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To contact me, please click here: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
Here are some moments from the past couple of weeks and valuable community insights to help you stay informed.
~ Virgle
BILL THAT WOULD GRANT EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO STRIKING WORKERS REPASSES WITH AMENDMENT
Earlier this week, four Democrats joined Republicans in rejecting Senate Bill 916, the bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, in a 14–15 vote.
The Senate previously approved the bill, but it came back to the Senate for a concurrence vote after it was amended and passed the House.
The House amendments would limit unemployment benefits to six weeks, as well as make technical changes to the provision that school districts can recoup costs from backpay.
Although no comments were made on the Senate floor, the rejection of the amendments may stem from the recent outcry from superintendents across Oregon, who sent a letter to House leaders, urging them to oppose the bill, saying it may create financial difficulties when they’re already facing budget deficits.
On Thursday, the conference committee approved an amendment that would limit unemployment to 10 weeks. Representatives Ed Diehl and Lucetta Elmer challenged it, but House Democrats struck down their motions, and both chambers passed the revised version.
We know that this bill harms Oregon students, who are woefully behind in test scores and graduation rates and experiencing chronic absenteeism.
It now heads to the governor’s desk.
REPUBLICANS PROPOSE MINORITY REPORT THAT PRESERVES THE INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS
This week, my colleagues 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 shot down our minority report.
NEW PROPOSAL WOULD SEND 60% OF THE KICKER TO WILFIRE FUNDING AND THE REST TO OREGONIANS MAKING LESS THAN $95K
In new proposal, 60% of kicker would go to wildfire, rest to Oregonians making less than $95k
Oregon Capital Chronicle ~ Redirecting the money would require a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber, meaning at least two Senate Republicans and four House Republicans would need to approve along with all legislative Democrats. But getting Republican support is easier said than done, and some are accusing House Democrats of delaying a vote to repeal the state’s unpopular Wildfire Hazard Map as a bargaining chip in negotiations over redirecting the kicker for wildfire funding.
“It’s sad to see a group of representatives, so beholden to their liberal bosses committed to stealing our kicker, not care at all about the will of the people they represent,” state Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Reedsport, said in his May constituent newsletter. Golden has said he does not agree with delaying a vote on the wildfire map.
SENATE BILL 224 PASSES BOTH HOUSE & SENATE
Oregon state lawmakers recently passed a bill blocking their personal addresses
OPB ~ Oregon state lawmakers approved a measure late last week to make it harder for members of the public to obtain their home address. The bipartisan vote in favor of Senate Bill 224 seems almost prescient after what unfolded over the weekend: a gunman assassinating a Minnesota state lawmaker at her home, shooting another and reportedly visiting the houses of two other state legislators...
...Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, made a similar point, saying acts of political violence should serve “as a wake-up call for Americans of all political backgrounds to find common ground and ratchet down extreme, hyper-partisan rhetoric. Political opposition is just that,” Bonham said in a statement. “They’re not enemies. They’re people who want to solve the same problems that we’ve identified differently. It’s no cause to incite violence.”
WARNING FROM DMV ABOUT LATEST SCAM
Oregon DMV warns of latest text, email scam demanding payment
KOIN ~ The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicle Services is warning about the latest text and email scam targeting Oregonians. On Monday, the DMV issued a press release describing the scam, in which bad actors claim the message recipient has an outstanding ticket or other violation and cites “phony,” administrative codes. The messages then demand payment and claim the recipient could face vehicle registration suspension, suspended driving privileges, service fees and damaged credit scores if they don’t pay.
LISTEN: INSIDE DOUGLAS COUNTY 6.13.25
KQEN ~ State Representative Virgle Osborne takes a look at the hot topics this week in the Oregon State Legislature.
GLIDE SAQUATCH FESTIVAL 2025
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The Glide Sasquatch Festival is a summer fest celebration of all things Bigfoot and good times. The first Sasquatch Festival roared to life in 2022 with a turnout of more than 2,500 people in attendance. This event was such a success it has been deemed a new tradition for the Glide Community. In 2023 & 2024 the summer festivals hosted over 4,000 attendees, musical acts, over 80 vendors, and two esteemed Bigfoot Experts. Glide Revitalization is mostly known for their work to help the Archie Creek Fire Survivors recover with over $1 million in financial assistance to date.
Glide Revitalization is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is "Revitalizing Glide and Douglas County by promoting economic growth, beautification, recreation and education, while building strength and resiliency in our residents through community outreach, program development, and enrichment activities".
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Yours Truly,
State Representative, House District 2
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1402
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/osborne
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