OSU Government Relations Newsletter

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June 30, 2025

Welcome to the OSU Government Relations Newsletter.

With this communication, we’ll highlight some of the work conducted by the office, updates from the state legislature and congressional delegation, university engagements with elected officials, and other OSU news. The newsletter will be sent at least quarterly. We encourage you to share this newsletter with your colleagues. They can also sign up by using this link.

Rep. David Gomberg celebrated OSU Lobby Day with Elise McClure, Audrey Schlotter, Jen Humphreys, Emma Böwadt, Grady Goodall, and Erica Fleishman.

2025 End of Session Report: Economic Uncertainty Shapes 2025 Legislative Priorities in Oregon

Each legislative session has a different feel and focus. In 2025, the legislative leadership was focused on managing a record number of nearly 3,500 bills, balancing a budget under a time of great financial uncertainty for the state and passage of a transportation package to fund road improvements.

The May 2025 economic forecast, used to shape the state’s next biennial budget, delivered sobering news. For the first time in years, Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis projected a decline in expected quarterly revenue, with over $700 million less than previously forecast. Additionally, unpredictable market conditions and unresolved questions around federal tariffs have made forecasting especially difficult. This budget uncertainty negatively impacted the fate of most bills that had a fiscal impact.

Still, the revenue outlook for the upcoming biennium remains 12% higher than the last, underscoring the volatility of the current economic landscape. Most of this revenue was used for covering agency continuing service level increases, K-12 State School Fund increase, housing and behavioral health investments, and a larger than normal ending fund balances.

While the passage of a transportation package was a known legislative leadership priority for the session, progression for the bill (HB 2025) was not seen until late into the session. The package was needed to address both a $400M budget gap at Oregon Department of Transportation and cover transportation project cost escalations. Hearings on the package, which Republicans deemed as the largest tax increase in Oregon history, were tense and proceeded with some committee members being replaced or resigning from the committee assigned to hear the bill. While a scaled down version of HB 2025 passed out of committee, it did not have either enough time or support to be brought to a floor vote.

With the federal budget not being finalized before the Oregon Legislature adjourned and continued need for a transportation package, speculation is already swirling around the possibility of a special session to address emerging fiscal concerns.

Investments in Oregon’s Public Universities

The 2025 legislative session concluded with investments in public universities maintained at current service levels (7%) and mostly aligning with the Governor’s Recommended Budget. While these investments fell short of what the public universities had advocated for all session as their necessary base funding, the Legislature faced a particularly tight budget environment shaped by ongoing economic uncertainty and competing statewide priorities.

OSU was able to secure critical investments to support our mission of education, research, and public service across the state. However, key priorities requesting investments in the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, the University Innovation Research Fund, early childhood education, and capital projects on OSU campuses fell short. This session underscored the difficult balancing act of maintaining core services while navigating a flat revenue forecast and a “sluggish but stable” economic outlook.

$1,068.8M for the Public University Support Fund. Continued service level funding (+7% from 2023-25) to support the educational and operational expenses at Oregon’s public universities. The 2025-27 allocation represents a smaller increase than requested by the universities and does not fully cover rising operating costs. This number is reflected in the budget model that OSU used in developing our FY 26 budget.

$329.4M for the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Continued service level funding (+7% from 2023-25) to provide tuition support to more than 30,000 Oregon resident students each year. Additionally, HB 3025 updates OOG awarding language to remove outdated and unused methodology, close a gap in financial aid award eligibility for students who are eligible for all other forms of state aid, allow HECC to award financial aid on a scale that better accounts for student course loads, and create the possibility of awarding financial aid for both credit and non-credit certificate programs.

Continued funding for benefits navigators, who assist public university students resolve food insecurity, housing instability, and challenges affording and accessing textbooks, transportation, childcare, among other basic needs. Funding for benefits navigators had not been included in the Governor’s recommended budget, and student advocacy was instrumental this Session in ensuring the investment.

$18.9M for Sports Lottery. The Lottery Funds allocation for each public university to support intercollegiate athletics (+2.9% from 2023-25) received the same percentage distribution formula that has been used since 2019-21: $1.38M for OSU, which reflects a 7.3% distribution from the fund.

$26M for the Oregon Tribal Student Grant. The Oregon Tribal Student Grant pays for most or all public college-related expenses—including tuition, housing, books, and other costs not covered by other grants—for eligible students who are enrolled members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes.

$120M for capital improvement & renewal. A $20M increase. This CI&R funding is allocated to the seven public universities by HECC using education and general square footage and a density factor.  Funding is intended to help maintain existing facilities and manage deferred maintenance backlogs, with a focus on modernization, code compliance, safety, and accessibility.


HECC Budget Note. A budget note directs an agency to take administrative and managerial action related to the agency’s execution of its biennial budget. They are of limited scope, not intended to circumvent, supplant, or replace other substantive or policy measures or law. HECC’s budget contained an unprecedented, lengthy budget note that lumped the complexity of each university’s financial and operational situation into one narrative that does not correctly reflect all seven universities and directs HECC to conduct in consultation with universities a comprehensive review of university spending, efficiency, and revenue strategies to inform future funding models and ensure that public universities can continue to deliver quality education while remaining financially viable.

Investments in Oregon State University and Other Programming

$244.6M for Statewide Public Service Programs (7% increase) to sustain core mission programs and services of OSU Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, and Forest Research Lab. The OSU “Statewides” are a core component of OSU’s land grant mission by integrating state-of-the-art research and community-based education.

$66M for Public University State Programs (7% increase) for 21 public university projects of specific interest to the state of Oregon. The State Programs through which OSU will receive funding include the TallWood Design Institute, Fermentation Science, the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Ocean Vessels Research, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, Oregon Climate Service, the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Environmental Justice Mapping Tool, Juniper Removal Program, Engineering Technology Sustaining Funds, and Signature Research.

$410K to study PFAS in biosolids. HB 2947 directs the Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the distribution and occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields that do not produce crops intended for human consumption.

$48M for Outdoor School. In 2016, voters approved Ballot Measure 99, which allocated 4% of lottery funds towards Outdoor School and designated OSU Extension as the program administrator. The legislature reduced the budget $12M below the 4% voter approved allocation, which will have a direct impact on 5th and 6th graders Outdoor School experience throughout the state.

Behavioral health promotion. SB 920 directs the OSU Extension Service to oversee a project that convenes local committees from across the behavioral health sector to develop a behavioral health promotion plan and facilitate community conversations about mental health and substance abuse. No direct state investment toward this project.

Lumber grading training. SB 1061 requires the director of the OSU Extension Service to establish a lumber grading training pilot program for small woodland and sawmill operators. No direct state investment toward this project.

Farmworker research. HB 2548 funds the Center for Public Service at PSU to conduct, in consultation with OSU, a study examining the labor standards and working experiences of farmworkers in Oregon, and to integrate the study findings with a study conducted by the Legislative Policy and Research Office relating to the labor standards in the agricultural industry.

$200,000 to operate the AgriStress Helpline. Established by the Legislature in the 2023 and administered by OSU Extension. AgriStress is a free, 24/7 crisis hotline administered by OSU’s Extension Service for the state’s agricultural and forestry communities, including farmers, ranchers, fishermen, foresters, and their families.

Legislation Affecting All Public Universities

Name, image, and likeness. HB 3694 modifies Oregon’s NIL statutes to conform with the House v. NCAA settlement agreement by permitting institutions to directly compensate student athletes or prospective student athletes for the use of their name, image, likeness, or athletic reputation. Takes effect on passage.

Sexual misconduct reporting. HB 3731 requires additional data (e.g., allegations of sexual misconduct toward unknown persons; the types of violence reported) and narrative sections to be included by institutions of higher education in their annual report to the HECC and others regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and violence on the campus of the institution.

Resident tuition for asylum seekers. HB 2586 adds “asylum seeker” to the list of noncitizens who qualify for an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees at public universities. This action builds on previous legislation that granted resident tuition to certain immigrant groups, including refugees and special immigrant visa holders.

