Friends and Neighbors,

Here are some highlights from the past week and helpful community information for you! And I know this is late! It’s been a whirlwind and wanted more updates on the transportation package (HB2025) before sending out.

 - Shelly

THE TRANSPORTATION TRAIN WRECK

Last week was a wild ride in the world of transportation. Late Friday, Democrats rammed through HB 2025, the transportation tax hike bill, kicking Democrat Senator Mark Meek off the committee because he expressed concerned about the massive tax increased. Senate President Rob Wagner replaced Meek with himself to ensure it had the votes get out of committee.

The committee work session was an absolute trainwreck for those in favor of the massive tax hikes and a striking example of how partisan agendas override the needs of Oregonians. HB 2025, if fully passed, will be the largest tax increase in Oregon history. The bill costs too much!

When I described HB 2025 tax increases on Oregonians as “grossly irresponsible,” – using the same language Democrat Representative Gamba used to describe my “no new taxes” amendment that Democrats rejected in favor of big tax increases – I was interrupted, berated, and reprimanded by committee co-chair Sen. Chris Gorsek, who shouted over my remarks and attempted to silence my dissent.

My frustration over this bill comes from two things: the process and the substance.

Process: The committee process was rushed. HB 2025 was introduced on June 9, with public hearings held over just three days, and a work session scheduled merely 11 days after introduction. Amendments spanning hundreds of pages were considered with little time for public review or comment. The public didn’t even have an opportunity to weigh in on the final price tag of the bill.

Democrats repeatedly had selective hearing when it came to the bill. They continued to cite how the bill was in response to listening to Oregonians who have asked them to raise taxes – almost all these people are paid activists, not working Oregonians who don’t have a living off this government revenue. But they ignored the fact that testimony submitted on HB 2025 was overwhelmingly opposed—1,788 in opposition versus 930 in support.

Substance: Why I Oppose HB 2025

Unprecedented Tax Hike: HB 2025 would raise $14.6 BILLION over ten years—more than any previous Oregon tax package, including HB 2017 and the CAT tax. This burden falls disproportionately on working families, with a 37.5% gas tax increase and steep hikes in licensing and registration fees.

Broken Accountability Promises: Despite repeated pledges of reform, ODOT has failed to deliver on transparency, cost controls, and effective project management. Previous accountability measures have yielded little more than bureaucracy and redundant audits, while major projects continue to run over budget and behind schedule.

Culture of Mismanagement: Real accountability cannot be legislated if the agency culture resists change. Frontline workers have described a toxic work environment, and the bill does nothing to address these underlying issues.

Misuse of Funds: Instead of focusing on the maintenance and preservation of our roads, HB 2025 diverts hundreds of millions to pet projects, transit subsidies, and programs that do not directly benefit most Oregonians.

Legislative Abdication: By indexing the gas tax to the Consumer Price Index, the Legislature is abdicating its responsibility to justify and debate future tax increases, eroding transparency and public trust.

We owe it to Oregonians to craft a transportation package that is transparent, accountable, and focused on essential needs—not one that repeats the mistakes of the past.

Today, Democrats sent the bill back to committee for another amendment (unclear what it will be in it at this time) to try to buy more votes from Democrat's who were skeptical of the massive tax increases. Things are moving really fast right now and seem to be changing every hour.

DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO ATTACK YOUR

SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Last week, on a party line vote, the House Committee on Rules passed Senate Bill 243 B, a deeply flawed gun control measure that does nothing to reduce gun violence, address mental health, or make our communities safer.

The bill infringes on Oregonians’ Second Amendment rights by turning those who already own bump stocks and other attachments into criminals, replaces public safety with a door sign, and creates confusion across jurisdictions for concealed handgun license carriers. The committee adopted the -B16 Amendment, delaying the implementation of Ballot Measure 114 to March 15, 2026, as the measure faces constitutional court challenges.

House Republicans proposed and made a series of motions to adopt amendments that were ultimately rejected along party lines, including:

• An amenemdment to repeal Ballot Measure 114, which would prevent criminalizing law-abiding Oregonians by repealing Measure 114.
• An amendment that would create concealed carry reciprocity across state lines and would recognize valid Concealed Carry Licenses from other states and allow visitors to exercise their rights when coming to Oregon.
• An amendment to legalize suppressors. As Congress considers the Federal Hearing Protection Act of 2025, the amendment would allow Oregonians to lawfully possess firearm suppressors should there no longer be a registration process at the ATF.

