Why Oregon Can and Should Be the Model for the Nation

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 11/13/2024 01:05 PM PST

Official Letter Head

Dear friends and neighbors,

If you’re like me, you’re probably still processing the results at the national level. There’s a lot to take in. Since I was elected Majority Leader about eight months ago, I’ve been sort of consumed by the job, the work in the building, and the election.

I’ll probably write a more comprehensive summary in the next few weeks of how I’m interpreting the results, both nationally and locally, and what I think it means for the future. Here are some initial observations:

State legislatures are likely to be among the most important democratic institutions in America (e.g. every time someone says “It’s up to the states!” – that usually means the legislature). The work of state legislatures is always important, but it will be particularly important in this political environment.
Oregon should be the state that lights the path forward. We would be making a mistake if we spend the next four years being exclusively reactive to national politics. Resistance is not enough. My hope is that the legislature will deliver a legislative agenda that makes life better for working people and protects our constitutional rights and basic freedoms.
Finally, Oregonians should stick together. At some point, we either figure out how to work with our colleagues and neighbors with different views, or we let politics further erode our families, our friendships, and our institutions. Partisanship is a choice, not an inevitability.

First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in Tigard, Beaverton, and Metzger for placing your trust in me once again. Being re-elected to the state legislature is an honor and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly (I am typing this from my legislative office at 7:15pm on a Tuesday!), and I’m eager to get back to the work of lawmaking. We’ve got significant challenges and opportunities ahead, but I'm feeling energized and focused.

If you’re in need of some inspiration or perspective on this political moment, a few books I recommend that have impacted my thinking: Democracy: A Case Study by David Moss (this was the “textbook” for one of the best classes I’ve ever taken, called “Democracy in Crisis” taught by the incredible Tom Ehrlich. This is particularly for those worried that these are “unprecedented times”. I’d also recommend The Age of Acrimony by Jon Grinspan, about a comparable period in American history when things went wild – and then got back on track. I just started Democracy Awakening by historian Heather Cox Richardson and so far it’s excellent.

All this to say – my best advice for navigating the next four years is to spend more time reading history than watching the news.

Rejecting Division and Political Violence

I was proud to join state and community leaders from across Oregon in signing a letter that reaffirms our commitment to the democratic process and calls for peaceful, constructive engagement. We urged all Oregonians to participate respectfully, ensuring this election season (and its aftermath) reflects the best of our communities. The strong resurgence we’re seeing in downtown Portland—with growing foot traffic, thriving local businesses, and significant public safety improvements—demonstrates what we can accomplish together. Let’s protect and build on this progress by embracing respectful civic participation and fostering a spirit of inclusivity, compassion, and understanding.

Read our letter and the diverse coalition of people and groups committed to this mission here.

Honoring Veterans Day

Yesterday, on Veterans Day, we honored the men and women who have served our country, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all veterans for their courage and sacrifice. They have given so much to protect our freedoms and continue to inspire us with their resilience every day.

In Oregon, we’re fortunate to have a range of services available to veterans, from health care support to career resources. If you know a veteran in need, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office — we’re here to connect them to these valuable services (truly – this is what we’re here for, and we are more than happy to help).

Next steps on fighting the corporatization of healthcare

Recently, I joined the Oregon Health Forum to address corporate influence in health care, alongside Dr. Nicholas Jones and other experts. The conversation highlighted concerns about how corporate ownership affects patient care, physician autonomy, and costs. Many corporations prioritize profit, sometimes at the expense of patient well-being, while doctors have an ethical duty to prioritize their patients.

My recent bill tackled some aspects of this complex issue but, as loyal readers of this newsletter will recall, faced some stubborn opposition at the last minute in the short session. I’m committed to introducing new legislation in 2025 to protect physician independence, prevent corporate control over medical decisions, and reduce administrative burdens on independent practices. There will be several significant changes from the previous version (all of which will strengthen the bill).