Republicans Challenge Attendance Requirement
Oregon Republican senators have continued their walkout over Democratic-backed legislation on abortion, trangender medical care, and gun safety last week. So far all but three Republican state senators have racked up 10 unexcused absences.
That means the nine Republican state senators (and one independent) are ineligible for re-election under Measure 113, which passed with overwhelming support last year, but which the Republicans plan to challenge in court. The Oregon Constitution requires a two-thirds quorum in the legislature, which has resulted in some high-profile walkouts. [OPB]
Good News on State Revenues
The state revenue projections for the next two years are $2 billion higher than previously expected, meaning the Legislature and governor will be able to fund more projects. That set off a scramble among education advocates and others for the money.
Tax revenues are higher despite a slowing economy and a declining state population, thanks to higher incomes for Oregonians. The new economic projections also mean that $5.5 billion is expected to be returned to taxpayers as a kicker, because revenues for the last two years exceeded projections by more than 2%. [OPB]
Former Congressman’s Pharma Links Strengthened
Last year, former six-term U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon) lost his reelection bid in a rare contested Democratic primary. Among the knocks against him were his ties to the pharmaceutical industry, who made up his largest donors. Now he’s gotten a job with Williams & Jensen PLLC, a D.C.-based lobbying firm that represents major pharmaceutical companies. [Willamette Week]
More about Local Civics
$106M in Unspent Funds at the Portland Housing Bureau
The Portland Housing Bureau has $106 million in unspent funds, the city administrator disclosed late last week. Some of it may be spoken for, but it leaves open the question of how City Council will spend the funds. When the pot of unspent funds was believed to be only $21 million, City Council was divided over whether to spend it on rent assistance or a Prosper Portland housing project. Maybe all of the above are possible now. [Portland Mercury]
City Cast Portland staffFeb 10, 2026
The Gas Tax and Oregon's Legislative Session
State lawmakers convene in Salem next week after a chaotic few weeks for Democratic state leaders as they scramble to address the issue of transportation funding. They have a key problem: Voters appear to oppose the gas tax passed last fall.
City Cast Portland staffJan 28, 2026
US Sen. Wyden Explains His Votes To Arm Israel
Oregon’s U.S. senators usually vote the same way (like for continuing the government shutdown until healthcare costs are addressed). But a key exception in recent months was Sen. Ron Wyden’s support for continued arms sales to Israel while Sen. Jeff Merkley voted to oppose them. Wyden’s support came up again last weekend — at a Portland Book Festival event featuring Omar Al Ekkad, author of “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” (a title you may recognize as “the one book every Portlander should read right now”).
City Cast Portland staffNov 12, 2025