The Week In News

Kicking off this section is a great article in the Oregonian providing an overview of how legislative leaders outlined the priorities of the session. While there’s some predictable disagreements between Democratic and Republican leaders on how to address Oregon’s many problems, there is agreement on what the problems are: housing and homelessness, affordability, education. To be fair, those disagreements don’t mean the two parties are starting miles apart. Remember, about ninety percent of bills that pass out of the legislature are bipartisan. I also feel like we Democrats in the majority do a good job bringing Republicans to the table, and that approach has resulted in some solid lawmaking over the last few years, especially on funding for affordable housing and the work we did in the 2024 session around BM 110 and addiction.

Let’s start with housing, which Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama said is a priority for the Senate Democrats. Previously, Leader Jama served as the chair of the Senate Housing Committee, where he played a central role in developing big housing packages in 2023 and 2024. It’s no wonder that in his capacity as Majority Leader he continues to lead on that issue.

Over in the House, my own majority leader, Ben Bowman, is leading a push to have committees serve a broader oversight function. I agree with him that we don’t do a lot of accountability and oversight things as a legislature. In my own attempt to do some of that over four years when I chaired an important budget committee I had my doubts for lots of reasons about how effective I actually was at it. When you don’t work somewhere, when you don’t supervise the actual work force I think it can be hard to hold anyone accountable. We are also a legislature that only meets quarterly when we are not in active session.

It will be interesting to see how he has the committee chairs do more to hold state agencies to account in a good way in terms of the laws and budgets we pass and the implementation of those laws and budgets. Leader Bowman said “What I’m not interested in is the D.C.-style, ‘gotcha,’ partisan oversight that you see regardless of who is in power… I hope that our oversight and accountability will be focused on solutions.” As a chair of a committee myself, I am curious to see where this goes. I don’t talk a lot about this but I care a lot about operations and implementation. When I am crafting a bill I do what I can to incorporate state agency feedback into my approach, as it is the agencies themselves that have to implement the things the legislature passes into law. I also think a lot of times when things don’t work as well it is because we don’t give the agency what it needs in terms of money and staff to do the work. It might also help to include more modern IT systems. I do agree with Leader Bowman though. I do not want to see D.C.-style shouting matches become the norm here in Oregon. Committee hearings shouldn’t be about going viral.

Lastly, the article recounts the difference in approaches to education between Speaker Julie Fahey and House Minority Leader Christine Drazan. While Speaker Fahey wants to hold lower performing schools accountable (there’s that word again!) by not allowing them to opt out of certain state requirements (which also come with state dollars), Drazan said “The pivot point shouldn’t be from small government to big government… The pivot point should and could be from the school to the family and the student.” I am not entirely sure what Drazan is getting at here, but it seems like she is focused on helping individual students and the family more directly than helping the school overall. Perhaps both approaches are needed. Again, we will see how this goes too. Maybe one of these years I will get on an education committee!

As I have been saying for months now, and will continue saying for at least the next six months, transportation is a BIG deal this session. Oregon’s roads and bridges are in a state of disrepair. According to the above linked article, 29% of Oregons’ streets are in “fair” or “poor” conditions. That’s 4400 miles of roads. On top of that, ODOT faces a major budget shortfall. At a briefing I went to last week (more on that below), ODOT shared with legislators that they are looking at laying off 1000 ODOT employees if the legislature doesn’t find a way to shore up revenue there. That is just under 25% of their workforce.

I caught flack earlier this month from Senate Republicans for noting that we Democrats could raise revenues for things without Republican votes (which is true), though they took my words from my SE Examiner column in December a little bit out of context. That is not necessarily the goal – raising taxes and raising them without Republican support. It is just that we can if we have to. I am also sensitive to the cost of living and what increases on gas taxes or other fees mean especially when it comes to raising money that might be needed to keep ODOT operational. But, I am not comfortable with ignoring the transportation needs of the whole state. Here in SE Portland and in more rural areas of the state driving on roads is often the only way to get around. I am also not comfortable with ODOT laying off nearly a quarter of its staff because we don’t give them the resources they need to do their job. Just know that transportation funding is going to be a big deal for many months. I am optimistic that the package will be bipartisan, as both parties put their heads together to find a fix – well I hope it will be, anyway I guess that is optimism.

As I said earlier, housing will continue to be another big issue this session. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. This article outlines the political consequences for Governor Kotek if we Democrats fail to adequately address what has been the biggest issue plaguing our state for nearly a decade now, if not longer. Put simply, the Governor needs to be able to demonstrate massive action over the next two years, or she will be in serious trouble come reelection time. Even here in liberal Portland, moderate-to-conservative leaning politicians have found electoral success at the ballot box by pointing out that the housing and homeless situation does not seem to be getting much better, though I think it is getting better, just not better enough. I suspect our own Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson (who is also on the ballot in 2026) could face similar consequences in an election as well.

Again, for what it’s worth, I do think things are getting better. Whenever I drive around my community, I can see the approaches state and local governments have taken are working, albeit likely not at a quick enough pace to adequately address everyone’s concerns. Stay tuned as the legislature continues to work on this important issue. The city and the county will be working on it too.

