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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends,
Last week in Salem, we tackled critical issues affecting Oregonians across the state. I delivered a remonstrance on the House floor, calling for truth and leadership in our policies—an address that quickly went viral on social media. House Republicans are fighting to stop the Democrats’ proposed $2 billion transportation tax increase, which would place an even greater burden on hardworking Oregonians. Additionally, there are justified concerns about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s report on the 2020 Santiam Canyon Fire and the ongoing investigations. As the legislative session moves forward, I remain committed to advancing common-sense solutions that protect our communities and ensure Oregon’s future is built on integrity and fairness.
For twelve years, we've seen misguided policies undermine common sense, stifle economic growth, and erode personal freedoms. From burdensome regulations that lock away our natural resources to failing schools that prioritize ideology over academics, Oregon has been heading in the wrong direction. But enough is enough. It’s time to turn things around—by standing up for rural communities, defending personal freedoms, securing our borders, and putting power back in the hands of the people. With courage and conviction, we can reclaim our state and build a stronger future for all Oregonians.
WATCH my remonstrance on X:
On Wednesday May 7th, House Republicans rolled out a transportation proposal, to cut and reprioritize funding within the Oregon Department of Transportation. Instead of looking first to take more from Oregonians by raising their taxes, we went through ODOT's budget with a fine-tooth comb. We looked for efficiency and programs that are outside of their core mission of paving roads and maintaining bridges. We laid out 25 steps we can take to save ODOT over $685 million - more than enough to cover what ODOT says it needs - without raising taxes.
For years, ODOT has funded ideas instead of infrastructure, much of it at the direction of the Governor and progressive leadership. Our plan protects Oregon families from more tax increases by requiring ODOT to cut wasteful spending that does not align with core function, sideline spending on non-essential programs and divisive agendas, protect federal transportation funding, and preserve critical road safety services.
Watch the entire press conference here.
Proposed Cuts to ODOT’s biennial budget for 2025-2027 include:
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This is what ODOT headquarters in Salem looks like. Five floors of mostly vacant office space. 40 percent of the workforce is remote. Our proposal to cut wasteful spending includes leasing unused office space in the T-Building, which would free up approx. $3.4 million per biennium and refocus it towards highway infrastructure. Watch the entire video of the vacant space in the Transportation building here.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: $47 million
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Litter, Graffiti, Camp, Abandoned Property Cleanup: $22 million: ODOT’s projected spending for the 2023-2025 biennium was $16.1 million, but the agency confirms it spent over $22 million. Our proposal adjusts this budget item to reflect actual expenditures and redirects savings to core infrastructure priorities.
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3% Agency Staff: $40 million
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Passenger Rail: $38 million
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Vehicle Privilege Tax: $35 million
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Social Equity and Civil Rights Division: $24.9 million
- The federal government recently reminded states of their responsibility to enforce federal law and reiterated that states that do not comply with federal law could have their transportation funding revoked. In response, the Port of Portland revoked their discriminatory DEI policies. By cutting the DEI division within ODOT, Republicans are trying to preserve federal funding. Oregonians deserve their federal tax dollars to be returned to benefit Oregon, not put at risk by progressive ideologies.
In contrast, the Democrats’ plan adds a dozen new taxes, tax hikes, and fee increases that expand current non-essential spending that Oregonians simply cannot afford. Their plan will make it more expensive for families to drop their kids off at school, drive to work, and pick up groceries, while snubbing Oregonians’ call for accountability.
Their plan rewards an agency riddled with mismanagement, billion-dollar budget woes, and broken promises. As noted by the Oregonian Editorial Board in April, “burdening Oregonians with nearly $2 billion in new taxes while adopting policies that inflate costs for the benefit of longtime Democratic donors is flatly unconscionable.”
We reject the premise that if we don't make life more expensive for Oregonians, we can't fix potholes, plow the snow, or keep rural roads safe. Keeping our roads drivable and safe must be the Oregon Department of Transportation’s top priority.
House Republicans are responding to Oregonians who are increasingly frustrated by the cost of living and want to see their state government deliver and maintain safe roads for them. This proposal is an opportunity to be responsive to the needs of our state, hold government accountable, and set a clear vision for the role of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s report on the 2020 Santiam Canyon Fire is now under fire—expert Dean Warner, who was on the ground, calls its conclusion “pretty wild.” The report claims embers, not PacifiCorp’s power lines, caused the blaze, despite a 2023 jury finding PacifiCorp reckless. Warner saw power-line fires grow in Gates, yet ODF never interviewed him in 4 years. This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. We must protect our communities and ensure the truth isn’t buried.
“The general rule is that 2 miles is an extraordinary distance for embers to travel,” … “And, in this case, the embers would have had to travel at least 4 miles.”
READ MORE HERE
It is easy to testify, virtually, in person or in writing, to support or oppose a bill.
Learn more here: Citizen Engagement Home
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
Register to testify!
- If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you can register to testify either in support or in opposition to the bill.
- Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
- To register, go to https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1, select the “Bills” icon on the top right corner of your page, enter the bill number, and select “Register to Testify.” Or, call 1-833-588-4500.
- You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony Registration Form.”
- You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you can not testify in person.
Submit a Written Testimony!
- If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
- To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would to register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
- Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
Thank you for staying engaged as we work to protect the rights and livelihoods of Oregonians. I will continue fighting for the issues that matter most to House District 17 and keeping you informed every step of the way. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward through the 2025 legislative session together.
In Liberty,
 Representative Ed Diehl
House District 17
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-378, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/diehl
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