Oregon House Republicans

08/26/2026

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.

08/25/2026

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.”

08/07/2026

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.

07/06/2026

“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.

07/05/2026

Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day Weekend!

06/29/2026

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.

06/16/2026

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)

06/15/2026

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

06/15/2026

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.

06/11/2026

Help name the Oregon State Police's newest recruit! OSP is asking Oregon kids aged 9-17 to help them name their new Fish and Wildlife K-9.

Oregon Youth: Name Our New Fish & Wildlife K-9 🐕
Entry form: https://bit.ly/OSP_K-9Contest

Paws up for OSP’s newest K‑9 recruit! This one-year-old red Lab is training to join K‑9 Scout and K‑9 Drake in protecting Oregon’s natural resources. But before he hits the field, he needs an official name — and Oregon youth ages 9–17 get to choose it!

Submit your wildlife, fish, or outdoors‑inspired name idea by June 14, 2026, using the OSP online form. One entry per youth. Finalists will be chosen for statewide voting, and the winner will get to meet the new K‑9 and receive special recognition.

Think you’ve got the perfect name? Send it in and help welcome OSP’s newest conservation K‑9, soon to be stationed in La Grande!