Okay, closing out are two quick articles about the new members of the legislature. I did a roundup of new House members when I did my year-in-review at the beginning of the year, but I may have missed some members. On top of that, the House gained a new member just last week: State Representative Mari Watanabe! Representative Watanabe was appointed to replace former Rep. and now State Senator Lisa Reynolds, who was appointed to fill the seat of former Senator and now State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Rep. Watanabe’s district includes parts of Portland and Beaverton, meaning she was appointed by both the Multnomah and Washington County Commissions in a special joint meeting of the two boards. She will be Oregon’s first Japanese American legislator! Welcome Representative Watanabe!

One more article, as promised in the last paragraph. The legislature will see nineteen (19!) new faces this year. That’s over twenty percent of the entire legislature. 11 of those are new House members, which is more than one-sixth of the Oregon House of Representatives. Wow. With so much turnover in the last few cycles, we truly do have a new generation of leaders at the state capitol. People from all corners of our state have stepped up to lead our state. I look forward to getting to know all of them. I am not just saying that. Okay, here is a link to the article listing all 19 new legislators.

The Week In Review

Last week marked the start of the 2025 legislative session, and it began with a sense of renewal and determination. Monday was a particularly special day as I was sworn in for my sixth or seventh term in office depending on how you count as I got to fill the remainder of a term for a few months before I started for real in 2015. Having Jim by my side during the Governor’s speech made the occasion even more meaningful. He’s been there with me through this whole wild ride, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner even though he was wrong about self-serve gas. He loves pumping his own gas, me not so much. Reflecting on the journey from my initial appointment to fill out Jules Bailey’s term to now having served six full terms, I’m reminded of the trust my community places in me and the responsibility I have to deliver for them. The responsibility also hits me a lot harder as I think of all the decisions that have to be made, and the struggles we have with not enough resources to cover our costs and needs.

Tuesday brought a different kind of focus with workplace trainings aimed at fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at the Capitol. These sessions are important in setting the tone for how we work together as legislators and staff. Later, I attended an ODOT lunch and learn, where we learned more about our current transportation needs. ODOT Director Kris Strickler emphasized the importance of sustainable funding as the agency faces structural revenue challenges, rising inflation, and declining fuel tax revenues.

The briefing also highlighted the legacy of HB 2017, which made significant investments in Oregon’s transportation system, and the need to build on that foundation to address urgent maintenance and safety issues statewide. It was a compelling session that underscored the vital role of strategic planning in ensuring Oregon’s transportation system remains robust and reliable. Right now we’re still seeing budget shortfalls, which if we don't do something to solve could lead to layoffs and loss of services. We need to get on top of this, because we cannot let Oregon’s transportation infrastructure falter.

Midweek, I met with a lobbyist to discuss strategies for supporting Oregon’s immigrant communities. These conversations reinforced the importance of creating policies that uphold equity and opportunity for everyone who calls Oregon home. I ended the day with a legislative reception hosted by Portland Community College. It’s always great getting to check in and hear about the priorities that our local higher education institutions have for the legislature.

Thursday underscored the importance of preparedness and community engagement. I participated in an active threat training in Salem, a sobering but necessary reminder of the importance of safety in our workplaces, and of the ever growing tensions in our country. Later, I checked in with Options, a counseling and mental health organization supporting vulnerable populations, before heading to the picket line at Portland Providence to stand in solidarity with striking healthcare workers.

The day ended on a lighter note at the Division Clinton Street Business Open House, where I connected with our local businesses who are the backbone of our neighborhood’s vibrancy.

On Friday, the week came full circle from highlighting community health and innovation. I spent some time speaking with colleagues about my new role as co-chair of the Capitol Construction Committee. It’s a significant responsibility, and I’m eager to learn the ropes and ensure we steward resources effectively for a variety of construction needs across the state.

I also went back to the Portland Providence picket line and walked with the nurses for their march from the hospital to Providence’s corporate headquarters a few blocks away.

The day continued with a tour of Birch Biosciences, a cutting-edge business in Southeast Portland which I talk more about at the end of this newsletter, and a check-in with OHSU on the hospital discharge task force.

To wrap things up, I met with stakeholders to plan the next steps for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) legislation—an ongoing effort to ensure fair practices in healthcare.

Upcoming Schedule

This week promises to be an exciting mix of legislative work, meetings, and key discussions as we dive deeper into the 2025 session. Monday offered a pause to reflect and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (When I was not thinking about the inauguration.) It’s a day to remember his enduring fight for justice and equity, a mission that continues to inspire much of the work we do in the legislature. Lots of folks spend the day doing something in service to folks in the community, maybe visiting elderly folks who are socially isolated or picking up garbage, or serving food to hungry people. Since I am not at the office, it gave me the chance to drive out to Hood River and support the striking nurses on the picket line at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. I was their union representative/lead negotiator for years. I get many of you know this but he was supporting a sanitation workers strike in Memphis when he was assassinated. I grabbed my guitar and sang I won’t back down by Tom Petty. It is about as modern a version of Solidarity Forever that I could find.

