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Here are some highlights from the past week and helpful community information for you!
- Shelly
Honoring Senate President Peter Courtney 1943–2024
This week on the House floor, we passed SCR 10 (enrolled) honoring the life and memory of Senate President Peter Courtney (1943–2024). As a freshman legislator, I was impacted by his guidance and long tenure in the Legislature. I will always be grateful for his insight and dedication to the people of Oregon. If you missed it, I invite you to watch my floor speech in his honor.
Prior to Senator Courtney’s passing, I had the honor to work with him on the YMCA Veterans Housing Project in Albany (more information in the 'HD-15 Update' section below), modeled after the Courtney Place Veterans Housing in Salem. His enduring legacy and commitment to Oregon’s veterans will remain a lasting testament to his service and leadership.
BIG WIN: DEQ FINALLY BACKS OFF ITS EV TRUCK MANDATE
If you have been reading these newsletters or following me on social media over the past several months, you know one of my top priorities has been to delay Oregon’s damaging Advanced Clean Truck rules. For months, these rules have been threatening Oregon workers and businesses that rely on diesel equipment to make a living.
This week, the Governor and DEQ finally acknowledged the reality: these rules are damaging and unworkable. They have finally delayed the enforcement of the rule to model year 2025 and 2026 trucks.
We can all breathe a sigh of relief this week. I want to thank all those who jumped into this fight with me to share their stories and the negative impact of these rules. You made this happen. Read more here.
STATE ECONOMIC FORECAST SHOWS 12% GROWTH DESPITE DEMOCRATS DECRYING THREAT OF FEDERAL TARIFFS
On Wednesday, state economists presented the June Economic and Revenue Forecast, projecting that state government will see a 12% increase in revenue from the previous biennium.
However, this is $755 million less than their March prediction. The increase could have been greater if it weren’t for Oregon’s highest-in-the-nation taxes, aggressive regulatory environment, and public policy choices that harmed our economic engine.
Economists are still projecting a $1.64 billion kicker, a slight decrease from the last projection, which would get paid out to Oregonians proportionate to how much taxes they pay.
If we want to see our economy grow, we shouldn’t raise taxes, we should cut them. We shouldn’t add regulations, we should reduce them.
I hope my colleagues in the Legislature will use the remaining six weeks of this session to address what’s broken and work together to make decisions that put Oregon back on the right track.
As a side but related note, Oregon’s budget has grown exponentially under single-party control, far outpacing family budgets.
TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE WATCH
As we approach the Constitutional end of the legislative session at the end of June, all eyes are on a potential “transportation package.” My position has not changed: Oregon needs to significantly reform how we handle money before asking Oregonians to pay another cent in taxes.
Just this week, auditors released a report showing that Oregon agencies made $1.8 billion in accounting errors last year. This is on top of ODOT’s billion-dollar error that was reported weeks ago. The Rose Quarter improvement project costs have ballooned to over $2 billion, a 400% increase over its original estimate. Oregon bureaucrats seem to be in a never-ending cycle of making mistakes and trying to fix them. State government has a serious credibility problem. How can I ask you to pay more to fund this kind of behavior?
News outlets are picking up their reporting about the transportation package. There are a few interesting articles here:
WATCH: State Republican leader frustrated with a lack of transparency in transportation talks - KATU
In the lead-up to the 2025 session, House Speaker Julie Fahey said that work on the transportation proposal would be transparent. “Because it is such a big piece of legislation where we’re going to talk about revenue and expenditures and accountability, we need to have a transparent process on that and not have people making a decision in the basement of the Capitol,” said Fahey during a legislative preview in January.
Rep. Drazan said she is disappointed in the House Speaker for not keeping her word, adding that she believes the Speaker is not getting what she wants out of committee hearings. "That is the process that she's chosen because the public process, the committee process, wasn't getting her what she wanted. And so she's decided to resort to these tactics, which are really back-room deal-making," said Rep. Drazan.
Closed-door negotiations create hard feelings as the Capitol awaits a transportation bill - OPB
As a small clutch of Oregon lawmakers meet behind closed doors to negotiate a still-secret bill to fund road and bridge upkeep, some of those left on the outside aren’t pleased. House Republicans have bristled in recent weeks after learning that two of their members went rogue. State Reps. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, and Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, quietly agreed to work with Democrats on a deal that could prove crucial to the chances of the transportation bill. Under that arrangement, Mannix and Helfrich aren’t discussing any aspects of a possible deal with their party — and initially didn’t even acknowledge to colleagues the meetings were occurring.
