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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
I can hardly believe we only have 8 weeks left in the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session. The final eight weeks are the start of budget season, which sometimes feels like a mystical process. But you can watch every single page of each budget be broken down in subcommittee hearings.
As a budget chair, this is one of the busiest portions of the Legislative Session. We moved our first budget bill in the Natural Resources Subcommittee this week and we have 13 more to go!
We will process and vote on the final budget for most agencies after May 14th. On May 14th, we will receive the Oregon Economic Forecast. What is an economic forecast?
The Oregon Economic Forecast provides information to planners and policy makers in state agencies and private organizations for use in their decision making processes. The Oregon Revenue Forecast opens the revenue forecasting process to public review. It is the basis for much of the budgeting in state government (you can see more about the process below)!
After the Economic Forecast is presented in May, we will know if we have funds to invest. Typically we would expect the forecast to be consistent with the January forecast. However, because of the looming tariffs, we are not sure if we will have a good forecast, and that means we would not have money to invest, or even potentially be looking at budget cuts. However, if the forecast remains flat, the legislature would have about $800 million to invest.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the budget, I am so thankful to SO many constituents that have advocated for community priorities either directly to my office or at the Ways and Means Roadshow throughout the state.
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As always my door is always open, please reach out with any questions. We are here to help!
Best,
Oregon House Commemorates 50 Years Since The End Of The Vietnam War
This week, the House passed House Concurrent Resolution 34 with near unanimous support. The resolution would designate April 30, 2025, as Vietnamese American Remembrance Day, on the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. It honors the contributions of Vietnam War veterans from the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, Vietnamese refugees, and the Vietnamese American community.
This resolution is a meaningful step in honoring the legacy of those who served and the resilience of those who fled unimaginable hardship to rebuild their lives in Oregon. It’s a reminder of the strength that diversity brings to our state, and of the importance of recognizing the contributions of Vietnamese Americans, many of whom have become leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders in towns and cities across Oregon, including right here in Central Oregon.
Bringing the Beauty of Central Oregon to Salem
I am so grateful to the community organizations who help make my office beautiful. Here are a few highlights of the art we have on loan from beautiful House District 53.
"Meadow Camp" by Lindsay Gilmore
On loan from Mosaic Community Health, Meadow Camp by Bend artist Lindsay Gilmore brings the peaceful beauty of Central Oregon into the Capitol. This painting is destined for the new Mosaic Conners Campus, a transformative project that will dramatically expand access to integrated healthcare in our region. When completed, the Conners Campus will increase Mosaic’s capacity in Bend by 50% for primary care, 200% for dental services, 75% for pediatric care, and 35% for pharmacy services, all in one accessible location. Eventually, this piece will hang in the new Mosaic Conners Campus, a project we are proud to support and advocate for during this legislative session. Until then, we’re lucky to enjoy this beautiful piece of home.
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Sisters Folk Festival Poster
On loan from the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, this colorful and whimsical poster from the Sisters Folk Festival adds a cheerful touch to the office. Featuring a charming badger rocking a string of pearls, it brings a smile to everyone who visits. It's a reminder of the vibrant arts and culture community in Sisters, and how much creativity thrives in every corner of Central Oregon.
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The Budget Process: From Proposal to Approval
One of our most critical responsibilities in the Legislature is to pass the state’s biennial budget. This budget will guide Oregon’s spending from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, impacting essential services across our state, including education, healthcare, housing, and transportation. The budget process unfolds in three main phases:
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Agency Request Budgets: State agencies submit their budget requests to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) by September 1 of even-numbered years.
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Governor’s Recommended Budget: The Governor reviews these requests, aligning them with state priorities and available resources. In December 2024, Governor Tina Kotek proposed a $39.3 billion budget for the 2025-27 biennium, marking a 13% increase from the previous cycle. Her plan emphasizes affordable housing, education, and mental health services.
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Legislatively Adopted Budget: The Legislature reviews the Governor’s proposal, holds public hearings, and makes adjustments. The final budget must be approved by the end of the legislative session in late June.
The next few months will be pivotal as we finalize the budget. I am committed to ensuring that Central Oregon’s needs are represented and that we make thoughtful decisions that benefit all Oregonians.
Bend Town Hall with Attorney General Dan Rayfield: This Weekend!
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!
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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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