Starting today, it’s back to Salem, and the momentum is building quickly. We’re kicking off with the Early Childhood and Education and Human Services (ECEHS) committee. This committee is a cornerstone for shaping policies that impact Oregon’s youngest learners and their families. It also addresses policies around all of the various human services programs the state operates in partnership with the federal government like vocational rehabilitation, aging and disability services, services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and the child welfare system. For two terms I was one of the key legislators funding those programs and I thought joining that policy committee would be a good use of my knowledge and interests. These programs also have a lot of intersections with Medicaid. Later, I’ll be on the House floor for the first readings of newly introduced bills, an important procedural step to get this session’s legislation moving. The day wraps up with two informational hearings in the Behavioral Health and Health Care (HBHHC) committee that I chair focusing on Medicaid, the behavioral health delivery system and insurance. This is a chance for me to orient myself and the other members of the committee to three systems and policy areas where they are likely to see a lot of bills introduced for discussion.

Wednesday looks to be a relatively lighter day in session terms, with a few meetings on the calendar. It’s a welcome break to focus on catching up and preparing for the busy days ahead. I’m hoping this means I can make it home at a reasonable time!

Thursday brings an early start with an 8 AM committee session, followed by a briefing from the City of Portland about their legislative agenda. This is a much-anticipated discussion, especially given the recent changes in the city’s leadership. It’s encouraging to see the City Council and mayor’s office coordinating on their priorities for the session. I’m curious to hear what they have to tell us, especially given the state of the city’s budget right now. Later in the day, I’ll head back to the floor before rounding out the afternoon with more work in the Behavioral Health and Health Care committee.

I am also going to try to catch the opening of Samsara, the opening show for Profile Theater’s season at Artist Repertory Theater. Lauren Yee is the artist in residence and the show looks like it will be fun/funny too.

Friday will be a packed day, filled with meetings that were scheduled well in advance of the session. I’ll be connecting with the Arts and Culture Caucus, which is always exciting especially since I have a lot of big priorities for the Arts this session and I am sort of the titular chair of the group. We have got to improve state funding and support the arts throughout Oregon. I’m also meeting with representatives from CCO Oregon to delve into coordinated care organization priorities, and later with HJRA (Health Justice Recovery Alliance ) to strategize on shared goals.

Highlighting Local Businesses

Birch Biosciences, 350 SE Mill St.

Back in December I was waiting for my turn to testify in the interim house committee on economic development, small business and trade. I was waiting for my opportunity to talk about the arts agenda for the upcoming session as there is a growing analysis that arts funding for arts and culture organizations is good for economic development, meaning all of my bills for this sector are likely to end up in this committee. Sitting there waiting, I realized that the guy presenting was not only presenting on a process that he and some others had developed to “digest plastic” but that their business was located in my district! I did the best I could to listen while waiting for my turn to testify and waiting till they got done and handed their co-founder and chief executive officer Johan Kers my business card and asked him to set up a tour which I took on Friday. Taken from their website, “Birch Biosciences is developing novel plastic recycling technologies using generative AI and advanced enzyme engineering to bring plastics into the circular economy. We use generative AI and proprietary high-throughput screening techniques to redesign enzymes with transformational recycling properties. These high-performance enzymes are integrated into a proprietary recycling process that breaks down plastic polymers, enabling the production of 100% recycled content plastics. This eliminates the need for fossil fuels in plastic manufacturing.” The website is worth exploring. You can also watch them explain what they are doing in this link to the hearing back in December. (Speed up to the 1 hour and 35 minute part to catch the start of their presentation.) Um, if I understand this and I think I do, this is a plastics game changer and it is being developed right here in inner SE Portland. For sure this is something I plan to keep my eye on.

Here are a few photos which I admit look like a lab and maybe even seem boring, but again these enzymes are able to break down plastic polymers, this means 100% recycled plastics! I could not be more excited. I am not just saying that either.

Next week I hope to highlight an organization doing work in the capitol in Salem – probably the Oregon Food Bank.

Here we go! I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to serve as your representative and to work on policies that impact our community and state. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, questions, or concerns - your input helps shape the work we do and ensures that we’re addressing the issues that matter most to you. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

Thanks for staying engaged, and I look forward to keeping you updated in the weeks ahead.

Oh and in case you missed it here is my column from the SE Examiner for January where I highlight a few of my legislative priorities.

Oh, and Donald Trump became our 47th president yesterday. This article was run in the online version of the Oregonian and does a pretty good job of summarizing his policy priorities around immigration, abortion, taxes, tariffs and trade, civil rights, regulatory authority and presidential power, education, Social Security and Medicaid and Medicare, healthcare, climate and energy, workers rights, and national security. Yes, it is a lot, but like I said it is an easy read without being overwhelming.

Oh, and the speech he gave after he was sworn in was hardly presidential. It was like one of his campaign speeches, pretty rough to listen to. The New York Times did a great job of breaking it down line by line.

Representative Rob Nosse

Friends of Rob Nosse PO BOX 42307 | Portland, OR 97242 US

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