The development is unusual in Salem, where party leaders typically have insight into sensitive negotiations their members are involved in. State Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, the go-to House Republican on transportation matters, isn’t included in the talks. House Minorityristine Drazan, R-Canby, said she’s not in the loop.
That has created bruised feelings. According to three GOP sources, there was brief talk of excluding Helfrich and Mannix from party caucus meetings altogether. That ultimately went nowhere. It also hasn’t helped party relations in the House, where Drazan is now accusing Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, of hypocrisy and desperation. “What she has done is absolutely despicable and this is a betrayal of what she said were her own values,” Drazan told OPB Wednesday, arguing that the closed meetings go against Fahey’s pledge to craft the bill in public. “This is the kind of leadership that should be beneath every single speaker of the House for the State of Oregon..."
...Drazan now says they were picked off in secret by Fahey. “She has handpicked, kind of separated out some folks from the caucus, and has dangled candy in front of them,” she said.
Transportation-funding plans differ at Oregon statehouse - Landline Media
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan has described the majority plan as “tone deaf.” Statehouse Republicans have pointed to a statewide poll from early this year that showed more than three-quarters of Oregonians oppose tax increases and instead want tax cuts. A proposal introduced by House Republicans to address transportation funding needs does not include tax or fee increases. The minority party’s plan is touted to prioritize the core functions of the Oregon DOT. It also seeks to sideline “non-essential programs and divisive agendas” while protecting federal transportation funding and preserving critical road safety services.
Key Oregon Democrats pledge to push through a transportation plan by end of June - The Oregonian
The package will likely include new taxes and reflect lawmakers’ commitment to funding services including rail transport, public transit and climate-friendly programs. In early April, top Democrats released a framework that outlined nearly a dozen new or increased taxes and fees that would raise money for a wide array of transportation services. With two-thirds majorities in both chambers, Democratic legislators could theoretically approve any new or increased tax with no Republican support. But Democrats have said for months they hope to secure bipartisan support for any transportation package that passes this session, even if it includes some tax increases.
Republicans have been at the negotiating table, but it’s unclear how much say they will have on the final package. While some House Republicans have loudly denounced the Democrats’ framework and its array of tax increases, other members of their party in both chambers have quietly shown some willingness to negotiate with Democrats. Five sources with knowledge of the negotiations said the Republicans at the table include Reps. Kevin Mannix of Salem and Jeff Helfrich of Hood River and Sens. Bruce Starr of Dundee and Suzanne Weber of Tillamook.
GUN BILL UPDATE
This week, Oregon Democrats pushed forward Senate Bill 243, a sweeping gun-control package that threatens the 2nd Amendment rights of Oregonians. The bill, now out of committee, would:
- Ban rapid-fire devices like bump stocks and "Glock switches"
- Allow cities and counties to prohibit concealed carry, even for permit holders, in public buildings
Democrats stripped out provisions of the bill that would have required Oregonians to wait 72 hours to exercise their constitutional rights or increase the age to buy a firearm to 21. They also stripped out overly broad language that would have criminalized CHL holders from carrying a firearm near a government building.
The motives behind dropping some provisions of the bill were not necessarily driven by respect for 2nd Amendment rights but rather by efficiency in getting the bill passed. The author of the amendment said that adding a 72-hour wait period would have driven up the cost of the bill. It also would have tied the bill up in the Ways and Means Committee instead of allowing it to head straight to the Senate floor.
THE FAILURE OF “CLIMATE GOALS”
Oregon has set some of the most ambitious climate targets in the nation, enshrining aggressive green energy mandates into law with the aim of achieving carbon-neutral power within the next two decades. In 2021, Oregon Democrats passed HB 2021, which required the state’s largest utilities to achieve 100% clean energy by the next 15 years (never mind that Oregon only accounts for a small fraction of global carbon emissions).
A new story out from OPB highlights the overpromising and underdelivering of those “climate goals.” The story highlights a core dilemma: while progressives like to virtue signal by enacting ambitious goals into statute, it is prohibitively expensive and takes a very long time to overhaul the entire electric grid in Oregon, which took 150 years to build out. In the meantime, Oregonians are bearing the brunt of the costs. Electricity rates have soared, and the threat of blackouts is growing as demand rises. It’s not a coincidence that more Oregonians are struggling to afford the basics while paying for the policy priorities of Democrats.
