Jump to topic:

• Education

• Immigration

• Public Safety

• Human Services and Behavioral Health

Education

By Jean Pierce

K-12 Education

Legislators were given an overview of the numbers served by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE):

• 547,424 students  speaking more than 360 languages (’23-24 numbers)

• 89,249 educators

• Staff of color comprise

  • 14% of teachers

  • 14% of administrators

  • 20% of counselors

  • 25% of educational assistants

• 197 districts including

  • 1270 schools

  • 131 charter schools

  • 19 education service districts

ODE legislative priorities include

• Streamlining the reporting processes for small school districts receiving state education grants

• Clarifying ODE complaint and investigations processes

Higher Education

Legislative Committees heard presentations describing the current state of funding, and foreshadowing requests for larger allocations. Information presented by the Higher Education Coordinating Council included:

• Oregon has seen the 7th highest increase in appropriations since 2013, when we ranked 49th in the country.

• Nevertheless, Oregon’s investment in higher education still lags behind the national average. Now we rank 37th among all states, coming in at 24% less than the national average of appropriations for full time student equivalents.

• Meanwhile,  our 2-year tuition and fees are the second highest among 17 western states. The average is $2,444, while students are paying $6,464 in Oregon.

• And our four-year tuition and fees are the highest in the west - $13,440 compared to an average of $10,533

• Further, our institutions of higher learning are projecting costs increasing by 9.5% for universities and by 10.5% for community colleges over the next biennium. These increases are mostly driven by labor costs.

Immigration

By Claudia Keith

“Oregon joins lawsuit over Trump attempt to end birthright citizenship”

Washington, Arizona and Illinois are also part of the case, while other Democratic states filed a separate lawsuit” | OCC

“Immigrants in Oregon could be significantly impacted by Trump’s second term. Here’s how. From international students to asylum seekers, the new administration’s plans could affect tens of thousands of people in the state “. | Oregon Capital Chron.

“Trump won’t ban immigration arrests at churches. Now clergy are weighing how to resist…” | Oregonian

Oregon governor to stand by sanctuary law despite Trump-allied group’s warning of ‘serious consequences’ | Oregonian  More info Here

How Oregon is responding to Trump’s crackdown on immigration | OPB

Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement OIRA

Immigration and Refugee News and events and Mission, Vision and VALUES

“As the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement  (OIRA) talks with federal, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page.”

Immigrants in Oregon: American Immigration Council

The League has very clear immigration/refugee, human rights and other social policy positions (state and national) and is following this currently developing situation. Find below an incomplete/tentative list of policy and or funding-related bills that may have traction. Additionally, there are a number of other bills supporting the new 2025 federal administration potential policies that, given House and Senate D super majorities, will likely not receive a public hearing.

Immigration, Refugee / Asylum Bills and Budgets

Public Safety

By Karen Nibler

Joint Chamber Judiciary Committee meetings started with reports from the Oregon Judicial Department Court Administrators. The Judicial Department includes the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, and 27 County Judicial Districts. The OJD plans to request additional judge positions in its budget request this biennium.

Last session additional judges and staff were added but the number of cases are still increasing in family law and behavioral health. Specialty treatment courts require additional court staff time but have proven to be successful. The defense attorney shortage has also impacted the judicial schedules. 

OJD has developed an Electronic Court Information system for self-help for the public to access details on the court processes. The League has supported the budgets for the Judicial Department and its services.

The Department of Corrections manages 12 state prisons and supports county correction services. The DOC has been fighting the presence of contraband drugs within the prison system and provides drug treatment programs within the facilities. The jail facilities are operated by counties, except for 2 counties, but the parole and probation staff are supported by the state. In the last session, drug treatment was initiated within county jail facilities.

The Criminal Justice Commission started in 2018 when it provided funds for supervision and community treatment programs. In the last session, HB 4002 allocated funds for deflection programs now in 23 counties. SB 900 provided funding for organized retail theft disincentives. CJC monitors the grant process and funding management. 

Human Services and Behavioral Health

By Karen Nibler

The Director of the Human Services Department presented an overview of the major programs within the department. The One Eligibility Program has the task of determining eligibility for all the services. This includes Medicaid, Title IV E Children, and Long Term Care for Seniors and Disabled Persons. The Director discussed the goal of family preservation and services to families toward that goal. The League has been supportive of the agency budget and programs for homeless and runaway youth in past sessions.

The Oregon State Hospital primarily holds persons who are unable to assist in their defense in criminal cases. Youth residential programs have been difficult to maintain. Prevention programs are needed in communities and schools.