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Hello Senate District 19 and beyond,
As we get closer to the 2026 legislative session, a lot of work is happening at the Capitol to prepare for how Oregon is going to respond to the Trump Cuts signed into law earlier this year.
The facts are simple: The Trump administration and Congressional Republicans cut taxes that will overwhelmingly enrich billionaires and massive corporations, and paid for it by slashing Medicaid and food assistance, programs that hundreds of thousands of Oregonians rely on.
As we've dug into the impacts and how the state might respond, the details of the cuts have come into clearer view. The pain of these cuts will be broader and deeper than most people realize.
We learned in the fall that Oregon is set to lose $15 billion in federal funds over the next six years, 95% in Medicaid and SNAP. This will mean more hunger and more sickness for everyday Oregonians across the state. But also, that's $15 billion less in economic activity for grocery stores, hospitals, and medical providers at a time when the nation is experiencing economic turmoil. We could see grocery stores and hospitals close, particularly in rural Oregon where federal assistance is more widely used, creating regions of our state that lack adequate food and medical access.
The state is also facing an immediate budget shortfall because our state tax code automatically reflects changes to the federal tax code. We ended the 2025 legislative session with a budget cushion of $472 million; after the Trump Cuts, we are now in the red. The Legislature is required by the Constitution to maintain a balanced budget, so in the upcoming session, lawmakers will need to rebalance the budget, including making reductions to current programs.
We will continue to meet the basic needs of the most Oregonians as possible within our budget constraints. If not for these budget cuts, Oregon would be in a positive revenue position, able to continue to fund the programs that our communities rely on.
The third impact is the least well-known, and the most significant. As part of the Trump Cuts, the Trump administration is shifting costs for Medicaid and SNAP to the states, requiring that states pay more for these federal programs. This cost shifting is an unfunded mandate to increase red tape for accessing critical programs. For everyday Oregonians, the bureaucratic burden placed on them by the federal government will cause many to drop out of the programs.
The budget crunch for the state will be significant. As a result of the cost shifting, the state’s responsibility for our current Medicaid and SNAP programs is expected to increase by $874 million in the 2027-2029 budget. In 2029-2031, our costs increase by $1.7 billion. The state budget is not designed to absorb the these costs.
Legislators are in the process of searching for any remaining waste or inefficiencies in our state budget, working with state agencies to prioritize program reductions, developing ideas to boost Oregon's economy to support job and wage growth, and looking for tax loopholes to close that benefit out-of-state megacorporations.
If you want to know more about the situation Oregon was put in by the federal administration, the budget co-chairs Sen. Kate Lieber and Rep. Tawna Sanchez recently wrote an excellent editorial in the Oregonian.
I look forward to sharing more as lawmakers develop a proposal for the upcoming session to respond to these cuts.
I've been troubled and heartbroken seeing the news of ICE activity in our state. Federal agents are coming into Oregon cities with the intent of causing fear among our immigrant communities.
It is wrong and it must end.
I stand with our immigrant communities who are being targeted by a cruel federal administration that does not care about the harm it is doing to families and communities.
Amid these ongoing actions, I've been proud to see how our state is stepping up to protect those who are vulnerable. Multiple cities, including Salem, Woodburn and Gresham, have declared emergencies and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding our state's sanctuary laws.
Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield have both taken action in response to ICE activity, and legislators will have bills ready to introduce when the Legislature returns to session in February.
I would encourage everyone to seek out and utilize resources to help you know your rights, plan ahead in case of emergencies, and maintain a list of organizations ready to lend a hand to those in need. We must all continue to stand up for our neighbors during this difficult time.
This week, I had the opportunity to welcome back a time-honored tradition of the Oregon State Capitol: the tree-lighting in the Capitol Rotunda, kicking off Holidays at the Capitol.
It was the first time since 2019 that a crowd was able to gather together to watch the Grand Tree be lit, with Christmas displays, poinsettias and an appearance from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus themselves.
This event and Holidays at the Capitol is only possible because of the Capitol volunteers and community partners who donate their time and resources, so a huge thank you to them for their continued support.
Twenty-five years ago, I visited the rotunda to celebrate the holidays for the first time. I can still remember the voices of schoolchildren reverberating through the halls, the moments of joy and cheer, the feelings of warmth and community. I am thrilled to have Holidays at the Capitol back this year and you can watch my remarks at the tree-lighting below.