This whole idea ties into the debate I have been having for months about the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Progressives hail the ACT mandates as one way they are going to save the planet from carbon emissions. But even they had to acknowledge reality. I expect the Legislature to be in the same place when it comes to the realization that it will be impossible to make utility companies go 100% to wind and solar in the next 15 years.
ANOTHER WIN, THIS TIME FOR SENIOR HOMEOWNERS
More seniors and people with disabilities who own homes are one step closer to being able to stay in them, while deferring property taxes, thanks to my colleagues, Representatives Christine Drazan and E. Werner Reschke.
On Thursday, HB 3712 passed in the House. This bill expands the requirements for the homestead property tax deferral program in two ways:
- Increases the household limit for homestead deferral from $60,000 to $70,000
- Raises the real market value (RMV) of a homestead to 150% of the county’s median RMV for homeowners who have resided in their homes for less than 17 years
Oregon’s seniors have worked hard their entire lives, paid taxes, contributed to their communities, and deserve to live out their retirement without the constant fear of losing their homes due to rising property taxes.
By updating eligibility criteria, the state aims to ensure that the homestead property tax deferral program remains a viable option for those in need.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS PEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, URGING MORE TIMBER HARVESTING IN OREGON
This week, my colleagues and I sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging additional and immediate federal action to increase timber harvests on federally managed land. We also applauded the president’s recent executive orders aimed at boosting domestic timber production. The letter was signed by all 24 members of the House Republican Caucus.
Oregonians benefit when our state and federal government work together to responsibly manage our forests and timber resources. After years of mismanagement, we welcome the opportunity to work with the federal administration to create jobs and revitalize rural communities, source sustainable building materials locally, and ensure that one of our greatest assets, our forests, don’t burn to the ground every summer.
The federal government owns and is responsible for managing 61% of Oregon’s forestland. Oregon's forest sector currently supports 62,000 jobs. Expansion of the timber industry onto federal lands would lead to dramatic increases in employment, especially in rural communities.
OREGON ONE STEP CLOSER
TO DESIGNATING STATE ADOPTION DAY
“Belonging to a family is a natural and vital component of life, and every child deserves to be a member of a loving and nurturing family.”
That’s what President Ronald Regan said in 1988 when he designated November 20-26 as ‘National Adoption Week.’
Now Oregon could soon be getting its very own day to celebration adoption.
House Bill 2019 designates August 25th as Oregon Adoption Day. It’s the same day my colleague and the bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Elmer, was adopted! The bill passed and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk.
“The day this bill recognizes is not just a date on a calendar. It is my day— the day I was adopted. A day that forever changed my story, gave me a future, and placed me in the arms of a mother who chose me as her own,” said Rep. Elmer on The House floor.
“Adoption is an act of courage. It requires sacrifice, selflessness, and a whole lot of faith—from all sides. It weaves together lives in ways that reflect the best of our humanity. And it is worthy of recognition. By passing this bill, we send a message to every adopted child in Oregon: You are seen. You are loved. You matter.”
According to the National Council for Adoption, adoptions from foster care have continued to decline, reaching their lowest level since 2003. In 2023, 50,000 children were adopted from foster care – a 24% decrease since 2019.
Today, more than 77,000 children and teens are waiting to find a permanent home with a loving family. We support the caseworkers in our state who are working hard to ensure every child in Oregon finds their family.
Major gun, fentanyl seizure in Grants Pass
Police arrested a 38-year-old man after finding multiple guns and a half pound of fentanyl at his parents' property outside Grants Pass on Friday. According to the Grants Pass Police Department, multiple agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE), seized over half a pound of fentanyl, firearms and a 3-D printer for "ghost guns." Christopher Smith was taken to the Josephine County Jail on charges of delivery and possession of a controlled substance. Smith will also face federal firearms charges.
Oregon legislature on track to repeal controversial Wildfire risk map
After the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to lead to more wildfire awareness and resilience. It created a map of areas at high risk of fire. But that map led to a huge backlash from property owners. Now one of the democratic state senators who helped create the map is sponsoring a bill that would repeal it. We’ll talk to Jeff Golden, who represents the Ashland area, about why — and what should happen instead.
