Recap from One of My Favorite Town Halls & My 2025 Focus
Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 01/29/2025 11:12 AM PST
Dear friends and neighbors,
Hello everyone! My colleagues and I have been busy launching the 2025 legislative session, setting the stage for what promises to be an impactful year. As we dive into our work, I’m incredibly optimistic about the opportunities to deliver meaningful outcomes for Oregonians. I know there is a lot of uncertainty and confusion following recent executive orders – my office is monitoring those actions closely and working with legislative leaders on responding when appropriate. My primary focus is on addressing the most pressing issues facing our state.
This session, I am proud to chair the House Rules Committee, a unique committee focused on elections, ethics, transparency, and the critical components of good governance. I’m most excited to use this forum to continue my work on government oversight, accountability, and effectiveness. Over the past several months, I’ve worked on a bipartisan basis to build momentum for this work (more on this below!), and I look forward to what we can accomplish together.
I’m also honored to serve on the full Joint Ways and Means Committee, the legislature’s budget-writing committee. This is where we make decisions on how to allocate state resources, and the work we do will have a profound impact on the lives of Oregonians. It’s a privilege to serve in this role.
In the News
We have some cool stuff happening here at the Capitol, and some of it has been covered in the news. Here are a few articles I want to share with you about the work we’re doing ahead of the session:
- KOIN 6 News Interview
I had the opportunity to join Ken Boddie in studio at KOIN 6 News alongside Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama. This was my first time in a TV studio, so I was a little nervous—but I prepared thoroughly and felt pretty good about how it went! Senate Majority Leader Jama and I discussed housing, climate, transportation, and the importance of working collaboratively to solve Oregon’s challenges. Watch the interview here.
- Oversight and Accountability in Focus
Long-time Oregon political reporter Dick Hughes wrote a piece about the legislature’s focus on oversight and accountability this session. I’m proud to have played a leading role in elevating this issue, working alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues: Representatives Kim Wallan, Emily McIntire, and Mark Owens from the Republican side, and Representatives David Gomberg and Nathan Sosa from the Democratic side. Some of this work will involve legislation, but some of it will be about finding creative ways to make government work more effectively. Read the article here.
- A Bill I Want to Highlight
Shoutout to my colleague, Representative Pam Marsh, for her leadership in fighting back against junk fees. These hidden fees from large corporations are not only confusing but exploitative. This Willamette Week article outlines how this bill will protect consumers and ensure greater transparency in pricing. It’s a great example of standing up for working people against unfair practices. I’m proud to be a Chief Sponsors alongside Rep. Marsh. Read the bill here.
Town Hall with Rep. Neron
Last weekend, I co-hosted a town hall with Representative Courtney Neron, and it was one of my favorite town halls since becoming a representative. You’re never quite sure how many people will show up to a constituent event—sometimes five, sometimes fifty—but we had a full house with constituents from both of our districts.
We had really interesting and constructive questions, some of which were challenging, but all of which were engaging. One of the things we talked about was how to engage with the legislature during session. Here’s a resource from the League of Oregon Cities on how to use OLIS, the Oregon Legislative information system. OLIS is the best way to track when bills are moving, when they’re up for a hearing, and submit testimony to let legislators know your opinions. If you have any questions on how to use this tool, please contact my office. We’d be more than happy to assist you.
A full house joined me and Rep. Neron at the King City Civic Association for a pre-session town hall.
WEA Reception
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining my Washington County colleagues for a panel discussion hosted by the Westside Economic Alliance. This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with local leaders, business owners, and community members on some of the most pressing issues facing our region.
We covered a wide range of topics, including the need for strategic investments in economic development, the importance of improving our transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and increase access, and ways to strengthen workforce development programs to ensure Oregonians are prepared for the jobs of the future
I want to thank the Westside Economic Alliance for hosting the event and my colleagues for joining me in a robust and meaningful conversation. If you're interested in learning more about the WEA's work or sharing your thoughts on these issues, don't hesitate to reach out to my office.
My colleagues and I at the Westside Economic Alliance Reception.
A Note on the New Administration
At the town hall and in conversations with constituents, many have expressed questions and concerns about the new Trump Administration. These concerns are valid (the episode this week where Medicaid, Head Start, and other funding was briefly “turned off” is embarrassing and unacceptable).
Here’s how I’m thinking about this right now: we can’t predict exactly what President Trump and his administration will do. As widely noted, he has a track record of making statements he later changes or doesn’t act on. What we do know is that State Attorneys General (and other interested parties) had a stellar track record in the previous Trump Administration at stopping unconstitutional programs. That has already begun.
In Oregon, AG Rayfield joined other states in challenging President Trump’s executive order to unilaterally revoke birthright citizenship—a move that is, in my view, both blatantly unconstitutional and fundamentally wrong. In the state legislature, we will continue to stand up for Oregonians, working to protect their basic rights and freedoms at every opportunity.
That being said, and as I mentioned at the town hall, I do not believe that spending the next two or four years responding to half baked ideas and tweets is a productive use of our time. While we will respond when necessary, my priority is to remain focused on the legislative agenda that delivers for Oregonians.
Delivering for Oregonians
As majority leader, one of my jobs is helping facilitate the development of a caucus agenda that represents the interests and goals of the 36 House Democrats. I’m really proud of the work product we developed.
Our 2025 House Democratic Caucus Agenda is focused on:
- Fighting for an Affordable Oregon
- Making Government Work
- Keeping Oregonians Safe
- Protecting Basic Rights and Freedoms
- Delivering a Roadmap Forward:
In addition to these shared priorities, I’m focused on several personal legislative priorities, which you’ll hear a lot about in the coming months on this newsletter
- Advancing the Corporate Practice of Medicine bill to make sure physicians – not corporate board rooms – are in charge of patient care, and lower cost for patients
- Fighting back against "junk fees" used to jack up the price of concert and event tickets
- Expanding Vision to Learn, ensuring kids have the glasses they need to succeed in school
- Creating the Oregon Exchange Project
- Fighting for labor rights and protections for working people:
The Agenda for House Democrats in 2025
As always, thank you for your engagement and support. If you have questions or ideas, my office is here to listen.
Thanks for reading,
Ben Bowman
Oregon State Representative
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