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Friends,
The 2025 legislative session adjourned on June 27. While the gavel has fallen in Salem, our work for House District 31 is far from over.
This session brought both hard-won victories and clear reminders of how much still needs to be fixed in Oregon’s system. From protecting working families to pushing back against runaway taxes, I rose to speak dozens of times and fought every day for our district. Whether it was standing up for rural Oregonians, safer communities, or better governance, I carried your voice to the Capitol.
The Governor has called a special session for August 29 to push through the transportation bill that the supermajority failed to pass during the regular session. I’ll keep you updated as we approach that date, and you’ll find more details on the bill below.
I am proud of what we accomplished—and deeply grateful for your continued trust. Together, we will keep pushing Oregon toward a safer, stronger, and more accountable future.
Sincerely,
Rep. Darcey Edwards
House District 31
Governor Kotek’s special session is rapidly approaching. On August 29, the Legislature is being called back for a special session to vote on a bloated transportation package — one that adds billions in new taxes but fails to address the real problem: accountability and reform at ODOT.
Earlier today, legislative leaders announced a public hearing on the Governor’s proposal. The Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Funding will hold a public hearing Monday, August 25 at 3 p.m. in Hearing Room F at the Oregon State Capitol to hear from the public on Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposal. Oregonians will soon be able to sign up for in-person or remote testimony on the committee’s webpage. Written testimony will also be accepted.
The proposed transportation package is projected to raise $990 million every two years — nearly $5 billion over the next decade. In earlier newsletters, I outlined concerns about this plan. Now that we have the specifics, here’s what this bill would mean for Oregonians:
Taxes & Fees
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Gas tax increases from $.40 to $.46
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Doubles registration fees & and increases title fees by 113%, with even higher rates for high-MPG and electric vehicles
- Transit payroll tax doubles
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Increased Road Usage Charge (RUC) for plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and electric delivery vehicles
More Red Tape & Bureaucracy
- Biennial ODOT performance audits, reported directly to lawmakers
- Transfers authority to appoint the ODOT Director from the Transportation Commission to the Governor
- Expands the Continuous Improvement Advisory Committee with new mandates for monthly meetings and quarterly reports.
Concerns with the Proposal
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Unfunded labor costs: ODOT faces significant new expenses from union contracts, with no dedicated funding to cover them
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Gives authority to raise taxes by rule: Grants the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) the ability to adjust certain taxes – specifically gas taxes – without legislative approval — raising separation-of-powers concerns
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Broad taxing authority: Allows ODOT to decide which vehicles fall under the new Road Usage Charge, potentially expanding the tax base without legislative action
Oregon’s families and businesses cannot keep footing the bill for higher taxes without meaningful reform. This package asks for nearly $5 billion over the next decade while ignoring the underlying issues at ODOT.
I will continue to scrutinize this proposal and push back against unnecessary costs and government overreach. Working families shouldn’t be asked to pay more without real accountability.
As the special session approaches, my office will provide regular updates. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions or concerns — your feedback continues to guide my work in Salem.
Earlier this summer, Oregon farmers raised the alarm over a proposed agency rule that would have limited what could be sold at local farm stands—restricting products to only what was grown directly on the farm. For many small family farms, that would have meant fewer sales, fewer partnerships, and a lot more red tape.
Thanks to a wave of community pushback and thousands of public comments, your voices were heard—and Governor Kotek did the right thing by reversing course. The Department of Land Conservation and Development officially scrapped the rule, protecting a key part of Oregon’s agricultural economy.
It’s a big win, and a great reminder: when we speak up, we can make a difference.
🔎 Quick note: While laws are passed by the Legislature, agency rulemaking happens behind the scenes—and can have just as much impact. That’s why I’m committed to holding state agencies accountable and making sure rural voices are never left out.
Download a List of Local Farm Stands
Oregon’s unemployment rate just hit 5% — the highest in four years. We’ve lost nearly 25,000 jobs in the past year alone. This isn’t just an economic dip — it’s a warning that our business climate is pushing employers out and leaving working families behind.
On the House floor, I spoke about the troubling trend: Dutch Bros is moving its headquarters. Intel is laying off hundreds. Keen is already gone. These companies helped build Oregon’s economy — and now they’re leaving while state leaders stay focused on chasing new projects instead of keeping the ones we’ve got.
I hear it constantly: the cost of doing business is too high, and the red tape never ends. Economic development shouldn’t just be about landing the next flashy announcement — it should be about supporting the employers who already chose Oregon.
We can fix this — but it’s going to take leadership that values long-term jobs over short-term headlines. I’m committed to being that voice in Salem.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks, and I’ve been making the most of the interim by getting out across Oregon (and beyond!) to learn, listen, and connect.
First stop: the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI) — an intensive program focused on the future of power in North America. I joined legislators from across the U.S. and Canada for a deep dive into the infrastructure that keeps our homes, hospitals, and businesses running. As we look toward the future, one thing is clear: Oregon needs a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Then it was off to Klamath Falls, where I had the honor of attending the Klamath Showcase. From visiting family farms with soil so rich it grows the only potatoes used by In-N-Out, to seeing how Klamath Community College is stepping up with workforce training and public safety programs — I left inspired.
Finally, I joined the Eastern Oregon Women’s Summit, where we toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Boardman (award-winning cheese, of course!) and visited Three Mile Farm — a multi-generational, family-run operation where the cows are truly living their best lives.
These visits are more than events. They’re a reminder of the resilience, innovation, and pride that drive rural Oregon. I’m so grateful to everyone who hosted, shared, and showed what makes your communities strong. I’ll be taking these lessons back with me to Salem.
Last week, I hosted joint office hours with Senator Suzanne Weber at the Banks Fire Station. Thank you to everyone who stopped by — your input is invaluable.
Our next office hours will be on September 10 at the St. Helens Law Library. Registration and more details will be available soon, but pencil it in today!
I always say: there’s nothing more valuable than a face-to-face conversation. Whether it’s concerns about legislation, ideas for our communities, or just a chance to connect, these one-on-one chats are the heart of this work.
We hope to see you there!
I want to say how grateful I am for your teamwork. Whether we’ve connected at an event, through email, or during one of my recent office hours — your stories, your concerns, and your passion continue to shape everything I do.
I’ll be working hard this interim, both in the district and in Salem, to keep fighting for the policies and priorities that matter to our communities. From transportation to public safety, from land use to economic growth, the work isn’t done.
Hope to see you out and about soon — and as always, my door is open.
📧 Email: rep.darceyedwards@oregonlegislature.gov
📞 Phone: (503) 986-1431
📬 Mail: 900 Court St. NE, H-385, Salem, OR 97301
🌐 Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/edwards
▶️ YouTube: @RepDarceyEdwards
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