Nearly 400,000 people are watching our fight for independent medicine

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 05/27/2025 11:34 AM PDT

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To contact me, please click here: Rep.BenBowman@oregonlegislature.gov

Dear friends and neighbors,

Welcome back to another newsletter! I have lots of important updates, so this ones a little longer than usual.

Next Steps in Our Fight for Independent Medicine

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for your help in standing up for the independence of healthcare providers and protecting the relationship between doctors and their patients. Over 300 people submitted written testimony on SB 951, our bill to limit corporate control of medicine in Oregon. I was especially moved by the stories from constituents who told me they don’t always agree with me politically, but they support this effort because they know this issue affects everyone, regardless of party.

SB 951 passed out of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on a 7–2 vote, with half of the Republican members voting yes. The bill now heads to the House floor. If it passes, it will go to the governor’s desk for her signature.

And people are paying attention. The media outlet More Perfect Union recently did a story on the growing corporate influence over healthcare across the country, including here in Oregon. I was honored to be featured in the video alongside my friend and colleague, Rep. Lisa Fragala, to share Oregon’s story and this important fight. You can watch the segment here (it’s going viral, with nearly 400,000 views in the first 10 days).

Explaining my bill, SB 951, on a More Perfect Union YouTube video

Full statewide coverage of Dolly Parton Imagination Library

This month, Oregon hit a milestone I’m incredibly proud of: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available in every single county and zip code in our state.

That means no matter where a child lives, from Portland to Pendleton to Reedsport, they can be signed up to receive free, high-quality books in the mail every month until their fifth birthday.

In 2024, I sponsored a bill that led to Oregon’s state partnership with Dolly’s Imagination Library, providing a 50% funding match to help cover the cost of books and mailing.

Right now, 65,000 kids in Oregon are enrolled in the Imagination Library. And we’re adding more every day. These books aren’t just about reading skills (though they help with that, too). They’re about building routines, creating special moments between parents (and grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers) and their kids, and setting the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

We still have work to do to improve literacy outcomes across Oregon. But today, we celebrate a huge step forward.

P.S. Know a family with young kids? They can sign up for free books at https://imaginationlibrary.com/oregon/.

Another Podcast Appearance: Oregon Business Matters

Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama and I were recently guests on the Business Matters podcast, hosted by Oregon Business & Industry, our statewide Chamber of Commerce. We covered a wide range of topics, from how I got my start in public service to my role as House Majority Leader, and what we’ve accomplished so far this session.

I also shared my hopes for what we can still achieve in the months ahead and offered advice for Oregonians interested in running for office or engaging more deeply with the legislative process. It was a fun conversation about the work we’re doing and how business and government can partner to move Oregon forward.

You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts.

My Floor Speech Honoring an Oregon Legend

In previous newsletters, I’ve talked about my resolution to honor the Oregon artist Henk Pander. I’m proud to share that the House of Representatives recently passed that resolution unanimously. It was a special moment on the House floor, made even more special by the presence of Henk’s wife, Jody, his sons Arnold and Jacob, and his estate archivist, Kayla.

We displayed several of Henk’s original pieces in the chamber, including the sketch that inspired his official portrait of Governor Tom McCall. It was a powerful reminder of Henk’s extraordinary ability to capture Oregon’s landscapes, leaders, and defining historical moments, from the eruption of Mount St. Helens to the burning of the New Carissa.

Henk Pander was a singular talent and a true Oregon original. I was honored to carry this resolution, and to help ensure his legacy is recognized in the state he loved and helped to define.

On the House floor with two of my favorite Henk Pander pieces

Remembering Senator Aaron Woods

We recently lost a deeply respected member of the Oregon Legislature and a good friend of mine in the legislature: Senator Aaron Woods.

Aaron was a trailblazer. A veteran, a tech executive, and a state senator, he brought a lifetime of experience, wisdom, and heart to the work of public service. Though his time in the Legislature was far too short, he made a lasting impact, especially as a voice for ethical innovation, equity, and opportunity in the age of artificial intelligence.

Aaron was thoughtful, kind, and deeply committed to the people he served. He approached his work with humility and purpose, and he believed in building a better future for the next generation. That legacy is something we all carry forward.

