|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
June 13, 2025 Legislative Update
House District 24,
One of my favorite things is getting to speak with constituents! Thank you to the Yamhill County Republicans for having me. Keep reading below for this weeks update.
House Democrats Keep Pushing New Taxes And Fees To Fund Transportation
On Monday, Democrats ignored the pleas of their constituents when they introduced a bill that would add several new taxes and fees to fund transportation. House Bill 2025 would increase the gas tax 55 cents per gallon by 2028. The gas tax will then be tied to inflation starting in 2029. The current gas tax in Oregon is 40 cents per gallon.
Raising it to 55 cents per gallon would bump Oregon up to fourth place in the nation for most expensive gas taxes, replacing Washington. Oregon is currently in 10th place. Here’s a look at where we stand now.
- California: 68 cents/gallon
- Illinois: 66 cents/gallon
- Pennsylvania: 58 cents/gallon
- Washington: 52 cents/gallon
- Indiana: 51 cents/gallon
- Michigan: 48 cents/gallon
- Maryland: 47 cents/gallon
- New Jersey: 42 cents/gallon
- North Carolina: 40.1 cents/gallon
- Oregon: 40 cents/gallon
During a Monday Committee Hearing, Democrats admitted that HB 2025 will raise “at least $1 billion a year” in revenue through increases to the payroll tax, the vehicle privilege tax and the vehicle use tax, and adding a new tax on the sale of new and used vehicles called the transfer tax. It also significantly increases the cost of registration and title fees, along with higher costs for drivers’ licenses, drivers’ license renewals, and drivers’ tests.
And as of today, the official fiscal estimate is $2 billion per year.
It’s not too late to make your voice heard. You have until Saturday (6/14) @ 4pm to submit written testimony asking the committee to reject the Democrats’ costly transportation wish list here.
See a breakdown of House Bill 2025 below:
House Republicans Offer Alternative, Cost-Saving Transportation Proposal
With a state budget that has doubled over the last decade alone, we reject the premise that politicians must make life more expensive for Oregonians if we want to fix potholes, plow the snow and keep our streets safe. That is why House Republicans have introduced an alternative transportation proposal, House Bill 3982.
House Bill 3982 would:
- Prevent a projected $0.60 increase over ten years to Oregon’s hidden gas tax (Clean Fuels Program).
- Redirect over $134 million of current spending on climate initiatives towards critical functions.
- Redirect $38 million in funding for passenger rail service towards critical functions.
- Redirect the payroll tax over two years to provide truckers with a tax credit on future tax bills, repaying them for years of unconstitutional overpayments.
- Adopt recommendations from the managerial review of ODOT, including the creation of the Major Projects Office.
- Modernize fuel taxes and regulations to reduce tax evasion and facilitate easier compliance.
Legislature Approves Bill Limiting Local Control In Our Schools
This week, Senate Bill 1098 passed in the Oregon House which limits a local school districts' ability to choose age-appropriate books and learning materials for school libraries, when materials contain perspectives or stories, or are created by individuals from protected classes.
There was an amendment proposed in the Education Committee which would have affirmed a school’s ability to also consider age and grade-level appropriateness when reviewing school books and learning materials. Unfortunately, that amendment was not adopted.
Communities elect school board officials for a reason. I believe those closest to the community, the school, and the material are the best positioned to make these decisions. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
House Republicans Propose Minority Report That Preserves The Integrity Of Elections
This week, my House Republican colleagues and I proposed a minority report set on upholding democracy and fairness in elections. Earlier this session, the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO) requested a bill that would change the percentage requirement to achieve major party status in Oregon from 5% to 10%.
Why? According to the IPO’s testimony in support of HB 3908, the party is on the brink of exceeding 5% of all registered voters. Raising the cap to 10% would allow them to stay a minor political party and be exempt from major party requirements. In past years, the IPO has flip-flopped between minor and major party status, and they claim it’s affected their ability to recruit candidates and plan for elections.
