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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov

Neighbors,

It’s already the end of week 2 of the 2026 legislative session, and the building was the busiest I’ve ever seen. We love seeing a full Capitol, especially with so many student visitors. 

This week I had the opportunity to meet Diana Crespo Gonzalez, the sweetest seven-year-old who was detained by ICE with her family while waiting for care at a hospital.

Congresswoman Maxine Dexter and State Representative Ricki Ruiz worked to bring the family back to Oregon, where they have a pending asylum case. We’ve welcomed many students to the Capitol this week, and I’ve shared with them the power of using their voices and taking action, just as my colleagues did for Diana. History will be unforgiving to those who were cruel to children and used the law to justify that cruelty, as others have in the past. But it will also remember those who stood up for the least of these — innocent children — when it was hard. Below you’ll find bill updates, transportation vote updates, and where we are headed next week.  As always, my door is open.  Warmly,

This Week at the Capitol

Yesterday was Immigrant Justice Day of Action, where members from the immigrant community met with legislators to emphasize the importance of the immigrant justice package. A community member from Bend shared her impactful story with me - how the increased presence of federal agents has affected her, and her family. Young advocates shared the impact that federal agents are having in the classroom, and the difficulties of focusing on learning when they are worrying whether their parents will come home at the end of the day. Immigrants are part of what makes Oregon a great place, and it is our duty to stand with them when the federal government is instilling fear in our community. 

A big thank you to the Cascades Academy Environmental Club for coming to the Capitol this week to advocate for HB 4134, the “1.25% for Wildlife” proposal. This bill would dedicate more funding to wildlife conservation and habitat protection, to safeguard Oregon’s ecosystems for generations to come.

We love welcoming students to the Capitol and seeing young leaders engaged in the legislative process. If you’d like to bring a class or group to Salem, please let us know, we’d be happy to host you!

Oregon's Public Universities Visit the Capitol- Students and representatives from all seven of Oregon’s public universities visited the Capitol to share student perspectives on the importance of funding and supporting higher education. 

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day- Advocates from all corners of the state were at the Capitol to advocate for the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. 

This week Rep. Marsh and I testified in support of our priority bill to codify McKinney-Vento, a law that ensures homeless youth can stay in their school of origin even if they move. Keeping students connected to their school and support system is essential to protecting and uplifting some of our most vulnerable children. This bill is a key step toward ensuring every student has stability and the resources they need to succeed.

Oregon Transportation Budget Update

This week, the legislature held a hearing on the $288 million shortfall in the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) budget. Right now the agency is struggling with nearly 700 vacant positions, while still managing critical road maintenance, bridge safety, transit programs, and other infrastructure projects. You can watch the hearing here.

ODOT has proposed using a mix of funding shifts, including moving some state dollars to projects currently funded by federal money, to maintain basic services. More drastic cuts, including layoffs of active staff, remain a last resort. The legislature is carefully weighing options to ensure that roads, public transit, and other essential infrastructure are maintained without disproportionately harming communities or workers.

Advancing Through the Legislature: Highlights from this Week's House Floor Votes

Oregon Moves Forward on Cleaner, Cheaper Energy- HB 4031, makes it easier and faster to build clean energy projects like solar, wind, and geothermal power. This legislation helps bring new renewable energy online sooner, which can help lower your energy bills and make the grid more reliable. It also makes sure Oregon can take full advantage of federal tax credits for these projects, supports local jobs, and reduces climate pollution. Faster clean energy development means a more stable energy future for everyone in Oregon.

Faster Environmental Permits, Better Transparency- HB 4102, makes it faster and easier for businesses and developers to get environmental permits. This means projects like clean energy, local infrastructure, or community improvements can move forward more quickly, creating jobs and supporting local economies, without cutting corners on environmental protections.

The bill also increases transparency: all permitting decisions and agreements will be posted online, so you can see how the state is managing approvals. 

Free Books for Oregon Kids: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Coming Statewide- HB 4022, creates a statewide program to deliver a free, age-appropriate book every month to kids from birth through age five. The goal is simple: help children develop a love of reading, improve school readiness, and give every child a strong start in school and in life.

Supporting Wildfire Survivors- HJM 201, urges Congress to permanently extend federal tax relief for wildfire survivors. Recovering from a wildfire often comes with significant and unexpected costs, from rebuilding homes and replacing belongings to securing temporary housing and managing lost income. Federal tax relief can provide meaningful financial breathing room during that recovery process. By passing HJM 201, the House is sending a clear message that Oregon supports long-term, stable relief for families impacted by increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

Looking into Week Three 

The short session moves at a rapid pace. On Monday we will hit our first major policy committee deadline, meaning any bills that haven’t been voted out of their originating policy committee won’t advance this session. 

All of this is happening against the backdrop of an unusually tight state budget. The recent revenue forecast suggests we have about $100 million more to work with than earlier estimates. Even with the improved numbers, Oregon is still dealing with a substantial budget gap. A balanced budget needs to pass by March 8th. We’ll continue to keep you updated as budget discussions evolve and as committees balance critical services like education, healthcare, public safety, and our natural resource programs.

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​