Halfway Through, All In for Oregon

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 04/25/2025 11:41 AM PDT

April 25, 2025

Over Halfway There and We're Not Letting Up!

Your Senate Republicans are working every day to bring your voice to Salem. Here’s what that looks like in action.

Top Left: Senator Todd Nash. Top Right: Senator Diane Linthicum. Bottom Left: Senator Kim Thatcher. Bottom Right: Senator Bruce Starr.

Top Left: Senator Mike McLane. Top Right: Senator Fred Girod. Bottom Left: Senator Noah Robinson. Bottom Right: Senator Dick Anderson.

Top Left: Senator Daniel Bonham. Top Right: Senator Cedric Hayden. Bottom Left: Senator David Brock Smith. Bottom Right: Senator Suzanne Weber.

Earth Day Is a Reminder of What Makes Oregon Worth Fighting For

Earth Day, which we observed this past Tuesday, is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder of just how lucky we are to call Oregon home. The natural beauty that surrounds us and the hardworking people who live here are all worth protecting—not just on Earth Day, but every single day.

We often talk about the challenges Oregon faces under the current leadership—declining livability, mismanagement of resources, and policies that push families and businesses out. But Earth Day reminds us why we speak out, why we show up, and why we stay and fight. Because despite the direction the state has been heading, Oregon is still worth saving—and it's always been worth remembering.

Oregon’s heart has always been in its natural resources, and this 1951 film from the U.S. Department of the Interior reminds us of that pride. If you’ve got 30 minutes, take a trip back in time and watch this inspiring film—it’s a powerful reminder of what made Oregon great. Watch the video below.

Tax Day: Oregon’s Burden Is Too Heavy

April 15th marked Tax Day, and for countless Oregonians, it was anything but a celebration. It was a reminder of how much Oregonians are being asked to give, and how little they’re getting in return from Salem. While working families, small businesses, and retirees are already feeling the pressure, Democrats are actively pushing to make things worse.

Senate Republicans have introduced dozens of bills to provide meaningful tax relief—from lowering the estate tax and reducing the corporate activity tax burden on small businesses, to cutting property taxes for seniors. Our goal is simple: let Oregonians keep more of what they earn and reduce the financial stress on those who make our state run.

Democrats, on the other hand, are proposing a wave of tax increases that would hit nearly every Oregonian:

End the Kicker tax refund, stripping away one of the only checks left on runaway state spending. (SJR 15)
Increase property taxes by 3% every year automatically. (SB 712)
Let local governments raise fuel taxes without voter approval. (SB 687)
Raise the gas tax by 50%, from 40 cents to 60 cents per gallon, despite Oregon already having the 4th highest gas prices in the nation.
And yes, they’re even proposing an 8% tax hike on beer, wine, and cider, because apparently no part of Oregon life should go untaxed. (HB 3197)

On the Senate floor, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham delivered a powerful speech outlining just how dire the situation has become. Businesses are leaving. Jobs are disappearing. And the very people who make Oregon thrive are being driven out by policies that punish productivity and discourage opportunity. Watch the video below.

Senator Dick Anderson also rose to speak on behalf of those being crushed by rising costs and shrinking paychecks. His speech highlighted the harsh reality for working families, single parents, and retirees, calling for meaningful tax reform that starts by eliminating income taxes for Oregonians living at or below 120% of the state median income. His proposal, Senate Bill 1081, puts people first—because trusting Oregonians to spend their own money is better than sending more to an inefficient system in Salem. Watch the video below.

Tax Day should be a reminder that YOU are taxed enough already. It's time for state leaders to stop adding burdens and start delivering relief. Our Caucus believes it's time to relieve the pressure, reward hard work, and let families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs keep more of what they earn.

Republican Wins This Week

This week, Senate Republicans scored three major victories for Oregon students and rural communities:

Repealing the Wildfire Hazard Map (SB 83) – This bill, a major win for rural Oregonians, would repeal the controversial wildfire hazard map that burdened over 100,000 property owners with costly mandates and excessive regulations. It empowers local communities to focus on practical wildfire prevention like forest thinning, defensible space, and wildfire readiness programs. The Senate passed SB 83 unanimously (29-0).

