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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the ending months of summer and taking in these beautiful blue skies that we have been blessed with this season (knock on fire-proof wood).
As a reminder, Senator Broadman, Representative Kropf, and I will be holding a Town Hall this Sunday, August 24th at 1:00 p.m. at OSU Cascades. You can RSVP here.
We’re committed to maintaining a respectful and productive space for dialogue. Hateful speech or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
At the Town Hall, we’ll be focusing on the 2025 Legislative Session, the upcoming special session, and the impacts of new federal legislation—particularly the concerning cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs.
We hope to see you there and look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions.
Lastly, my team and I just got back from the National Conference for State Legislatures in Boston, and I was invited to a one-day conference put on by Project Liberty. I learned so much about children’s online safety and will be continuing to work with Project Liberty, Senator Reynolds, Rep Dobson, and Rep Wallan to bring these policy ideas to Oregon. Ninety percent of Americans, regardless of political leanings, believe that kids should be able to delete their data when they leave an app. When was the last time ninety percent of Americans agreed on anything? |
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We have a real opportunity to make progress, and demand better online safety for our youth. You can read more about Project Liberty here. And don’t miss our September virtual Town Hall to discuss the Governor’s executive order on cell phones in schools (more information down below).
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As always, my door is open. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
This year’s National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit marked a historic moment — the largest convening of state lawmakers in over two centuries. The theme of the event was working across the aisle and engaging in civic debates and discussions. Here's what we brought back from the frontlines of policy, innovation, and leadership:
Transportation Infrastructure: Smart Solutions for a Growing Challenge
With transportation top of mind for many Oregonians, my team and I attended several transportation-focused seminars at the recent conference. One standout panel, “The Road Out of the Red: Smart Strategies for Transportation Infrastructure”, highlighted a growing concern: most states across the country are underinvesting in road and bridge maintenance, and Oregon is no exception.
This underinvestment is costing more in the long run. Delaying maintenance leads to more expensive repairs and contributes to declining infrastructure conditions that impact both everyday travel and the movement of goods.
Source: Pew Research Center
The panel shared several strategies that other states are using to address these funding challenges. Some are implementing tolling and user fee systems. Others have introduced delivery fees or highway use taxes for trucks to help fund maintenance and repairs.
One particularly innovative example came from Indiana, where the state launched a mobile app that maps out maintenance needs by county. This tool gives the public a clear view of where infrastructure investments are needed.
The key message from the discussion was clear: addressing infrastructure challenges requires active collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies. Only by working together can we deliver meaningful and lasting improvements to our transportation systems.
Bracing for Extreme Weather Costs
Our team attended a panel on how states are managing the rising costs of extreme weather events—a challenge we know well in Central Oregon. Wildfire risks are impacting our communities, utility rates, and homeowner's insurance. With 2025 already the costliest year on record for disasters, and federal funding cuts making FEMA less reliable, states like Rhode Island are creating their own grant programs to support local recovery efforts. However, consistent funding remains a challenge.
In a related panel on homeowners insurance, experts highlighted how insurers are pulling out of high-risk areas, including parts of Oregon. The discussion emphasized the need for flexible insurance options that cover weather risks and remain accessible to low and middle-income families. Using science-based building standards and improving public awareness were also key takeaways. I look forward to sharing these insights with our team here in the high desert.
Addressing the Overdose Crisis
Oregon continues to face some of the highest rates of drug addiction and overdose deaths in the country. At a panel on overdose response strategies, legislators from across the U.S. shared how they are supporting their communities. A key message was the importance of treating people with substance use issues as patients in need of care—not as criminals.
The panel stressed the need to expand both behavioral health and substance use treatment services and to meet people where they are. While youth drug and alcohol use has dropped 40% since 2013, mental health crises among young people have surged since the pandemic. Early intervention works, but we must invest in both mental health and substance use support to truly address this crisis.
Rep. Rieke Smith, Sen. Reynolds, Rep. Hartman, and Rep. Levy exploring the NCSL Exihibit Hall in Boston
On September 30th, I will be joining Senator Reynolds, Representative Dobson, and Representative Wallan for a virtual round table event. We will be answering your questions and clarifying details regarding Governor Kotek’s recent executive order requiring schools to implement cell phone bans in public schools. After attending the State Leadership Summit on Digital Choice & the Future of Social Media in Boston, I was inspired to learn how other states are protecting their students from the harm of social media and digital devices. I look forward to continuing this conversation with our community of youth advocates. RSVP here to receive a Zoom link for the event! More details to come.
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Last week, the Oregon Department of Energy released the draft Oregon Energy Strategy. Once finalized, the Oregon Energy Strategy will serve as a guide for Oregon’s lawmakers, agencies, and Oregonians to help make decisions on our long-term energy future. If you have any recommendations or concerns upon reading the draft, the public comment portal will be open through September 22nd, 2025.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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