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To contact me, please click here: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov
Hello to Senate District 19 and beyond,
I just returned from a 1,400-mile trip, visiting my colleagues throughout Eastern Oregon. I am excited to catch you up on my trip below, but first want to flag a few upcoming matters. Friday, September 4th, marks 60 days before the general election, whereupon state legislators cannot use legislative communication channels. Therefore, after today's newsletter, you will not hear from me until November.
As we head into September Legislative Days, Democrats and Republicans in our committees will cover many important hearings. The agendas are posted on OLIS for September 8th-10th. I welcome you take a look and see if any topics interest you. Here are a few highlights I am looking forward to:
- Senate Interim Committee on Finance & Revenue
*Jobs Tax Credit Implementation Update from Business Oregon
*The Federal Deduction for State and Local Taxes
- Senate Interim Committee on Judiciary
*Oregon Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Annual Report Update
- Senate Interim Committee on Education
*Media Literacy
*Education Policy Related to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Senate Interim Committee on Health Care
*Medicaid Update
*Health Insurance Market Update
*Health Care and Oregon's Economy
- Joint Emergency Board
*Southern Oregon University Financial Stability
*Wildfire Season Costs & Response
*Secretary of State - Elections Protection
- House Interim Committee on Higher Education
*House Bill 4124 (2026) - Higher Education Revitalization
*Workforce Pell Implementation
*Science of Reading in Educator Preparation Programs
The state of higher education in Oregon is a significant priority in both my legislative agenda and from a personal standpoint. I am proud to serve on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Legislative Advisory Committee working with my colleagues around the country to better higher education in the our states. The colleges and universities of our state are vital in preparing the next generation, in strengthening our workforce, and in providing opportunities for people across Oregon. It is essential that our higher education system is accessible, affordable, and meets the needs of students and our evolving economy.
Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter, distributed by my colleague, Rep. Pam Marsh, recognizing the vital review and revitalization our higher education sector requires. This issue is one that impacts students, families, employers, and merits our ongoing attention.
I had the pleasure of joining by my friend Sen. Todd Nash for a Rural Housing Tour through his district in Northeastern Oregon. We visited the Port of Arlington's Alkali Ridge project, where we learned how land zoned for exclusive farm use inside the urban growth boundary became a phased residential development. My favorite stop was touring homes at Bumble B Estates in Stanfield. Seen in the photos below, every home here is fully fenced and landscaped, with a mix of move-in-ready and new-construction homes representing one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. It was truly eye-opening to see the opportunities in Eastern Oregon looking to provide attainable homeownership for working families.
 Pleasure to chat with Commissioner Jake Seavert, Rep. Bobby Levy, Sen. Todd Nash, Sen. Dick Anderson, and Gilliam County Judge
Cris Patnode, and Scott Smith while on the tour.
The rest of the housing tour brought us to Union, Wallowa, and Malheur Counties. We had the chance to hear directly from people about the great demand for rural workforce housing. Along the stop we met with Grande Ronde Hospital on the challenge to provide rental accommodation, offering them up to six months to secure permanent housing. This is a clear illustration of how the shortage of available housing makes it more difficult to attract and keep the workers that rural communities need. We must continue to look for practical ways to increase housing and to strengthen rural Oregon's workforce.
Commissioner Matt Scarfo and Adele Schaffeld, Inspector for Malheur County, Oregon, were kind to be my travel guides in Union and Malheur County.
 It was great to catch up with Wallowa County Commissioners Lisa Collier, John Hillcock, and Cody Lathrop atop the Wallowa Lake Tramway.
We found time in between workdays to catch up with old friends and make new ones, too. Dinner at Hamley's in Pendleton brought Sen. Bill Hansell and his wife Margie into town all the way from Athena. Prior to leaving Wallowa County, Sen. Todd Nash's mother, Janie Tippett, "Grandma Janie" provided us with delightful and award-winning sourdough huckleberry pancakes to send us on our way to Malheur County.
 Thank you Rep. Bobby Levy for taking the time to show me your beautiful farm.
