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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
August 1, 2025 Post-Session Update
Hello Friends,
I hope you had an excellent July! It was wonderful being back in House District 24 everyday after a long six months in Salem. I wanted to provide you an update on some of the most recent Oregon political news, as well as upcoming events throughout the district. Keep reading below for an update.
Governor Kotek Calls Special Legislative Session
In case you missed it - last week, Governor Kotek announced an August 29th special session to raise gas taxes on Oregonians after the Majority Party unsuccessfully attempted to pass one of the largest tax hikes in Oregon’s history.
Here’s what the Governor is proposing:
- A six-cent increase to the gas tax
- An increase in car registration fees by $42
- An additional $30 registration fee for electric vehicles and vehicles that get high gas mileage
- Increasing titling fees by $139
- Double the 0.1% payroll tax for the State Transportation Improvement Fund, which pays for transit services
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan released the following statement in response.
ODOT Provides Update On Consequences Of Budget Shortfall
Last week, the Oregon Transportation Commission held a meeting to discuss the consequences of ODOT’s failure to manage its budget, which include:
- 483 layoffs effective September 15
- 449 vacant positions eliminated
- Service reductions in road maintenance, vegetation management, litter and graffiti removal
The failure of ODOT to maintain safe roads and prevent layoffs starts with Governor Kotek, who declined to engage in the agency’s mismanagement of its budget until it was beyond recovery.
In July, we offered another solution: use the funding in the Emergency Board reserves to protect maintenance and preserve jobs that impact road safety. Instead, the governor chose to risk family stability and safe roads by cutting jobs and raising taxes.
It’s not too late to reverse course. We invite the Majority Party to join us in standing with Oregonians who have made it clear they cannot afford higher costs.
Governor Pauses DLCD Farm Stand Rule Changes Following
Public Outcry
Recently, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) proposed farmstand rules that would have jeopardized countless agricultural livelihoods and the foundation of Oregon agriculture.
These sweeping new restrictions risked shutting down beloved agritourism events, such as corn mazes, and would have placed small farms in jeopardy.
Thanks to hundreds of Oregonians who spoke out in opposition, the governor halted the harmful rules proposed on Oregon’s farm stands and family farms.
Farmers have made their voices heard throughout the state and have told us unequivocally that these proposed rules would be detrimental to their livelihoods. Agriculture is the backbone of our state; we owe it to our family farms to support them.
You can read more about this here.
Oregon 4th Most Expensive State According To Consumer Affairs
Oregon ranks 47th in “Best States to Move to,” according to a new report from Consumer Affairs — dropping four places since 2024.
The study also ranked Oregon 47th in affordability, with only Hawaii (48th), New York (49th), and California (50th) behind.
The study also ranked Oregon 41st in safety and 37th in economy.
In quality of life, however, Oregon ranked 10th.
Our state is too beautiful to allow its escalating decline in affordability and a weak economy to push families and businesses out.
House Republicans want you and your family to keep more of what you make by cutting income taxes and opposing new taxes and regulations that increase the cost of living.
Oregon’s Business Reputation Tanks In National Rankings,
Hits All-Time Low
This past month, we also got the devastating news that Oregon now ranks 39th in the country for doing business — our lowest spot ever. As someone who owns a business and helps shape our workplace laws, I’m frustrated. It keeps getting harder to run a business here—too many rules, too much red tape, and rising costs.
We’ve got to find a better balance. Support workers, yes—but also make it possible for job creators to grow and stay in Oregon.
We can do both. And we have to—because right now, it’s not working.
You can read the story here.
Secretary of State Audit Shows Oregon Could Be Wasting Millions In Poorly Managed State Spending
The Secretary of State released an audit showing major problems in the state’s procurement system that could be costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
The audit reveals that a significant portion of the state’s spending isn’t being tracked through OregonBuys, the state’s tracking system, and several major agencies, including ODOT, are either fully or partially exempt from using the system. This makes it difficult or impossible to determine where taxpayer money is going, potentially leading to significant budget or revenue projection errors, while eroding public trust in state government.
The auditors recommend that the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) work with lawmakers and other agencies to create a compliance program that includes regularly reviewing agency contracts and procurements, and assessing the OregonBuys program to create more consistent and specific reporting requirements.
This disturbing report points to a lack of accountability in state leaders to be good stewards of taxpayer money, and I support the recommendations from auditors. The state’s system for tracking public funds should not be selectively used. It should be mandatory. It is a core function of state government to know where every taxpayer dollar is going and ensure it is being spent wisely.
Another Successful Story Night Event
We had an amazing evening last night at Domain Willamette for another Story Night event! Story Night is a community outreach event where Real Women share Real Stories of Real Hope. We were able to hear Caitlin Sticka's powerful story. Caitlin was pregnant when she found out she had breast cancer. She is now a two-time cancer survivor, mentor, and founder of With Courage which supports families in Yamhill County impacted by breast cancer.
McMinnville Water & Light Tour
This week, I had the opportunity to spend the day with leaders from throughout Yamhill County to talk about regional water issues. After a two hour group discussion, we visited the McMinnville Water and Light treatment plant outside of Carlton. McMinnville Water & Light has pioneered safe, reliable utility services for over 130 years as one of the first municipally-owned utilities in the Pacific Northwest. It truly is a beacon of our community.
McMinnville Economic Development Partnership Tour
The McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) has organized “MADE VIP Tours” which are a curated series of behind-the-scenes experiences that highlight the strength and innovation of McMinnville’s advanced manufacturing sector. During these visits, we get to see the great things that are made right here in our community.
In July, I had the opportunity to tour the OC Orthodontics World Class Technology Operation. This company was started in McMinnville (out of a barn) and now does business internationally. They employ about 200 people locally. They are a global leader in the latest metal injection molding techniques for orthodontics, and were the first company to use a very specific molding for orthodontic brackets.
What an amazing company to have in our community!
Marion/Polk Food Share
I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Ian Dixon-McDonald (VP of Programs) and Julie Hambuchen (VP of Donor Relations) of Marion Polk Food Share to receive an update on how the organization is doing, as well as what their most pressing needs are.
Marion Polk Food Share distributes food for individuals and families to more than 70 local partners, including food pantries and meal sites, and delivers Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities.
Celestial Hill Vineyard & Winery Grand Opening
In July, my Chief of Staff attended the ribbon cutting at the new Celestial Hill Vineyard & Winery in McMinnville!
About Celestial Hill: Instilled with the dreams of its owners, Celestial Hill is an organic boutique vineyard in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley, where Chris and Melissa Thomas hand-cultivate pinot noir and chardonnay grapes to produce small-batch wines in the Burgundian style. They maintain a close connection to the earth, making their home on the 52-acre property and committing themselves fully to giving the grapes and vines the attention they deserve.
You can read more about Celestial Hill here.
Happening NOW - Yamhill County Fair & Rodeo
McMinnville National Night Out - August 5th
Carlton National Night Out - August 5th
McMinnville Lemonade Day - August 16th
McMinnville Lemonade Day is coming up on August 16th!
Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business - a lemonade stand. The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become productive members of society - the business leaders, social advocates, volunteers, and forward thinking citizens of tomorrow. Each child that registers receives a backpack with an Entrepreneur Workbook that teaches them the 14 lessons of Lemonade Day like creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors, and giving back to the community.
You can read more about Lemonade Day and how to participate here.
I am honored to serve you and our community. 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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