Veterans’ tuition benefits. HB 3920 modifies the Veterans’ Dependent Tuition Waiver, available for dependents of disabled or deceased service members and Purple Heart recipients. It raises the age by which a dependent child can apply for the waiver from 23 to 31, removes the requirement that qualified students apply for a master’s degree within 12 months of receiving a baccalaureate degree to receive a tuition waiver for a master’s degree, and allows an exemption to the age limit for anyone qualifying for the federal Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. Also, HB 798 provides out-of-state members of the Oregon National Guard with in-state tuition and other higher education benefits.

Other Investments of Interest

$4M for Osborn Aquatic Center. The Corvallis School District will receive the funds for the Center’s structural rehabilitation project. While the Aquatic Center has been closed, many programs and classes have been utilizing OSU facilities.

Investments in housing infrastructure. Among the investments is $4M for Adair Village wastewater infrastructure that will allow for housing expansion into that community.

$15M for the Universal Representation Fund. The URF is a statewide universal representation program to provide certain immigration services including legal services, access to community-based navigators, and referral coordination. OSU students have utilized this program when facing immigration challenges.

$3M in additional funding for Centers of Innovative Excellence grants. These public-private partnerships focus on supporting innovation within emerging or established sectors of importance to the state’s economy. $4.6M for juniper control project. The Legislature expanded a 2023 adopted project by including additional areas and resources for local soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) to control juniper encroachment into watersheds. OSU serves as a technical resource for SWCDs and was funded for our continued work.

For further information, questions, or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Katie.Fast@oregonstate.edu or Katheryn.yetter@oregonstate.edu.

Additional Updates

Oregon State University Government Relations Update | May 2025

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Welcome to the OSU Government Relations Newsletter.

With this communication, we’ll highlight some of the office’s work, updates from the state legislature and congressional delegation, university engagements with elected officials, and other OSU news. The newsletter will be sent quarterly, and we encourage you to share it with your colleagues. They can also sign up by using this link.

State Relations

OSU Advocates for Higher Ed: Budget Hearings, Capital Projects, and What’s Next:

Representing OSU during the hearings were President Jayathi Murthy; Scott Ashford, Dean of the College of Engineering; Tom DeLuca, Dean of the College of Forestry; Johnathan Hurst, College of Engineering faculty and Agility Robotics co-founder; David Bohnert, Director of the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, and Spirit Brooks, Director of Extension Outdoor School. Student leaders Audrey Schlotter and Adam Nickerson testified in the public hearing portion, as did several other OSU advocates and stakeholders.

In late April and early May, Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) held budget hearings in the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Education to shape the 2025–27 state funding framework for public universities. These hearings are critical for determining how state resources support student success, research, and workforce development. OSU was well represented, with testimony from university leaders emphasizing the need for strong investment in the Public University Support Fund, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, OSU’s Statewide Public Service Programs, and state programs such as the Engineering and Technology Sustaining Fund and the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. Their message was clear: sustained funding is essential to maintain access, affordability, and innovation across Oregon’s higher education system.

Capital Construction Requests: Building for the Future
OSU is requesting two major capital construction investments, which were featured during a legislative hearing in the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction:

(1) STEM Learning Center – $73 million. This project will transform OSU’s historic Heat Plant into a state-of-the-art physics teaching and research facility. It will serve not only OSU students but also K-12 learners across Oregon, inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators.

(2) Student Health and Recreation Center at OSU-Cascades – $42 million. This much-needed facility will provide mental health counseling, clinical services, physical therapy, and recreation space for students in Bend. It’s a critical step in supporting student wellness, academic success, and the continued growth of the OSU-Cascades campus.

Davide Lazzati, head of the Department of Physics; student Whitney McFarlane (OSU-Cascades); and community partners gave outstanding testimony on the long-term value of these projects for students, faculty, innovation, and regional economic development.

Oregon’s Final Revenue Forecast: Stability Amid Uncertainty

The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has released its final revenue forecast before the Legislature finalizes the 2025–2027 biennial budget. This forecast sets the stage for the final stretch of budget negotiations, with just six weeks remaining in the legislative Session.

The headline from this forecast is stability. While the numbers are slightly down from the last quarterly forecast, they remain above the projections made at the close of the 2023 legislative Session—the foundation for the current two-year budget. In a time of federal uncertainty, a flat forecast is not unwelcome. However, it will impact the level of funding that the legislature has available to invest, including for higher education.

Oregon’s economy grew by 1.2% last year, following a stronger 3.5% growth rate the year before. Economists suggest the state may be poised for a rebound in the coming year. However, Oregon’s reliance on exports and manufacturing makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of tariffs and trade disruptions. Oregon’s growth continues to trail the national average.

Despite the slight dip from the last forecast, overall resources remain well above earlier projections. Personal and corporate tax revenues are both up significantly, boosting the state’s financial outlook. The personal and corporate kickers are expected to return substantial funds to taxpayers and schools, and the state’s ending balance and Rainy-Day Fund are both projected to grow.

With this forecast in hand, the Legislature will begin the final phase of budget deliberations. As lawmakers weigh competing priorities, the conversation around how to allocate these additional resources is expected to intensify. OSU’s Government Relations team will continue to advocate for the university’s priorities and keep the campus community informed as the budget picture comes into focus.

The Beaver Caucus is supporting our work with a legislative advocacy campaign for the Public University Support Fund and the Oregon Opportunity Grant. To participate and support funding for students, click here.

Passing of Sen. Aaron Woods (D-Wilsonville)
On April 19, Sen. Aaron Woods passed away after a long battle with cancer. A U.S. Army veteran and former Xerox executive, Sen. Woods was elected to represent Senate District 13 in 2022. He was quickly recognized as an optimistic man of integrity among his colleagues. The Oregon Capital Chronicle crafted this thoughtful write-up on the Senator and his impact.

Appointment of Courtney Neron Misslin to the Senate

FILE – Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, Feb. 5, 2024, at the Capitol in Salem, Ore. Neron seeks to replace the late Sen. Aaron Woods. Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB.

Following Sen. Woods’ passing, county commissioners appointed Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Sherwood) to fill the empty SD 13 seat. Before her swearing-in ceremony, she noted she will add her maiden name, “Misslin,” to the end of her name as a nod to her family roots. Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin (D-Wilsonville) was sworn in on May 9 and will serve for the remainder of Sen. Woods’ term (to January 2027).

Senator Neron Misslin’s appointment leaves an open seat in the House, which will be filled by Clackamas and Yamhill County Commissioners. Democrat precinct representatives will nominate candidates for consideration this weekend. A date for the Commission’s decision has not been set.

Beavers in Action

OSU Advocates Take Over the Capitol for University Lobby Day

President Murthy joined Chancellor Sherm Bloomer, Beaver Caucus member Greg Macpherson, OSU Executives, students, and OSU Foundations members for Lobby Day at the State Capitol. Photo taken at the State Library of Oregon.

On April 3, the Oregon State Capitol buzzed with Beaver pride as OSU students, alumni, and university leaders came together for University Lobby Day: a powerful display of civic engagement and community spirit. In a series of coordinated meetings, small teams of Beavers connected with 60 state legislators to advocate for critical issues shaping the future of higher education in Oregon. Their priorities included increased funding for universities, expanded student support services, and vital capital improvements to enhance campus infrastructure. The day wasn’t just about policy—it was about presence. By showing up and speaking out, the OSU community underscored the importance of legislative engagement in advancing the university’s mission and strengthening the state’s educational landscape. The event concluded with a reception hosted by the OSU Foundation and Alumni Association. Attendees enjoyed a showcase of Beaver Classic products and learned about the university’s impactful Extension programming that serves communities across Oregon. University Lobby Day was more than a day at the Capitol—it was a celebration of advocacy, connection, and the power of the OSU community to shape a brighter future.

President Murthy, Greg Macpherson, and students met with Representative Ben Bowman (District 25) and staff. Macpherson served three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.

President Murthy and Greg Macpherson. Macpherson has served on the Board of Directors of the Beaver Caucus since 2017, advocating for OSU’s interests in Salem.

