Sine Die! “This session, as Democrats passed legislation that focused on opposing the federal administration, Republicans fought to deliver real solutions that cut costs and improve the livelihoods of the people we serve here in Oregon” - House Republican Leader @LucettaElmer

“Words can’t express the heartbreak of hearing that the Bend community has experienced such unnecessary violence. I am grateful to the Bend Police Department and first responders who responded quickly to the scene.   My heart is with every student, parent, teacher, and family member affected by this tragedy. Every parent should be able to send their child to school with the confidence that they will be safe, and every child deserves to learn in an environment free from fear,” said Leader Elmer.   “The senseless violence against our children today is heartbreaking. My commitment is to the families, students, and teachers as we learn details of today’s horrific event. I’m grateful to every first responder who stepped in with urgency to protect our community. May the weight of God sit heavy with any soul who justifies this evil deed,” said Rep. Breese Iverson.

Oregonians, Friday, October 9, is Oregon youth suicide awareness day. Let us take time to remember those we have lost far too soon and reach out to the youth in our lives. Remind them that they are loved, valued, and seen. One message of encouragement could save a life.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) just released the results of their public engagement survey. When asked what the agency’s priorities should be, respondents responded the same way they have for the past two years… If 98% opposition to their Transportation Package (2025), or a referendum on their slimmed-down gas tax, wasn’t enough, perhaps a survey that suspiciously targets Portland will open their eyes. Shockingly, despite 60% of respondents coming from the Portland Metro area, and nearly all other responses coming from other major metro areas, respondents believed ODOT’s top three priorities should be: Maintain the System Preserve Key Assets Improve Safety Oops… not the result you expected?

Today is National Manufacturing Day!   Manufacturers and their partners across the nation are celebrating the industry by showcasing advancements in modern manufacturing — an ever expanding and innovating trade.   Meanwhile, in Oregon…   Despite national growth in the sector this past quarter, Oregon saw its worst non-recessionary quarter for manufacturing job losses in twenty-three years. Since 2023, Oregon has lost 1 in 10 jobs in the sector, eqauating to roughly one job lost every 1.5 hours.    It would be irresponsible to point the finger at one particular driving factor, but Oregon’s current anti-business, pro-regulation policy approach may have something to do with it.    According to the Oregon Business and Industry’s (OBI’s) “Oregon Scorecard,” Oregon ranks:                 43rd in Business Friendliness               46th in Regulatory Freedom               1st in Occupational Licensing Burden Index Rank   Could being in the bottom ten nationally in key economic metrics be pushing manufacturing out of the state?

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is inviting you to join them, Saturday, October 10, for the 2026 Ready Fair!    This free, family-friendly event showcases practical tools and real-world guidance aligned with OEM’s Be 2 Weeks Ready program — helping Oregonians learn how to stay self-sufficient for two weeks after a disaster. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your community and see preparedness in action.   Event Details
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
OEM Headquarters – 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem   The 2026 Ready Fair will have: •Expert-led booths covering emergency alerts, water and food planning, sanitation, and more •Interactive experiences like an earthquake simulator and an earthquake-themed escape room •Kid-friendly stations designed to make preparedness fun and approachable •Local food trucks and a chance to win a fully stocked emergency go-bag •Photo ops with Smokey the Bear and Buzzy the Bee

Today is September 11th. What would have otherwise been an average day in an extraordinarily average month is now remembered as the day terror struck at the heart of our country. The shock of what happened that day was felt not only by Americans at home and abroad, but by people across the globe as we watched — eyes glued to the television — in our schools, workplaces, and homes. In the days that followed, our nation came together with compassion, strength, and a shared sense of purpose. May we never forget the lives we lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the reminder that we are stronger when we stand united.

Our recent Revenue and Economic Forecast showed little movement in anticipated revenue since the previous quarter. However, our team noticed some notable trends that could indicate where our state is heading. The increase in revenue from personal income taxes offset a $187 million decrease in revenue from corporate income taxes and the Corporate Activities Tax (or CAT). This comes right after The Oregonian recently reported that business closures are starting to outpace business openings. Additionally, our team noticed that, while the U.S. had its best quarter for manufacturing job creation in three years, Oregon saw the state’s worst non-recessionary quarter for manufacturing job losses in twenty-three years. Since 2023, Oregon has lost 1 out of every 10 manufacturing jobs — sustaining fourteen straight quarters of losses. That equates to one job lost every 1.5 hours. This contradicts the popular understanding that our economy is exclusively suffering from federal instability. While it would be irresponsible to place the blame exclusively on one contributing factor, the Governor’s Prosperity Council recommendations point to specific policy changes that must be made to get Oregon back on track.

An adoptee herself, House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer championed legislation in the 2025 Legislative Session to celebrate those touched by adoption. Her bill founded Oregon Adoption Day; the state holiday is recognized on August 25. A few months ago, Leader Elmer’s team began searching for Oregon Adoption Day’s new logo. We are excited to unveil the winning design! Congratulations, Beth Williams! Beth Williams wrote that “As someone who was adopted, this topic lies close to my heart. For my design, I chose regional botanicals to represent some of the themes that coexist within adoption.”

