One of the most significant debates centered on SB 1599 brought forward by the majority party. Passage of this bill moved the voter referendum on the transportation funding package, including the gas tax increase adopted during the Governor’s 2025 special session, from the traditional November general election to the May 2026 election.

The transportation package faced significant public opposition, which is why so many citizens gathered the signatures necessary to refer the law to the voters. Shifting the vote to a May election, when turnout is typically much lower than in a November general election, undermines the intent of the referendum process and limits broader public participation in deciding the fate of the tax increase. For this reason I was a firm “No” vote. 

If the majority party was confident in the policy, the referendum should have remained on the November ballot when the greatest number of Oregonians participate in elections. SB 1599 represents a political decision that disregards the voices of thousands of Oregonians who exercised their constitutional right to challenge this tax increase.

Another major debate involved efforts to further disconnect Oregon’s tax code from federal tax law through SB 1507.  Additional federal tax disconnections create unnecessary complexity for taxpayers and small businesses while making Oregon’s tax system more difficult to navigate. To quote my floor speech on this bill, “Oregon does not have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem.”  Instead of restructuring tax policy to sustain higher levels of spending, the Legislature should focus on responsible budgeting and long-term fiscal discipline, ensuring state government lives within its means. I cast a firm “No” vote on this measure, as well.

Firearms policy in HB 4145, also rose to become one of the session’s most debated issues. The bill intersects with Ballot Measure 114 (2022), which remains under review in the courts. After the bill’s controversial passage in the House, the Senate adopted several significant amendments aimed at modifying portions of the state’s Measure 114 gun control law. These amendments included removing provisions that would have doubled gun permit fees and extended waiting periods, while retaining the large-capacity magazine ban and delaying the law’s effective date until 2028. Additional changes modified affirmative defense language, allowing prosecution to be stayed during court injunctions, and established timelines for dealers and manufacturers following certain court rulings. The measure returned to the House for a concurrence vote today.  I, along with my colleagues, voted yes on the bill.  The bill delays any further action until the Constitutionality of various elements in the bill are determined. This is as it should be.

Another theme that surfaced during session was the continued effort by the majority to push back against federal immigration enforcement policies. Several discussions and proposals focused on reinforcing Oregon’s existing sanctuary laws and further limiting cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities.

Republicans raised concerns that Oregon already has some of the strongest sanctuary policies in the country. Rather than continuing to engage in conflicts over federal immigration policy and putting substantial federal funding in jeopardy, many of us believe the Legislature should focus our limited time during short sessions on the issues Oregonians are facing every day - rising costs, housing affordability, public safety, education, and strengthening access to health care.

These discussions highlighted a clear difference in priorities during the session and reinforced the importance of focusing on practical solutions that directly improve the lives of Oregonians.

Although the session has come to a close, conversations around affordability, government accountability, and respecting the voice of voters remain as important as ever. Throughout the session, I remained focused on promoting accountability, protecting taxpayers, and restoring trust in state government.

While I look forward to continuing to serve the remainder of my term as your State Representative, I also recognize this sine die marks my final session in the Oregon House barring a Special Session. It has been a true honor and privilege to serve as your voice in Salem. Thank you for your engagement and support along the way. 

Sincerely,

Monday – March 2, 2026

Tuesday – March 3, 2026

Wednesday – March 4, 2026

Thursday – March 5, 2026

Friday – March 6, 2026 (Sine Die)

In nearly a decade in the Oregon House of Representatives, I spent countless hours on the floor with good friends. Two are standing with me in this photo, Representative Boomer Wright and Representative Court Boice.

Rep. Wright will soon join me in the ranks of retired legislators. I am grateful for his years of dedicated service and for the commitment he has brought to his community and his colleagues in the Legislature. His work has made a lasting impact, and he will certainly be missed in the Capitol.  Enjoy this well-deserved next chapter, Boomer! I want to express my gratitude to Representative Court Boice, for giving me a thoughtful shout out in his courtesy remarks during Thursday morning’s session. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.  You can watch a reply of Rep. Boice’s remarks here.

During Thursday’s courtesies, I also had the pleasure to recognize my staff, Michelle Felton and Jodie Fleck, and to honor and thank them for their many years of dedicated service to my office and the citizens of House District 18.  You can watch a replay of my remarks here.