Legislative Dates of Importance  

May 23                        Bills to Moved Out of 2nd Chamber Committees  

June 18                        Target Sine Die

June 29                        Constitutional Sine Die  

 For further information, questions, or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please email Katie.Fast@oregonstate.edu or Katheryn.Yetter@oregonstate.edu.  

Federal Relations 

OSU Federal Relations continues to focus on efforts to help support OSU leadership and the OSU community work through the dynamic federal landscape. We are focused on key developments across the federal agenda related to OSU interests: (1) current fiscal year funding and changes to federal agencies and programs; (2) development of next fiscal year federal funding bills; and (3) the budget reconciliation package moving through Congress.

Current Fiscal Year Funding and Changes: Over the past quarter, the administration has continued efforts to make changes across government, including the size and scope of government agencies, programs and services, and the federal workforce, as well as changes to federal grant program priorities. We recognize that there is a lot of concern and interest in changes and the uncertainty yet for what’s to come. For those interested in more details on the federal research landscape, we encourage the OSU community to continue to track information in regular emails from and on the website of the Division of Research and Innovation to help stay informed of policy changes or legal actions.

Development of Next Fiscal Year Federal Funding Bills: Earlier this month, the White House released a “skinnybudget” which is an overview of a more detailed President’s Budget Request for FY26 funding for the government that is still in development. The proposed budget would reduce spending by $163 billion or 23% from current year levels and poses concerns for investment in education, research, and other programs important to OSU. The release of the skinny budget has initiated the process in Congress to start developing the legislation to fund the government for next year. Currently, the House and Senate appropriations committees are hearing from leaders across the administration, and they are also getting input from members of Congress on their priorities. Congress will consider the administration’s priorities but will also assert its own priorities in any legislation. Federal Relations is actively working with the Oregon delegation to urge Congress to protect funding for higher education and research programs that support OSU’s mission to serve Oregonians and drive a world-class research enterprise. We expect to see appropriations bills this summer, followed by efforts to enact legislation to fund the government into next fiscal year by October 1.  

Budget Reconciliation – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: A budget reconciliation bill is currently working through Congress. The bill may be considered on the House floor as soon as this week. This bill proposes to enact sweeping changes across government programs, including higher education, tax, and entitlement programs. The higher education package would cut a total of $349 billion over 10 years, including concerning changes such as: elimination of subsidized undergraduate loans; reducing Pell Grants for students enrolled in less than 15 grants per term; making students enrolled in less than half-time ineligible for Pell Grants; new student loan repayment plans with greater financial responsibility for borrowers; and new risk-sharing provisions for financial accountability of institutions to reimburse the Department of Education based on student loan non-repayment rates. For more information, the Congressional Budget Office provides an overview of the costs and impacts of proposed changes to the higher education programs here. The package also includes changes to tax policy, Medicaid, and SNAP programs, including the proposed elimination of the SNAP-Ed program. If or when the reconciliation bill clears the House, the Senate will next have the opportunity to consider the package. The Senate is not expected to accept a House bill in full. There are several steps to this process yet to come.  

As we continue to work through this dynamic landscape across all these fronts, we are focused on opportunities to help decision makers understand what’s at stake, to help the OSU community have information to help make decisions, and to help OSU be in position for opportunities yet to come. We appreciate all the outreach and collaboration from the OSU community to help us do this, both from campus and in Washington, DC.

  For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please email Gabrielle.Serra@oregonstate.edu.   

Tribal Relations

46th Annual latwa ina Pow-Wow: Jon Boekenstedt, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at OSU, says, “The pow-wow held at Oregon State University every spring is a great chance to learn about the Native tribes of Oregon, their history, culture, food, and traditions.”

The Pow-wow is an annual event, held at Gill Coliseum on May 17, 2025, and this years’ event was well attended by tribes from all over Oregon. The event was organized by the Native American Student Association, or NASA, which is a united group of Oregon State students interested in promoting Native American education in higher education institutions, to preserve and promote Native American culture and identity, to uphold Native American rights, and to retain Native American students who attend OSU. For details, send an email to nativeamericanstudentassociation@oregonstate.edu.

The event featured Indigenous dancers, singers, a marketplace, and a delicious assortment of traditional and modern foods. Participants included Carlos Calica, Anthony Bluehorse, Ramona Quenelle, Anthony Quenelle, Star Horse, and Honor Drum Four Directions. The Honor Guard was provided by the Grand Ronde Honor Guard, a distinguished group of Native American veterans. The Honor Guard plays a vital role in honoring military service and preserving cultural traditions through ceremonial functions, community engagement, veterans’ recognition, and visual representation. Flags, traditional regalia, and eagle staffs serve as powerful symbols of respect and remembrance for ancestors who have served in the military.

To learn more, go to www.grandronde.org

For further information, questions, or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please email Chance.White-Eyes@oregonstate.edu

Image credit: OSU Today. 05-21-2025.

Timely News 

Oregon State University Government Relations Update | March 2025

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Welcome to the OSU Government Relations Newsletter.

With this communication, we’ll highlight some of the work conducted by the office, updates from the state legislature and congressional delegation, university engagements with elected officials and other OSU news. The newsletter will be sent at least quarterly. We encourage you to share this newsletter with your colleagues. They can also sign up by using this link.

OSU Provost Ed Feser joined a roundtable discussion with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici and Oregon higher education leaders at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (PRAx) to discuss the federal landscape.

State Relations

On March 19, the Ways & Means Co-Chairs, Senator Kate Lieber and Representative Tawna Sanchez, released their 25-27 Budget Framework. It broadly outlined the conservative two-year spending plan, which was mostly a current service level budget that left a balance of $987 million. These remaining funds would be utilized for “only the most critical investments.”  

Looming over the state budget is uncertainty around the outlook for federal funding – which makes up about a third of the state budget. The $987 million balance could also be used to bridge potential federal reductions. 

Higher education, including the Public University Support Fund and the Oregon Opportunity Grant, received a 7-7.5% increase. This amount represents the continuing service level for universities determined by Department of Administrative Services. The framework that was released will serve as the basis for legislators to build the state budget fund. The 25-27 budget will be officially crafted based upon the state May 14 revenue forecast. 

Public universities, including OSU, will present their funding priorities to the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Education during hearings on April 17, 21, and 22. These discussions will provide critical input as lawmakers shape the 25-27 Legislatively Approved Budget. Key items on OSU’s agenda include support for the Statewide Public Service Programs, Outdoor School, and State Programs such as the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.  

Oregon’s future relies on its public universities to do more than solely educate students. They power our economy, fuel research, and strengthen our communities. They train future teachers, engineers, nurses, and business leaders — people who keep Oregon running. In partnership with the other public universities, OSU is asking the state for a $1.275 billion investment in the Public University Support Fund, and $150 million for the Oregon Opportunity Grant. 

On March 5, supporters of OSU Extension, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Forest Research Lab joined OSU leaders at the State Capitol to advocate at OSU Statewides Day. Representative Greg Smith brought 4-H Ambassadors and other participants onto the House Floor for a behind the scenes experience.

In every long session, Ways and Means committee members travel around the state to hear from Oregonians on budget priorities. These “road shows” present an opportunity to advocate for public university funding priorities through public testimony. Please consider attending and signing up to support investments in the Public University Support Fund, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, OSU Statewides and OSU’s capital improvement requests for the STEM Learning Center and OSU-Cascades. You can review specifics of OSU’s current asks here. These events are likely to be well-attended and persons signed up to testify will be selected at random. 

The dates and locations of the community budget hearings are:  

Astoria | Friday, March 28 (5-7 p.m.) 
Liberty Theatre Astoria 
1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103 
Register to testify 

Warm Springs | Friday, April 4 (5–7 p.m.)  
Old Warm Springs Elementary School 
1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761 
Register to testify 

La Grande | Friday, April 11 (5–7 p.m.) 
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339 
1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850 
Register to testify 

Salem | Wednesday, April 16 (5–7 p.m.) 
Oregon State Capitol Building, Hearing Room F 
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301 
Register to testify 

Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5–7 p.m.) 
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons 
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 
Register to testify 

On February 26, Oregon state economists Carl Riccadonna and Michael Kennedy presented the March 2025 Economic & Revenue Forecast. As anticipated, the forecast showed little change from November 2024’s outlook, pointing to continued growth, though at a slower pace. 