My colleagues and I took issue with the way the bill was written. Under the current statute, minor parties can endorse another party’s candidate instead of electing their own through a primary. In practice, this means that a small group of people decide what candidates their party will support, dodging a democratic, primary election where members of that party can choose their nominee.
Cross-nomination allows a candidate to be listed on the ballot as endorsed by multiple parties. This process may appear harmless, but it can result in a distortion of the democratic process.
Cross-nomination blurs party lines and confuses voters. More importantly, it grants minor parties major power without the accountability or broad support of the electorate.
When a minor party lends its name to a major party candidate, it bypasses the accountability mechanisms built into our democratic system that prevent a select few from amplifying their voices beyond their numbers.
Unfortunately, Democrats rejected our minority report.
Bill That Would Grant Employment Benefits To Striking Workers Repasses With Amendment
Earlier this week, four Democrats in the Oregon Senate joined Republicans in rejecting Senate Bill 916, a bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, in a 14–15 vote. Following the vote, the Oregonian Editorial Board wrote (for the third time) urging the Legislature to reconsider moving forward with this first in the nation proposal.
The Senate had previously approved the bill, but it came back to the Senate for a concurrence vote after it was amended and passed in the House. A conference committee was scheduled to come to an “agreement” on a proposal that could pass in both chambers. Ultimately, the conference committee approved an amendment that would limit the unemployment benefits striking workers can receive to 10 weeks.
While Republicans in the House and the Senate pushed back again on the proposal, both chambers ended up passing the revised version – pushing aside the concerns raised by school administrators, city and county governments, and the business community.
We know this bill will harm Oregon students who are already struggling to meet basic proficiency standards and are experiencing chronic absenteeism. Senate Bill 916 now heads to the governor’s desk.
Gun Bill Gets Attacked In Public Hearing
On Wednesday, with only 24 hours’ notice, a public hearing was held on Senate Bill 243B, a deeply flawed bill that infringes on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Oregonians to protect themselves and their families while doing nothing to deter criminals.
The bill would allow local governments to decide whether or not to prohibit concealed handgun license holders from bringing their concealed carry on public property.
There is no evidence to suggest that CHL holders are a risk to public safety. In fact, there are many instances where CHL holders have prevented or stopped active shooter incidents.
Senate Bill 243B also bans the possession of bump stocks and auto sears (aka Glock switches, which are already illegal under federal law). Research indicates that bump stocks are rarely used in criminal cases, and there is no evidence that banning them will reduce gun-related violence.
I am frustrated that instead of addressing mental health challenges, or Oregon's ongoing drug crisis, the Majority Party is continuing to punish law abiding gun owners.
Another Business Leaves Oregon
Dutch Bros, an iconic Oregon coffee chain, is leaving the state.
What started as a pushcart in Grants Pass in 1991 soon exploded across the West Coast. The nearly $12 billion chain plans on moving its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona.
In April, the University of Oregon Institute for Policy Research & Engagement released a devastating report showing out-of-state businesses are actively recruiting Oregon workers, using tax incentives as “by far the most commonly offered” incentive to leave the state.
This is a big loss for Oregon. Dutch Bros is ranked second as Oregon’s most valuable company, trailing only Nike.
It is time for Oregon to choose a different path. Our economy is falling behind because Majority Party leadership refuses to acknowledge their policy failures and change course.
To strengthen our economy, our state must support businesses by improving incentives and cutting taxes and regulatory burdens, or states like Arizona will continue to entice our valued businesses.
Congratulations Graduates
Today, I had the opportunity to give the graduation speech for three virtual charter charter schools including Cascade Virtual Academy, Insight School of Oregon Painted Hills, and Destinations Career Academy. Their ceremony was held at George Fox University. These young adults have a bright future ahead and I wish
To all of the 2025 graduates - congratulations on this accomplishment!
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
|