The Democrats’ refusal to adopt amendments that empower Oregonians to protect their families demonstrates that SB 243 is about infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners – not keeping firearms away from criminals.

SB 243 represents yet another unconstitutional attack on law-abiding Oregon gun owners as the majority continues to ignore both America’s and Oregon’s Constitutions while refusing to prosecute or hold accountable hardened criminals and illegal aliens that break our laws. If the Democrat's majority and governor are serious about lowering gun crime, they should focus on raising penalties for crimes committed with a firearm and ensuring that prosecutors have the resources to prosecute criminals.

The Oregon Legislature is making it harder and harder for you and your family to protect yourselves. I will continue to apply pressure and will ultimately vote NO if the bill reaches the House Floor.

OREGON BUSINESS: IF YOU'RE NOT LEAVING,

YOU'RE PROBABLY LAYING OFF

Let’s call it what it is: Oregon’s economy is in a tailspin, and the Democrats at the helm seem determined to keep their foot on the gas—straight toward the cliff. The headlines practically write themselves: Intel, the state’s largest private employer, just announced the most brutal round of layoffs in its history, planning to axe more than 21,000 jobs worldwide, with Oregon’s prized “Silicon Forest” taking a particularly hard hit. So much for all those state incentives and “innovation economy” talking points.

But Intel isn’t alone. The state’s jobless rate has hit yet another post-pandemic high, and the only thing growing faster than unemployment is the number of businesses eyeing the exit ramp. A University of Oregon report found that a staggering 68% of surveyed businesses that were approached by out-of-state recruiters ended up moving or expanding elsewhere—lured away by lower taxes and less red tape. Apparently, “Come to Oregon, we’ll tax and regulate you out of existence” isn’t the winning slogan Democrats thought it was.

Meanwhile, Portlanders are watching the cost-of-living skyrocket and job opportunities evaporate. Nearly 70% of residents are dissatisfied with affordability, and good luck finding a job that pays enough to cover rent and groceries. It's so bad that even Tina Kotek has finally figured out that those taxes might not be worth it, calling for some taxes to be cut - I am sure her words will be followed with determined action and vigorus advocacy for tax cuts (sarcasm). Housing permits are in freefall, job growth is stuck in neutral, and Multnomah County now ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for job creation since 2019. But don’t worry—Democrats have a plan: raise taxes again! This week they just advanced bills that will increase taxes on your hotel stays and big hikes on transportation taxes.

But sure, let’s keep pretending the problem is “federal uncertainty” or tariffs, rather than the anti-business, anti-growth policies that have become the Oregon brand.

Bottom line: Oregon’s business climate is about as inviting as a February rainstorm. Until there’s a serious course correction—lower taxes, less bureaucracy, and policies that actually encourage employers to stay—expect more headlines about layoffs, departures, and economic malaise. At this rate, the last one out of the state might want to turn off the lights.

AG LABOR BOARD UPDATE

Democrats have backed off their proposal, HB 2548, that would start a government takeover of the state's agriculture industry. Instead, they have now amended the bill to make Portland State and Oregon State Universities “study” current laws and regulations that govern the agriculture workforce.

While I am glad they amended the bill to include Oregon State, which is Oregon's agricultural college, I don’t find much comfort in this proposal and neither should you.

The study will undoubtedly come up with pre-packaged talking points about why a government takeover of the ag economy is needed. This is a trick that Democrats play often. They can't get the support for a crazy idea, so they spend your tax dollars for someone to "study" the issue and report back. These "studies" are just basically PR exercises to come up with the most effective talking points so they can come back and pass the bill in a later session. I’ll be watching, and you should too.

FIFTH ATTEMPT TO PULL WILDFIRE MAP REPEAL BILL FROM COMMITTEE IS SUCCESSFUL

House Republicans had tried four times to pull SB 83, which would repeal the deeply flawed wildfire hazard maps, from the House Committee on Rules for a full vote.

For a third and fourth time, the motion to withdraw the bill from committee failed, despite bipartisan support. Today, something changed: a Democrat made the motion to withdrdaw it from committee. The outcome changed too. It passed. The full vote will happen in the coming days.

Remember, the bill passed unanimously out of the Senate and was carried by the Democrat who carried the original legislation that created the maps.

House Speaker Julie Fahey and the Chair of the House Committee on Rules, Representative Ben Bowman, held the bill hostage for weeks in an attempt to bargain to take the Kicker from you. Something changed. I am not sure what, but apparently if the same idea comes from a Republican and a Democrat, only the Democrat's idea is a good one. Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing this bill is moving forward, but once again, the process is just wrong.

