When I went to Salem, I made a commitment to the people of House District 56: I would work to be a voice and make sure our communities were not forgotten.
District 56 is unique. From Klamath County to the Rogue Valley, our communities have different needs—but they share a common desire for safe communities, strong schools, good jobs, reliable infrastructure, and the opportunity to build a future right here at home.
I am proud of the investments we have been able to secure.
Investing in Klamath County
During my first legislative session, I worked with local leaders and stakeholders to help secure significant investments for Klamath County, including:
- $18.16 million for Oregon Tech's geothermal system emergency renovation
- $2 million for the Klamath Crimson Rose Facility
- $1.535 million for Klamath Community College's Childcare Residential Learning Community
- $1.32 million for Chiloquin Airport obstruction removal
- $580,000 for the Klamath-Lake County Food Bank warehouse renovation
- $1.53 million for the Rogue River Irrigation District Four Mile Creek Headgate
- $130,873 for the Ross Ragland Theater
These aren't just numbers on a budget document. They represent infrastructure, education, jobs, agriculture, childcare, food security, and economic opportunity for the people who call this region home.
Fighting for Critical Infrastructure
I have also worked to secure funding for some of the most important—and often least visible—needs in our communities.
In 2025, the Legislature approved $10 million for the South Suburban Sanitary District wastewater treatment plant upgrades, helping address a major infrastructure and regulatory challenge affecting approximately 23,000 people.
In 2026, state funding included $4.274 million for a new wastewater treatment facility in Chiloquin and $100,000 for a wastewater infrastructure stabilization study for the Crescent Sanitary District.
These projects may not always make headlines, but they are exactly the kind of investments that allow rural communities to remain viable, protect public health and the environment, and build for the future.
Bringing Resources Home
I believe one of my most important responsibilities as your representative is making sure District 56 gets its fair share of state resources. That means showing up.
It means sitting down with mayors, county commissioners, school leaders, farmers, business owners, irrigation districts, healthcare providers, and community members.
It means learning what our communities actually need—and then taking those needs to Salem and fighting to get results.
And sometimes it means working with people who don't share my political views to accomplish something good for our communities.
That is how I approach my job.
There is still much more work to do. District 56 deserves a representative who will continue to show up, build relationships, work across the aisle when necessary, and fight for the investments our communities need.
I will keep bringing your voice to Salem—and bringing Oregon's resources back home.
-Emily McIntire
