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Friends,
I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful holiday season.
December is always a meaningful time to reflect on the year behind us, recognize the challenges we’ve faced, and appreciate the many ways Oregonians continue to show up for one another. Even in a year that brought its share of frustrations, I remain grateful for the resilience, generosity, and common sense we see in our communities every day.
As we close out the year, I’m sharing our Naughty & Nice list — a straightforward look at what Salem got wrong, what it got right, and where our communities led the way. You’ll also find local resources for food banks, toy drives, and other ways to celebrate the season and help our neighbors.
Thank you for staying informed and engaged. Representing House District 31 is an honor, and I remain focused on accountability, common sense, and strong advocacy for Northwest Oregon.
With gratitude,
Darcey Edwards
State Representative, House District 31
I attended the Oregon Business Council Summit, and the message from employers, industry leaders, and economic partners was consistent: Oregon has the talent, the innovation, and the potential — but we’re losing ground because of bad policy.
Despite having record revenue, new industries ready to grow, and enormous opportunity, Oregon businesses are navigating:
- A growing regulatory burden
- Unpredictable tax structures
- Energy and infrastructure challenges
- Workforce shortages with no clear plan from the state
- Rising costs that small and mid-sized employers simply cannot absorb
- Public safety and crime complications
The outlook was honest — and concerning.
We cannot expect our economy to grow when policies repeatedly make it harder for businesses to operate, expand, or hire. Oregon should be leading the region in competitiveness. Instead, we’re watching investment shift to neighboring states with more stable economic frameworks.
This isn’t about politics — it’s about outcomes. We need policies that support employers, grow family-wage jobs, and strengthen rural and suburban economies, not ones that continue to push opportunity out of reach.
Our House Republican Leader, Rep. Lucetta Elmer (R-District 24), and Senate Republican Leader, Sen. Bruce Starr (R-District 12) , penned this opinion piece in the Oregonian on Sunday. I couldn’t have said it better, so i won’t try. Read it here:
Some of these bills are already in effect; others take effect soon.
The 2025 Transportation Package — Cost Without Confidence
Salem approved a costly multi-billion-dollar transportation package that raises taxes and fees without first addressing longstanding accountability and management failures at ODOT. Before asking families, small businesses, and local governments to pay more, Oregonians expected transparency and reform. That trust was not earned.
Instead, the package more than doubles vehicle registration and title fees and imposes a new road usage charge (RUC) on electric and hybrid vehicles. Yet major delivery fleets—including USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other large commercial carriers—are exempt from the EV RUC, leaving ordinary drivers to shoulder the increased costs while some of the heaviest road users avoid paying their fair share.
Oregonians deserved a transportation plan built on accountability, fairness, and responsible stewardship. This package missed the mark.
SB 952 — Sidestepping Voters
This bill allows the Governor to appoint a U.S. Senator if a vacancy occurs, cutting voters out of the process entirely. Regardless of party, Oregonians deserve the right to choose their representation.
Effective January 1, 2026
SB 243 — Confusing and Inconsistent Gun Laws
By allowing local governments to ban or allow concealed carry in specific locations, this bill creates a patchwork of rules across Oregon. A law-abiding citizen could follow the law in one county and unknowingly break it in another simply by crossing a line. That’s confusion, not public safety.
Effective September 26, 2025
HB 3365 — An Unfunded Mandate on Teachers
This bill requires teachers to include climate change curriculum in lesson plans without providing funding, guidance, or resources. Teachers are already stretched thin, and mandates without support add pressure without improving outcomes.
Effective January 1, 2026
SB 916 — Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers
Signed into law this session, SB 916 makes Oregon the first state in the nation to offer unemployment benefits to workers on strike — even though they have not lost their jobs. This diverts funds intended for laid-off workers and forces small businesses to subsidize labor disputes they aren’t part of. It stretches our unemployment system beyond its purpose and puts political priorities ahead of fiscal responsibility.
Where Salem got it right.
SB 83 — Repealing Oregon’s Flawed Wildfire Risk Maps
After months of delays and political maneuvering, SB 83 passed the House with a bipartisan 50–1 vote, repealing Oregon’s deeply flawed wildfire hazard mapping system. The maps caused confusion, fear, and frustration in rural communities without improving safety. I was proud to support this commonsense fix and stand with families who deserve real solutions — not scare tactics.
Effective July 4, 2025
HB 3936 — A Measured Approach to AI
Oregon took a thoughtful step forward by setting reasonable guardrails around artificial intelligence without shutting down innovation. This bill recognized reality and balanced consumer protection with economic growth.
Effective January 1, 2026
SB 9 — Improving Rural DMV Access
A small but meaningful fix that expanded access to DMV services in rural Oregon. It respected people’s time and acknowledged that basic government services should be accessible statewide.
Effective January 1, 2026
SB 485 — Keeping Forestland Working
Estate tax reforms helped families keep forestland intact across generations, supporting long-term stewardship and preventing forced sell-offs of working lands.
Effective September 26, 2025
HB 3076 — Defeated: Protecting Rural Firearm Dealers
This bill would have created a new layer of state licensing for firearm dealers, despite the fact that they are already heavily regulated at the federal level. It was a solution in search of a problem and would have disproportionately impacted small, rural businesses. I was glad to see this bill stopped in committee — a quiet but important win for law-abiding Oregonians and local dealers.
In Committee Upon Adjournment
Welcome new State Representative Matt Bunch - HD 51
Matt Bunch represents Oregon House District 51. Raised in Eastern Oregon and a graduate of Oregon State University, he brings experience from the finance, insurance, and agricultural sectors. A longtime community leader, Matt has been actively involved with organizations including the Oregon FFA Foundation, Clackamas County Farm Bureau, and the Clackamas County Fair Board, where he currently serves as Chair.
Highlighting House District 31
EquiTerra Integrative Mental Health Launches in Columbia County
The Sande School of Horsemanship launched EquiTerra Integrative Mental Health, a program pairing licensed mental health providers with trained horses to support trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and healing — a thoughtful, community-driven approach to care. Read more here.
Supporting Creative Classrooms
Teachers in Rainier and on Sauvie Island received grants to bring innovative ideas to life, including outdoor education programs and a local recipe cookbook that connects students to hands-on learning and community. Read more here.
Scappoose Choir Visits the Capitol
Watch their incredible performance here!
It was such a joy to welcome the Scappoose High School Choir to the Capitol on Tuesday, December 9. Hearing them sing the Ukrainian Bell Carol (Carol of the Bells) in the newly opened rotunda was truly special — the sound was beautiful, and the rotunda is decorated so perfectly for the Christmas season.
A heartfelt thank you to Choir Director Hannah Moorman for her leadership and to these talented students from right here in House District 31 for sharing their voices and holiday spirit with all of us.
Moments like this are a reminder of the incredible arts programs and young talent we’re fortunate to have in Northwest Oregon.
 
Local organizations across District 31 are coordinating food drives, meal programs, and winter assistance. Resources include:
📍 Statewide Resources
📍 Columbia County
📍 Washington County
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.DarceyEdwards@oregonlegislature.gov
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