Dear Chamber Members,

This special edition of Insight & Influence is packed with updates from the 2025 Oregon State Legislative Session, highlighting how the Washington County Chamber was on the front lines, advocating, informing, and being a strong voice for business every step of the way.

The Washington County Chamber remained a consistent and powerful advocate for the business community throughout the session. Through strategic advocacy, coalition partnerships, and direct engagement with lawmakers, we championed policies that drive economic growth, ease regulatory burdens, and protect employers from costly and unnecessary mandates.

From packed hearing rooms to last-minute bill drops, the 2025 session moved fast – and so did we. Whether pushing for critical infrastructure investments or pushing back against harmful legislation, the Chamber showed up, spoke up, and stayed engaged at every turn.

The Chamber benefited greatly this year from our partnership with Proxy. Andy Smith and Inga Deckert were on the ground at the Capitol throughout the legislative session, advocating directly for the Washington County Chamber. Their presence and expertise significantly amplified our advocacy efforts, ensuring our members’ voices were heard on the issues that matter most.

Additionally, we’re proud to have partnered closely with Oregon Business and Industry (OBI) and the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC) throughout the session. These partnerships gave our members a stronger voice in Salem, allowing us to advocate for a healthy economy and competitive business environment collectively.

Here are some resources that go in-depth on the coordinated advocacy efforts during the 2025 Legislative Session:

• Washington County Chamber of Commerce 2025 Legislative Session Report
• Oregon State Chamber of Commerce 2025 Legislative Report
• OBI 2025 Legislative Session Report

By working closely with Proxy, OBI, OSCC, and Chamber members, we amplified our voice and made a real impact. That’s the power of advocacy done together.

Below I’ve included information on updates since the 2025 Legislative Session, including Governor Kotek’s call for a Special Session to address transportation, the Chamber’s new Agribusiness Task Force, and additional information on missed opportunities this year.

One final note worth emphasizing: The Chamber is deeply disappointed that the 2025 Legislative Session failed to prioritize economic development in any meaningful way. At a time when Oregon’s businesses need bold action and forward-thinking investment, lawmakers missed a critical opportunity to strengthen our state’s economic future. We remain committed to advocating for policies that drive growth, spark innovation, and support long-term prosperity for all Oregon businesses.

Thank you for your continued support as we advocate for a strong, competitive economy in Washington County and across Oregon.

Warmest regards,

Deanna Palm
President & CEO
Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Special Session – Transportation Funding

Governor Tina Kotek has formally called a special legislative session to begin on Friday, August 29, 2025, focused squarely on addressing a critical $350+ million shortfall in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) budget.

ODOT had planned to lay off nearly 500 maintenance staff by the end of July—but those layoffs have been delayed by 45 days to coincide with the special session and allow lawmakers time to act.

While specifics of the legislative package are not yet finalized, current discussions include proposals such as a 6¢ per gallon gas tax increase, increased registration and transit payroll taxes, and structural reforms to ensure ratepayer fairness, revenue sharing, and ODOT accountability.

Background Links:

• Governor Kotek Press Release
• OPB – Gov. Tina Kotek delays ODOT layoffs and announces August special session
• Oregonian – Gov. Tina Kotek unveils transportation funding plan for special session to maintain services, avoid layoffs

NEW: Chamber Agribusiness Task Force

The Washington County Chamber has launched a new Agribusiness Task Force in response to a DLCD rulemaking process that could significantly impact the future of farmstands and agritourism in Oregon’s exclusive farm use (EFU) zones. While Governor Kotek has paused the process for now, we are not sure if it will resurface, and when it does, the Chamber is committed to being ready.

The rulemaking was originally prompted by legislative discussions to clarify what activities are permitted under a farmstand permit. However, early drafts introduced new restrictions and enforcement mechanisms that raised serious concerns among farmers and rural business advocates.

Farmstands are a critical gateway for agritourism activities like flower festivals, harvest events, and farm-to-table dinners—especially in counties without separate commercial event permits. Any changes to this framework could have far-reaching effects on local farms and the rural economy of Washington County.

The first meeting of the Agribusiness Task Force will take place via Zoom on Monday, October 6, from 11:00 AM to noon.

To learn more and to register to receive the Zoom meeting link, click here, or contact Jen Little at jenl@wcchamber.org or 503-726-2149.

Background Links:

• Governor’s Newsroom: Governor Kotek Halts Rulemaking to Protect Beloved Oregon Farm Stands
• DLCD Update
• OBP: Oregon puts the brakes on farm stand changes following public outcry
• KGW: Farm stand rule changes put on pause, Gov. Kotek says, after significant blowback

Get Involved

For more information about the Washington County Chamber’s public policy and advocacy efforts, and how you can get involved, reach out to Jen Little at jenl@wcchamber.org or 503-726-2149.