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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LamarWise@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
I'm sure many of you have felt this, but this year has already been jam packed with federal and global news. Every day I wake up, I feel like I have to take a deep breath to brace myself for the challenges we are facing as a state and a nation. I'm encouraged by the community that we have in HD 48 and I know we have each other's backs. At the Capitol, we marked the start of the year with Legislative Days, a critical moment to set priorities, hear directly from communities, and prepare for the short session ahead. I joined colleagues and advocates at a press conference this month, responding to the federal overreach we've seen in our streets and in the country at large: It’s clear that Oregonians want stability, dignity, and opportunity for their families, no matter what’s happening in Washington, D.C.
As we look toward the upcoming legislative session, my focus remains on delivering real results for House District 48 and communities across the state. That includes advancing the BIPOC Caucus agenda, protecting access to health care and reproductive freedom, supporting working families, and responding to economic pressures like the recently announced TriMet service cuts that could impact how folks get to work, school, and medical appointments. These are not abstract policy debates, they shape daily life in East Portland and North Clackamas County, and they deserve thoughtful, people-centered solutions.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll continue to be out in the district, touring local organizations, hosting town halls, and listening directly to you. This newsletter shares updates on what I’ve been working on at the Capitol, what I’m hearing from neighbors, and how we’re preparing for the short session to come. As always, thank you for staying engaged and for trusting me to bring your voices with me to Salem. See you on January 30th at our Pre-Session Town Hall (info below)!
In Community,
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1448
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-473, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.LamarWise@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: Representative Lamar Wise Home Page
Housing and Homelessness Committee
On the Housing and Homelessness Committee, we’ve been focused on addressing Oregon’s housing crisis in ways that actually support families in our communities. For House District 48, this means ensuring local families have access to stable housing, our seniors can age in place, and our neighbors experiencing homelessness can find safe shelter and supportive services. A key priority is using our current bonding capacity to keep affordable housing online and truly affordable. Several affordable housing preservation projects in HD 48 are at risk of crumbling or being released to market rates if we fail to invest now. Across our district and the state, existing affordable homes are in danger of being lost — and once they’re gone, they’re incredibly costly to replace. It’s imperative that we protect these resources that families and seniors rely on. The work ahead is about pairing accountability with compassion, keeping people housed today while building durable, long-term housing solutions right here at home.
House Commerce and Consumer Protections
In Commerce and Consumer Protection, we’ve been focused on making sure everyday people and small businesses in East Portland and North Clackamas County are treated fairly. One area we’re addressing is predatory lending. Even though Oregon has a 36% interest rate cap, a loophole allows some online, out-of-state lenders to charge rates as high as 200% on loans as small as $1,000, practices that disproportionately target Black and brown communities. We’re working with Representative Sosa to introduce legislation to close that loophole by requiring all lenders serving Oregonians to follow Oregon law. These policies may sound technical, but they directly affect how families pay bills, get to work, and plan for their future, issues that matter to our neighbors every single day.
House Early Childhood and Human Services
On the Early Childhood and Human Services Committee, the focus has been on strengthening child care, early learning, and the support systems families rely on. At the request of Chair Hartman, Rep. Walters and I worked to find alignment on improving access to early childhood programs statewide. Through four stakeholder meetings across Oregon, we developed LC 211 (HB 4057), a bill that makes our systems work better for families and providers. The bill ensures that families applying for the ERDC waitlist are informed about all early learning programs they may qualify for, so no one is left navigating a confusing system alone. It also directs ODE and TSPC to examine how DELC background checks could be accepted across early learning and K-12 settings, helping caregivers move more easily between child care and school-based jobs. In House District 48, this work means fewer barriers for working parents, stronger support for early educators, and more coordinated systems that help families and kids thrive right here at home.
BIPOC Caucus Agenda setting
This month, the BIPOC Caucus will gather to set priorities for the upcoming session, focusing on policies that protect civil rights, expand opportunity, and ensure government accountability. Across Oregon, we are watching a wide range of bills that directly affect our communities, particularly immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC families in House District 48. These include measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in law enforcement, protect sensitive personal data, safeguard students and families from ICE actions, and ensure access to education, healthcare, and legal protections.
This agenda will reflect our shared commitment: policies must protect the rights, dignity, and opportunity of every Oregonian, especially those whose voices are too often overlooked. In House District 48, these bills are more than concepts, they’re tools to help families thrive, access services safely, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Child Care Caucus
Child care is a critical piece of Oregon’s affordability crisis, and too many families—especially in rural areas and communities of color, live in child care deserts with few or no options nearby. In response, the newly formed Child Care Caucus in the Oregon Legislature conducted site visits in fall 2025 to five child care providers across the state. We listened directly to providers, educators, and families about the challenges they face, from workforce shortages and rising costs to inadequate facilities and limited public investment. A forthcoming caucus report will share what we heard during these visits and outline key findings to inform future policy solutions, with the goal of expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care for all Oregon families.
 Let’s talk about the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session!
This Town Hall will be an opportunity for your East Portland legislators to share their priorities for the 2026 legislative session and discuss the work ahead. We’ll also provide updates on Oregon’s response to federal actions, including HR 1 and its impacts, as well as recent ICE activity affecting our immigrant and refugee communities. We know these issues are causing real fear and uncertainty, and we’ll share resources and information on how the state is working to protect and support our neighbors.
💬 Got questions? Drop them below! We’ll host a live Q&A session to ensure your voice is heard.
