Category Legislature
Lawmakers passed slate of bills meant to address state’s ‘woefully short’ housing supply
The state Legislature passed at least a dozen bills meant to protect renter security deposits, boost housing production and ensure access to homeless shelters statewide.
Oregon lawmakers regulate guns, public defense, while crime victim, exoneree funding stall
Bills meant to reform and direct more money to the state’s criminal justice system had a mixed bag in the 2025 legislative session.
Last-minute deal preserves Oregon program for disadvantaged businesses
Following concerns that funding would be cut, a deal in the final days of Oregon's 2025 legislative session preserved funding for a key program supporting Native American-owned businesses.
Gov. Kotek blames transportation package failure on Republicans ‘who just wanted to go home’
Gov. Kotek hinted she might call lawmakers back for a special session to address transportation issues. Republicans blamed a transportation bill failure on Democrats cutting them out of the process.
Oregon Legislature’s last-ditch attempt for 3-cent gas tax increase fails
Oregon Democrats’ last-ditch effort to stave off hundreds of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation by passing a 3-cent gas tax increase failed late Friday night after House Republicans refused to allow a vote.
Oregon Legislature abandons attempt to postpone campaign finance limits
Lawmakers have scrapped an effort to make technical fixes to a law limiting campaign contributions. The law is set to take effect in 2027.
Two Republican senators attempt to kill bipartisan proposal to raise lodging tax for wildlife
Raising the state hotel tax by 1.25 percentage points could send millions to the Fish and Wildlife Department, but the Republican senators say it will hurt the tourism industry.
Transportation package clears committee hurdle, goes to Oregon House for Friday vote
It’s been a bumpy road for the now $11.7 billion Transportation Reinvestment Package that moves closer to passage in the last days of the 2025 legislative session.
Oregon House introduces scaled-down transportation bill with days left in session
The latest transportation proposal is unpopular with Republicans and some rank-and-file Democrats who said they’ve not had enough time to process it.