The revenue forecast plays a critical role in guiding OSU’s legislative strategy. Each session, OSU submits a range of funding requests, and the forecast helps assess the likelihood of success. According to the March forecast, the legislature will have approximately $38 billion to allocate this session—an increase of $350 million from November’s projection.   

Despite the slightly improved revenue forecast, the legislature faces significant challenges. Federal funding reductions are expected to create gaps in funding for essential state services, leaving uncertainties about the level of state support needed to fill these shortfalls. OSU has been asked to present several funding scenarios outlining how its requests could be adjusted if necessary.

Legislative Dates of Importance

  • April 3 | OSU Lobby Day & Legislative Reception 
  • April 9 | Deadline for Bills to Move Out of 1st Chamber Committee
  • May 5 | OSU-Cascades Lobby Day 
  • May 14 | Revenue Forecast 
  • May 23 | Deadline for Bills to Move Out of 2nd Chamber Committees 
  • June 29 | Constitutional Sine Die 

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Katie.Fast@oregonstate.edu or Katheryn.Yetter@oregonstate.edu.

Federal Relations

We are fully underway with the Trump administration and a new-look 119th Congress with Republican control in both chambers. The administration has been driving efforts to implement sweeping changes across the federal government to reconsider what government does, how it does it, and who does it, with goals for significant budget savings. Many administration-led efforts impact federal research and education enterprises and are direct interest to universities. OSU Federal Relations has been working closely with university leaders as we navigate this dynamic federal environment with a focus on issues and funding resources important to our mission and community. 

The amount of activity at the federal level this past quarter has been significant – below are some select updates for awareness: 

  • Presidential actions: There have been a flurry of Presidential actions and administration-led changes to federal agencies over the past two months with a complex array of court challenges in response. Most recently, on March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. A full closure and transfer of responsibilities, like the federal financial aid enterprise, would require congressional action. 
  • Federal funding legislation enacted for the remainder of the federal fiscal year: Congress enacted legislation on May 14 to fund the government through September 30 at levels relatively similar to federal fiscal year 2024. While the legislation makes $13 billion in cuts to non-defense research and education agencies, the cuts are managed by focusing the impacts on eliminating earmarks and otherwise effectively provides level funding for non-defense agencies. Defense agencies have an overall increase of $6 billion in funds with no meaningful change expressed for basic research but modest reductions to applied research programs. Of note, however, the funding bill does not also provide the administration with an “explanatory statement” that typically accompanies a spending bill – this is the source of additional detail on congressional intent for allocating funds at the agency or program level. In effect, the spending bill gives the administration more flexibility on the allocation of funds across the federal government compared to fiscal year 2024. 
  • Annual appropriations for fiscal year 2026: With the current fiscal year spending bill completed, Congress can turn its attention to legislation to fund the government for the upcoming federal fiscal year (October 1-September 30, 2026). We expect Congress to start getting work underway in April/May. 
  • Federal budget legislation in progress: Congress and the administration share a priority to enact legislation that would reduce overall federal spending, extend and expand tax cuts and make targeted new investments in defense, energy, and border security. In February, the House passed a budget resolution that provides instructions for further legislation to address these goals. The Senate is now considering the legislation with the instructions. Both the House and Senate have to pass the same bill with instructions and then both chambers will work on developing the legislation to achieve the expressed goals. The bill with instructions passed by the House proposes dramatic cuts of at least $1.5 trillion to the federal government, including at least $330 billion to education programs, likely focused on higher education and child nutrition programs, as well as at least $880 billion to energy and commerce programs, which would require cuts to Medicaid or other entitlement programs. This particular type of legislation, a Budget Resolution, can move through Congress under rules that only requires a simple majority to pass in either chamber. While the majority party in both chambers is sufficient to pass legislation without minority party votes, this is a challenging process that will require much debate and more iterations before anything is complete. 

A huge thank you to OSU colleagues for promoting the university’s impacts and interests on Capitol Hill: 

  • Scott Ashford, dean of the College of Engineering, promoted key strategic initiatives like the Jen-Hsun Huang and Lori Mills Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex to advance cutting edge innovations, as well as COE’s education programs that are developing engineers and leaders for the future. 
  • Staci Simonich, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Kris Elliott, interim vice president for Extension and Engagement promoted OSU’s statewide programs, partnerships across the state with agricultural and other community partners, and the importance of USDA-sponsored research and extension programs for this work. 
  • Karina Nielsen, director of Oregon Sea Grant, Francis Chan, director of OSU’s NOAA Cooperative Institute (CIMERS), and Bob Cowen, associate vice president for research & operations at Hatfield Marine Science Center promoted OSU’s coastal and oceans work and highlighted the important partnerships OSU has with NOAA, EPA and other federal agencies. 
  • Tom DeLuca, dean of the College of Forestry, promoted strategic efforts underway to advance healthy working forests, mass timber innovation and addressing wildfire, as well as the critical importance of federal partners like the U.S. Forest Service for this work. 
  • We also appreciate all the research faculty who volunteer with their professional associations to help inform Congress of the impacts of federally sponsored research (and who give OSU Federal Relations a heads up of their plans in advance!)  

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Gabrielle.Serra@oregonstate.edu.

OSU in the News

Becky Munn (right), OSU Open Campus coordinator for Multnomah and Washington counties, meets with a student in the College Access Latinx Initiative Center at the Portland Community College Rock Creek campus. Credit: Liz Mota

Oregon State University Government Relations Update | January 2025

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Welcome to the OSU Government Relations Newsletter.

With this communication, we’ll highlight some of the work conducted by the office, updates from the state legislature and congressional delegation, university engagements with elected officials and other OSU news. The newsletter will be sent at least quarterly. We encourage you to share this newsletter with your colleagues. They can also sign up by using this link.

OSU-Cascades Chancellor Sherm Bloomer joins Central Oregon legislators Senator Tim Knopp, Representative Jason Kropf, Representative Emerson Levy and Senator-Elect Anthony Broadman in celebrating the grand opening of OSU-Cascades Student Success Center.
OSU-Cascades Chancellor Sherm Bloomer joins Central Oregon legislators Senator Tim Knopp, Representative Jason Kropf, Representative Emerson Levy and Senator-Elect Anthony Broadman in celebrating the grand opening of OSU-Cascades Student Success Center.

To kick off the new year, OSU-Cascades had a grand opening ceremony for the newly built Student Success Center on January 7. The 17,500 square-foot Student Success Center will feature spaces for study and tutoring, arts presentation, informal gathering and student programming, in addition to offices and facilities for staff who are critical to supporting student success including academic and career advising, health and wellness counseling, student government and The Bridge, the new multicultural space.

State Relations

The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session will convene on January 21, and tackling Oregon’s underinvestment in higher education will be the top priority for Oregon’s public universities. The public universities are requesting a $1.275B investment in the Public University Support Fund to support student success and help keep tuition increases below 5%. Unfortunately, the Governor only allocated $1.08B in her budget, which is below the universities’ base operational costs for the next biennium. 

OSU is focusing legislative priorities in areas that will support Prosperity Widely Shared by supporting student success, research development, and community and state collaboration and service. Click here for a copy of OSU’s 2025 legislative agenda.

For the 2025 session, there are leadership changes in all of the higher education related committees. 

  • After serving several sessions as co-chair of the Ways & Means Education Subcommittee, Senator Lew Frederick (Portland) will chair the Senate Education Committee. He replaces longtime chair Senator Michael Dembrow (Portland), who is retiring from public office. 
  • In the House, Representative Zack Hudson (Troutdale) will chair the House Higher Education and Workforce Committee replacing Representative John Lively (Springfield), who will now chair the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee. 
  • The Ways & Means Education Subcommittee will be co-chaired by Representative Ricki Ruiz (Gresham) and Senator Janeen Sollman (Hillsboro). The previous co-chairs, Representative Susan McLain (Forest Grove) and Senator Lew Frederick (Portland), will remain on the committee.