Please come visit the Capitol to experience the sights and sounds of the holidays with live performances throughout the month. The full list and schedule of performances is on the Oregon Legislature's website. Each of the performances are also livestreamed.
I hope during this holiday season, we can remember that there is so much that binds us together as people and unites us as Oregonians.
It was great to have an opportunity to attend the recent ribbon cutting at Lam Research in Tualatin for its new Building G, a $74 million investment into our community and the future of semiconductor innovation in Oregon.
The 120,0000-square-foot facility is the latest step in Lam Research's investment into Tualatin and our state. It's a business on the cutting edge of delivering atomic-scale manufacturing advancements essential for the future of computing, robotics, AI, and more.
Even more importantly, Lam Research employs thousands of talented, hardworking Oregonians who can build a life in Oregon because of the career they have at this company. Lam Research is an integral part of the Tualatin community and my district and I am thrilled to see its continued growth.
Oregon is a global leader in chip innovation because of the continued investment and commitment to excellence by companies like Lam Research.
 It was great to be able to join Lam Research as they opened this new chapter of growth and investment into our community.
I'm excited to announce that my friend Attorney General Dan Rayfield and I will be holding a community town hall on December 17 at Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus.
Attorney General Rayfield has been hosting town halls across the state on his Oregon Priorities Tour and it's going to be a blast having him with us in Senate District 19.
We are looking forward to having important conversations about the issues that impact our community and the entire state, from anticipated action during the upcoming legislative session, to Oregon's continued response to the overreach and illegality of the Trump administration.
Please RSVP at this link and I'm looking forward to spending this evening answering your questions and having conversations on many topics.
During November Legislative Days, House Speaker Julie Fahey and I, along with Margie Courtney and staff of former Senate President Peter Courtney, had the opportunity to properly dedicate the new Peter Courtney Memorial Lounge.
The lounge will primarily serve as an informal space where relationships can be built and strengthened between legislators of all backgrounds and experiences. Relationships are the foundation of effective policymaking; it's always easier to have a hard conversation with a friend than a stranger.
Peter served in both the House and the Senate — spending 14 in the former and 24 in the latter — and early in the CAMS Capitol construction process identified the need for a joint legislator lounge. He believed that the Capitol needed a place where meals and casual conversations could happen between legislators not just of different political parties, but of the different chambers of our Legislature.
The formal dining area will also be a fitting location for Oregon to host dignitaries from other states and nations looking to partner and do business with our state.
My sincere hope is that the Peter Courtney Memorial Lounge can become a place where new friendships are fostered and where legislators are able to focus on the ways in which we are similar, instead of on the ways we disagree.
 It was a very special day to join Speaker Fahey and have Margie Courtney and former Peter staffers with us to officially open the Peter Courtney Memorial Lounge.
The Oregonian: ‘Unlawful and heartless’: What Trump’s threat to cut off SNAP money could mean for blue states
Oregon could again lose federal money that ensures food ends up on the tables of 757,000 low-income residents after the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it would shut off the flow to Democratic-led states that haven’t turned over sensitive information about SNAP recipients. The states worry the information could help the feds bolster immigration enforcement efforts.
Statesman Journal: Gov. Tina Kotek lays out 'prosperity roadmap' to grow Oregon economy
Gov. Tina Kotek announced Dec. 2 she will hire a chief prosperity officer, establish a Prosperity Council and sponsor legislation in the upcoming session to retain and grow businesses in the state, create more jobs and accelerate Oregon's economic growth.
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Oregon’s largest teachers’ union hosts training to protect students from ICE
Oregon’s largest teachers’ union will host several statewide trainings meant to teach school staff, families and community members how to keep students and families safe under increasingly aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions taking place near schools.
OPB: Oregon seeks companies to build out electric vehicle fast-charging stations on five major roadways
Oregon is hoping to add at least 200 public fast-charging electric vehicle chargers on some of the state’s major highways by the end of next year. But first, the state is seeking applications from companies that will build and maintain the charging stations.
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
If you would like to contact the Senate President's Office, send an email or call and either myself or a staff member will assist you. If you are a constituent coming to Salem and want to arrange a meeting, I'm always happy to meet, so please let us know well in advance as my schedule fills up quickly.
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov
phone: 503-986-1600
address: 900 Court St NE, S-201, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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