of the Year - Mary Lou Daltoso Youth Citizen of the Year - Kaylee Christy Citizen of the Year - David Boor #Oregon #EasternOregon #Winners #community

More than 250,000 Oregonians signed a ballot petition demanding a vote on recently passed legislation authorizing new taxes and fees for transportation maintenance. The petition explicitly stated a vote would occur in November 2026. However, earlier today, a Marion County Circuit Court Judge ruled a vote will be held in May 2026 instead. Some argue the vote should occur in November, as understood by the petitioners, while others believe it should happen sooner to find a funding solution. I’ve always believed the Oregon legislature cannot break a contract. Does this ballot initiative constitute a contract with the citizens? Should the vote be held in November or May? I want to hear your opinion.

Sending out a sincere "thank you" to Wheeler County Sheriff Jeremiah Holmes for the challenge coin. A true honor to receive this gift from a member of law enforcement. Keep up the steadfast work Sheriff Holmes. Your service is most appreciated!

2026 Session Completed - House Republicans unified for the future of Oregon. #Oregon #EasternOregon #GregSmith #Republican #Team

You simply can’t say no to the Farm to Table Dinner—it’s a chance to hang out with friends and savor some delicious brisket and chocolate cake. Chair Woman Kolona Morin, your leadership is truly inspiring. Erin Heideman, thank you so much for your hard work in making the event a success. Kirk, Ron, Randy, Jessie, Rachel, and Lynnette, you’re the volunteers of the year in my book! Joe and Judge Cris Patnode, along with your grandson Big John Jeager, thank you for the supportive conversation. P.S. For folks who don't know, Judge Patnode is an amazing grandma! I was delighted to strengthen our mutual support for one another with Sheriff-to-be Deputy Mike Wheeler and his wonderful wife, Jennifer, along with Deputy Lieutenant Rick Brown. I am eagerly looking forward to collaborating with these two men. Haley Wolford and Davis Kelly Smith, thank you for your service and leadership with AFSCME. We’re a great team in District 57. #Oregon #EasternOregon #GregSmith

Thought I would share a little about what Oregon’s short legislative session is. The short session lasts 35 days and is meant to address urgent issues, budget adjustments, and policies that could not wait until the next full session while keeping the focus on limited, priority legislation. #Oregon #easternoregon #GregSmith – at Salem, OR

Started the day in caucus with a prayer alongside my Republican colleagues. Moments like that are a powerful reminder of why we serve and the values that guide us. I was also honored to receive a Bible today. It was a meaningful reminder of the faith, responsibility, and core principles that shape the work we do on behalf of our communities. Grateful to stand with my Republican colleagues as we continue working for the people of Oregon. #Oregon #EasternOregon #Republican