Legislative Dates of Importance

  • January 21 | Legislative Session Convenes 
  • February 26 | Revenue Forecast 
  • March 5 | OSU Statewides Lobby Day 
  • March 21 | Deadline for Bills to Move Out of Committees in Their Chamber of Origin 
  • April 3 | OSU Lobby Day & Legislative Reception 
  • May 14 | Revenue Forecast 
  • May 23 | Deadline for Bills to Move Out of 2nd Chamber Committees 
  • June 29 | Constitutional Sine Die 

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Katie.Fast@oregonstate.edu or Katheryn.yetter@oregonstate.edu.

Federal Relations

The new year brings a new Congress and a new administration. On January 3, the 119th Congress gaveled in with new GOP leadership at the helm of the U.S. Senate, and a tight GOP majority leading the U.S. House of Representatives. The Trump-Vance Administration is set to be sworn in on January 20.

For Oregon, the incoming administration and new Congress brings changes. On the congressional front, the delegation is welcoming two new members, including Rep. Maxine Dexter (CD-3), representing the Portland-Hood River region, and Rep. Janelle Bynum (CD-5), representing the Oregon City-Bend region. Outgoing Rep. Lori-Chavez-DeRemer, former representative of CD-5, is the nominee for Secretary of Labor for the incoming Trump Administration.

OSU is monitoring developments and shifts in the federal policy landscape including both legislative efforts and executive branch actions that are of direct interest to Oregon State University communities and our mission.

While the Government Relations Office is focused on what’s ahead, the Biden-Harris Administration is closing out its tenure. We are thankful to see an announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration on January 14 to provide ~$45M to the Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub. This meaningful support from the Oregon delegation will help champion this OSU-led opportunity for the state.

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Gabrielle.Serra@oregonstate.edu.

Additional Updates

Oregon Business Plan’s 22nd Annual Leadership Summit in December brought over 1,100 Oregonians together. Attendees, including elected officials, business leaders, and community members discussed ways to strengthen the collaborative efforts that will help Oregon’s economy thrive. The Summit focused on innovative workforce and talent development pathways, addressing Oregon’s pressing economic challenges and opportunities. Breakout sessions offered deeper insights into topics such as talent development through industry consortia and rural economic development, providing participants with actionable insights and collaborative opportunities.  

  • During the Summit, OSU President Jayathi Murthy and University of Oregon President Karl Scholz, joined a panel with moderator Jordan Papé, president and CEO, the Papé Group, where they described how the two universities contribute to a robust innovation ecosystem in the southern Willamette Valley. OSU plays a pivotal role in driving innovation through cutting-edge research, partnerships with local industries, and support for startups and entrepreneurs. The panel discussion highlighted how these efforts contribute to job creation, economic development, and the overall prosperity of the Southern Willamette Valley, making it a vibrant hub for innovation.
OSU President Jayathi Murthy engages with moderator Jordan Papé, president and CEO, the Papé Group.  Photo credit: The Oregon Business Plan 
OSU President Jayathi Murthy engages with moderator Jordan Papé, president and CEO, the Papé Group. 
Photo credit: The Oregon Business Plan.

OSU in the News

Partners in the OSU-NAGPRA Facility (left to right): Chief Jefferson Greene Jr., Wasco Chief, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Wilson Wewa, Tribal Council, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State University president; Scott Vignos, Oregon State vice president and chief diversity officer; Dawn Marie Alapisco, director of NAGPRA office at Oregon State; Chance White-Eyes, director of Tribal relations at Oregon State; Chief Doug Barrett, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. Courtesy of Alteza Films via OSU.
Partners in the OSU-NAGPRA Facility (left to right): Chief Jefferson Greene Jr., Wasco Chief, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Wilson Wewa, Tribal Council, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State University president; Scott Vignos, Oregon State vice president and chief diversity officer; Dawn Marie Alapisco, director of NAGPRA office at Oregon State; Chance White-Eyes, director of Tribal relations at Oregon State; Chief Doug Barrett, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. Courtesy of Alteza Films via OSU.

Oregon State University Government Relations Update | October 2024

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Welcome to the new OSU Government Relations Newsletter.

With this this new communication, we’ll highlight some of the work conducted by the office, updates from the state legislature and congressional delegation, university engagements with elected officials and other OSU news. The newsletter will be sent at least quarterly. You’ve received this inaugural addition because you were subscribed to our updates previously. We encourage you to share this newsletter with your colleagues. They can also sign up by using this link.

Senator Ron Wyden joins President Murthy at the OSU vs. Purdue Football Game. On September 21, Senator Wyden joined Beaver Nation at Reser Stadium to help cheer the football team on to a win against Purdue. Senator Wyden also visited with Athletic Director Scott Barnes and Benny the Beaver on the field, engaged with special guests from across OSU and industry in the state who are leading on robotics and artificial intelligence and watched some of the game with leaders and friends from OSU colleges of Business, Forestry, Agriculture, and Engineering. Go Beavs!

State Relations

Quarterly, when the state legislature is not in session, legislators come to Salem for interim committee hearings for what is known as Legislative Days. These meetings provide opportunities for committees to receive briefings and updates on issues under their jurisdiction.

Associate Vice Provost for Economic Development and Industry Relations, Rebecca Robinson testifying before the House Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade Committee.

The House Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade Committee invited Rebecca Robinson, associate vice provost for Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR), to testify on OSU’s engagement in the outdoor products segment. She shared information on OSU’s Center for the Outdoor Economy, OSU-Cascades outdoor products degree and marker space and the vision for the Innovation District at OSU-Cascades. Other panelists spoke on the mass timber and food/beverage sectors, additional target sectors for OSU’s new EDIR division. We are very appreciative to the chair, Representative Daniel Nguyen, for the committee’s focus and invitation.

The Senate Rules and Executive Appointment Committee heard from citizens who the Governor submitted for Senate confirmation for appointment to numerous state boards and commissions. Five new OSU trustees were confirmed by the Senate for appointment or reappointment:

  • Lisa Hale, CEO of Grace Bio-Labs, a woman-owned, global biotechnology company headquartered in Bend.
  • Toby Luther, CEO of Lone Rock Resources, a balanced and diversified real assets and natural resources investment company in Roseburg and chair of the Ford Family Foundation.
  • Camille Palmer, associate professor and associate school head of nuclear science and engineering.
  • Julie Manning (reappointment) former vice president for Marketing, Communications and Community Health Promotion at Samaritan Health Services and past mayor of Corvallis.
  • Susan Clark (reappointment), an accountant with University Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations.

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Katie.Fast@oregonstate.edu.

Federal Relations

Congress completed a last sprint of activity in September prior to breaking for an extended recess on September 26 to prepare for the November 11 election. Congress will not be back in session until November 12 and then will have limited days in session to complete work before this Congress officially ends on January 3, 2025.

The main activity OSU working on with Congress is the status of funding to maintain federal government operations and the fiscal year 2025 appropriations legislation. Importantly, on September 26, Congress enacted a clean continuing resolution to maintain government operations and programs with level funding through December 20.

The outcome of the federal election in November has an outsize influence on how the parties in both the House, Senate and the White House will position on negotiations. We can’t yet predict how things will go until the election shows us what the future political balance of power will be across Congress and the White House. Currently, both the House and Senate have set up wide differences in priorities and funding levels for fiscal year 2025 spending across government which would have varying impacts across the research and education programs that the OSU community cares about.

We also continue to work on other bills on deck for action by Congress before the end of the year. Key bills include the Farm Bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, and we’re tracking select other smaller bills members of the OSU community have flagged for interests or concerns.

As the last quarter of the Biden administration nears, agencies are working hard to continue to issue and advance programs and funding, particularly Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds, and to prepare for the new Congress and administration, including the early stages of a fiscal year 2026 budget request. Processes have slowed down on the regulatory front, and we will reconsider our expectations for the future regulatory agenda with national colleagues following the outcome of the November elections. For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to Gabrielle.Serra@oregonstate.edu.

