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To contact me, click here: Sen.BruceStarr@oregonlegislature.gov
Bi-Weekly Clips: News that Matters to Oregon
Welcome back to another edition of Bi-Weekly Clips. We cut through the noise to bring you news that impacts our state, nation, and daily lives. My predecessor, Brian Boquist, began Bi-Weekly Clips and I’m continuing to compile news that matters.
As always, thank you to our readers for staying informed and engaged - it is critical to our republic and daily lives.
OREGON NEWS
KGW. 5/14/25. “Oregon lawmakers have $500 million less to spend, as economic forecast declines: Oregon is expecting $162 million less in the current budget cycle than previously anticipated, and $334 million less over the next two years. This should be a wake-up call. With a half-billion-dollar shortfall, lawmakers must focus on core services and cut the waste. Our budget should reflect real priorities, not political wish lists.
KATU. 5/13/25. “Oregon lawmakers grapple with lower-than-expected funds as budget deadlines near: Lawmakers will use the outlook to finalize the state's 2025-27 biennium budget. General fund dollars are down 2% from a revenue forecast released in February." Again, lawmakers must prioritize essential services and eliminate spending on extreme agendas and pet projects.
The Oregonian. 5/14/25. “Oregon Democrats advance scaled-back gun control measure: Oregon Democrats have advanced a scaled-back gun control measure, focusing on provisions that include mandatory background checks and restrictions on high-capacity magazines."Public safety starts with empowering law-abiding citizens—not punishing them. As crime rises across Oregon, now is the worst time to make it harder for responsible Oregonians to protect themselves and their families. Any legislation must crack down on criminals, not chip away at our constitutional rights.
OPB. 5/13/25. “Rolling blackouts: Oregon and Washington power grid under s train: Electric companies in Oregon and Washington are hurtling toward deadlines to stop using power generated by coal, gas, and other fuels that contribute to global warming."Our energy policies must balance environmental goals with reliability. Diversifying our energy sources and empowering the energy industry is crucial to prevent blackouts.
KGW. 5/12/25. “Study: Oregon businesses are being lured to invest in other states: Factors like high taxes and a burdensome regulatory system have made Oregon companies more receptive to the advances of out-of-state recruiters." Oregon is at a crossroads. To retain and attract businesses, we must create a more favorable tax and regulatory landscape that supports our economic and job generators.
The Oregonian. 5/12/25. “How feds traced alleged drug ring leader to Oregon in largest US fentanyl bust: Federal agents traced an alleged drug ring leader to Oregon, leading to the largest fentanyl bust in U.S. history."This reaffirms the critical need for robust law enforcement and border security to combat the influx of lethal drugs threatening our communities.
MSN News. 5/11/25. “Nearly half of all Oregon families struggling to make ends meet: Nearly half of all Oregon families are struggling to make ends meet, according to a recent report."The rising cost of living is crippling hardworking Oregonians. It's time for policies that reduce financial burdens and promote economic stability for residents.
Oregon Capital Chronicle. 5/9/25. “Oregon's mental health needs outweigh its ability to provide services, report shows: Oregon's high behavioral health needs outpace the state's availability to provide services, according to an audit report."Addressing our mental health crisis requires immediate action to expand access to care and ensure that resources are effectively allocated to meet demand.
The Oregonian. 5/9/25. “New Oregon wildfire certificates for homes could help tame rising insurance premiums: New wildfire certificates for homes in Oregon aim to help tame rising insurance premiums."Proactive measures like this can mitigate wildfire risks and provide financial relief to homeowners, demonstrating the value of incentive-based strategies in policy-making -- not top-down mandates.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Politico. 5/13/25. “Average taxpayers’ tax bills set to fall under House tax package, forecasters say: Average-income people would see double-digit percentage declines in their tax bills under House Republicans' tax package, according to a new analysis."Reducing the tax burden on working Americans is a step toward fiscal sanity by reining in spending and allowing Oregonians to keep more of their hard-earned money. I just wish our state would follow suit.
AP News. 5/12/25. “U.S. and China Reach Deal to Slash Sky-High Tariffs for Now, with a 90-Day Pause: U.S. and Chinese officials said they had reached a deal to roll back most of their recent tariffs and call a 90-day pause to keep talking to resolve their trade disputes."China has come to the table—proof that negotiations in our trade policy are possible.
OregonLive. 5/12/25. “Stocks surge following 90-day truce in the US-China trade war: U.S. stocks jumped Monday after the United States and China agreed to a 90-day truce in their escalating trade war, lowering tariffs and opening the door to further negotiations."The negotiations are paying off for American businesses and consumers - and the markets are responding in a real way.
The Epoch Times. 5/15/25. “Trump Announces $200 Billion in Deals With UAE:” "President Donald Trump announced more than $200 billion in additional investment deals secured with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 15 during his visit to Abu Dhabi, cementing the United States’ partnership with the Arabian Peninsula nation."This massive investment underscores a commitment to American manufacturing and energy sectors -- promising economic opportunity, global cooperation and jobs for hardworking Americans..
Forbes. 5/14/25. “Boeing, Tesla, Nvidia and Other Stocks Surge Amid U.S.-Saudi Dealmaking Spree: Shares of Boeing, Tesla, and Nvidia surged following a series of U.S.-Saudi deals announced during President Trump's visit to the Middle East."These deals prove that putting American interests first on the world stage drives real results—more jobs, stronger industries, and economic growth that benefits working Americans.
U.S. Department of Transportation. 5/8/25. “U.S. Transportation Secretary Unveils Plan to Build Brand New State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled a plan to build a brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world."This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment America needs—modernizing air traffic control to make our skies safer, our systems more efficient, and our nation more competitive.
PARTING THOUGHTS
While our nation forges $200 billion trade deals, cuts taxes, and rebuilds critical infrastructure, Oregon is stuck spinning its wheels—bogged down by high taxes, failed leadership, and policies that punish the very people keeping this state afloat.
Working families don’t need more bureaucracy—they need results. They need jobs, lower costs, and leaders who fight for them, not for special interests or broken systems. The rest of the country is proving what’s possible when government gets out of the way and puts their residents first.
It’s time Oregon does the same. Enough excuses. Let’s demand better—and get this state back to work.
Yours truly,
Senator Bruce Starr
Senate District 12
email: Sen.BruceStarr@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1712
address: 900 Court St NE, S-303, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/starr
I am the state senator for District 12, which includes rural Yamhill and Polk counties. The two state representatives within District 12 are Rep. Anna Scharf and Rep. Lucetta Elmer - who also produce newsletters and the signups are on their pages.
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