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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
It’s hard to believe that we are towards the end of April. This week has felt heavy as Senator Aaron Woods passed away this weekend surrounded by his family. We are so thankful for his service, as he continued to serve the people of Oregon up until he was physically unable to do so.
We had the opportunity to meet Senator Woods' family yesterday and express our condolences. If you would like to watch the Senate floor honoring Senator Woods, you can watch it here.
Below please find an update on the bills we passed this week and our upcoming events including a Town Hall in Bend with Attorney General Dan Rayfield and the final Ways and Means Roadshow tonight at 5 p.m. in Klamath Falls.
Warmly,
The Children’s Agenda
Rep. Levy was invited to speak at Our Children Oregon’s monthly Children’s Agenda meeting, to give session updates and discuss how advocacy can make an impact during these last few months of session. Our Children Oregon is an organization that safeguards the next generation of young people by bringing together advocates, policymakers, and communities to develop and advocate for a shared agenda prioritizing the essential needs of Oregon children and their families, so that all children thrive.
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Championing Survivors of Domestic Violence
On Tuesday evening, the Oregon House unanimously passed HB 2975A, which restores the courts’ ability to impose separate sentences for distinct acts of violence, such as strangulation and assault, committed in the context of domestic violence. Under current law, a defendant who strangles and punches their intimate partner in the same incident may receive only a single conviction and a lighter sentence than if those same crimes were committed against a stranger. Representative Levy is a proud sponsor of this legislation, which makes clear that “domestic violence” isn’t a part of the crime itself, allowing judges to give separate sentences for each charge, just like they would in non-domestic cases.
Protecting Beavers on Public Lands
HB 3932, passed this week in the House, will close recreational and commercial beaver trapping on impaired waterways within state and federal land in Oregon. This legislation supports beavers’ natural ability to improve water quality, by retaining beavers where they are and encouraging their dispersal to creeks and streams where they can perform their ecological functions. Studies show that beaver dam complexes can address water quality issues because their dams and ponds slow flowing water, which allows pollutants to settle out, thereby improving water quality. Beavers’ instinctive behavior also benefits Oregon landscapes by recharging groundwater, slowing wildfire, and creating habitat for fish and wildlife.
A 2024 report by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife showed that only 4 percent of beaver harvest takes place on public lands. Most recreational trapping in Oregon occurs on private lands, which will not be affected by HB 3932. Central Oregon knows firsthand the challenges of water scarcity and wildfire risk. By protecting beavers where they do the most good, we’re investing in natural solutions that support clean water, healthy forests, and more resilient communities. This bill is a practical step forward that honors the stewardship of our shared public lands.
2025 Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package
The fundamental safety of Oregon’s transportation systems is at risk due to unstable and insufficient funding. We need urgent action this legislative session to keep Oregonians safe on our roads. This year, a main focus of the 2025 Legislative Session is a transportation framework that modernizes our transportation funding, and invests in safe, multimodal transportation options. Currently, the primary way that Oregon pays for its transportation systems is through the fuels tax. Due to the rise of EVs and more fuel efficient vehicles, we have seen a decrease in the fuel tax income. The funding framework for our roads, our bridges, and our public transportation needs to be updated to reflect the modern times we live in.
The transportation package that will come out of this legislative session is still evolving, and we’d like to hear your input. Hearing from you will help me advocate for our region. In 2024, the Joint Transportation Committee went on a statewide road show, making stops in 12 different cities, to hear from local officials and community members about what they would like to see in the package. Our office was at the Central Oregon stop, and we discussed how our needs are far different from the needs west of the Cascades.
The upcoming funding framework includes changing the revenue structure around electric vehicles and delivery fleets. Revenue will go directly to maintenance at the city, county, and state level. The Legislature is looking for ways to bring down costs within the Oregon Department of Transportation to help support the key initiatives in the framework. These dollars from the gas tax, EVs and fleets go to maintenance of the roads, like plowing our snowy roads and the pass.
Bend Town Hall with Attorney General Dan Rayfield
Join me and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with Representative Kropf and Senator Broadman, for a federal oversight forum in Bend. The event will feature a panel discussing the impact of federal funding cuts on various communities in Oregon, including food assistance, public health, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and federal workers. It will also include an open forum for community members to share their experiences and ask questions.
Where: OSU Cascades Campus, Edward J. Ray Hall - Atrium
When: May 3rd at 9:30am - 11am
Click this link to RSVP!
Joint Ways & Means Is Hitting the Road — Final Stop!
We’re now at the last stop of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ statewide budget hearings, and I’m committed to making sure our district's needs are heard as Oregon shapes its 2025-2027 biennial budget.
This committee, which oversees the state’s budget process, is holding six community hearings across Oregon—and I’ll be there to listen to you. These hearings are your chance to share what matters most—whether it’s funding for schools, roads, health care, or other critical services.
With limited resources and uncertainty due to federal actions, your input is more important than ever in guiding the tough decisions ahead. Here are the details for this evening:
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Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
If you can’t attend, feel free to email me your budget priorities anytime.
I look forward to hearing from you and working together to make sure our priorities are reflected in the state budget.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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