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Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
We are officially into the second half of the 2025 legislative session! The first few months have been packed with powerful public testimony, passionate debates on the floors of the House and Senate, and lots of good policy moving out of our committees. I want to thank every legislator and staffer from both parties for their dedication to their constituents, and all the advocates and members of the public who have made their voices heard on the issues that are most important to them. And the biggest thank you to the professional staff throughout the building who make all of our work possible.
A record 3,425 bills have so far been introduced this session on issues that impact all four corners of Oregon. Approximately 176 have passed the Senate so far, including:
House Bill 2007: Invests in summer classes for students focused on reading, using proven teaching methods with special supports for students in need of extra help.
Senate Bill 1016: Bans the use of trash bags for transporting foster kids' personal belonging during a move.
Senate Bill 951: Closes a loophole so licensed medical professionals are in control of their clinics to ensure that patient health comes before corporate profit.
Senate Bill 957: Bans the use of noncompetition agreements for most licensed health providers, improving the public's access to physicians.
Senate Bill 1098: Protects Oregon's schools and libraries from groups outside the school seeking to ban books.
Senate Bill 599: Prohibits housing discrimination in rental applications based on immigration status.
Senate Bill 916: Levels the playing field for workers in employment negotiations by permitting striking workers to seek unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period.
I'm particularly proud that the vast majority of the bills we have passed so far have moved forward with bipartisan support, as was the case in 2023 and 2024.
However, the avalanche of bills introduced has made this legislative session more challenging all around and spurred House Speaker Julie Fahey to introduced legislation that would improve transparency by limiting the number of bills that can be introduced each year. I was proud to sign on as a co-chief sponsor.
Despite all the work we've done, there are some really big conversations on the horizon as we look toward the second half of the 2025 session.
First and foremost is delivering a transportation package this session that will keep Oregonians safe on our roads, bridges and transit systems now and for years to come.
The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation have released their framework for the Oregon Transportation ReInvestment Package, informed by 13 statewide tour stops last summer and countless hours of workgroup and public meetings. It is a strong starting point for continued conversations with legislators, stakeholders, and the public on how we can provide cities, counties and the state with stable funding to create better and safer transportation systems in Oregon.
I'm looking forward to these conversations and would encourage everyone to make their voices heard.
We also must deliver the Legislature's one constitutional duty: a balanced statewide budget. Even in a normal budget cycle, the state does not have enough funds to support every worthy project or program. But in this budget cycle — with the president's tariffs sparking a trade war and increasing fears of a global recession — we must focus on protecting core services and getting the most out of every dollar.
Case in point: The Ways and Means co-chairs budget framework fully funds K-12 schools at $11.4 billion, but does so pending the approval of certain accountability measures to make sure our students are getting a high quality education.
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I've made it a priority to travel with members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for community budget hearings over the past month to listen to Oregonians about their budget priorities. I've visited East Multnomah County, the Coast, Warm Springs, and La Grande for public hearings and then touring the community with my fellow legislators.
Many folks had similar needs: funding for housing production, public education, infrastructure improvements, wildfire prevention, public safety, and nutritional support. It was a sobering reminder of the role the state must play in supporting as many communities across the state as possible as we tackle our most pressing challenges.
The final community budget hearing is happening next week in Klamath Falls, details below:
Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Members of the public can register to testify here
 It was amazing to be a part of the first budget hearing on tribal lands since these hearings started in 2005.
 Wherever we hold our Ways and Means community budget hearings, the room is always full.
 We had a packed house and dais in Gresham with more than 600 people in attendance.
I will be joining my friends Rep. Daniel Nguyen and Rep. Jules Walters for a mid-session town hall tonight, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Tualatin Public Library (18878 SW Martinazzi Avenue).
These community events are a great opportunity for us to hear directly from residents in our districts about the issues you care about. Please bring your questions and we'll be sure to have a wide-ranging and interesting conversations about the issues impacting Oregon today.
Clackamas Women's Services
It was great to take some time recently to meet with the folks at Clackamas Women's Services about how the state can better support survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
State funding is always a big piece, of course, but education is incredibly important as well. The Senate recently passed SB 710, which requires the establishment of continuing education requirements for Oregon judges, which must include education related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
CWS does incredible work in schools and at their shelter to support women and children who are victims of interpersonal violence and it was a pleasure to spend time with them in Salem.
 My door is always open to constituents who want to improve our community together, like CWS.
Portland Community College
Before I came to the Legislature I spent a large portion of my career at Portland Community College. So, it is always a treat when my former school visits the Capitol and I can take a few minutes to meet with them in the Senate President's Office.
These leaders were here to advocate on behalf of student needs and the health of the community college system in Oregon. I am a huge supporter of community colleges and the opportunities they provide to Oregonians across the state. We all benefit when people have access to an education and are able to get training for a career they are passionate about. I am committed to establishing career and educational pathways that all Oregonians can access and community colleges are a key piece of achieving that goal.
 It's a good day when the blue PCC shirts are running around the Capitol building.
The Oregonian: Oregon bill would restrict rent increases at manufactured home parks, marinas
Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a bill to tighten the cap on annual rent increases in many manufactured home parks and floating homes in marinas.
KATU: Oregon lawmakers push for transparency with bill limit proposal
A bipartisan group of Oregon legislators has introduced House Bill 2006, aiming to streamline the legislative process by limiting the number of bills introduced each session.
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Bills to help Oregon schools fund years of summer learning await governor’s signature
Oregon schools will soon have something they’ve never had before: more than a year to plan for summer school with the promise of consistent funding from the state Legislature. But it comes with one condition: The money should be spent on programs that get students reading and writing at grade level.
OPB: Tariffs will do lasting damage to Oregon’s trade relationships, businesses tell governor
Portland clothing retailer Wildfang was waiting for a shipment from China to land in the U.S. this month when President Donald Trump levied a more than 100% import tax on the close trade partner.
Luckily, Wildfang’s shipment made it to Long Beach, California, less than two days before the tariff went into effect. CEO Emma Mcilroy said the company was facing $178,000 in import taxes.
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
If you would like to contact the Senate President's Office, send an email or call and either myself or a staff member will assist you. If you are a constituent coming to Salem and want to arrange a meeting, I'm always happy to meet, so please let us know well in advance as my schedule fills up quickly.
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov
phone: 503-986-1600
address: 900 Court St NE, S-201, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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