[5]
Legislative Update
By Oregonians for Food and Shelter [6],
The Legislature convened for its final time of the year this week, completing three days of “Legislative Days” meetings. The overriding theme entering the week was budget cuts: given the projected deficit going into the week, agencies were asked to provide lists of proposed cuts, and to present those lists to various budget committees. This became a venue for legislative leaders to blame Congress for Oregon’s economic woes, and set the stage for ratcheting back business tax deductions from Oregonians in 2026.
However, the doom and gloom over state funding and need for new revenue took an unexpected turn Wednesday as the state economist’s revenue forecast reduced the projected budget shortfall by around $300 million. The revenue picture is dynamic given the limited data during the federal shutdown and the lag following a series of high-profile layoffs throughout Oregon. Rest assured, the budget projection will change again by the next forecast, due in February. OFS has coordinated with other ag and natural resource organizations to share feedback on the proposed cuts to natural resource agency budgets with members of the Joint Subcommittee on Natural Resources.
The Governor made news this week as well, issuing yet another executive order, this time on clean energy. It is her third environmentally focused executive order this fall, and the specifics are unclear, at least until agencies start proposing rules.
Finally, as we wrap up another year of policy work in Salem, observers will wait to see whether opponents of the transportation package will obtain the required signatures to refer the proposed gas and payroll taxes and title and registration fees to voters next year. The potential repeal of the package will only reignite all the discussions in 2025 over the operation and administration of Oregon Department of Transportation.