Read the press release here.

College Credit for Ag and Natural Resource Careers (SB 784) - Sen. Todd Nash's bill allows high school students to earn college credit while training for careers in agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. It’s a major step forward for workforce development and career technical education, especially in rural Oregon. With overwhelming Senate support, this bill opens doors for the next generation of leaders in industries that power our state’s economy.

Read the press release here.

Walla Walla Water Rights (SB 761) - Sen. Todd Nash's bill promotes long-term sustainability in the Walla Walla basin by strengthening local water rights and supporting infrastructure projects that benefit both farmers and fishers. Developed with input from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and regional leaders, the bill balances the needs of agriculture, tribal communities, and the environment—ensuring this vital water supply remains viable for future generations.

Read the press release here.

These bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration. If passed by the House, they will then go to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. These wins are proof that when Republicans lead, we get results that strengthen communities, support working families, and put Oregonians first. We’ll keep fighting every day to deliver common-sense solutions that make a real difference in your life.

Other Good Bills the Senate Will Vote on Soon

Speeding Up Housing (SB 974) – Led by Sen. Dick Anderson, this bipartisan bill cuts red tape that slows down housing construction inside Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundaries. By streamlining land use reviews, utility approvals, and final design sign-offs, SB 974 can reduce housing approval timelines from years to months—making it faster and more affordable to get homes built where they’re needed most.

Pointing Fingers Instead of Fixing Problems

It’s telling that the Senate Democratic Leader’s recent op-ed in the Portland Tribune devotes more time to Donald Trump and Elon Musk than to addressing the real, worsening problems right here in Oregon.

Just a few days ago, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham stood on the Senate floor after listening to Democrats go on and on about Washington, D.C. and reminded them where they are. This isn’t Congress. It’s not the White House. This is Salem, Oregon—and lawmakers were sent here to fix the mess Oregonians are living in every single day.

Democrats claim they’re focused on “problem-solving,” but under their one-party control, Oregon has fallen deeper into homelessness, addiction, rising crime, failing schools, and skyrocketing housing costs. Portland has become a cautionary tale—not a model—and its policies are dragging down the rest of the state.

Instead of blaming federal figures for local failures, Oregon Democrats need to take a hard look in the mirror. They’ve held power for decades. If their approach worked, the state wouldn’t be in decline.

Oregonians aren’t asking for more D.C.-style political theater. They want real solutions. They want good schools, clean and secure neighborhoods, and a chance to thrive without rising costs and government overreach.

The Oregon Senate Republican Caucus will continue pushing for accountability, common sense, and putting the needs of Oregonians first—because while Democrats point fingers, it’s the people of Oregon who are paying the price.

Portland’s Economy Is in Crisis. It’s No Accident

Portland’s economic struggles didn’t happen by chance—they’re the result of years of failed policies and unchecked decisions from Democrat-led leadership in both the city and the state.

On April 22nd, the Senate Committee on Labor and Business held a critical informational hearing on the Portland metro economy. Expert testimony from Dr. Michael Wilkerson (ECOnorthwest), Carl Riccadonna (Chief Economist, DAS), and Chris Allanach (Legislative Revenue Officer) painted a stark picture of economic decline:

Portland is facing a regional crisis. Job growth has stagnated, housing development is slowing dramatically, and people are moving out of Multnomah County.
Multnomah County ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for job growth from 2019–2024. In contrast, nearby Clark County, WA is in the top 80%.
Housing permits have plummeted statewide—down 33% in the last two years. Portland’s multifamily permits are at their lowest in over a decade.
Statewide concern: Oregon’s own Chief Economist warned that "demography is destiny." If population stagnation continues, economic decline could follow.

The key message from these economists is clear: economic growth isn’t guaranteed. It requires effective policies that create a favorable environment for business, job creation, and housing development. But after years of Democrat-led decisions, Oregon is facing a serious economic decline.

The time to act is now. It’s clear that the status quo isn’t working, and we must change course before it’s too late.

Watch the full hearing below to see the details of how we got here and why Oregon must take immediate action to turn things around.