Get Ready for Tax Increases!
With just a few weeks to go in session, a brand-new transportation package was unveiled just in time to test how far lawmakers are willing to stretch the meaning of “transparent policymaking.” Progressive Democrats dropped the proposal this week with fanfare and talking points, but under the hood, it’s a jarring mix of aggressive tax hikes and policy rewrites.
At the center of the plan is a doubling of the state’s gas tax to 80 cents over the next seven years—an increase that would vault Oregon toward the top of the national leaderboard for fuel taxes. That’s paired with higher vehicle registration fees, a new 2% sales tax on new cars, a 1% sales tax on used cars over $10,000, and even a half-percent payroll tax increase phased in over the same timeframe.
What’s more, the package doesn’t just fund roads—it completely rewrites how Oregon approaches emissions, traffic safety, and even land use. Buried in the plan are new climate benchmarks, local project restrictions, and a deliberate shift away from highway expansion. Whether or not you agree with the policy, one thing is clear: this is a sweeping, expensive, and highly consequential proposal being introduced in the 11th hour.
The justification for all of this? A $350 million hole in the state’s transportation budget and a long list of infrastructure needs. But with no formal bill language yet and a dwindling session calendar, it's very possible we'll be back for a special session later this year to finish the job.
 
SB 180 - Makes it harder to sue someone for defamation if they’re speaking out about being sexually assaulted. The accuser must prove the person was being intentionally malicious.
SB 777 - Compensation for ranchers who lose livestock to wolves. Passed both chambers!
SB 916 - Allows striking workers to collect unemployment, something that no other state allows. Heading back to the Senate for concurrence.
SB 1153 - Directs the Water Resources Department to consider whether certain water right transfers will result in a loss of in-stream habitat for sensitive, threatened or endangered aquatic species in stream reaches not protected by an existing water right or contribute to water quality impairment in water quality limited streams.
HB 3962 - Makes changes to how local transient lodging taxes may be spent by allowing local governments to use those funds for public safety or other community infrastructure costs
This week we'd like to honor the graduating class of 2025! We were able to send congratulatory letters to all 645 graduates of House District 11's six public high schools (Lebanon, Sweet Home, Harrisburg, Jefferson, Scio, and Central Linn) in the last week, but no amount of praise seems sufficient for all of the hard work these students put in to get to this moment. Please join us in wishing these grads the best of luck in their next chapter!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Lady Loggers' State Championship Game Today!
The Scio community is rallying behind the Lady Loggers Softball Team as they head to the OSAA State Championship game at 12:00PM in Eugene! This team has shown incredible determination, grit, and teamwork throughout the season, earning their place on the biggest stage. Join us in wishing them the best of luck in bringing home the title and capping off another truly remarkable season!
Lebanon Optimist Pancake Feed Tomorrow
The Lebanon Optimist Club invites you to its pancake breakfast tomorrow from 6:30AM-10:30AM in Linn Lanes' parking lot! Proceeds go to supporting the Lebanon Optimists’ JOYA scholarship fund, so you're supporting a great cause before watching the Strawberry Festival Grand Parade!
The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is Underway!
Don't miss the 116th annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival! This regionally renowned happening has something for everyone, and is the pride and joy of the city. The festival kicked off yesterday and will conclude Sunday, so there's still time to make an appearance! For a full schedule of events, click this link.
 Halsey’s City-Wide Garage Sale Tomorrow
Halsey’s Annual City-Wide Garage Sale is happening tomorrow, June 7th! Whether you’re treasure hunting for unbeatable deals or planning to clear out some space and make a little extra cash, this is a can't-miss community event.
The registration window has now passed, but you can still enjoy the event as a customer!
Where to Get the Map:
Sale maps will be available by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at:
 Halsey Party in the Park Tomorrow
The City of Halsey invites you to join them for their Party in the Park tomorrow, June 7th at the city park! You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, play games, win prizes, enter to win a "summer fun" raffle basket, and learn more about the Halsey Library Summer Reading Program!
 Registration for Central Linn Fall Sports Now Open
It's time to get your athletes signed up for an exciting season of fall sports! Registration is open for the following programs:
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Flag Football: 1st–6th grade
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Sideline Cheer: Kindergarten–4th grade
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Volleyball: 3rd–6th grade
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Soccer: Pre-K–6th grade
Be sure to register your child based on the grade they will be entering for the 2025–2026 school year. Visit clrasports.org for full program details and to complete your registration.
For questions, please contact: vp@clrasports.org. Don’t miss out on a great season!
 Sweet Home's Movies in the Park Returns
Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun evening under the stars at Sankey Park for Movies in the Park this summer! Admission is completely free, and the night kicks off with kids' activities starting at 7:30PM.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars—it's a great way to enjoy summer in Sweet Home. For more details or questions, contact the Sweet Home Public Library. The first movie plays next Friday!
 