Tribal Relations

Join OSU for events dedicated to decolonizing narratives and histories while showcasing Indigenous people’s resilience, creativity and innovation. A list of planned activities for the week of celebration October 12-17 can be found at indigenous.oregonstate.edu.

These events are open to everyone, emphasizing learning and fostering positive representation. Indigenous Peoples’ Week shifts the narrative from perpetuating harmful myths and stereotypes to celebrating Indigenous people at OSU and beyond.

For further information or questions or to flag specific issues or actions of interest, please reach out to chance.white-eyes@oregonstate.edu.

Additional Updates

  • OSU President Murthy went to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation’s Technology Innovation and Partnerships Directorate. On October 1, President Murthy had discussions with officials from these offices focused on strategic initiatives of shared interest to both the Federal Government and OSU for science, engineering, innovation and workforce development. President Murthy promoted OSU’s interests in CHIPS, AI, protecting global collaborations while balancing research security needs, and the potential impacts from signature Federal initiatives to drive innovation important to Oregon, such as the NSF Engines Program and the EDA Tech Hubs. 
  • U.S. Department of Energy Office of Water Power Technologies Office visited OSU. On September10-12, Acting-Director Matt Grosso and Chief Engineer Lauren Ruedy from US DOEWPTO joined OSU and the Pacific Marine Energy Center’s annual all-hands meeting to engage with the regional center’s faculty, students, and partners working to advance marine energy research, development, and testing. The PMEC and PacWave teams also provided the WPTO leaders and guests with a tour and showcase of the significant construction progress this summer of PacWave, the DOEWPTO-supported offshore, grid-connected wave energy technology test facility being built off the coast of Newport. More information on construction progress can be found here.
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan visited OSU. On August 26, OSU hosted Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan on the Corvallis campus to engage with members of OSU faculty, students, and staff community, and to showcase some examples of what makes OSU unique. President Murthy with Vice President Irem Tumer hosted a half-day of engagements with the director, including an opportunity for him to speak directly to and with members of the OSU research community doing signature work with NSF. OSU also promoted the new PRAx facility and OSU’s efforts to drive arts integration with STEM; highlighting the culture of collaboration and leadership with OSU and the state in semiconductor R&D. We also showcased OSU’s unique strengths and promising students in coastal resilience, marine energy and robotics.
  • Senator Bill Hansell promoted the AgriStress Helpline hosted by OSU Extension during the Pendleton Round-Up. After Senator Hansell sponsored the successful legislation, 9,000 bandannas were distributed by OSU team members during the Pendleton Westward Ho! Parade on August 23. The former University of Oregon alum then took the time to snap a photo with OSU alum, Bryan Wolfe.

Get Involved

Election day is coming up quickly. Oregon’s vote-by-mail system makes it easy to vote, as long as you are registered. To vote in the November 5 election, you must register by October 15. You can review your voter registration information through the Secretary of State’s website. For those that still need to register, TurboVote makes it efficient for all citizens to register, update registration information and receive election reminders.

OSU in the News

Thank you, Beaver Nation!

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This legislative session, OSU engagement has been at a record high. Thousands of you wrote letters to your legislators requesting support for OSU student-athletes, who are impacted by conference realignment. Students and stakeholders participated in lobby days to support student-based initiatives. Faculty, students, and stakeholders testified on a multitude of issues and shared their experience with the legislature.

Your engagement validates the work being done across OSU to support students, innovate through research, and engage with communities throughout Oregon. This meaningful work embodies OSU and is why we are Oregon’s team!

While the legislature was only in session for 32 days, in a bipartisan manner, they moved major policy initiatives to reform Measure 110 and address Oregon’s addiction crisis, make investments in and policy changes around housing, and pass compromise legislation creating political campaign contribution limits. The legislature also made some meaningful investments and policy around higher education.

Investments

$10M for OSU student scholarships. While this is only a one-time investment and not the continued funding we requested, it is meaningful and will help us continue to support our student-athletes.

$2M to the College of Engineering for investments around semiconductors.

$1.9M to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab housed at OSU College of Veterinary Medicine for work on chronic wasting disease and zoonotic diseases

Policy Bills

Name, Image Likeness (NIL) [HB 4119]

Makes changes to Oregon’s NIL laws that strengthen protections for the university and its student-athletes. Importantly, the measure prevents the NCAA from sanctioning OSU as long as it follows Oregon’s NIL laws, and it allows OSU to directly assist student- athletes in securing NIL deals. Effective on passage.

Sexual Misconduct [HB 4164]

Technical changes to HB 3456 (2023), which included the development and dissemination of a sexual misconduct survey and the development of university policies and programming around sexual misconduct. The measure removes persons who are “seeking to enroll” from definition of “student,” repeals the requirement to offer the sexual misconduct survey to students on a leave of absence, and extends the time to make the survey available, among other fixes.

Posting Board Meetings Online [SB 1502]

Requires OSU to post video or audio recordings of its Board of Trustees meetings on its website or social media within seven days of the meetings. Exempted from this requirement are meetings held in executive session.

Education Omnibus [SB 1552]

Makes changes to several K-12 and higher education statutes. Most notably for OSU, the measure:

  • requires the HECC to establish a direct admissions program for public universities.
  • makes HECC the body to approve distribution changes to the Oregon Opportunity Grant through a public rulemaking process.
  • clarifies that part-time faculty who “work,” not just “teach,” at an institution may be eligible for health care benefits.
  • requires the HECC to conduct a forest workforce study.
  • exempts Transfer Council subcommittees from public meeting requirements. 

AI Task Force [HB 4153]

Creates a 14-member task force to identify terms and definitions related to artificial intelligence that may be used in legislation. Two members will represent public universities.

Board Appointments

In the 2023 legislative session, the legislature passed SB 273, relating to university governing boards. One item in the bill was the creation of two new student positions on universities’ boards of trustees: one graduate student position and one non-voting undergraduate position. This will bring a total of three student positions to board of trustees. While these new positions do not go into effect until July 1, 2024, Governor Kotek started the process of filling these positions and made nominations for appointment during the session. The Senate confirmed the following appointments:

  • Undergraduate Non-Voting Trustee:  MJ Mihro, Biology Major on a pre-veterinary track.
  • Graduate Trustee: Kate Carter-Cram, PhD student in Public Policy.

2024 Legislative Session Highlights

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By: Katie Fast, Executive Director of Government Relations

Today, the Oregon Legislature convenes it’s short 35-day session. Due to the short timeframe, each legislator is limited to introducing two bills and committees restricted to three. That does not mean that legislators won’t be tackling policy issues this year; in fact, reforms to Measure 110 and solutions to Oregon’s housing needs will be proposed.

Oregon State University is also tackling big issues and is looking to the state for partnership. Below are priorities that we are bring to the Oregon legislature:

  • Impact of Conference Realignment: The decisions by some universities to leave the Pac-12 not only eroded our 108-year-old conference and legacy but created a significant budget shortfall for OSU Athletics. We need the legislature’s assistance to:
    • Maintain OSU’s Commitment to Collegiate Athletic Scholarships: OSU commits $10.4 million annually toward athletic scholarships. As an Oregon public university, we have an obligation to continue supporting student-athletes who are bearing the real implications of conference realignment. For many student-athletes, their scholarships make college financially possible, and without that support, they lose their access to education.

The state of Oregon currently allocates 1% of the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund from the State Lottery Fund to the Sports Lottery Program. For the 2023-25 biennium, $18,329,943 was allocated. However, OSU will only receive about $650,000 annually because the university historically received multimillion-dollar media payments. Unfortunately, OSU can no longer expect the same media income after July 31, 2024. An additional 1% of lottery funds dedicated to OSU student-athletes would meet OSU’s athletic scholarship needs.

