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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
We are now into the last two months of the 2025 session, when most of the Senate bills that are moving are on the floor for consideration, or have already moved over to the House, and vice versa. We paused our work for a day to spend time remembering Senator Aaron Woods, who died recently from cancer– a great loss for his family and friends, and for the people of Oregon. In the next week or two, the County Commissioners from the counties in which his district lay will appoint a successor to finish the balance of his term. In the meantime, the work continues.
Our office is working hard to support work on affordability and access to healthcare, housing, and food. I recently had the opportunity to join Representatives Andersen and Munoz on a tour of the proposed expansion of the Marion Polk Food Share, where the demand for food is greater than ever. We welcomed the Technical and Regional Universities, including President Jesse Peters from Western Oregon University, for TRU days. I met with representatives from the Governor’s office on housing needs in Monmouth and Independence, both of which, like Salem, are very desirable communities in which to live. I was honored to address the statewide gathering of the American Association of University Women about the Legislative Session and issues facing Oregon. I met with a number of advocates on a wide variety of issues related to pending proposed legislation or funding requests. We were honored to be able to recognize community leader Britta Franz on the floor of the Senate on April 29th, and it was good to see many constituents in the building advocating for issues of importance.
I also believe it is important to speak up about what we see happening in our nation’s Capitol, and how it affects Oregonians. Earlier, I had spoken on cuts to federal services. Another time I addressed human rights concerns. This week, I rose on the Senate floor to speak about the need to call for trade policy that benefits companies and consumers alike. You can watch that here.
Please stay in touch. It is good to see you in our office, in the Senate gallery, and in the community--whether at meetings, in stores and businesses, or at other gatherings. It is an honor to serve and work on the issues facing Oregon with you.
Best regards,
Deb
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Western Oregon University Becomes Oregon's First Public, Four-Year Hispanic-Serving Institution
I am excited to share that Western Oregon University is now the first public, four-year university in Oregon to have Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) eligibility--as they now have around 25% undergraduate Hispanic full-time student enrollment. This is great news knowing that District-10 has been the first of many other Oregon universities, receiving this recognition, to come. Click here to learn more.
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Understanding Local Transportation Needs
As you may know, the Legislature is developing a transportation package this session, focused on safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transit. As part of this conversation, I have been reaching out to local government partners to better understand the transportation needs in our district, and I would like to share with you a little of what I have been learning so far.
In Salem, there is a high concentration of major arterial roads that are heavily traveled and in need of maintenance. Funding for road maintenance often falls short of the need, and the number of Salem streets in Poor condition has more than tripled since 2019. City leaders also need funding for slide wire installation on South River Road in South Salem, where rocks frequently slide from the cliff and block traffic on both the street and the adjacent railroad.
As the legislative session progresses, I am eager to ensure this year’s transportation’s package prioritizes the needs of Oregonians. Thank you to those who continue to engage in these conversations with me.
Mid-session Progress
As a State Senator, my most important goal is making life better for Oregonians. As we just crossed the halfway point in the legislative session, Senate Democrats have momentum on easing family budgets, improving access to health care, driving down the cost of housing and defending the rights of Oregonians. As the sessions continues, I remain committed to making Oregon the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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