From Fentanyl to Fagan: Exposing the Cost of One-Party Rule

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 05/23/2025 10:18 AM PDT

May 23, 2025

Less Than 40 Days to Go

We’re now in the final stretch of the 2025 Legislative Session—with fewer than 40 days left until constitutional sine die (that’s the fancy term for the deadline to finish our work). As we race toward the finish line, Senate Republicans remain focused on delivering results, demanding accountability, and standing up to one-party control.

Inside this edition:

The latest revenue forecast confirms Oregon is drowning in your tax dollars but starving for leadership.
Democrats push a gun control bill that infringes on your rights without making anyone safer.
Wins worth celebrating: from housing reform to regulatory relief for Oregon’s trucking industry.
A cartel leader ran a fentanyl ring out of Salem—enabled by Oregon’s sanctuary laws.
Former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan walks away with a slap on the wrist.
And a new Democrat power grab you need to know about.

Let’s get into it.

Oregon’s Economy: Drowning in Tax Dollars, Starving for Accountability

The May revenue forecast is out, and once again, it confirms what Oregonians already know: despite the state swimming in your tax dollars, our economy is a mess—thanks to years of failed Democrat policies.

So, what is the revenue forecast? It’s a quarterly update from state economists on how much tax money Oregon expects to collect. This one mattered more than most—it’s the final forecast before lawmakers write the state’s next two-year budget.

Here’s the headline: Oregon is now expecting $755 million less in revenue for the 2025–27 budget cycle than projected just three months ago.

But don’t be fooled—the state is still on track to collect record-high revenue. That’s a 12% increase compared to the last budget cycle. Oregon is drowning in your tax dollars. It’s everyday Oregonians who are struggling.

So what did Democrats do in response? They pointed fingers at Donald Trump and trade tariffs—seriously. Their press releases read like a D.C. blame game. But the truth is, this mess started long before 2025. It’s the result of years of one-party control and anti-growth policies that have crippled opportunity across the state.

Take this comment from Democrat Rep. Jules Walters, who said Oregon is “better prepared than most” thanks to decades of Democrat leadership.

If this is what she calls “prepared,” here’s what she’s apparently proud of:

More than half of Oregonians can’t afford their cost of living
Oregon ranks 48th in the nation for business friendliness
We have the 2nd tightest housing market in the country
The state is in the midst of a manufacturing recession

This isn’t preparedness—it’s economic failure.

Oregon families are being crushed by high costs, vanishing job opportunities, and a housing crisis the majority party has only made worse. While Democrat politicians try to spin the narrative and blame D.C., the reality is that their leadership has left Oregonians “prepared” for one thing—to leave.

As Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham put it in our press release:

"Oregon’s anti-business climate, high taxes, and housing restrictions—especially over the last six years with the hidden sales tax and Portland’s layered income-based taxes—are strangling opportunity. It’s time to stop blaming D.C. and start fixing what Democrats broke here at home. Oregon’s problem isn’t a lack of money. It’s a lack of leadership.”

It wasn't trump: the truth about Oregon's economic mess

Democrats Push Forward Gun Control Bill That Infringes on 2nd Amendment, Won't Stop Crime

Democrats in the Senate are moving forward with Senate Bill 243, an unnecessary and overreaching attempt to infringe on your Second Amendment rights. SB 243 would turn responsible Oregon gun owners into criminals simply for possessing bump stocks they already legally purchased. While the bill claims to address public safety, there’s no data showing that banning these devices actually reduces gun violence.

SB 243 goes even further by restricting where licensed concealed handgun holders can carry.

Under this bill, law-abiding citizens would be prohibited from carrying in certain government buildings—leaving themselves and those around them more vulnerable to criminals. There is no evidence that concealed handgun license holders pose a risk to public safety. On the contrary, there are well-documented instances where responsible gun owners have stepped in to stop violence and save lives.

An article in The Oregonian highlighted concerns raised by Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) and Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) during a recent hearing:

There is no evidence to suggest this bill will make anyone safer—it may very well do the opposite. As SB 243 heads to the Senate floor, now is the time to speak up. Call or write Senate Democrats and urge them to vote NO on SB 243.