🔗 RSVP Now and join us for this crucial conversation!
#orpol #orleg #2026session #OregonPolitics #wintertownhall #DemocratsInAction #OregonVoice #OregonStrong
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Staying connected to our community is essential to how I serve. I’m beginning a district tour to visit local businesses and community-based organizations to listen, learn, and bring your experiences back to the Capitol. Let us know if there’s somewhere in-district that we can’t miss!
TriMet published a series of proposed service cuts and changes to take effect August 23, 2026. As TriMet announced last year, the agency is facing a $300 million annual budget gap and must make some service reductions, along with administrative cuts, to work towards a balanced budget.
The proposed changes are based on ridership data as well as feedback from riders and the community in fall 2025:
- Preserve service as much as possible by first reducing where buses and trains run on the same route or close together.
- Keep Frequent Service lines that make our service convenient and reliable.
- Maintain transit to reach critical destinations like medical care and schools.
More information can be found on the fall survey and results here.
TriMet is asking for feedback until January 31, 2026 on how the proposed service changes will impact riders through open houses and an online survey.
All of the proposed service changes and cuts, survey and open house information can be found at trimet.org/service cuts.
On January 14, I joined my colleagues and community partners for a press conference unveiling Oregon Democrats’ Federal Response Agenda. This agenda is designed to protect Oregon families from harmful federal policies, strengthen legal and privacy protections, and ensure public funds are not used to support deportation enforcement that tears families apart.
We highlighted a range of critical priorities, including protecting immigrant students and families in our schools, safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring no state contracts fund federal deportation activities, and defending public lands and civil rights. Community leaders from PCUN, Latino Network, and the ACLU joined legislators to show how these policies are rooted in Oregon values of inclusion, safety, and justice.
The event underscored our commitment to using every legislative tool available to defend civil liberties, protect working families, and uphold the rights and dignity of every Oregonian, especially those in House District 48 who are directly affected by these federal overreach policies.
News Coverage:
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The Oregonian, 'We are fighting back:’ State Dems unveil bills to rebuff Trump ‘attacks’ on Oregon values
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Capital Chronicle, "Immigration top of mind for Oregon Democrats ahead of 2026 legislative session"
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OPB, "Oregon Democrats make clear pushing back on Trump’s immigration efforts will be key in short legislative session"
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Fox 12, "Oregon Democrats unveil bills targeting federal policies in 2026 session"
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KGW8, "Trump threatens funding cuts to sanctuary cities; Oregon bill aims to push back"
January’s been as busy as ever! Here are just a few of the highlights from the past month:
Rivercrest Academy Tour
Earlier this month, I joined my friend and colleague Rep. Nosse for a tour of Rivercrest Academy in NE Portland. Rivercrest is a publicly funded recovery high school, one of the first of its kind nation-wide: they serve youth across Multnomah County who are navigating their recovery journey. I loved hearing about their essential work and the value of Oregon’s investments into recovery for all.
District Business Grand Opening: Mama Brews Coffee
It’s a great day when a new business comes to HD 48 ☀️I stopped by Mama Brews Coffee’s grand opening event at their brand new coffee stand in Damascus. They have great coffee, great vibes, and a shared love for our community. Remember to support local!
OBI/OTRADI Tour
Last week, I joined fellow legislators for a tour and roundtable discussion with the Oregon Bioscience Incubator. Oregon is home to dozens of bioscience companies across several fields, who contribute to groundbreaking work in medicine, technology and more. We had a great conversation about the industry and Oregon’s role in fostering it.
Urban League MLK Day Brunch
I had the honor of attending the Urban League’s MLK Day brunch earlier this week. This annual event offers a space for us to reflect on our work in the present through the lens of Dr. King’s legacy. Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation!
Here are a few upcoming events and opportunities happening locally:
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Volunteers of America Drop-in Services 🧑💼Mon. 1/26, 10:30am - 12:30pm | Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave)Come meet with Volunteers of America at the library! Get help with housing, shelter, behavioral and mental health in a safe space. Talk about family safety, re-entry from the criminal justice system and more with members of the community! No RSVP required.
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Safe Blocks Earl Boyles & Ron Russell Cleanup 🌳Wed. 1/28, 3-4:30pm | Near Ron Russell track (10822 SE Bush St)Youth and adults are welcome to join an afterschool litter clean-up in the area shared by Earl Boyles Elementary School, Ron Russell Middle School, and Earl Boyles Park. Supplies, snacks, and warm beverages will all be provided! RSVP to confirm your spot.
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Webinar Series: Wildlife & Water Friendly Gardens 🌷Thursdays through 2/19, 12-1pm | Virtual (Zoom)Clackamas Community College’s Environmental Learning Center presents a FREE workshop series for anyone interested in home gardening for wildlife and water quality. The series centers Indigenous perspectives and practices that focus on protecting wildlife and watershed health. Click the link above for individual session details and to RSVP.
The Capitol Building is now mostly open and we encourage everyone to come visit the People’s House. We can organize a tour for you or your group, just let us know when you are coming. All committee meetings are available (as always) for virtual viewing on the Oregon Legislative Information Site (OLIS). Members of the public can make their voices heard by submitting written testimony or by signing up for virtual or in-person testimony. You can read more about opportunities for public engagement on the Oregon Legislative website.
Contact Rep. Lamar Wise
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1448
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-473, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LamarWise@oregonlegislature.gov
Website and e-Subscribe: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wise
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