  • Covering OSU Athletics’ COVID Deficit: COVID-19 health protection regulations placed financial burdens on university athletics departments nationwide. OSU faced more than a year of zero sporting event ticket sales while maintaining our financial commitments to student-athletes and athletics staff. Federal COVID support funds received could not be used to support intercollegiate athletics. The university therefore loaned OSU Athletics $31.8 million to cover its COVID-related deficit. The opportunities for athletics repayment have changed due to conference realignment and a subsequent dramatic drop in media income. OSU has an immediate need from the state to help cover this deficit.
  • Building a Campus to Serve Central Oregon & the State: OSU- Cascades students and supporters are requesting $24 million to expedite the Phase 3 land remediation, which would create 81 contiguous acres for academic buildings and student housing. This is a critical step to meet growth needs of this innovative campus.
  • Supporting Student’s Needs: We will be working with other public universities and students to request:
    • $6 million in renewed funding for Strong Start 2.0: Continued funding for the Strong Start program is critical to ensure students are prepared and supported allowing them to succeed in a university environment. Initially a response to pandemic learning loss, Strong Start allows universities to offer comprehensive services including summer bridge programs, community- building cohorts, academic skill-building, and ongoing wraparound support. This state investment has led to greater retention rates, higher GPAs, and increased credit hour completion for participating students, compared to their peers.
    • $5 million to strengthen student basic needs programs and infrastructure on university campuses, includes basic needs centers. 
    • $1 million in emergency funding to the Open Educational Resources (OERS) program to improve access to low- or no-cost course materials for the remainder of the biennium. Since 2015, Oregon OER grants have saved students $12 on course materials for every program dollar spent.
  • Addressing Zoonotic Diseases: The Oregon and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL) plays a vital role in public health, responding to issues of serious concern for people and wildlife, including highly contagious bacterial disease, avian flu, and mosquito born illnesses. Consistent with recommendations from the legislative report directed by HB 4128 (2022), HB 4148 allocates $3.5 million for critical equipment and capacity necessary for the OVDL and the state Wildlife Health Lab to combat threats such as Chronic Wasting Disease and zoonotic diseases.
  • Creating Pathways to Semiconductor Careers: In 2023, the legislature invested $200M in Oregon’s semiconductor sector. However, research and supporting the needed workforce was not addressed. HB 4154 invests $30 million in K-12 pathway programs, community colleges and public research universities to provide the faculty and tools focused on semiconductor related work.

To support OSU’s legislative priorities and easily engage with the legislature, consider joining the Beaver Caucus’s advocacy efforts. You can learn more here. https://thebeavercaucus.org/

Welcome New Members of the OSU Government Relations Team

Chance White Eyes joined OSU in December as Director of Tribal Relations. In this position, he will build and maintain collaborative, mutual and trusting relationships with Tribal nations within Oregon and beyond and consult with Oregon State leadership, colleges and programs to advance the university’s teaching, research and engagement missions.

White Eyes holds a doctorate in critical and socio-cultural studies in education from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Oregon State. He is an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin.

In November, Sherry Morgan started as Administrative Assistant. She previously worked in OSU Academics for Student Athletes. In this role, she is managing the office’s administrative needs and assisting tracking bills of interest to OSU and our community.

Katheryn Yetter, OSU University Policy & Standards Specialist, is taking on additional duties and supporting OSU’s advocacy efforts in Salem. We are fortunate for prior the legislative experience Katheryn brings to the team.

2023 Legislative Report

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Introduction and Funding Package

The 2023 legislative session started with many challenges that multiplied as the year progressed. While political friction and logistics hurdles slowed down the process in Salem, the work of Oregon State University advocates and members of the higher education coalition resulted in record investments in operating funds, student aid, OSU research, OSU Extension, and campus infrastructure.

In recent years, the Oregon legislature has seen a substantial turnover rate. The 2023 session introduced more than half of the House of Representatives’ 60-person membership as new members, while the Senate embraced the arrival of eight fresh faces. The November 2022 election also brought a change in the Governor’s Office and mostly new legislative leadership in both chambers. 

This was the first fully in-person session since the COVID pandemic. However, ongoing construction and seismic improvements at the State Capitol interfered with bringing a true sense of normalcy back. Over half of the Capitol was closed, which limited public gathering space and closed the public café. Continuous construction noise filled the hallways and at times interrupted committee proceedings. The Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and legislative committee staff offices were temporally moved out of the Capitol. What may seem like logistical inconveniences breaks down the relationship building and communication flow that is critical to a fully functioning legislative session.

Unfortunately, these were all tensions placed on a legislature already plagued with a deep political divide. Differences over policies relating to reproductive and gender affirming care and guns, as well as parliamentary policies, led to an historic partisan walkout in the State Senate. The walkout of Republican and Independent senators threatened to curtail hundreds of policy bills and leave state agencies without sustainable operating budgets.

During the walkout, campus leaders diligently collaborated with the Governor, the Department of Administrative Services, and legislative leadership to devise plans aimed at minimizing the impacts on students and faculty if the state was unable to deliver expected funding throughout the summer.

Thankfully, a compromise was reached after 44 days which led to an operating quorum in the Senate. The final weeks of the session saw the legislature speed through their backlog, passing hundreds of policy bills and agency budgets within a little over a week.

While the 2023 legislative session highlighted the depth and intensity of Oregon’s political divide, the work of our coalition partners and OSU advocates resulted in a positive budget cycle for Oregon State University. We can celebrate the following investments for the 2023-2025 biennium:

Policy Bills

Outside of the budget realm, the legislature passed a variety of bills that feature funding for OSU’s research enterprise and other policies that will impact higher education:

SB 4: Semiconductor Package – Created a $190M grant and loan program to support businesses applying for federal CHIPS Act grants; allocated $10M to the University Innovation & Research Fund to match federal grants related to innovation and economic development (an additional $3M was added to the UIRF in an agency budget bill).

SB 161: Elliott State Research Forest Extension – Extended the deadline for required elements to be completed for the establishment of Elliott State Research Forest from June 30th to December 31, 2023.

SB 273: University Governance – Adds a graduated student and an additional non-voting undergraduate student to university governing boards; establishes processes for the nomination of undergraduate student, graduate student, faculty and nonfaculty staff to be nominated to the Governor for consideration; requires each governing board to formally adopt certain policies regarding university governance.

SB 355: Outside Counsel – Requires that public universities provide annual report on the use of outside counsel for legal matters on their website, rather than provide a report to the Attorney General.

SB 424: Transcript Holds – Prohibits the practice of withholding transcripts of current or former students due to debt to the institution.

SB 955: Agristress – Allocates $300,000 to the OSU Foundation to establish an endowment to fund the implementation and operation of an AgriStress Helpline for the purpose suicide prevention in the farming and ranching community.

HB 2010: Drought/Water Package – Directs Oregon Consensus at PSU and OSU to establish collaborative process for the development of shared understanding of water management in Chewaucan River watershed and allocated $150,000 to OSU for this work; allocates $3M for OSU Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station to jointly establish an agricultural water management technical assistance program and jointly prepare annual reports related to program and climate-related impacts on agricultural producers; allocates $365,000 to OSU for technical assistance to SWCDs conducing juniper treatment projects. These are OSU highlights of a larger policy and funding package.

HB 2049: Cybersecurity Center of Excellence – Establishes Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at PSU and jointly operated by PSU, OSU, and UO to coordinating, funding or providing cybersecurity education, awareness and training for public, private and nonprofit sectors, cybersecurity workforce development and cybersecurity-related goods and services to Oregon public bodies. Allocated $5M development and programing.

HB 2649: Agency Construction Requirements – Requires contractors doing public improvement projects for certain state entities, including public universities, have 12 to 15% of their workforce be apprentices and an aspirational target of 15% of their workforce be women, minority individuals and veterans.  

HB 3409: Climate Package – Allocates $3M to OSU College of Forestry for the research development of low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues. These are OSU highlights of a larger policy and funding package.

HB 3410: Rural Economic Development – $2 million to OSU’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy to be used for the purpose of developing professional and workforce development programs; $1 million to the Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy to be used for the purpose of developing a pro-gram to provide facilitation services and technical assistance grants to communities affected by wildfire for community engagement in the planning and construction of outdoor recreation facilities to support the communities’ economic recovery; $500,000 to OSU-Cascades to outfit a fabrication and maker space at the university in order to support prototyping of new products by outdoor recreation economy entrepreneurs; $300,000 for technical assistance to rural seafood businesses conducted by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, the OSU Food Innovation Center and the OSU Seafood Research and Education Center. These are OSU highlights of a larger policy and funding package.