Wins In Recent Weeks

DEQ Pauses Advanced Clean Trucks Rule – Oregon DEQ has officially paused enforcement of its Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which would have required truck manufacturers to sell more electric trucks each year—starting now. This is a major course correction and a big relief for the many Oregonians who keep our economy moving.
For the heavy-duty trucks that deliver goods across our state, electric models are too expensive, can’t go far enough on a single charge, and don’t hold up well for long hauls. Manufacturers were starting to limit diesel truck sales just to avoid penalties, making it harder and more expensive for Oregon businesses to get the trucks they actually need.
Republicans—like Representative Shelly Boshart Davis—have been sounding the alarm for months. Thanks to their efforts, Oregon is pressing pause on a mandate that would’ve hurt small businesses, disrupted supply chains, and put jobs at risk.

Republican Bill Speeding Up Housing Passes Senate (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 just months—making it faster and easier to get homes built where they’re needed most. The Senate passed SB 974 unanimously (29-0).

Read the press release here.

Republican Bill Giving Tax Relief to Small Forestland Owners Passes Senate (SB 485) – Led by Sen. David Brock Smith, this bipartisan bill helps small forestland owners by streamlining the qualification process for Oregon’s natural resource estate tax exemption. SB 485 A ensures that families who manage forests, farms, or fishing operations can more easily pass on their land to future generations. The Senate passed SB 485 A unanimously (29-0).

Read the press release here.

Oregon's Sanctuary Laws Allowed a Cartel Leader to Run Drug Ring from Salem, Oregon

Two weeks ago, federal law enforcement under United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the largest fentanyl bust in U.S. history. They seized 409 kilos of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilos of fentanyl powder, 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 35 kilos of meth, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, $5 million in cash, and 49 rifles and pistols. The ringleader behind the entire operation? He wasn’t hiding in some remote part of the country. He was living right here in Salem.

Bondi announces one of largest fentanyl seizures in US history

Oregon’s sanctuary state laws and failed policies such as Measure 110, which decriminalized all drugs in 2020, make it easier for drug traffickers to bring deadly substances like fentanyl into our communities without fear of real consequences. Oregon has become a safe haven—not for families, but for cartels.

While Governor Tina Kotek, the Attorney General Dan Rayfield, and legislative Democrats spend their time obsessing over Donald Trump and D.C. politics, Senate Republicans have been focused on solutions to end the policies in Oregon that protect dangerous criminals.

This session, we introduced several bills including:

SB 1056: Creates a drug enforcement and human trafficking division under Oregon State Police.
SB 1041, SB 491: Requires police to notify federal immigration authorities if someone is arrested for manufacturing or delivering fentanyl.
SB 1040: Prevents automatic pretrial release for large-scale drug traffickers.
SB 507: Increases penalties for certain fentanyl-related crimes.
SB 670: Restores the criminal penalty for drug possession to what it was before Measure 110.

Where are these bills now? Sitting in committee, blocked by Democrat leadership—or a lack of it.

Senator Bonham Blasts Sanctuary State Failure by Oregon Democrats

The only thing standing in the way of real progress is political will. Senate Republicans are ready to act. Oregonians like you are demanding it. The question is: will Democrats finally listen?

Former Oregon Secretary of State Faces Little Repercussions for Abuse of Power

Former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan didn’t just break the public’s trust—she revealed how deeply entrenched corruption has become in Oregon’s Democrat ruling class. From accepting a $10,000-a-month side gig with campaign donors to using her office to help their cannabis business, Fagan’s actions were more than just unethical—they were a glaring example of what happens when one party holds total power for too long.

Instead of accountability, she got a slap on the wrist. A small fine. A “letter of education.” And the political machine she helped protect keeps on spinning.

This isn’t just about one politician. It’s about a system that treats ethics as optional. You deserve better. You deserve clean, honest government. Instead, you get one-party rule that protects its own.

A New Power Grab in Oregon Democrat’s Culture of Corruption

A few weeks ago, Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 952, a bill that gives Governor Tina Kotek the authority to appoint an acting U.S. Senator if a vacancy occurs before the end of a term. While it might seem like a mundane procedural move, it’s anything but. Instead of allowing the people of Oregon to choose their representation through a special election, SB 952 puts that power directly into the Governor’s hands.

It’s ironic that the same Democrats who claim to care about "protecting democracy" continue to pass bills like this, effectively removing Oregonians' right to have a say in who represents them in Washington, D.C. These are the same individuals who claim that requiring proof of citizenship for local elections somehow undermines democracy—while simultaneously removing voters from key decisions about their future.

The culture of corruption in Oregon politics is alive and well, and it’s time for Oregonians to stand up and demand more accountability. The Oregon Senate Republican Caucus believes voters—not politicians—should decide who represents them in the U.S. Senate. This culture of corruption must end.