|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
May 31, 2025 Legislative Session
House District 24,
I hope you have had a great week! Last Friday, we hit our "Second Chamber Deadline" in the Legislative Session, meaning that every regular policy committee (with the exception of the Joint Ways and Means, House Revenue, Senate Finance and Revenue, House & Senate Rules Committees, and the newly formed Joint Transportation Reinvestment Committee) had to hold work sessions on any bills they are going to pursue this session. With that deadline behind us, we have been spending more and more time on the House Floor!
Keep reading below for this week's update.
Oregon House Passes Senate Bill 426B After 2.5 Hours of Debate
On Wednesday, the Oregon House passed Senate Bill 426B which would make Oregon the first state in the nation to hold owners liable for wages they already paid. This legislation went back for the Senate for concurrence and is now headed to the Governor.
Read my full statement here or below.
 
House Concurrent Resolution 38
This week, we had a public hearing on HCR 38 which honors the life and service of Yamhill County Sheriff Deputy Paul Emerson Baker, who lost his life while on duty in 1982. A father and a veteran, Deputy Baker faithfully served his family and his country, and then came home to serve his local community through the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. It is an honor to bring this legislation forward.
Senate Bill 916B Appears To Be Moving Forward Despite School & Oregonian Editorial Board Pushback
This week, the Oregonian Editorial Board penned an excellent op-ed outlining the concerns of School Administrators with Senate Bill 916B. This would make Oregon the first state in the nation to allow public employees to receive unemployment benefits while on strike.
Despite this editorial, and a letter from the Superintendents of Oregon’s largest school districts asking legislators to oppose Senate Bill 916B, it appears to be moving forward.
This legislation would have a detrimental impact on Oregon's students. We need YOU to make your voices heard. Please contact Speaker of the House Julie Fahey and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman and tell them to STOP Senate Bill 916B from moving forward.
Representative Julie Fahey (Speaker of The House)
Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
503-986-1414
Representative Ben Bowman (House Majority Leader)
Rep.BenBowman@oregonlegislature.gov
503-986-1425
Oregonian Op-Ed: Refocus ODOT And Let’s Get Oregon
Out Of The Mud
On Monday, The Oregonian published an op-ed by House Republican Leader Christine Drazan and Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham on our transportation focus this session: Prioritize core mission of repairing and maintaining roads and bridges, without raising taxpayer dollars.
Here’s a piece of it. You can read the whole article here.
Rooted in facts and focused on results, our transportation stabilization plan puts ODOT back on track:
- No new taxes. Not one cent more from your pocket.
- Fix the budget and keep maintenance jobs that are key to road safety.
- Fix the culture. ODOT must return to its core mission and constitutional purpose: roads, bridges and public safety.
- Prioritize spending. Make $686 million in targeted cost savings from non-core programs like the Climate Office, Innovative Mobility Office and Social Equity Division.
- Protect federal transportation funding. Preserve programs that are eligible for federal matching dollars and comply with federal guidelines.
This isn’t a wish list. It’s a vision that serves as a bridge – an interim plan – that seeks to refocus the work of a critical agency and rebuild Oregonians’ trust in ODOT.
Record School Funding Bill Advances Despite Poor Student Performance Data
On Wednesday, Senate Bill 5516, which allocates $11.4 billion to the State School Fund, the state’s primary funding source for school districts, was voted out of committee.
This is a sizable increase from the last biennium’s budget of $10.2 billion, despite Oregon showing student test scores below the national average, one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation, and one of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in the nation.
The data shows that our schools are not adequately meeting the needs of our kids. The solution is not more money from the hands of taxpayers.
We must reduce the regulatory burden on our schools and dramatically reform public education to give more options - and return more control - to the families of students who are not getting the education they deserve.
The bill now heads to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for final committee approval before consideration on the Senate and House floors.
Oregon Drug Crisis Continues
This week, we learned that 270 pounds of methamphetamine were seized on its way into Oregon—one of the largest meth busts in our state’s history.
Days earlier, more than 60 pounds of powdered fentanyl were seized on Interstate 5 near Albany when an undocumented Mexican national was caught transporting it.
Earlier this month, Oregon was part of a five-state fentanyl bust that federal authorities called one of the largest fentanyl busts in U.S. history when over 400 kilograms of the drug were seized, including three million pills. Sixteen people were arrested, including a leader in the Sinaloa Cartel, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, an illegal immigrant living in Salem, Oregon, whom authorities say had been removed from the U.S. twice already.
Let’s be honest: The drug crisis in Oregon is escalating and what we’re doing isn’t working.
We need to keep fighting for real solutions like empowering our local law enforcement by updating our sanctuary state laws and investing in treatment and recovery systems.
Our communities deserve action—not excuses. We must prioritize public safety and demand accountability.
A New Face In The Oregon Legislature
It was great getting to meet a constituent of mine, Alexis, who is an intern for Senator Bruce Starr this session! Alexis is also an alumni of Willamina High School. I look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes in her future and wish her the best on her journey.
McMinnville Family Health and Fitness Day
Celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day with McMinnville Parks and Recreation and the SNACK program...try a fitness class demo, work your way through the obstacle course, visit with wellness vendors, and have some fun! Raffles, snacks, and more!
Location: McMinnville Community Center
Ages: All ages.
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Fee: FREE
I am honored to serve you and our community at the State Capitol this session. Please stay in touch and reach out if there are any issues you would like us to work on.
Reach My Office
Follow Our Work On Social Media
All my best,
Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-390, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer
|
