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To contact me, please click here: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends & Neighbors,
The pace set during the opening days suggested a busy and consequential session ahead, with outcomes that could shape Oregon's future in significant ways.
For ongoing updates, citizens are encouraged to follow the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) and participate in public hearings as the session continues.
~ Virgle
Oregon Legislators convene for 2026 short session
KOBI 5
On the first day of the session, the Oregon House Republican caucus outlined its priorities, which include affordability, public safety, and education. Republican leaders said their agenda includes proposals aimed at helping first-time homebuyers and legislation that would place limits on Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program. State Reps. Dwayne Yunker and Werner Reschke addressed the House during its first meeting of the session.
“Oregonians are asking us to rebalance the budget, cut waste, stop governing by ideology and refocus state government on affordability, opportunity and freedom,” Yunker said. “They are asking us to challenge course.”
“The wise legislator stays out of needless fights, represents their constituents well, and lives at peace with all, as best can be expected,” Reschke said.
Lawmakers discuss urging congress to help wildfire victims - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2
KOBI 5
Republican State Rep. Virgle Osborne of Roseburg said there appears to be little debate in the legislature that wildfire victims should receive federal tax relief.
Oregonians pessimistic about economy, sour on state leaders: survey
Portland Business Journal
A new survey commissioned by a statewide business group found that voters are pessimistic about the direction Oregon is headed and that many are struggling just to get by. Most of the 600 respondents agreed that problems facing the state, chiefly the cost of living and housing affordability, are worsening, and they gave elected leaders low ratings for job performance. Oregon Business & Industry hired DHM Research to conduct the survey ahead of the 2026 legislative session “to provide policymakers with insights into Oregonians’ values and beliefs and to help inform policy decisions,” OBI President & CEO Angela Wilhelms said in a note with the report.
Other findings: 73% rate Oregon’s current economic conditions as poor, an increase from 60% in 2021. Nearly half have difficulties paying for essentials, such as groceries, health care, utility bills, auto insurance and their rent or mortgage. More than half think Oregon’s economic growth rate is slower than the national average and they favor reducing regulations and creating incentives to jobs and tax revenue. Only 26% said the state is headed in the right direction — 5% of Republicans versus 46% of Democratic voters. 64% disapprove of both Gov. Tina Kotek’s and the Legislature’s performance, and 55% disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance.
Live from Salem, State Representative Virgle Osborne talks about the State Revenue Forecast, what the first few days of the session have been like, and what is ahead in the coming days.
https://kqennewsradio.com/2026/02/04/inside-douglas-county-02-04-26/
Stay tuned next Wednesday, February 11th at 12:30 p.m. for more updates from the Capitol
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 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.
Yours Truly,
 Representative Virgle Osborne
House District 2
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1402
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.VirgleOsborne@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/osborne
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