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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Special Session Update: Policy Over Politics
Many of you have reached out with frustration about new taxes and how this special session has been handled. The House finished its work Monday, and I voted no on the final bill. Here’s why, and what to expect next.
This past week, the House met for a special session from Friday through Monday. Here’s what happened:
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The House reached quorum and held a public hearing in committee.
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Amendments were proposed and debated.
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The final bill passed the House with the bare minimum of 36 votes. I voted no.
Moments with Mark - Special Session Update
Key Concerns We Raised
From the super minority, we offered several amendments to make this proposal more responsible. Two of the most important were:
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Sunset on the payroll tax – We asked for this new payroll tax to expire on December 31, 2027, rather than continuing indefinitely.
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Fuel tax equalization – The original bill would have allowed the Department of Administrative Services to raise fuel taxes on one category (heavy or light-duty trucks) to equalize costs. We pushed back, asking instead that if adjustments were needed, the state should reduce taxes on the other side, not just raise them.
Why I Voted No
I’ve heard the frustration from our community loud and clear. This bill adds costs to Oregonians while missing the bigger picture. One of the core responsibilities of state government is to provide safe and adequate roads.
ODOT’s shortfall is around $360–$370 million—that’s just 3/10 of 1% of Oregon’s total budget. When families and small businesses face shortfalls, we don’t always get to raise revenue; we figure out how to do more with less. The state should do the same.
I’m concerned about how our communities, and Oregon as a whole, will move forward if we continue trying to fund everything at past levels without making tough decisions. If we want to become solvent in a true budget crisis, everyone needs to be at the table. The rushed process of this special session didn’t work.
Special Session Floor Speech
What’s Next
The Senate will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3, for third reading (the final vote on the bill). They plan to convene at 10 a.m., and you can watch live on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) here:🔗 OLIS link
In the coming months, I’ll be hosting more town halls across House District 60. Stay tuned for dates and details.
  Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens
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