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Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
With the May revenue forecast behind us, we have unofficially entered the final phase of the 2025 legislative session. Over the next 40-ish days, agency budgets will be finalized, tough choices on strategic investments will be made, and policies to help the people of Oregon will move forward.
I'm incredibly proud of the work legislators on both sides of the aisle have put in this session on behalf of their constituents and the entire state. It has been a very busy session for everyone, legislators and staff alike. A record number of bills have been introduced, and our committees are diligently working to get every bill to the floor that is ready for the governor's signature. With any extra time, legislators are meeting with constituents and stakeholders, including when I met with Portland State University leadership, including President Ann Cudd and former Congressman Earl Blumenauer (pictured here).
As is typical at the Oregon Legislature, the vast majority of bills passed off the chamber floors this session have done so with Democratic and Republican votes.
Since my last newsletter in mid-April, the Senate has passed numerous bills, including:
Senate Bill 83: Repeals the wildfire hazard map.
Senate Bill 430: Requires all transaction fees to be disclosed before online purchase.
Senate Bill 605: Bans the inclusion of medical debt on individual credit scores.
Senate Bill 974: Speeds up decision-making on land development applications for housing projects.
House Bill 3187: Establishes additional age discrimination protections for workers applying for jobs.
Oregon's latest revenue forecast showed that Oregon's economy is slowing due to tariffs and chaos coming from the federal administration. With constantly shifting trade policy, businesses have a hard time planning and economic growth suffers. It also impacts state revenues — the Legislature's expected available resources declined by about $756 million between the March and May revenue forecasts.
Legislators must continue with a cautious and prudent approach to balancing the state’s two-year budget, knowing tough choices lie ahead.
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Last year, House Speaker Julie Fahey and I tasked members of the Joint Committee on Transportation with delivering a transportation package this session that addresses the urgent safety needs of Oregon's roads, bridges, and transit systems.
Our pavement conditions statewide are slipping, bridges are not getting needed maintenance or preservation, and money for safety improvements is declining as cars get more fuel efficient. Every community across the state is in need of safety improvements within their transportation systems.
The joint committee — led by co-chairs Sen. Chris Gorsek and Rep. Susan McLain — answered our call with an inclusive, public, and bipartisan process, which resulted in the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package (TRIP) framework, released in early April. Since then, conversations have been ongoing to hone the policy and budget proposals.
As we get nearer to a bill release, cities and counties are sharing their stories about how critical local investments will be.
In Umatilla County, an agricultural-driven economy, poor road and bridge conditions are getting in the way of the farm-to-consumer delivery chain, increasing costs and safety issues.
In Bend and Redmond, road safety improvements and stable transportation funding are needed to support one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Highway 97 cuts through both cities, and there are dangerous intersections and exchanges that need to be fixed.
In East Multnomah County, elected leaders stressed that significant investment is needed to fix dangerous road conditions for drivers and pedestrians to the benefit of safety, as well as the local economy.
In Portland, the local transportation system forms the foundation for the economy, emergency services, neighborhood safety, and daily life, and all would be at risk if safety and maintenance are not improved.
The Legislature is continuing our work to pass a comprehensive transportation package this session that addresses the transportation safety needs of our local cities and counties. I'm excited to land this plane with our transportation co-chairs and anyone who wants to work toward meaningful solutions to the real needs our communities face.
A few weeks ago, the Senate lost a dear friend and a valued colleague, Senator Aaron Woods. A U.S. Army veteran, Aaron joined the Oregon Senate in January 2023 after a long career in technology, including as a senior executive at Xerox. Aaron had a deep heart for public service and loved being a senator nearly as much as we loved having him in the Senate.
With Aaron's family sitting with us, senators for more than an hour shared memories of our friend, his wisdom and his humor, his humbleness and his courage. Aaron's name will be on a brass plate along the side of his desk forever, and he will be deeply missed.
 We were honored to have Aaron's family with us in the Senate chamber.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Legislative Commission on Indian Services, an organization created to help foster a relationship built on trust and cooperation between the State of Oregon and the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes.
Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 31, recognizing this anniversary and highlighting LCIS and its invaluable contributions to Oregon.