My heart is with his family and his staff, who have lost a beloved father, mentor, and friend. Aaron’s presence in the Capitol will be missed, but his example of leadership with compassion will continue to guide us.

Senator Aaron Woods. Photo by Senator Neron Misslin.

Welcoming Senator Neron Misslin

With the passing of Senator Woods, his seat was left vacant. I’m grateful to share that my friend and colleague, Courtney Neron Misslin, has been selected to serve in the Oregon State Senate. With this appointment, Tigard now has new representation in the Senate, and I know Senator Neron Misslin will serve our community with the same passion, integrity, and thoughtfulness she brought to the House.

She has been a champion for public education and working families throughout her time in the Legislature. We’re lucky to have her voice in the Senate, and I know she will honor Senator Woods’ legacy while continuing to move our state forward.

Her House seat is currently vacant and will likely be filled in the next few weeks, after the local and democratic process runs its course. In the meantime, if you're a constituent in House District 26, there is still staff in place to support you. And if you run into any challenges or need help navigating state government, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We’re happy to assist however we can.

Town Hall at Hearthstone at Murrayhill

Over the weekend, I held a town hall at Hearthstone at Murrayhill Senior Living Center in Tigard. I shared a bit about what first inspired me to get involved in politics, along with updates from the 2024 legislative session.

Residents asked thoughtful questions on a wide range of issues, from education funding and crime, to affordability, to whether Portland could land an MLB team.

My favorite question came right at the very end from a woman who said she had been involved in politics and advocacy all of her life because of the civic spirit instilled in her by her parents. Now, she told me, she’s had a hard time feeling like her voice could be heard. She wanted to know how seniors can stay involved in the political process. I shared three ways, which I also want to share with you:

Write to your legislator. My office gets hundreds of emails per week and we do our best to have thoughtful engagement with all of my constituents. My email is rep.benbowman@oregonlegislature.gov.
Submit written testimony on the Oregon Legislative Information System–OLIS. Just like I shared in my last newsletter, legislators use this to hear directly from constituents about specific bills. Find what bills are important to you and submit your written testimony with your opinion on the bill. If you have questions, reach out to my office.
Finally, I believe we need to rethink how we foster intergenerational connections. I don’t claim to have the perfect solution, but one concept that has stuck with me is the idea of “intergenerational shared sites”. These programs co-locate eldercare and childcare centers, creating opportunities for daily interaction between older adults and young children. While this might not sound like traditional political engagement, institutions like this can play a powerful role in bridging generational divides, reducing social isolation, and improving well-being across age groups. This is the kind of creative thinking we need more of in public policy.

A big thank you to Hearthstone for the invitation and for making space for these conversations.

Revenue Forecast

Last Wednesday, Oregon’s state economists released the latest revenue forecast. The revenue forecast is the data we use to build the state budget. It tells us how much money we have to fund the things the state government is responsible for–education, health care, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more.

Here is my “official” quote: This forecast means we will have fewer resources available in order to support public education, human services, and the many other priorities throughout the state. We also have a constitutional obligation to balance the state budget, which will require hard choices.

Oregon is still in a better position than many states across the country. We will use available resources strategically to deliver results for working people. The forecast makes clear that the chaos and tariffs from the Trump Administration are hurting Oregonians — and that the damage is likely to get worse.”

Here’s a little more detail:

Oregon’s Trade Economy Is Taking a Hit: The Trump Administration’s return to aggressive tariffs is damaging to Oregon, where jobs rely heavily on agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and other trade-dependent sectors.
Uncertainty Hurts Local Businesses: Small businesses and job creators need stability to grow. Right now, there’s no coherent economic strategy from the federal level—just unpredictability. That uncertainty slows hiring and investment in local communities.
Working Families Are Paying the Price: Oregon families are watching costs go up and wondering whether essential federal funding will continue for things like childcare and long-term care. When families stop spending because they’re worried about the future, it slows the economy even more.
Recession Risk Is Rising: Our state economists made it clear: the Trump Administration’s policy choices have increased the risk of a national recession. That’s not just economic theory—it means real consequences for state services, jobs, and the everyday lives of Oregonians.

Despite these national headwinds, Oregon is still in a better spot than most. That’s because we’ve spent years planning for economic uncertainty: saving responsibly (our “rainy day” funds are at record highs), investing strategically, and avoiding short-sighted choices.