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Senate District 24 rests on the traditional ancestral lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Cowlitz bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. As a former refugee from Africa who now resides on this stolen land, I pledge to share in the struggle and fight for Native sovereignty, decolonization, and collective liberation alongside our Indigenous communities.
Senator Kayse Jama
Salaam Friends,
The 2025 session is well underway, and we recently reached our first two deadlines: March 21st for submitting a bill and April 9th for bills passing out of their first chamber (either the House or Senate) policy committees. I encourage you to keep an eye on bills that are important to you as we transition into the second half of our Legislative Session.
While the federal government continues to violate civil rights and defund critical programs, I’m working with my colleagues to ensure that Oregon protects vulnerable communities and challenges unconstitutional orders in court. You can read more about ongoing lawsuits by the Attorney General’s office here and the 2025 Senate Democrats’ legislative agenda on this page.
Keep reading for updates on bills that recently passed the Senate and an opportunity to engage with my office at our upcoming May 1st Town Hall.
Bill Spotlight
Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers
In March, the Senate passed SB 916, which would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits. I voted yes on this bill because I believe it will level the playing field between workers and employers and allow employees to exercise their right to strike. Union workers build our roads, run our schools, and provide public safety services. They support us every day, and this bill is our opportunity to support them. Despite concerns about how this may impact taxes, nonpartisan analysis estimated that SB 916 would increase overall employment taxes by less than 1%.
SB 916 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Better Care at Lower Costs - Corporate Practice of Medicine
Oregon has made tremendous progress toward expanding healthcare coverage, with a historically high 97% of Oregonians having health insurance. However, issues in affordable healthcare access still remain in our medical system. Just this week, the Senate passed SB 951 to prevent profit-driven investors from running clinics and running up costs.
Doctors take an oath to put care for patients first which sometimes means spending more than 15 minutes with a patient. It can also mean hiring more staff or taking time to research treatment options. When corporate investors control a clinic, they limit health professionals’ ability to provide quality care by deciding how much money is spent on care, what staffing levels should be, how much time should be spent with each patient, and what prices for different medical services or procedures should be. SB 951 will keep the medical professionals in charge of their own practices so they can maintain a balance between financial realities and excellent patient care.
SB 149: Supporting Newly Arrived Oregonians
Folks who arrive in Oregon seeking asylum face tremendous barriers, often struggling with homelessness and hunger while navigating a complex legal system. This week, SB 149, which will strengthen and expand case management services for migrants and asylum seekers in our state, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously and is one step further along in the legislative process. SB 149 ensures that our new neighbors can access basic resources like housing, employment, and legal services. Given the threats our immigrant and refugee communities are facing from the federal government, it’s imperative we invest in these supports and keep Oregon a welcoming place for all.
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Testifying in Support of SB 149 in Committee
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2025-27 Oregon Budget Framework
One of the most important jobs we have as lawmakers is to set a balanced budget for the next two years. This budget outlines how the state intends to fund key programs and services. Fortunately, the 2025-2027 Oregon budget framework is able to maintain funding for existing programs, including fully funding the governor’s request for $11.4 billion into the State School Fund for K-12 education. However, potential federal budget cuts loom large, which would mean that some services and programs could face cuts. The budget committee’s co-chairs are considering these possibilities and working to protect core services while also allowing for flexibility.
Input from Oregonians matters, and Oregon’s legislators want to hear your opinions, insights, and priorities for our budget. There are two remaining community budget hearings across the state so as many people as possible can participate in these crucial conversations. You can also submit written testimony if you are unable to attend in-person or virtually.
Salem, Statewide VIRTUAL Testimony | Wednesday, April 16 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Oregon State Capitol Building, Hearing Room F
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Register to testify here
Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Register to testify here
Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, May 1st
I will be co-facilitating a virtual town hall with the offices of Representatives Andrea Valderrama and Representative Hoa Nguyen on Thursday, May 1st from 5:30-7:00 PM. We will also have Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, joining us for this conversation. This will be an opportunity to hear updates from us and ask any questions you may have. Please RSVP to attend by filling out this form.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Media Spotlight
With everything going on at the national level, reading the news every day can be overwhelming. If you are experiencing “News Fatigue”, you are not alone. As we’re constantly bombarded with difficult stories, it can be tempting to tune out the news altogether. While I understand and sometimes share this temptation, I believe a well-informed citizenry is crucial to a healthy democracy. I encourage everyone to find a balance between taking care of themselves and staying informed.
In our current media ecosystem, it’s especially important to support local journalists and platforms that uphold integrity, report on facts and evidence, practice transparency, and sometimes share difficult truths. I encourage you to check out these articles that feature some of the work I’m doing this session: a piece about my rideshare driver protections bill and a story on SB 476, which would allow internationally trained professionals to practice medicine more easily here in Oregon. I also recently published an opinion piece in the Portland Tribune on how Oregon is putting problem-solving first amidst the mayhem coming from the Trump administration.
We’re over halfway through the session, and there’s still work to be done. I’ve been particularly impressed by the level of public engagement this year. In my five years serving as a state Senator, I can’t remember a year where I’ve received more emails, phone calls, or in-person visits from constituents. Please continue to reach out to my office and advocate for your needs; I’ll be there to ensure your voice is heard and your priorities are fought for.
In solidarity,
Senator Kayse Jama
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/jama
Instagram: @SenatorKayseJama
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