by DJ Kelley
COIN held a legislative update Zoom call Jan. 27, 2026, hosting six guest speakers who spoke on various topics to come before the short 6-week legislative session that begins Feb. 2.
(See also the video of this special COINversation, which includes some slide presentation content from the speakers.)
As of the meeting, some of the bills mentioned have not yet had a number connected to them.
State Senator Jeff Golden
Sen. Golden spoke about three bills coming up:
- The Make Polluters Pay bill, a superfund for clean-up. As of now, insurance and utility bills increase to cover the costs because of fines the polluters incur.
- An emissions package to calculate wildfire costs in Oregon and to fund, fix and help those impacted.
- The Climate Bill for weatherizing homes, new windows, and heat pumps.
He also spoke of budget concerns this legislative session because of the budget shortfall.
State Representative Mark Gamba
Rep. Gamba spoke about the $900 million hole this year’s budget is in, while the state is sitting on a $1.4 billion kicker to be returned to the taxpayers. The kicker dollars go mainly to the wealthiest.
He stated, “Oregon has the most broken tax and budget system in the U.S.” Property taxes are capped at 3% per year as of 1997. 65% of the state school budget comes from the general fund. The legislature has to “guestimate” two years in advance what will be needed to meet budget needs.
The kicker dollars could be used to reduce debt, to avoid debt, for emergencies like fire costs last year, and to fill budget gaps.
Gamba also spoke about the transportation funding, which is expected to pass. The last time the gas tax was raised was in 2017, for 10 cents per gallon.
Ethan Krow, ACLU of Oregon
Ethan Krow of ACLU of Oregon said the most pressing issue is regarding masked law enforcement.
The Law Enforcement Accountability & Visibility Act (LEAVA) expands existing laws, bans masking, bans law enforcement impersonators, and include cooperation and transparency between local, state and federal agencies.
Danielle Moser, Oregon Wild
Danielle Moser–with Oregon Wild, an Oregon conservation program–shared that Oregon lacks dedicated funding for wildlife, and what little money there had been came from federal money now removed by the Trump administration.
There will be a first reading of HB 4134 on February 2, 2026, to raise state tourism tax from 1.5% to 2.75% through the transient lodging tax, rather than a cost-of-living tax for Oregonians. It will take a three-fifths majority to pass.
A website for HB4143 was provided where you can learn more, and to RSVP for their Wildlife Day of Action, Feb. 11 in Salem.
Sienna Kaske, Oregon Food Bank
Sienna Kaske of Oregon Food Bank spoke about the Immigrant Justice Package.
She shared there has been a 30% reduction in food and SNAP benefits and that hunger is a policy choice.
The state Anti-Hunger Package includes school meals, protecting SNAP in Oregon, providing relief for thousands of immigrants who have lost SNAP benefits, and providing a fund for food assistance sites around Oregon.
Britt Conroy, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Britt Conroy of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon said we have a morally bankrupt federal administration. And, people are standing up for each other because of it.
Currently there are 15,000 refugee that have been targeted in Oregon. Households with three children often skip meals even though both parents work. Their income is not enough to cover rent, utilities and food.
Food pantries help, but are insufficient. Some households eat only one time per day. These same people now are targeted by ICE, even when they follow all the rules to remain in this country.
He urges Oregon to pass “Refugee Disconnect,” which is to ensure Oregon refugees aren’t cut off of state support because of federal policy changes. This will fund a one-time emergency family stabilization request to prevent hunger.
DJ Kelley is a member of the COIN Comms Team and a Dunes City Indivisible leader.