In this OPB file photo, Oregon state Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Portland, is pictured on the Senate floor, March 1, 2024, at the Oregon state Capitol in Salem, Ore.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Oregon lawmakers have until June 29 to finish legislative business and adjourn the 2025 regular session. Although a number of bills remain in play, even at this late date, the only thing lawmakers are constitutionally obligated to do before they leave the Capitol is pass a biennial budget for 2025-2027. During the last five months, Democrats and Republicans have taken up issues related to housing, taxes, transportation and much more.
“Think Out Loud” guest host Geoff Norcross spoke with Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, to get his thoughts on progress toward sine die.
Here are excerpts from the conversation, edited for clarity and length.
How close are lawmakers to getting a budget bill passed?
“We are working on this, you know, that we’re dealing with some tight timelines. The co-chairs are really working hard, and so we are very close to getting done.”
Jama’s response to House Minority Leader Christine Drazan’s characterization that the budget is too focused on new taxes and not focused enough on “core functions” of government:
“I think just generally overall, Oregonians really want to be served, and we’re facing some challenges, as you know, based off what’s happening on the federal level, as well as the economic downturn. The reality is that the core services that we are providing are really what Oregonians want, and Oregonians deserve to be served. So I disagree with that notion, but I think overall, Oregonians really expect us to deliver the core values and issues that they are caring about, including affordability, safety and health, and protecting Oregonian rights.”
Why he thinks increased taxes and fees in the current the transportation package are necessary:
“Well, first of all, let me say this: no one likes the taxing. The reality is that we are dealing with aging infrastructure. We are making sure that we need to maintain our infrastructure. We want to make sure that we provide key services in terms of what we’re struggling [with]. The reality is that we want to make sure that doing nothing is actually not an option. We want to make sure that Oregonians get the issues that they care most about [that] must be addressed through transportation bill, and that really includes making sure that we have safety maintenance.
“We want to make sure that we have our aging bridges being rebuilt. Those are the core values that Oregonians care most [about.] … doing nothing is really not an option because it will be costly if we don’t do anything about it. … Our economy depends on our safety, having safe roads. So these are all the connected issues that we want to make sure that we address. But I think overall, I’m just really glad that we are planning to address this issue in this session.
“We’re all hopeful that there will be bipartisan support on this issue because I think ultimately we’re trying to serve Oregonians and meet Oregonians’ needs.”
Some Republicans, including Christine Drazan, want the transportation package to be referred to voters after the legislature passes it. Does Jama think that’s a good idea?
“[What] choices do Oregonians have? That’s really the key element of it. We need to make sure that they understand that doing nothing is not an option. So I think the trade-off is that we have aging infrastructure … and we want to make sure that our public safety, both that roads are actually being fixed and make sure that we maintain our current infrastructure. So those are always tradeoffs, but I think ultimately Oregonians will make the decision, if it comes to that point, … that it’s worth it to invest in our aging infrastructure.”
Why does the current budget contain significant decreases in funding for programs like rental assistance or legal services that intend to keep Oregonians from becoming homeless?
“We are having difficult decisions to make and the co-chairs are really trying to balance as much as they can what core services that need to be provided. I used to be the housing chair for four years, and I am a core believer that people will, if they don’t get the support that they need at the beginning, ultimately they will cost more for the system. So, with that said, do I wish we would have more money to invest? Absolutely. Do we have to make hard choices? You know, that’s the reality that we are in. But I think we’re still hopeful that Oregonians will get some services in this arena.
What are Democrats doing to reduce the likelihood of a Republican walkout?
“Ninety or 95% of the bills that we passed have passed by bipartisan support. That’s just the reality of how we operate. Those items where we disagree, I hope that we’re having good public discourse and good legislative discussions, but I hope ultimately, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will recognize that. Ultimately we want to serve Oregonians and Oregonians deserve that. They need to be served. So hopefully it doesn’t have to come to that.”
What will Jama most remember about this legislative session?
“I think the most memorable thing will be for me the amount of the bills that we produced. But I think that the federal mayhem that is taking place is going to be one way that it will be remembered. Because I remember the beginning of the session, we couldn’t even try to figure out how to make budget decisions because of the chaos that’s taking place on the federal level.”
Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland spoke with “Think Out Loud” guest host Geoff Norcross Monday. Click play to listen to the full conversation:
