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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Happy December! It’s been a busy year filled with ups and downs and many political turns. In this end-of-year newsletter, we share an overview of the shifting state budget, a review of my two priority bills, helpful winter resources in our community, and fun, end-of-year events.
In November, I had the opportunity to participate in a diplomatic exchange with the American Council of Young Political Leaders. This program, operating since the 1960s, is run through the U.S. State Department. I want to extend a huge thank-you to Secretary of State Tobias Read for nominating me. From a pool of 500 applicants, only four Democrats and four Republicans were selected, and I was deeply honored to be among them. Over the course of the exchange, we met with 27 elected officials and dignitaries (we even saw the Prime Minister), visited 14 agency departments—including the Department of Defense—and several think tanks, and visited several Parliaments/Townhalls.
Australia governs toward the center in part because of compulsory voting. The country is also leading the world in developing social media policy for youth. It was an invaluable experience to speak with Premier Peter Malinauskas, who initiated the movement toward a national ban on social media for youth under 16, beginning at the state level in South Australia.
We also had the profound honor of laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, an experience I will never forget.
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Below you will find information on three community events: the annual Menorah Lighting, a panel hosted by City Club of Central Oregon to discuss insurance for our recreation industry (I will be on the panel), and a screening of Don’t Look Away, a documentary about the impact of social media on young users, in Portland.
Lastly, to continue the holiday spirit, we had the annual Starlight Parade in Redmond and the Christmas Parade in Bend. Senator Broadman found us a 1973 Bronco to ride in!
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season. As always, my office is here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re honored to serve you.
Warmly,
Highlights from November Legislative Days
Last month, the Capitol was once again bustling for a few days, for what we call “Legislative Days”. The Legislature uses these periodic interim convenings to stay on top of important issues between sessions. Here are some highlights:
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The Talk of the Town: Budget Constraints- As part of preparing for the 2026 short session, all state agencies were asked to model what a 5% cut would mean, a sobering but necessary exercise given expected revenue constraints. As the Co-Chair of the Joint Subcommittee on Ways and Means on Natural Resources, this means that we are having to see what it looks like to cut up to 5% of all of our natural resource agencies. It is not fun, it is not good, and we are doing everything in our power to find the least harmful ways to go about this. If you want to watch the committee meeting where we went over some of the options, you can watch that here.
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Cell Phone in Schools Ban Update- The House Interim Committee on Education got an update from key stakeholders on how the rollout of the new cell-phone ban in our schools is going, and we had some very encouraging updates. The Oregon Library Association let us know that libraries are full of students reading again, a change from the past few years. In all the chaos of the past few months, and even years, let us enjoy this moment: our high school students are spending their free periods reading in school libraries again.
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The Capitol is *Almost* Seismic Proof- The Oregon State Capitol Building is in its final stages of its massive seismic and modernization project! So much of the 1938 building has been closed off for years in order to preserve the historic structure, while making long overdue updates. The project is expected to be done by the end of the year. If you ever find yourself in Salem, whether it's a Capitol specific trip, or just driving through, we’d love to show you around!
2026 Session Priorities:
For the 2026 Short Legislative Session, each member of the legislature is allotted two bills. This is very different from Long Sessions, where there is currently no bill limit. I am very excited and proud to announce what my two bills are for the upcoming session:
Winter Resources for Central Oregon Residents
Winter in Central Oregon is breathtakingly beautiful, but also challenging for families facing cold weather, high heating costs, or food insecurity. Below is a quick guide to local resources available during the colder months. Many of these organizations are always accepting donations and volunteers.
🛏️ Emergency Shelter & Warming Options
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Bethlehem Inn – Warm beds, meals, and support for adults and families experiencing crisis.
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Central Oregon Villages – Temporary shelter, safe-parking programs, and case-management support.
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Severe Weather Warming Centers – Community warming spaces open during extreme cold. Check up-to-date locations: https://www.211info.org
🍎 Food & Nutrition Resources
💡 Help With Heat, Housing & Utilities
🏘️ Homeless Outreach & Support
🩺 Winter Health & Safety
Need help this winter? My office is here to help connect you with the right resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know is struggling this season.
Upcoming Events:
Menorah Lighting
December 14, 2025, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Join the Chabad of Central Oregon for its annual Menorah Lighting in the Old Mill District on Sunday, Dec. 14. Festivities to celebrate the first night of Chanukah start at 4 p.m. and include music, hot drinks, food, and friendship. All faiths and denominations are encouraged to attend the menorah lighting in the Old Mill District!
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Slippery Slopes: Why Oregon’s Recreation Industry Is on Thin Ice
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 8:00am - 9:30am
COCC, Wille Hall, 2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR 97703
Join City Club of Central Oregon for a deep dive into the state’s unfolding liability waiver crisis—why it’s happening, who it impacts, and what’s at stake for every Oregonian who treasures recreation and the outdoors.
Oregon’s love affair with outdoor adventure is facing a breaking point. From ski lifts to rafting trips to your neighborhood gym, unenforceable liability waivers are pushing insurance premiums sky-high, squeezing businesses large and small, and threatening the future of recreation as we know it.
Hear from ski industry leaders navigating skyrocketing insurance costs, small business owners feeling the trickle-down squeeze, experts unpacking Oregon’s unique history and the ripple effects of a landmark court decision in 2014, and policymakers weighing new legislative solutions. We’ll explore what "inherently risky" activities really mean, how Oregon’s landscape differs from other states, and whether reform can protect both public safety and access.
If you ski, bike, climb, paddle—or simply care about Oregon’s recreation economy—this forum is a must-attend conversation about the choices ahead.
Film Screening: Can't Look Away
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Reserve your spot here
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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