Ramming Things Through in the Final Hours of Session
We are now likely just hours away from gaveling out of the 2025 Legislative Session—and incredibly—there are still some unanswered questions on major issues. Most notably, transportation. In case you missed it, there was incredible drama in the Transportation Reinvestment Committee last Friday when Senate President Rob Wagner (D, Lake Oswego) removed dissenting Senator Mark Meek (D, Gladstone) and appointed himself just before the committee began their meeting. The bill was passed out that evening, but did not have the votes to pass on the House Floor earlier this week and was sent back to the committee once again to be negotiated further.
What came out of the negotiations? Democratic lawmakers scrapped their original $15 billion transportation tax proposal—only to replace it with a barely trimmed back version. The latest iteration, introduced as the -28 amendment to House Bill 2025, was narrowly adopted yesterday in committee and weighs in at a hefty $11.7 billion in new taxes over the next decade. Even though it's out of committee, there is still an opportunity to submit written testimony before it is voted on the House and Senate Floor sometime later today.
While it’s being billed as a “scaled-back” plan, the reality is anything but. The amendment includes nearly 20 new or increased taxes and fees—among them a 12-cent gas tax hike, a 350% increase in the vehicle privilege tax, and a tripling of the payroll tax that directly hits working Oregonians' paychecks. And yet, there are still no meaningful reforms at ODOT, no oversight improvements, and no guarantees that these dollars will actually go toward the agency's core purpose of fixing roads and bridges.
Oregonians are already struggling with the rising cost of living, and this plan asks them to pay more—again—for a system that has failed to deliver time and time again.
Another issue that's at the top of my constituents' list of concerns is gun control. Senate Bill 243 C managed to pass through the House this week following intense negotiations that resulted in the death of another gun bill, HB 3076 B. Many House Republicans chose to boycott floor session on Monday. Many then returned during the week, but some, including myself, chose not to be present and help facilitate this bill coming across the Floor. For me, it's not just the gross unconstitutional nature of yet another gun bill, or the undoing of carefully negotiated allowances Republicans fought for in previous gun bills, it's really a deeper protest of the continued break down of process in Salem - presiding officers ignoring not only the voices of Oregonians, but also so many of their own party's members. Oregonians deserve better than this, they deserve real, collaborative solutions to problems, not just more politics. But I digress...
As amended, SB 243 C will impose a ban on magazines over ten rounds, allow for localities to implement gun-free zones in public buildings (creating a felony crime for violations by CHL holders - no longer a misdemeanor as established by SB 554 in 2021), and bans bump stocks. Its fate lies in the Senate today.
As the 2025 Legislative Session comes to a close, it’s hard to ignore just how rudderless the last six months have felt. Despite holding supermajorities in both chambers, Democrats struggled to govern effectively—lurching from one controversy to the next, sidelining dissent within their own ranks, and fast-tracking deeply partisan proposals with little public input or bipartisan support. From the chaotic rollout of the transportation package to the eleventh-hour reshuffling of committee assignments and the deeply divisive gun control debate, this session has been defined by power plays, dysfunction, and a lack of clear direction. Oregonians deserved better than a process marked by backroom deals and rushed decisions—and they’ll be the ones left paying for it with new taxes and poor policies.
 
HB 2025 A - Latest transportation package proposal that would cost Oregonians $11.7 billion in new taxes over the next 10 years.
HB 3940 B- Imposes a tax on oral nicotine products for purposes of wildfire funding.
SB 83 A - Repeals wildfire hazard maps that were passed in 2021—passed both chambers!
SB 106-3 - would force Multnomah County to stop collecting costly Preschool for All taxes now, and phase out the program entirely by 2027.
SB 926 B - Gives PUC the ability to halt shareholder payments of negligent utility companies with three or more years of unpaid wildfire liabilities (i.e. Pacific Power). Died in Ways & Means.
This week, we're proud to recognize Halsey's own Lieutenant Commander Carl John Frank, recently honored as American Legion Post 184’s Veteran of the Quarter! From co-leading the recovery of Apollo missions to serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carl’s extraordinary Navy career placed him at the center of some of our country’s most pivotal moments in history.
Now 90 years old and still deeply involved in supporting veterans, Carl remains a force of dedication, humility, and service. His legacy stretches far beyond his decorated military record—it lives on in his family, his community, and in the stories of space and sea he helped shape. Congratulations, Carl, and thank you for your lifetime of service!
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Fundraiser for Lebanon Area Soccer Team Tomorrow
Supporters are invited to cheer on Lebanon’s U12 Co-Ed AYSO Extra Soccer Team as they prepare to represent Region 870—and the entire state of Oregon—at the AYSO National Games in Orange County, California this July! Fewer than 25 teams from across the nation will compete in their division.
A Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Dessert Auction will be held tomorrow, June 28th, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Senior Center. The dessert auction begins at 6:30 p.m., with live bluegrass music by The Usual Suspects keeping the evening festive!
No online tickets are required—guests can check in at the door. All proceeds will help cover travel costs for the team’s young athletes.