Portland Trail Blazers for sale
The Portland Trail Blazers announced Tuesday morning that ownership is beginning the process of selling the team. The estate of Paul Allen, the late owner of the NBA team, has selected investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Hogan Lovells to lead the sales process, which will likely continue into the 2025-26 basketball season. The NBA Board of Governors must then ratify a final purchase agreement. According to a statement from the team, the sale will be “consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy.” A buyer was not announced. According to the team, the sale will not affect the NFL Seattle Seahawks or the Allen estate’s 25% interest in the MLS Seattle Sounders FC, and neither is for sale.
Murmurs: More Students Choose Alternatives to PPS
At a May 12 meeting of the Portland Public Schools Board policy committee, committee chair Julia Brim-Edwards sounded the alarm on the district’s capture rate—the percentage of kids living within the district who enroll in PPS schools. In answer to a question from Brim-Edwards about enrollment decline fueling the district’s $40 million budget shortfall, district officials wrote that the capture rate of students enrolling in PPS schools this academic year was 69% for high school, 71% for middle school, and 75% for elementary school. The rates, calculated using census data, vary by high school attendance area and grade level, but are generally lower than PPS rates in the past. The news also comes as PPS’s enrollment is dipping faster than at school districts statewide. Researchers at Portland State University, who compile an annual forecast and report on PPS enrollment, indicated the district’s “recent high” in overall capture rate was 83% in the 2018–19 school year.
 National Police Week!
May 11-May 17 is National Police Week. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Your Linn County Sheriff's Office would like to thank ALL of our Law Enforcement here in Linn County and across the country! Whether on the road, in the jail, in the courthouse or performing other behind the scenes work, these brave men and women risk their lives every day to help protect and serve their communities
For more information on the Police Officers Memorial and National Police Week, including a full list of the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, visit here!
Oregon Seed Council Wins Prestigious Oregon Consular Corps Award
I had the privilege of attending a special event where the Oregon Seed Council and the entire Oregon grass seed industry were honored with the Global Trailblazer Award by the Oregon Consular Corps!
Congratulations to all involved! This recognition highlights the incredible global impact of Oregon’s grass seed industry—not only in terms of international reach but also in its contributions to environmental sustainability, public health, and economic vitality. It was an inspiring moment to see this essential industry celebrated for its leadership and innovation on the world stage.
Watch the video and read more about this achievement here.
Congratulations Tyler Larrabee
From our friends at the Albany Fire Department:
Tyler Larrabee is AFD's newest Lieutenant. Thank you for all your hard work and willingness to be a leader. Wishing you all the best on this next phase of your career!!
 I-5 Exit 216 to OR 228 Halsey/Brownsville nighttime ramp closures:
From ODOT:
On Sunday, May 18, through Thursday, May 22, you can expect the southbound I-5 on and off-ramps to OR 228 Halsey/Brownsville Exit 216 to close nightly between 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
We'll have detour signs up showing how to get around the closures by taking either Exit 209 or Exit 228 depending on the direction you need to go. Don't worry – we'll only close one ramp at a time while we work on paving.
You can expect:
- Crews working mostly at night, Sunday through Thursday from 6 pm to 6 am
- Some daytime work as needed
- Single lane closures between 7 pm to 5:30 am
- Construction noise and delays
- A reduced speed limit to 55 mph in the work zone
- No lane changes allowed where there are double white lines
See what else is being constructed on the roads around your community by visiting our webpage. Explore our interactive map to see what we're working on!
From our friends at Linn County Sheriff's Office and OSFM:
Wildfire Awareness Month continues, and we have another tip to help protect your home and slow or stop the spread of fire. One simple step you can take is making sure your leaves, tree needles, and other debris are removed from your roof and gutters. During a wildfire, embers can land and catch fire.
This summer - don't give embers a place to call home - create defensible space.
Learn more at our website here!
From our friends at the Albany Oregon Police Department:
Just a reminder...
MyPDConnect makes it quick and easy to report low-level crimes online. Designed to empower victims, this tool allows you to report directly to the Albany Police Department at albanypd.mypdconnect.com. Key features include the ability to upload unlimited photos, videos, and documents, multi-language support, and instant notifications. To access, simply text the word "report" to 541-981-5860 or scan the QR code to get started.
YMCA Veterans Housing Project: Big Strides Toward Breaking Ground
Some exciting updates to share on the YMCA Veterans Housing Project—progress is picking up speed!