The Eastern Oregon Economic Summit workforce tour kept us on many of the themes from the housing tour. I gained a first-hand impression of the ways Eastern Oregon is preparing the next generation of its workforce. Having visited the career and technical education programs at Treasure Valley Community College, as well as seeing the solar projects in operation and touring the OSU Extension station, I could see how education, practical training, and local industry are combining to create opportunities. Such partnerships are essential for ensuring that students have a clear route from the classroom to a well-paid job and for ensuring our communities have the skilled workforce they need in order to thrive.
 Pleased to join my colleagues Sen. Noah Robinson and Sen. Lew Frederick on the workforce tour.
It would not be a true Oregon road trip without a few stops at some amazing Oregon State Parks. Whether at Emerald Springs, seeing the Oregon Trail wagon ruts in the park; or chatting with Park Ranger Nicole Edwards about the very active threat of fire and drought at Unity Lake---I am met with a true kindness from every ranger who I encounter.
A tour that went beyond kindness, was the hours of dedicated time JR Collier spent to show me Lake Owyhee State Park, Succor Creek Natural Area, and Leslie Gulch. The Lake Owyhee area is amongst the most beautiful places in Oregon and United States. While far out, I urge you take a boat trip on Lake Owyhee or a hike around Succor Creek. You will not regret taking the road trip out there!
 Here's one more park to visit before you read on: Farewell Bend State Park came under severe wildfire threats during the previous fire season, with fires spreading along the Snake River and also right up to the park's entrance. When the fires posed a threat to the area, the crews responded promptly by protecting the buildings, slowing the advance of the fire, and ensuring the safety of the people. In the photos below you can see the damage caused by the fire to the dry and unprotected parts of the park, whereas the areas surrounding the buildings were better protected thanks to measures such as watering the grass and the use of trails in order to keep the fire away. The rangers and firefighters carried out an essential job in protecting this vital part of Eastern Oregon, and I am thankful to all those who offered their help.
🚧I-5 Southbound Closures:
Whether you are commuting in Portland or planning a trip through the area, ODOT would like travelers across Oregon to be aware of a major closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 in Portland between I-84 and I-405 starting September 11th and lasting up to five weeks. During the closure, overdue road repairs will be done as part of the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. Learn more about the closure at the project's website and sign up for traffic alerts here.
 Map of I-5 Rose Quarter Closures.
🗳️Election Day Reminders:
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October 13, 2026, is the last day to register to vote in the November general election.
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November 3, 2026, is Election Day, and ballots must be deposited in a drop box by 8 PM.
- Visit oregon.gov/elections to check the status of your registration or learn how to register
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Mail-in voting remains safe and legal, but you should plan to mail in your ballot as early as you can. Postal processing can delay postmarking.
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Use a ballot drop box instead of mail once you’re close to election day. In October, you can look up drop box locations here: oregon.gov/elections/pages/drop-box-locator
🔥How To Support Communities Affected by Wildfires:
Financial gifts remain the most effective way to assist people affected by wildfires. Monetary donations allow disaster response organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, when and where it is needed. People seeking trusted organizations currently involved in wildfire response can dial 211 or visit 211info.org.
Nonprofit Organizations Collecting Monetary Donations to Support Oregon Disaster Response
OPB Oregon, Washington plan to defend in-state tuition for immigrant students
Attorneys general for Oregon and Washington say they will safeguard state laws that grant in-state tuition for immigrant students at public higher education institutions.
The Oregonian Judge upholds Oregon’s packaging recycling law
The law was drafted and approved to advance Oregon’s policy goal of shifting its recycling costs from governmental entities to producers, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon wrote in a 71-page ruling.
Statesman Journal Why Oregon high school students must take class on budgeting, finance
Beginning this school year, high school students in Oregon must take a personal finance class to graduate. The half-credit course will teach students about budgeting, taxes, investing and more.
Lake Oswego Review West Linn Planning Commission denies Tannler Drive development application
The West Linn Planning Commission denied Tannler Holdings LLC’s application for a 10-building, multi-use development that would add 320 apartments at Tannler and Blankenship Drive during a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1600
address: 900 Court St NE, S-201, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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