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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
June 22, 2025 Legislative Update
House District 24,
Happy second official day of summer! We are 7 days away from "Constitutional Sine Die," when the Legislature is legally required to be done according to the Oregon Constitution. While there is still much that is up in the air about how this session will conclude, here are the main updates from this week.
Largest Tax Hike In Oregon History Passes Out Of Committee
On Friday night, the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment voted to advance House Bill 2025 - the largest tax increase in Oregon history. Read our House Republican Caucus statement below.
House Bill 3962 (TLT Tax Change) Passes Oregon House
This week, the Oregon House passed HB 3962 with 31 “ayes” and 23 “nays.” The bill changes the restricted portion of post-2003 transient lodging taxes (TLT) from 70% towards tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities and 30% discretionary, to 40% towards tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities and 60% discretionary. Local lodging taxes
are taxes paid by visitors of hotels, motels, short term rentals and campgrounds.
I voted in opposition to this bill because I believe lodging taxes at the state and local level are intended to be used to promote tourism and build economic development. And we know, based on the data, that these investments are working. At a time when Oregon is struggling on many fronts, I do not feel that now is the time to fix an element of our government structure that isn't broken.
Visit McMinnville's work demonstrates the power of targeted investment. Their efforts
directly contribute to $47 million in visitor spending and 430 jobs right here in our city.
This economic vitality doesn't just materialize on its own. It requires resources to
develop marketing campaigns, attract conferences and events, partner with travel
media, and ensure potential visitors know why McMinnville and the surrounding
region should be their destination of choice.
HB 3962 now heads to the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.
Bill Luring Major League Baseball To Oregon Passes
This week, the Legislature passed a bill to fund the construction of a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium in Portland, in hopes of attracting one of two expansion teams the league plans on adding in 2029.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of Senate Bill 110 in April. On Tuesday, the House passed it with a vote of 46 to 6.
The bill will generate $800 million towards a $2 billion MLB ballpark in Portland’s Southwest Waterfront using income taxes from players’ salaries to repay bonds. Oregon has had a “jock tax” since 2003 but it previously limited revenue to $150 million. The grant cannot be issued until after a Major League Baseball franchise agrees to locate and be based in Portland, and all non-grant funding to build the major league stadium has been committed.
However, as Oregon’s anti-business climate continues to drive away valuable companies, it’s hard to believe a MLB team would want to set their home plate in our state.
Oregon ranks 48th in business friendliness according to CNBC and a recent University of Oregon report showed out-of-state businesses are actively recruiting Oregon businesses and workers using tax incentives as “by far the most commonly offered” incentive to leave the state. 68% of businesses contacted by a recruiting agency reported moving or expanding outside Oregon. 60% said external recruitment efforts have increased in the past three years.
Bringing Major League Baseball to Oregon could create an economic boom our state desperately needs. An MLB stadium would create an opportunity to boost statewide revenue and also hold Portland leaders accountable for improving safety and quality of life. But a lot of work will have to be done in Salem to attract and keep business here, including a Major League Baseball team.
What are your thoughts? Should Oregon get an MLB team?
Continued Attack On Our Second Amendment Rights
This week, on a party line vote, the House Committee on Rules passed Senate Bill 243C, 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 amendment 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The Majority Party's refusal to adopt amendments that empower Oregonians to protect their families demonstrates that SB 243C is about infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners – not keeping firearms away from criminals.
Bill Inspired By Portland Neighborhood Group Aims To Crack Down On Syringe 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 Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (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.
On 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.
Capitol Construction Update: The Gold Man
If you are in Salem, you will notice new scaffolding going up on the observation deck close to the Gold Man. This is because the Oregon Pioneer will be getting a partial regild of the external 23 K gold leaf. (The sculpture, done by artist Ulric Ellerhusen, was titled both "Gold Man" and "Oregon Pioneer" by the artist and the names are used interchangeably.)
EverGreene Architectural Arts, which is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, was chosen as the contractor for the project. EverGreene focuses on the preservation of historic buildings, artifacts, and works of art, and has restored and preserved many of the country's significant and iconic masterpieces.
According to Mike Sliwinski, Hoffman Construction Field Superintendent, several areas are being regilded, "most of the work is on the head and shoulders, there are some small lower areas that will also be addressed."
The project should be completed by the end of July. And the scaffolding will be dismantled the first week of August.
The Gold Man has previously been gilded four times. Originally in 1938, then again in 1958, 1984 and 2000. You can view archival photos of the statue being created in the New Jersey studio of sculptor, along with video of his historic journey to the top of the capitol in this video.
It's That Time - MacFresco Is Back
House District 24 - It's that time! MacFresco is back. Each summer, Historic Downtown McMinnville comes alive with MacFresco!—a lively, open-air celebration of food, wine, art, and local flavor. Third Street closes to cars and opens to people, creating a pedestrian-friendly promenade where you can sip, shop, and stroll your way through downtown.
This year, MacFresco runs from June 20th, 2025 - September 1st, 2025.
Lemonade Day Is Coming - August 16th
Check Out My Podcast - Life & Legislation with Lucetta
Have you ever wondered what State Representatives do all day? Been curious about how an idea actually becomes a law? Wished you knew your politicians as real people? Join host Jessica Campbell and myself on a fresh and insightful podcast adventure where we talk about all things life and legislation.
Available on all podcast streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
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.
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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
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