The Commission was formed during a time when there were no state services for Tribes or Indian people and significant mistrust remained.
In large part, we’ve been successful in building a strong relationship. I’m proud to say the state has worked with the Tribes on a variety of important topics over the past 50 years, including health care, economic development, education, public safety, natural resource management, cultural resource management and more.
We know state government does not always get it right. There are times when we needed to engage more with the Tribes, lean into this relationship, rely on the wisdom and deep knowledge of this place that the Tribes have long called home. Our ongoing dialogue, consultation, and collaboration is essential for all Oregonians to thrive and prosper.
See my comments from the Senate floor on SCR 31 below:
During a legislative session, it's always important to use the weekends to get outside and see this beautiful place we call home. As some of you might remember, I am making my way through each and every one of Oregon's nearly 200 state parks and sharing the things I see along the way.
A couple weeks ago, I was able to walk through Tryon Creek State Natural Area with folks from the Friends of Tryon Creek and see the new Education Pavilion that is still under construction. When it's finished, it will feature modern classroom spaces and a community gathering area, with large windows overlooking the forest.
The design of the building reflects a traditional Chinook plankhouse style, which has been used for thousands of years in the region. The building will also display artwork from indigenous artists.
When all is said and done, Tryon Creek will be able to host twice as many students for day trips and will have increased capacity for summer camps and school field trips.
While I love all of Oregon's State Parks, Tryon Creek is more personal: my mom worked for Friends of Tryon Creek for nearly three decades, including serving as its executive director. This area is practically in my backyard. I'm excited to see the Education Pavilion serve the next generation of young people in our community.
 Thanks to Gabe Sheoships for leading us on a tour of the Education Pavilion.
Oregon Capitol Visitor Services recently announced a new digital exhibit on oregoncapitol.com “ReEnvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of Our Black Ancestors” presented by the Salem Art Association. The exhibit is live now and available for all to experience online until June 30.
This exhibition showcases 10 powerful portraits commissioned by the Salem Art Association in 2022 as part of a broader effort to reinvent and reimagine the Bush House Museum in Salem. The vision of acclaimed artist Jeremy Okai Davis guided the creation of each piece in the series. Visitor Services notes that Davis’s work not only honors the individuals depicted but also challenges the historical narratives that have long sidelined the contributions of Black Americans.
The digital exhibition broadens the number of people who can experience these incredible pieces, breaking down geographical barriers and opening a space for reflection, education, and dialogue.
I had the opportunity to see these pieces in-person when they were on display at the Bush House Museum. They are as beautiful as they are thought-provoking. These striking portraits call on us to examine the many contributions Black Oregonians made to our state despite the barriers and ugliness they faced. Their stories are gut-wrenching and inspirational and we must learn from them to make a better future.
The physical exhibit is scheduled for Visitor Services' revolving exhibit program in the Capitol in 2027.
The Oregonian: Key Oregon Democrats pledge to push through a transportation plan by end of June
Top Democratic lawmakers say they remain confident they can push through a major transportation funding package with some bipartisan support by the end of June.
Statesman Journal: Oregon Senate to debate bill outlawing rapid-fire devices for guns
An Oregon Senate committee advanced a bill on May 14 outlawing devices like bump stocks to fire bullets more rapidly, and allowing city, county or district governments to ban concealed handgun carriers from possessing firearms within buildings owned by them and used for official meetings.
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Federal chaos leaves Oregon’s economic outlook sluggish, uncertain, short hundreds of millions
Uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s tariffs have thrown a wrench in state revenues previously expected to grow by hundreds of millions of dollars, state economists report.
OPB: Bill bans Oregon employers from asking for applicants’ age
Oregon is on the cusp of making it illegal for employers to ask for a person’s age in the beginning stages of applying for a job. Lawmakers in both legislative chambers have passed House Bill 3187, which proponents say will help curb age discrimination.
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If you would like to contact the Senate President's Office, send an email or call and either myself or a staff member will assist you. If you are a constituent coming to Salem and want to arrange a meeting, I'm always happy to meet, so please let us know well in advance as my schedule fills up quickly.
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov
phone: 503-986-1600
address: 900 Court St NE, S-201, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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