HB 3456: Sexual Misconduct Training – Establishes a Sexual Misconduct Survey Council to develop a base sexual misconduct climate survey to be used annually by institutes of higher education; requires institutions to enter a MOU understanding with community-based domestic and sexual violence agency; requires annual delivery sexual misconduct primary prevention and awareness training.

Board Appointments

This session also brought appointments of new trustees to the OSU Board of Trustees. Last fall, the OSU Board of Trustees conducted a needs assessment that considered the number of members terming off the board. Collectively the board identified financial oversight, agriculture, higher education with a focus on community college, and tech/innovation as priority skills and backgrounds, along with a regional focus including Eastern Oregon. Governor Kotek nominated five at-large trustees and one student trustee; all six were confirmed by the Oregon Senate.

Stephanie Bulger, president, Lane Community College, Eugene.

Karla Chambers, vice president/co-owner, Stahlbush Farms, and a professional artist, Corvallis.

Grant Kitamura, owner, managing partner and CEO/CFO, Baker & Murakami Produce Co. in Ontario, OR; Fruitland, Idaho resident.

Gregory H. Macpherson, retired attorney, former state representative, Albany.

Elise McClure, former vice president of tax and customs, Starbucks Coffee Co, Portland.

Kasaundra A. Bonanno, undergraduate student in public healthy and public policy, Oregon State, Corvallis.

Thank you to retiring trustees for their dedication and service to OSU: inaugural at-large trustees Rani Borkar and Darry Callahan; at-large trustees Preston Pulliams and Lamar Hurd; student trustee Jax Richards; and in remembrance of inaugural Michelle Longo Eder, who passed away on March 12, 2023. 

November Election Update

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This Tuesday was Oregon’s first general election after redistricting. In many areas, both incumbents and first-time congressional and legislative candidates needed to introduce themselves to district voters. This was also one of the first Oregon elections where ballots only needed to be post marked by election day to be counted. While a few races are currently too close to call and an unknown number of ballots will be arriving over the next few days, there is a general sense of the make-up of Oregon’s congressional delegation and state legislature.

Federal Election Landscape

Three congressional district races have not yet been officially called. For OSU campus locations, we are tracking particularly closely the outcome of the OR-4 and OR-5 House races. Both Corvallis and Newport fall within the newly drawn lines of the OR-4. For this race, Val Hoyle (D-Springfield) has what is expected to be a sufficient lead and has declared victory. Additionally, the newly drawn lines of the OR-5 now capture Bend and the winner will newly represent OSU-Cascades campus. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Happy Valley) currently leads over Jamie McCleod-Skinner (D-Terrebonne). Finally, Oregon’s new 6th congressional district from SW Portland suburbs to Salem also remains too close to call, but Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego) leads Mike Erickson (R-Tigard).

We currently expect to have results for the outstanding Oregon races by Tuesday, November 15. In other races, incumbents U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2) have each been declared winners with substantial margins. 

At the national level, several House and Senate races are still yet-to-be-decided. For both the House and Senate, outcomes of the remaining undecided races are needed to determine which party will hold the majority power for each chamber. For the U.S. House, the Republican party is on a likely path to retake the majority status from the Democrats with at least 218 seats. For the U.S. Senate, in the current congress, the democrats hold the majority with 50 seats and the Vice President as a tiebreaker. As of now, Nevada and Arizona senate races remain undecided, with a Georgia race requiring a December run-off. Either party must win both yet-to-be decided Senate races in order to claim the 51-seat majority for next congress. If the parties split the remaining races to be decided, the December run-off for the Georgia Senate seat will determine the party with the majority. The final outcomes to determine which party will hold the majority power in both the U.S. Senate and House will shape our expectations for the federal agenda next congress

Governor’s Race

The three-way Governor’s race in Oregon made it one of the most interesting and competitive in the Nation. It was also the most expensive in Oregon’s history. As of election day, Kotek spent $29M, Drazan $22.4M and Johnson $17.5M. 

While early ballot turn-ins showed a stronger turnout of Republican voters, Kotek rallied her base and brought along more non-affiliated voters. She currently leads by 3.4% and is the expected Governor-Elect. 

State Legislative Races 

Due to the number of outstanding ballots and close margins, many legislative contests currently remain un-called. Regardless, current results are indicative of shifting political coalitions across Oregon even if partisan control of both chambers remains largely the same:

One of the most pronounced shifts occurred in the Salem/Keizer metro: Republicans Tracy Cramer (R-Woodburn) and Kevin Mannix (R-Keizer) defeated Democratic challengers in House seats that were previously held by retiring Democrats. Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) also won re-election to the Senate in District 11 which shifted into her constituency via redistricting. Senate District 11 is being vacated by outgoing Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem).

However, Democrats remained competitive in the mid-valley region with Senator Deb Patterson (D-South Salem) fending off Representative Raquel Moore-Greene (R-South Salem) in Senate District 10. Representative Moore Greene’s vacated House seat was flipped by Democrat Tom Anderson (D-South Salem)

Communities in the coastal region continued their recent trend of replacing retiring Democrats with Republicans: Representative Suzanne Weber (R-Astoria) flipped Senate District 16, previously held by Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) for a decade and a half. However, while Republicans can celebrate success in a long-held Democrat seat, Representative Weber’s vacated seat, House District 32 (Astoria/Warrington), remains too close to call: Republican Cyrus Javadi has a 500-vote lead over Democrat Logan Laity. While Javadi’s margin is expected to hold, Laity’s competitiveness came as a surprise after Republicans flipped this seat in 2020 in the most expensive legislative contest that cycle. 

If Javadi is declared the winner in House District 32, Representative David Gomberg (D-Newport) will be the sole Democrat on the Coastal Caucus, which once operated as one of the only substantive bi-partisan caucuses in Salem. The Coastal Caucus has been a key voice in advancing OSU legislative priorities in natural resources and on the coast. 

Additionally, Deschutes County continued its transition into a Democrat-leaning community with Emerson Levy (D-Redmond) holding a small but consistent lead over Republican Michael Sipe (R-Redmond) in House District 53, which is being vacated by Representative Jack Zika (R-Redmond). In neighboring House District 54, Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend) won in a landslide against his Republican challenger. We expect continued and strengthened political support for OSU-Cascades with both Representative Kropf and Senator Knopp returning to Salem as committed advocates for the campus. 

Overall, while some contests in Clackamas County and East Multnomah County remain too close to call, the partisan composition of both chambers will likely remain largely unchanged: Democrats will control a minimum of 16 seats in the Senate while the Republican Caucus sits at 13 seats. The race for Senate District 20, between Senator Bill Kennemer (R-Canby) and Representative Mark Meek (D-Oregon City), remains too close to call. As it currently stands in the House, Democrats maintain a lead in 35 seats versus Republicans in 25 seats. It remains to be seen if Republicans can take the lead in any of the close races where votes are left to be counted. 

While Democrats have likely lost their supermajorities in both chambers, Republicans possess fewer political tools to impact the legislative process with the passage of Measure 113 (see below). We expect the breadth and tone of the 2023 legislative session to be driven by the agenda of Governor-Elect Tina Kotek and economic forecasting for the next biennium. 

State Ballot Measures

This year’s ballot had four measures. Three were constitutional amendments and two of which were referred to the voters by the legislature. 

  • Measure 111 amends the constitution to ensures affordable healthcare access to be balanced against state requirements to fund schools and other essential services. Currently passing by a small margin
  • Measure 112 amends the constitution to remove language allowing slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. Currently passing
  • Measure 113 amends the constitution to disqualify legislators with ten unexcused absences from holding office the next term. Currently passing
  • Measure 114 requires a permit to acquire firearms, local policy offices to maintain a firearms permitting database, and criminally prohibits large ammunition magazines. Currently passing by a small margin

For more Oregon election results, please see the Oregon Secretary of State website.