Today, we honor the brave men and women who were wounded or gave their lives in service to our nation. Their extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience while defending our freedoms will never be forgotten.   The Purple Heart is America's oldest military decoration. First established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, it was revitalized as the Purple Heart in 1932 and is awarded to U.S. Armed Forces members who are wounded or killed in action in service of their country.   In 2015, the Oregon State Legislature passed a resolution that made Oregon the 15th state to honor its combat wounded and killed veterans by declaring itself a Purple Heart State.

“This program would have generated critical funding for scholarship-granting organizations, which would have benefited Oregon students. Now instead, Oregonians can still receive the federal tax credit, but they will have to give to a state that has opted in,” Leader Elmer concluded.

Oregon’s economy is falling behind, and Oregonians are paying the price. The Governor’s Prosperity Council is now recommending many proposals that House Republicans have been putting forward for years: reduce regulatory burden, reform Corporate Activity and Estate taxes, reconnect to federal tax law, and lower the costs for families and businesses. The question now is simple: will the Majority Party leadership act? Republicans are ready to work on real solutions to put Oregon back on track.

It’s no secret that America’s education system leaves much to be desired. All corners of the political spectrum agree this is a problem, but no one seems to have a solution. Here in Oregon, the majority party did away with graduation standards, removed requirements for opting out of State testing, and took away local control. Did these fantastical policies at least disguise Oregon’s lackluster education statistics? Nope. Oregon ranks: 46TH IN NAEP READING RANK GRADE 4 2024 Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress 48TH IN NAEP MATH RANK GRADE 4 2024 Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress 46TH IN CSI EDUCATION COMPETITIVENESS RANK 2024 Fall enrollment saw a -1% decrease in 2025 Source: Common Sense Institute Free Enterprise Report 2026 44TH IN EDUCATION Source: KIDS COUNT Data Book 2026 Calculation based on a state’s young children (ages 3 and 4) not in school (2020-24), Fourth graders not proficient in reading (2024), Eighth graders not proficient in math (2024), and High school students not graduating on time (2023-24) 45TH IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NOT GRADUATING ON TIME Source: KIDS COUNT Data Book 2026 18% of Oregon Highschoolers are not graduating on time Tied with Nevada, North Dakota. Idaho, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Wyoming The District of Columbia is the 50th (could or could not make Oregon tied for 46th)

We all feel it… The cost of living in Oregon has gotten out of hand. Groceries, gas, rent, and utilities make our paychecks seem smaller and smaller each month. Ever wondered how Oregon stacks up to the rest of the nation? Oregon ranks: 41ST IN INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RANK 2026 Source: Tax Foundation, State Tax Competitiveness Index 42ND IN HOUSING COST RANK 2025 Source: Missouri Economic Research Center Cost of Living Data Series 46TH IN GROCERY COST RANK 2025 Source: Missouri Economic Research Center Cost of Living Data Series 46TH IN TRANSPORTATION COST RANK 2025 Source: Missouri Economic Research Center Cost of Living Data Series BOTTOM TEN MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AS A % OF MEDIAN HOME PRICE Source: US Census ACS 2024 1 yr – B19013 & B25077 41ST IN SHARE OF HOUSING BURDENED HOUSEHOLDS 2024 Source: US Census Bureau 50TH IN YEAR-OVER-YEAR JOB GROWTH Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The numbers don’t lie: Oregon’s tax-to-spend anti-business policies are not working! Not only is it expensive to do business here, but the sheer number of rules and regulations makes it unfavorable for aspiring innovators or established entrepreneurs considering launching operations in Oregon. And there’s absolutely no reason for this… On paper, and current legislation aside, Oregon should have a thriving economy. We have a lot going for us: ports, natural resources, diverse environments, and major social hubs should have people flocking to our state. Instead, we see an aging population, fleeing businesses, and an ever-growing public sector. So, why is Oregon… 47TH IN BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS Source: CNBC America’s Top States for Business 2025 43RD IN COST OF DOING BUSINESS 2025 Source: OBI “The Oregon Scorecard” 49TH IN CORPORATE TAX RANK 2026 Source: Tax Foundation State Tax Competitiveness Index 46TH IN REGULATORY FREEDOM RANK 2023 Source: Freedom in the 50 States 2023 7TH IN REGULATORY BURDEN RANK 2023 Source: OBI Regulatory Impact Analysis 1ST IN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING INDEX RANK 2025 Lower Number = Greater Burden Source: Archbridge Institute, State Occupational Licensing Index 40TH IN US BUSINESS FORMATIONS (PERCENT CHANGE JAN 2020 – DEC 2025) Source: US Census Bureau; Business Formation Statistics The answer is simple: poor policy.

Today, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to this country secured the freedoms we enjoy every day. On this Memorial Day, the Oregon House Republicans remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.

“Revenue may be up on paper, but that is not the same as real economic growth. It is up because the majority party raised taxes on Oregonians by disconnecting from federal tax relief, not because Oregon families and employers are thriving.”

On May 15th, our Nation remembers those who gave their all on the line of duty. We honor those, and their loved ones, who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and uphold the pillars of our democracy.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ~Albert Pike 200 flags in the driveway 199 flags for Oregon fallen—no new names this year 1 for all others in the country 182 firefighters—3 additional names will be added in June 16th Two wreaths: one represents the loss of loved one and the other represents the loss of colleague