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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
This should go without saying, but every American citizen should be standing for the rule of law, which applies equally to all who are within our borders. Our Constitutional rights are being gravely tested by federal actions in recent months which have placed residents of our communities, both citizens and non-citizens alike, at risk for being detained without due process. Other actions of federal agents have made a number of Oregonians subject to excessive force for exercising their rights to peacefully assemble and to express their opinions in public spaces.
Federal agents have even placed local and State law enforcement officers in harm’s way. A recent joint letter by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and three county District Attorneys shows that senior leaders from both the US Department of Homeland Security and local police testified under oath that federal law enforcement used excessive force against nonviolent protesters and in some cases, local and state law enforcement officers, as well, subjecting them along with other individuals to the use of chemical munitions.
Clearly, we want safe, strong, and thriving communities, and that involves standing for the rule of law and holding all parties accountable. Certainly, we need immigration reform – something the party in power in Washington has prevented from happening. Our communities are stronger when filled with hard-working people who care about building those communities together.
This week, the Salem City Council voted to reaffirm the City’s status as an inclusive and welcoming community. They also voted to have City Manager Krishna Namburi craft a declaration of emergency related to recent federal activity to bring to the Council on December 1st for their ratification. I stand with the Attorney General, other elected officials, our local and State law enforcement agencies, and the vast majority of Oregonians who stand for the rule of law, due process, and the rights that our Constitution provides to all within the borders of this vast and precious land.
How to Report Federal Abuses
If you experienced a civil rights violation or have been racially profiled by federal enforcement authorities, you can file reports with the ACLU and Oregon Department of Justice. This information helps them promote accountability and protect the rights of Oregonians. Click the links below to find out more.
Updates from November Legislative Days
Last week’s legislative days began on a sad note, with a memorial service held in the House Chamber for Rep. Hoa Nguyen, who was diagnosed earlier this year with an aggressive cancer, and who passed away on October 9th at age 41. She was a strong advocate for children and for education, and she will be greatly missed in the Oregon Legislature.
The days were also filled with committee and stakeholder meetings. In particularly, we covered a variety of issues related to fiscal challenges due to HR1 and looking ahead to the short session beginning in February 2026.
In the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, we heard from Carl Ricadonna, Oregon’s Chief Economist, and Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist on Oregon’s Economic and Revenue Forecast. Inflation is holding steady at 3.0%, unemployment is still relatively low at 4.4%, and the recession risk is being pegged at about 25%. Divergent income trends, however, are leading to a “K-shaped” economy, with lower-wage earners seeing very little growth in income and purchasing power. Changes in federal rules surrounding healthcare marketplace tax credits, OHP eligibility and SNAP changes may exacerbate these challenges for a large number of Oregonians. The effects of and changes in tariffs may also have an effect on the economy moving forward. It appears that layoff notices may be increasing, but as the federal jobs numbers are delayed (as are a number of other federal reports usually available more quickly), it is unclear whether this is a trend or a blip. As we saw in the last revenue forecast in June, the Bend and Salem areas show higher economic growth than the rest of the State (9.3% and 6/6% annual economic growth since last year, respectively), which is good news for our district, for sure. And both Marion and Polk Counties continue to grow modestly in population.
The revenue forecast shows that we will have a deficit due to changes in the federal tax code – about $63 million. This is a relatively small amount compared to the state budget, but this number does not include the reduced amount of funds we will be receiving from the federal government for healthcare and nutrition services, significantly widening the shortfall in the coming biennia.
During the Senate Health Care Committee, we received an update from the Governing Board on Universal Health Care and about the State-Based Marketplace. We also heard testimony on Hospice Regulation in Oregon. In Senate Labor and Business, we discussed changes to the Workers’ Compensation System, received an update from the Work Group on BOLI funding and heard an overview of the IRS Rule related to taxation of Paid Leave contributions and benefits.
In the Senate Housing Committee, we explored federal funding changes on housing supports in Oregon, discussed revolving loan funds for moderate and mixed-income housing developments, and received a report on lessons learned from funding inclusionary zoning. In the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee, we discussed Child Care Liability Insurance, received a report on the Micro-Center Pilot Program, and heard an overview on the Behavioral Health Workforce as well as SNAP, WIC, and Early Childhood Nutrition.
On Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to participate in a press conference to announce funding for Planned Parenthood, not to cover abortion services, but to cover general healthcare services such as access to contraception, STD testing, and basic primary care services. This is especially important as Salem, Corvallis and Eugene have lost so much access to primary care for people on the Oregon Health Plan.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate also acted on Executive appointments, including the new Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, Leisl Wendt. Best wishes to all the newly appointed Board members, Commissioners, Trustees, and Directors. The full list can be found here.
Bill development continues ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session. Lawmakers will gather for more committee hearings on January 13-15, and the legislative session will officially open on Monday, February 2. Please stay tuned for more updates soon, and I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving.
November is National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor those who help care for their loved ones. Over 53 million Americans serve as caregivers for people with disabilities and loved ones who are ill or aging. They balance this heroic and often unpaid work with other responsibilities to their families, jobs, and communities.
If you are a family caregiver, thank you for your dedication to the person you care for. You bring comfort, connection, and security to that person's life.
Pancakes with Grinch
Join Bridges Oregon for their annual Pancakes with Grinch Event on Saturday, December 6 from 9am - 12pm at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. See the flyer below or visit bridgesoregon.org/grinch for more information.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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