BILL INSPIRED BY PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP AIMS TO CRACK DOWN ONSYRINGE SERVICE PROVIDERS

ENABLING DRUG USE

Earlier this session, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan met with a group of neighbors in Portland who have been trying to get drugs off their streets.

The neighborhood group, comprised of parents, business owners and concerned citizens, call themselves “Stadiumhood.” They live in the area around Providence Park, surrounded by schools and churches, and unfortunately, a hotbed of fentanyl users, in part due to syringe service providers who frequently hand out syringes and foil to drug users, claiming it’s for “harm reduction.”

The meeting with the neighbors and subsequent meetings with the Portland Police chief, the mayor, and the OBRC led to the drafting of HB 3956, which requires syringe service providers to register with county health departments and bans syringe distribution within 1,000-feet of a school.

Last Monday, several of the neighbors testified in support of the bill. A work group will now be formed to flesh out some of the details of the bill, but it’s gained bipartisan support, and we’re hoping it passes during the February session.

It’s one step in the right direction towards making our streets safer and our neighborhoods drug-free.

LISTEN: House Minority Leader Christine Drazan on Republican priorities in last 2 weeks of 2025 session

Oregon lawmakers have until June 29 to finish legislative business and adjourn the 2025 regular session. Although a number of bills remain in play, even at this late date, the only thing lawmakers are constitutionally obligated to do before they leave the Capitol is pass a biennial budget for 2025-2027. During the last five months, Democrats and Republicans have taken up issues related to housing, taxes, transportation and much more. Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Portland, will join us next week to share his perspective on progress toward sine die. But joining us today to talk about cooperation and conflict in the Oregon Legislature is House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby.

OPINION: Jobless benefits for strikers violates standard of fairness

As it stands, the bill would extend benefits to all striking employees for a full six-month run. Republican Rep. Lucetta Elmer of McMinnville led an effort to limit benefits to six weeks, matching Washington, but she carried only one Democrat — Rep. John Lively of Springfield. That prompted this exchange on the House floor between Elmer and Democratic Rep. Dacia Grayber of Portland: Elmer: “Why would we not adopt a common-sense change to at least try to align us with Washington on this policy? Do we want to make Oregon even less competitive?”

LISTEN: House Minority Leader Christine Drazan says state budget is too costly, Republicans must be heard before 2025 session ends

"...This session, I believe that this tax bill is going to be oppressive to Oregonians, and I absolutely would support making sure that that measure could be referred to Oregonians should they pass it. So from my perspective, that would be a way to avoid a walkout, would be to have a conversation about letting Oregonians decide if they can afford this approach at this price point.

“And certainly gun bills, session after session after session, we have measures come through this chamber that are not oriented toward data-driven best practices for what reduces gun violence in communities. And instead it ends up just being more restrictions on law abiding gun owners. That is a huge deal for us because we certainly support and defend access to people’s Second Amendment rights."

Voters increasingly skeptical that Portland-area homeless services tax is working, poll shows

A poll of 822 likely November voters conducted in late May and early June found that only 46% would definitely or probably vote “yes” on a renewal of the regional homeless services tax that provides Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties with funding for outreach, shelter and housing for homeless people. Another 6% said they were undecided, but would “lean toward” voting “yes.” That tax, which is assessed on businesses and high-income households, was first approved by voters in 2020, with nearly 58% of the vote. Lawn signs at the time promised to “end our homelessness crisis” through increased spending on services. Instead, homelessness has gotten worse. In fact, more people become homeless every month in the Portland area than are placed in housing.

Former lawmakers want Oregon voters to decide gas tax hike, transportation funding

Two former lawmakers have formed a political action committee called No Gas Hikes with the goal of asking voters whether they approve a transportation bill that includes a 15-cent gas tax increase, among other tax increases...

...The political action committee has been spearheaded by former Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas. He was a co-vice chair of the 2017 transportation committee that created the last major transportation package. Boquist is identified as a co-director online, as is Lynn Findley, R-Vale, another former legislator who served on the transportation committee...

...HB 2025 is estimated to bring in more than $1.8 billion in the 2029 budget year and in excess of $2 billion by 2034. The gas tax increase is anticipated to generate an average of about $200 million a year from the budget years 2026 to 2035. It would increase from its current 40 cents to 50 cents on Jan. 1, 2026, then again to 55 cents in 2028 before being indexed to inflation starting in 2029...

