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The Oregon Legislature's Water Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of state legislators and staff committed to fostering a secure and resilient water future for all. The Water Caucus recognizes that tackling complex water challenges ​requires focused leadership, innovation, and long-term commitment to learning and working together. Core functions include facilitating learning, convening conversations, promoting informed decision-making, and elevating the priority of water-related policies and investments. The Caucus includes members of diverse backgrounds and is led with balance across the Legislature's House and Senate as well as the state's major political parties. Please see below for more information about the Caucus and related events, news, and resources. 

 
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Representative Ken Helm​​
Ken Helm representative House District 27, including Beaverton and nearby communities. In addition to serving as a Co-Chair of the Water Caucus, he chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. Rep. Helm worked as a land use attorney prior to being elected to public service and, outside of legislative work, he enjoys woodworking and fly fishing.

 
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Representative Mark Owens
Mark Owens represents House District 60, including eastern and southeastern Oregon. In addition to serving as a Co-Chair of the Water Caucus, he serves as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.​ He is a first generation farmer, business owner, and former Harney County Commissioner with firsthand experience helping his community to navigate and collaboratively solve complex water problems. 

 


Senator Kathleen Taylor
Senator Kathleen Taylor represents District 21, including Southeast Portland and the cities of Milwaukie and Oak Grove. In addition to her work with the Water Caucus, she is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor & Business, ensuring fairness and safety in Oregon's workplaces. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Senator Taylor worked as a Management Auditor.

 


Senator Todd Nash
Todd Nash represents Senate District 29, which includes Wallowa, Union, Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman, Wheeler, and most of Wasco and parts of Jefferson, Clackamas and Marion Counties. As a small cattle ranch owner and former Wallowa County Commissioner, Todd brings decades of firsthand experience in the timber, farming, and ranching industries. His leadership and advocacy have consistently focused on supporting natural resource economies, protecting rural communities, and fostering economic growth throughout Oregon.

 
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​Harmony Burright, Chief of Staff
Harmony Burright supports Water Caucus operations and helps keep members connected to each other and to stakeholders working on myriad water-related issues across the state. Harmony brings with her over 20 years of work in water policy and mangement, with expertise in technical facilitation, public participation, and conflict resolution. 

Water Caucus Contact Info
To learn more about the Water Caucus and its work, please contact Harmony Burright at 541-846-8863 or Harmony.Burright@OregonLegislature.gov. You can also subscribe to receive email updates from the Water Caucus​

 

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​Erin Wheeler, Water Caucus Intern

Erin Wheeler is an intern for Oregon’s Water Caucus and is a graduate student in the Water Resources Policy and Management program at Oregon State University. Erin has an Environmental Science and Policy degree from Southern Oregon University and experience in conducting stream quality research, working in wetland restoration, and is interested in the relationship between Pacific Northwest communities and water resources. Erin has worked hard creating a tracker of past water policies and investments to help track progress and increase accountability. 

 


​​Joelle Alley, Water Caucus Intern

Joelle is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Water Resources Policy and Management at Oregon State University. Her research focuses on transboundary groundwater management, with her thesis exploring opportunities for interstate collaboration in the Klamath Basin. She graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Environmental Studies, where she focused on environmental policy, primarily in relation to agriculture and water resources.