 Jefferson Heroes' Day Tomorrow
Celebrate small-town pride at Jefferson Heroes’ Day—happening tomorrow, June 28th in downtown Jefferson! Bring the whole family for a full day of fun, food, and community celebration.
Start the morning with a pancake breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to noon (more on that below), then grab a spot along Main Street for the parade at 10:00 a.m.. After the parade, enjoy local vendors, a cruise-in featuring cars, bikes, and pickups, and check out the jelly and pickle contests—entries are due by 12:00 p.m.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with neighbors and celebrate everything that makes Jefferson special!
 Jefferson Heroes' Day Pancake Breakfast
Start your Heroes' Day off right with a hot, hearty breakfast served by the Jefferson Volunteer Firefighter Association! Enjoy pancakes fresh off the grill during Jefferson Heroes Day tomorrow from 7:00 a.m. to noon.
Breakfast is just $10 for adults, $8 for veterans, first responders, and seniors, and $6 for kids ages 6–12. Children under 5 eat free!
You can also catch the volunteers in the parade and check out emergency apparatus displays throughout the day.
Proceeds support training and equipment for the volunteer firefighter association—so come hungry and help support your local heroes!
 Sweet Home Sweet Ride Tomorrow
Rev up for a full day of fun at Sweet Home Sweet Ride, a classic car show packed with community spirit and family-friendly entertainment!
Enjoy a full lineup of events including a Burn-Out Pit, poker walk, raffles, food, music, and more—all while supporting great causes like Shop with a Cop, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and Sunshine Industries.
The event kicks off with registration, raffle booths, and food vendors opening at 7:00 a.m. The opening ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Poker Walk at 9:15, and car show judging at 10:00. The Burn-Out Pit opens at 12:00 p.m., and prizes and awards will be announced at 1:30 p.m., including Best of Show!
Vehicles being judged must be parked by 10:00 a.m. Vendors and vintage campers are welcome to check in Friday night—24-hour security is provided.
Come for the cars, stay for the cause—and help make this year’s Sweet Ride the best one yet!
 Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate the 4th of July in Harrisburg with an old-fashioned, all-day celebration of peace, love, and fireworks! This beloved community tradition kicks off early with flag-raising ceremonies and continues with a lively parade, local vendors, historic displays, and live music throughout the day.
The evening wraps up with Harrisburg’s biggest and best fireworks show yet—visible from all around town. Bring the family, wear your red, white, and blue, and join in a day full of small-town charm and patriotic pride.
And that's not all, check out the pet costume parade July 5th and the Firecracker 5k and ids fun run July 6th!
 
It’s the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session—and my last week working for Representative Cate and House District 11! It's bittersweet, but I’ve been focused on wrapping things up—answering phone calls and emails, tying up outstanding constituent cases (or handing outstanding cases to Conner!), and making sure to count up all of the mail we've sent out for Rep. Cate's end-of-year tallies. It's a flurry of final tasks, but there’s something fulfilling about seeing it all come together.
As this season comes to a close, I’m proud of the work we’ve done and grateful for the people I’ve had the chance to meet and work alongside. It’s been a meaningful experience, and I’m soaking in every moment during this final week of the session.
- Ali Ruiz
Poll Shows Voters Aren’t Worried About Oregon Roads and Don’t Want to Pay to Fix Them
Willamette Week
As the Oregon Legislature prepares for looming floor votes on House Bill 2025, a transportation funding bill at the center of the legislative session, polling obtained by the Oregon Journalism Project shows voters are unconvinced of the need for legislation that would raise nearly $2 billion in new funding annually.
Oregon House passes bill to tax oral nicotine products, direct funds to wildfire mitigation
Oregon Capital Chronicle
House Bill 3940 would impose a $0.65 tax on nicotine pouches with 20 units or less, with an additional 3.25 cent tax for each additional unit, rounded to the nearest whole cent beginning Jan. 1.
Time Running Out on a Bill That Could Help Wildfire Victims
Willamette Week
As the 2025 legislative session lurches toward its conclusion, a bipartisan bill aimed at speeding wildfire damage payouts remains stalled in committee. The looming expiration of a federal tax break for fire victims adds urgency to Senate Bill 926.
Senate President Boots Dissident Senator Off Transportation Committee, Appoints Himself in Bid to Save Bill
Willamette Week
Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) exercised the power of his office this afternoon in a fraught moment for the legislative session’s signature policy bill. He booted Sen. Mark Meek (D-Gladstone) off the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment and claimed Meek’s seat for himself. Wagner did so after Meek expressed opposition to House Bill 2025, the long-awaited, much-maligned effort to shore up the finances of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Oregon Public Broadcasting first reported Meek’s concerns about the bill...
Oregon Democrats advance transportation bill during contentious meeting
Statesman Journal
Just after the meeting was scheduled to begin, Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, bounced a Democrat from the committee who had pledged to vote against the bill. And at one point, co-chair Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, yelled at Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis. R-Albany, after she referred to the bill as "grossly irresponsible."
Priorities: Celebrating Black Drag? T-Bone Steaks?
HB 2025: Over a Billion in New Taxes!
Get Ready for Tax Increases!
Sine Die Declared Imminent!
A Mixed Bag of Justice for Wildfire Victims
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