...Findley urged lawmakers to remember the concerns he and other committee members heard from the public on listening tours around the state last summer. "One of the reasons that we had 12 public hearings throughout Oregon is to get the voters' input. We just ignored it in this bill, it appears to me," Findley said. "Not one of those meetings and hundreds of people that testified did they talk about 15 point increases and 15 different tax raises," Findley said. "But more importantly than that, is I believe something this important should be referred to the voters for their decision..."

...Gov. Tina Kotek reaffirmed support for the bill to reporters June 16, saying the increases won't raise enough money for all of the department's needs, but will help sustain the system. "The political action committee that was formed to potentially refer it is, how do I say this," Kotek said. "It's not unusual that people will be playing political games with the transportation package. I don't think any of us want to fight this at the ballot next year, but right now I'm focused on making sure they can get the transportation package done," Kotek said. "And then, you know, people have the freedom to do what they need to do."

Wildfire Preparedness

From our friends at Linn County Sheriff:

As the dry weather continues in the area, and the temperatures continue to stay warm, fire season is just around the corner.

It has been a very warm and dry June thus far, and summer doesn’t officially start for a few more days.

Wildfires are a serious threat to much of Linn County, and we want to help you and yours be prepared for the upcoming fire season.

As part of this effort, we want to remind everyone of the wildfire resources we have available on our website. This information is updated as often as possible to help keep the public informed on any fires currently active in our area and around the state.

One key tool to use for information is our Linn County Wildfire Map. It can be viewed here. This map will show you where fires are burning, how big the fires are, what level on containment the fire is at, and much more.

This tool is just one of the many features we have on our Wildfire Resource page here. We invite everyone to take a look, as the page offers tools, recourses, and general information to help keep you prepared and safe this fire season.

Rides, Ribbons & Root Beer: See You at the Fair!

From our friends at the Linn County Fair & Expo:

Join us for three days of fun at the Linn County Fair - July 17-19! Enjoy carnival rides, familyland activities, vendors, animals, delicious food, and drinks. There’s something for everyone all weekend long.

Concert Lineup:

• On Thursday, July 17 at 8:30 PM, kick off fair week with Uncle Kracker, performing hits like Follow Me, Smile, Drift Away, and more.
• On Friday, July 18 at 8:30 PM, enjoy a night with Phil Vassar, featuring favorites like Just Another Day in Paradise, Carlene, and Six-Pack Summer.
• On Saturday, July 19 at 8:30 PM, don’t miss Hunter Hayes live, singing Wanted, Storm Warning, I Want Crazy, and many more.

Rodeo Events:

• Rough Stock Rodeo: Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 PM
• Wild N’ Wooly: Friday, July 18 at 6:30 PM

Concert admission is included with fair entry! No extra ticket needed - just bring your fair tickets and good vibes. Premium concert seating is available, but spots are limited. Grab your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, food, and fun under the summer sky! Visit here for tickets, premium seating, and the full schedule.

Volunteers Needed for HoopJam 2025!

From our friends at the Albany Boys & Girls Club:

Wanna be part of the action without breaking a sweat on the court? Hoop Jam runs on the energy of over 150 amazing volunteers — and we’d love to have YOU on the team! Hit this link to sign up and join the fun!

Supporting Families, Before & After the Bell – Join YMCA BRIDGES

From our friends at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA:

Looking ahead to next school year? Register for YMCA BRIDGES Before & After School Care!   

YMCA BRIDGES is proud to offer high-quality before-school care at our YMCA campus and after-school care at North Albany Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary. Our program provides your child with a safe, enriching space to grow, learn, and thrive.

Our BRIDGES program includes:

• Homework Help: Dedicated time and support for academic success
• Physical Playtime: Active play to boost health and well-being
• Healthy Snacks: Nutritional snacks to keep kids energized

Don't wait! Secure your spot now. For more information and to register, visit here.

Kick, Catch & Grow: Goalkeeper Camp at the Y

Also from our friends at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA:

Get ready for an exciting week of goalkeeping with OVF Alliance & the YMCA! Led by experienced OVF Alliance coaches, this camp blends fun & technical development to help players grow on and off the field.

• July 14 - July 17
• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Ages: 7-16 (Open to all, beginners welcome!)
• Mid-Willamette Family YMCA
• $120

Gear: Shin guards, cleats, gloves, water bottle

Don't miss out on this opportunity to train and play with top coaches this summer! For more information and to register, visit the website.

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