{"id":406,"date":"2025-03-27T16:03:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T16:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/government\/?p=406"},"modified":"2025-05-15T16:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:48:11","slug":"oregon-state-university-government-relations-update-march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/government\/2025\/03\/27\/oregon-state-university-government-relations-update-march-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State University Government Relations Update | March 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to the OSU Government Relations Newsletter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this communication, we\u2019ll 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/sub><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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State Relations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 19, the Ways & Means Co-Chairs, Senator Kate Lieber and Representative Tawna Sanchez, released their <\/strong>25-27 Budget Framework<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> 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 \u201conly the most critical investments.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looming over the state budget is uncertainty around the outlook for federal funding \u2013 which makes up about a third of the state budget. The $987 million balance could also be used to bridge potential federal reductions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s agenda include support for the Statewide Public Service Programs, Outdoor School, and State Programs such as the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oregon\u2019s 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 \u2014 people who keep Oregon running. In partnership with the other public universities, OSU is asking the state for a<\/strong> $1.275 billion investment in the Public University Support Fund<\/strong>, and $150 million for the Oregon Opportunity Grant<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/sub><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In every long session<\/strong>, Ways and Means committee members travel around the state to hear from Oregonians on budget priorities.\u202fThese \u201croad shows\u201d 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\u2019s capital improvement requests for the STEM Learning Center and OSU-Cascades. You can review specifics of OSU\u2019s current asks here<\/a>. These events are likely to be well-attended and persons signed up to testify will be selected at random. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dates and locations of the community\u202fbudget\u202fhearings are:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astoria | Friday, March 28 (5-7 p.m.)<\/strong> 
Liberty Theatre Astoria 
1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103 
Register to testify<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warm Springs | Friday, April 4 (5\u20137 p.m.) <\/strong> 
Old Warm Springs Elementary School 
1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761 
Register to testify<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Grande | Friday, April 11 (5\u20137 p.m.)<\/strong> 
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339 
1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850 
Register to testify<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salem | Wednesday, April 16 (5\u20137 p.m.)<\/strong> 
Oregon State Capitol Building, Hearing Room F 
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301 
Register to testify<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5\u20137 p.m.)<\/strong> 
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons 
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 
Register to testify<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On February 26, Oregon state economists Carl Riccadonna and Michael Kennedy presented<\/a> the March 2025 Economic & Revenue Forecast. <\/strong>As anticipated, the forecast showed little change from November 2024\u2019s outlook, pointing to continued growth, though at a slower pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The revenue forecast plays a critical role in guiding OSU\u2019s 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\u2014an increase of $350 million from November\u2019s projection.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislative Dates of Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n