Expedited Warrants Protecting Victims of Stalking and Domestic Violence
The measure requires social media platforms responding to a search warrant in a domestic violence or stalking case to do so within 72 hours, requires other communications providers to respond within five days, and establishes procedural requirements for such warrants. It declares this measure to be known as “Kristil’s Law” named in the memory of Kristil Krug who was stalked and murdered by her husband. The measure declares an emergency and is effective on passage, but it delays the operation of the new warrant process and requirement to May 1, 2026, to allow relevant entities to prepare.

Rural Emergency Hospitals
The measure authorizes hospitals to apply for licensure to operate as a rural emergency hospital and directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to establish and assess a licensing fee for this new designation. Any additional staffing or resources required to administer the program will be funded through fee revenue.

Veterans Crisis Teams/Veterans Crisis Card Task Force
Establishes the Task Force on Responding to Veterans in Crisis and directs the task force to submit a report to the interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency management and veterans no later than September 15, 2026. I am pleased that discussions on this concept will move forward and to note that the Governor signed the bill yesterday.

Attempt to Elude/Public Safety Omnibus Bill
HB 4101 increased sentencing guidelines for felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. This measure was incorporated into HB 4041 the public safety omnibus bill that reduces two categories of driving while suspended from a misdemeanor to a violation; increases the presumptive sentence for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a vehicle for repeat offenses and for causing an injury to another person; creates new procedural requirements for petitions for post-conviction relief for nonunanimous jury verdicts; establishes new procedures for sentence computations and for addressing erroneous releases; and increases the monetary value thresholds for varying degrees of theft and criminal mischief. The measure declares an emergency and is effective on passage, but it delays the operation of some sections.

Supporting Veterans Services – Veterans Omnibus Bill
Supports veterans mental health services and establishes a Suicide Prevention Program within the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. It modernizes the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant program. Requires the Oregon Judicial Department, in consultation with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, to study methods for providing access to veterans’ treatment courts.

 Owner Transfer of Interest in Motor Vehicle
The measure modifies rules regarding the appearance in court of a defendant who has been issued a traffic ticket. If a defendant has transferred their interest in the vehicle that was cited, the measure allows the defendant, in lieu of a first appearance, to notify the court (within 30 days of the citation) of the transfer by presenting a certificate of innocence or in the manner the court provides. It directs the defendant to include a statement affirming specific relevant facts. Once the court determines that the person is exempt from liability, it requires the court to dismiss the citation.

Initiating a False Report “Swatting” 
The measure creates a new Class C felony under the existing crime of initiating a false report, wherein a person intentionally causes the deployment of an “enhanced law enforcement response” and, as a result, recklessly causes serious physical injury to or the death of another person. The measure designates this offense a person felony. The measure defines “enhanced law enforcement response” as a response that involves both the dispatch of two or more officers and one of several other characteristics, such as the evacuation of bystanders, specialized tactical teams, or the initiation of shelter-in-place directives. Many in the District will remember the swatting incident that occurred at Silverton High School a short while ago.  This bill will help appropriately address that type of incident.

HB 4157

Federal Tax Cuts for Wildfire Victims
The measure urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims.

In memoriam of State Senator Aaron Lionel Woods
The measure honors and celebrates the life and achievements of State Senator Aaron Woods, who lived from 1949 to 2025.

The kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check. Taxpayers may use the “What’s My Kicker?” Calculator to determine their credit.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

Track your tax refund – Where’s My Refund?

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund on an e-filed return by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait at least one week after filing an electronic return before using the Where’s My Refund tool. Paper-filed returns won’t show up in the tool until paper-processing begins in late March.

March offers a meaningful reminder of how everyday people helped shape the course of the American Revolution. On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre shocked the colonies and ignited a wave of resistance. What began as a tense street confrontation quickly escalated, leaving five colonists dead and fueling outrage across the colonies. Thanks to figures like Paul Revere, whose engraving spread quickly, this event became a powerful symbol of the need to stand up to injustice and demand accountability. The Boston Massacre helped unite colonists from different regions and backgrounds, reminding them that freedom requires vigilance and courage.

As we look ahead to America’s 250th birthday, March is a fitting time to reflect on how ordinary citizens, shopkeepers, apprentices, farmers, and families played essential roles in shaping the nation we know today. Their voices and actions mattered, just as ours do now.

March is also a wonderful opportunity to explore your own family story. Whether your ancestors lived through the Revolution, crossed the Oregon Trail, or arrived in more recent generations, each family contributes to the American experience. Encourage your kids and grandkids to ask questions, look through old photos, or explore historical records. Understanding where we come from helps us better appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today.

As winter turns to spring, may this month renew our sense of connection to our history, our families, and the shared values that continue to guide us as Americans.