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Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox. To contact me, please reply to: Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
The Legislature cannot repeal the referred transportation Tax, according to 90-year-old legal opinion.
This precedent directly contradicts Governor Tina Kotek’s recent call for lawmakers to repeal her signature transportation tax package after more than 250,000 Oregonians signed a petition demanding a vote.
A 1935 Oregon Attorney General opinion confirms that once Oregonians invoke their constitutional right to referendum, the Legislature has no authority to repeal the measure before it’s put on the ballet for voters to have their say.
The Oregon Constitution is clear that the power of referendum is reserved to the people, and once a measure qualifies through signature verification, the Secretary of State has a duty to place it before voters.
That said, the State Legislature will meet for a 5-week session at the beginning of February. There is no doubt that Democrat lawmakers will attempt to keep the measure from appearing on the ballot in its present form. They may try to change the date of the election or find a loophole around the clear, legal right to have a referendum that has collected the requisite number of signatures and been certified by the Secretary of State.
Simply put, what the Governor and Democrat leaders do not want is to be held accountable for their actions. They used extreme efforts to pass this transportation tax, even when over 90% of the public testimony was against it. Now when we have put the tax bill up for a vote by the people, these same Democrats want to just erase their tax bill with no consequences. Our message is simple: Let the people vote in November on this tax measure!
NOTABLE BILLS THAT BECAME LAW IN 2026
The previous long session was hectic. With transportation funding dominating headlines, other notable and nonsensical legislation passed, mostly unnoticed. From unemployment benefits for striking workers to unfunded climate curriculum, here are a few bills that became law on Jan. 1 that will negatively impact Oregonians.
SB 916: Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers — This bill allows striking public and private employees to collect up to 10 weeks of unemployment pay after two weeks on the picket line. Oregon is the first state in the nation to allow public employees to receive unemployment benefits while on strike. The superintendents of Oregon’s largest school districts wrote to lawmakers to oppose the bill because it could cost their districts millions of dollars. All this bill does is reward powerful unions that fund Democratic campaigns.
HB 3365: Unfunded Climate Education Mandates — This bill directs the State Board of Education to ensure that academic content standards for core subjects include “sufficient” instruction on the causes and effects of climate change and strategies to respond to such. Climate change is already mandatory in health, science, and social studies curricula. Not only is this redundant, but it is also another unfunded mandate that school districts cannot afford.
SB 1154: Ground Water Quality Management Area Regulation — This bill created a tiered regulatory system to prevent and manage groundwater quality areas. Republicans were able to secure an amendment to the bill that provides legal clarity to rural communities dealing with water quality issues. However, the bill leaves the door open for future mandates on how and when Oregonians can use water for ranching and agriculture.
If you do not like the direction of your state government, then you will have an opportunity to express your opinion at the ballot box in May and November elections.
GET INVOLVED
The Legislature starts its 5-week session on February 2nd.
Register to testify!
- If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you can register to testify either in support or opposition to the bill.
- Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
- To register, go to https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1, select the “Bills” icon on the top right corner of your page, enter the bill number, and select “Register to Testify.” Or, call 1-833-588-4500.
- You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony Registration Form.”
- You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you cannot testify in person.
Submit a Written Testimony!
- If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
- To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would to register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
- Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
 It is an honor to serve the people of Central & Southern Oregon. If you need assistance with a state matter, plan on visiting the State Capitol or have an idea for legislation, please reach out to my office.
Happy Thanksgiving,
E. WERNER RESCHKE
State Representative, HD 55
The Crater Lake District
Capitol Phone
(503) 986-1455
Capitol Address
900 Court St. NE, H-383
Salem, OR 97301
Email
Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website
www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
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