HB 3414 Not a Concern For Florence Housing
Failed House Bill 3414 would have provided monies for cities to expand their building of affordable housing but a late amendment would have allowed cities to expand their urban growth boundaries. An issue that was not a concern for Florence according to Florence city Manager Erin Reynolds. The 2017 HEOP or the Housing and Economic Opportunities Project addressed the housing situation in Florence and found adequate land was available.
“That effort led to showing that our buildable lands inventory and the housing needs analysis showed that we had enough land but what it showed is we definitely, in the city, do not have enough housing stock.”
Currently the issue facing many contractors is economics. The cost of building has increased as has the interest that hampers borrowing power. Reynolds says the need to expand the urban growth boundaries was not at this time an issue. The Oregon legislature did however approve a $650 million dollar bond to build affordable housing for renters and first time home buyers.
Missing Boy found Safe
An 11 year old boy with ties to Florence went missing on June 21st and police in Eugene thought that the boy might try to make his way back to Florence. Late yesterday afternoon, Eugene police reported that the boy was found safe. There were no details released on his condition.
Accident Update
The accident on Saturday that closed off the northbound lane of Highway 101 at Sutton Lake road claimed the life of 31 year old Logan Jacob Scott of Florence. Scott was sitting at the stop sign on Sutton Lake Road when a Ford f-250 operated by Ravi Artemis Polini left its lane of traffic and crossed a turn lane and T-boned Scott’s Chevy Bolt. Scott was pronounced deceased at the scene. Oregon State Police are still investigating the accident.
Legislature Passes Nurse Staffing Ratios
Oregon lawmakers have passed a first-of-its-kind bill creating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals. House Bill 2697 creates minimum standards for the number of nurses on staff across hospitals, from emergency departments to labor and delivery units. Matt Swanson with the S-E-I-U Oregon State Council says the legislation is a win for patients.
“This law, when implemented, is going to mean that you’ll have somebody at your bedside that is well able to meet your needs – rested and has working conditions that really allow them to focus on the needs of the patient.”
The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems initially opposed the bill but moved to support it after flexibilities were included, such as for rural hospitals. The bill now heads to Governor Tina Kotek’s desk. Implementation will start on September 1st. Coast Radio also reached out to PeaceHealth for comment.