Free Fishing Across Oregon this Weekend
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to remind you about Free Fishing Weekend, a time when you don't need a license to fish, crab, or clam anywhere in Oregon! To learn more, click here.
 
Well, it really feels like the home stretch! Marathan Floor sessions (though not too long, yet) defined this week, as most committees have shut down.
While there were plenty of contentious bills hitting the Floor and keeping staff around the building glued to the TVs, there were also moments of genuine lightheartedness and even shenanigans in the Chamber. It turns out that even elected officials enjoy playing bingo and throwing paper airplanes at each other once in a while! Unfortunately, Ali wasn't here to enjoy all of this because she was out sick Tuesday and Wednesday--which I wouldn't normally call attention to--but she zinged me pretty hard for getting sick a few weeks ago, so this one time I will!
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Lacomb Elementary visited last Friday, and did a number on our Little Pioneers Free Capitol Library, so we had to replenish our stock. Every book in our Little Library is signed with a note of encouragement from either a State Representative or State Senator, so we sent out a plea for Members to come sign books during Floor, and they came through!
The last interesting piece of this week was wrapping up graduation letters to all 645 graduating seniors in House District 11's public high schools this week. Due to a tight turnaround time, I actually drove down to Scio and Sweet Home on Wednesday morning to hand-deliver their letters. This was because the night before I had an actual nightmare that the letters got stuck in the mail system and didn't make it before graduation. Needless to say, I didn't want to take the chance of the dream being a premonition!
- Conner
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Oregon Got a Massive Federal Recovery Grant After 2020 Wildfires. Most of the Money Remains Unspent.
Willamette Week
Nearly four years after Congress approved a mammoth disaster relief grant to help Oregonians recover from the destructive 2020 wildfires, records show that more than 90% of the money remains unspent, even as hundreds of families await relief. “It has been incredibly frustrating for the communities that were affected,” says state Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland). Fire consumed more than 2,600 homes in Jackson County, most of them in Marsh’s district. Hundreds of families in Jackson and other fire-afflicted counties remain homeless or marginally housed from the 2020 blazes...
Progressive Democrats propose doubling gas tax to pay Oregon transportation costs
Central Oregon Daily
A group of progressive Democrats is proposing doubling the gas tax over the next seven years to help pay for overdue upgrades to roads, bridges, public transit and to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and buses. Republicans say it would give Oregon among the highest state gas taxes in the nation.
Oregon likely to OK unemployment for workers on strike
The Oregonian
In a major win for Oregon unions, the state got one big step closer to providing unemployment benefits for striking workers on Wednesday.
The House of Representatives voted 33-23 to authorize the unemployment payments after hours of heated debate. Among Democrats, only John Lively of Springfield joined all House Republicans present Wednesday in voting no, allowing the bill to surpass the 31 votes needed to pass it.
Bill to bar medical debt from credit reports poised to pass Oregon Legislature
The Lund Report
A Senate bill that aims to prevent medical debt from ruining people’s credit scores — and their lives — is poised to pass the Legislature. Democrats and some Republicans in the House already approved Senate Bill 605, and on Wednesday, it’s up for a final vote in the Senate...
A look into the cost of a wildfire
KDRV
The Oregon Department of Forestry is statutorily obligated to investigate every fire that starts on ODF-protected land. If the fire is human-caused, the responsible party is held accountable for the cost of suppression efforts. “ It's a large sliding scale, but the average cost of a fire in Oregon is $300,000,” Jessica Neujahr, ODF Public Affairs Office, said. “Sometimes it's a much larger thing than, like, one person in their lifetime could even comprehend paying off.” Criminal and financial charges can be brought against parties who start fires. Pile burns and fires started by combustible engines are the easiest to track.
Oregon secures $83 million in federal grants for highway damage from wildfires, floods, natural disasters
The Oregonian
Oregon will soon receive $83 million in federal reimbursements for repairs to roadways that were damaged by massive wildfires, floods, ice storms and other weather-related emergencies. All seven of Oregon’s Democratic members of Congress announced Monday they have secured eight grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which funds repairs of major roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters.
Vacancy on Jefferson Park & Rec District Board
Interested in getting involved in your local government? The Jefferson Park and Recreation District is seeking a new board member to fill a two-year vacancy through June 30th, 2027! This is a great opportunity to represent your community, and have a voice in decisions that impact local programs, facilities, and events. Board meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month in the school district board room. Applicants must be electors residing within the Jefferson Park and Recreation District.
To apply, email Meagan.Semanski@jefferson.k12.or.us
Sine Die Declared Imminent!
A Mixed Bag of Justice for Wildfire Victims
Wildfire Victims Finally Receive a Hearing!
The Mid-Session Lull is Here!
Some Wildfire Recovery Wins!
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