Full Plans Headed to the City
Next week, full development plans will be submitted to the City of Albany for approval. This is a major step toward making these long-awaited homes for Veterans a reality.
OHCS Funding Approved – $10.5 Million Secured!
The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has approved the application for $10.5 million in funding this project! With this milestone met, the focus is now on securing the final $3.3 million needed to fully fund the project.
Advocacy in Action
The YMCA Veterans Housing Board Chair - Mayor Alex Johnson II - provided testimony before the Capital Construction Subcommittee of Ways and Means, advocating for the final $3.3 million from the state legislature. This decision is expected next month.
Timeline: Fall 2025 or Spring 2026?
If legislative funding comes through this summer, breaking ground may be as early as Fall 2025. If not, then aiming for Spring 2026. Either way, it’s moving forward!
Site Secured in East Albany
Thanks to incredible community support, $550,000 has been paid in full for the land where the apartments will be built—right near Timber Linn Park, directly across from the Vietnam War Memorial. A meaningful location for a meaningful mission.
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy
The YMCA Veterans Housing Board is currently selling commemorative bricks for the apartment courtyard. Each $1,000 brick can honor a Veteran or recognize a family who supports the project. The goal: sell 250 bricks to help support construction and share a legacy of gratitude.
Spreading the Word
Board members are hitting the road to raise awareness and support—presenting at local Rotary clubs and before the Albany City Council in June. They love telling the story behind this project and the lives it will touch.
Wrap-Around Services in the Works
They’re also laying the groundwork for future resident support. Working with ODVA, they’re planning for 2–3 full-time staff to provide wrap-around services to residents. This approach has seen great success in similar projects in Salem.
Thank you to all the people who have come together, and our amazing community, for supporting this vision for our Veterans. Together, we’re building more than housing—we’re building hope.
Want to help? Donate, buy a brick, or invite Board Members to speak to your group. Every conversation brings us one step closer to helping our local Veterans. Contact the Board here.
You can help bring vital support services to local Veterans—You can email a letter of support to my office or submit written testimony to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction. Your voice can help secure the funding needed to turn this vision into reality. Every message matters.
From our friends at the Albany Parks & Rec
Calling all volunteers: join us Saturday May 17th at East Thornton Lake as we partner with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District to eliminate invasive vegetation! The "Let's Pull Together" initiative is a county-wide weed pull day to help eradicate ivy, blackberry, and other noxious invaders.
Visit here to register!
From our friends at the Linn County Sheriff's Office:
One week to go until our free boat safety checks!
The safety checks will be taking place at Bi-Mart locations throughout Linn County. We will have free safety whistles, Sheriff's Office SWAG, as well as a limited number of FREE life vests available for kids, courtesy of your neighborhood Bi-Mart! These boat safety checks offer you an opportunity to have your boat inspected to insure you take it out on the water in the safest and most legal way!
The safety checks will be taking place at the following locations and times:
Saturday, May 17th @ Albany Bi-Mart 8AM-12PM & Lebanon Bi-Mart 1PM-5PM
Sunday, May 18th @ Sweet Home Bi-Mart 10AM-2PM
We hope you can stop by!
From our friends at the Family Relief Nursery:
Our diaper drive may be over, but that doesn't stop our friends over at Hyundai of Albany from keeping their box out for continued donations!
Hyundai of Albany is accepting diapers size 4+ and wipes in our Family Tree Relief Nursery donation box! Located in our service lounge!
From our friends at the Linn-Benton Community College:
LBCC and OSU just made college transfers easier!
On Monday, Dr. Lisa Avery (President of LBCC) and Dr. Jayathi Murthy (President of OSU) signed a groundbreaking agreement that creates automatic admission to Oregon State University for qualified LBCC students-no application or fees required!
We're proud to strengthen our longstanding partnership with OSU as we work together to create seamless educational pathways for our students.
Click here for more information!
Voices from the Front Lines: Fire Service Advocacy Day
It was an honor to visit with members of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire & EMS Chapter of SDAO to the Capitol during their lobby day! Thank you for your service and for taking the time to share your frontline perspectives on the challenges and priorities facing Oregon's fire and emergency services. Your dedication keeps our communities safe and strong!
During the 2025 legislative session my office will continue to keep you updated and informed - and is always at your service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any community event announcements, legislative questions, or concerns.
Talk soon,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis
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