SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon legislature reconvened today in Salem for the start of its 2025 session, with lawmakers immediately diving into critical issues impacting the state’s residents. Governor Tina Kotek has made clear that addressing the housing crisis remains her top priority, though she acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still significant work to be done.
The state’s aging transportation infrastructure also looms large on the agenda, with ongoing challenges in securing adequate funding. Lawmakers have historically struggled to reach consensus on how best to finance improvements to the state’s roads and bridges, an issue that continues to be a point of contention.
State Representative Pam Marsh, who represents District 5, shared her thoughts on the session’s opening day. While acknowledging the busy schedule ahead, she described the first day as relatively low-key. “We don’t start up, typically, with huge fireworks,” Marsh told NBC5 News. “We really kind of step into the job, start getting educated about the issues that are likely to be in front of us, start getting to know our new colleagues better.”
Despite the calm start, lawmakers are aware of the critical work ahead. Housing remains a top priority, with Governor Kotek urging lawmakers to focus on long-term solutions to the state’s ongoing housing shortage. Her administration has made strides to address the crisis, but as she pointed out, more action is necessary to ensure affordable housing is accessible to all Oregonians.
Wildfire funding is another key focus for the 2025 session. Last year, Oregon was hit hard by unprecedented wildfires, which prompted the governor to bring lawmakers together in December to allocate over $200 million in emergency funding. This emergency spending was intended to help the state recover and prepare for future fire seasons, but long-term funding solutions will likely remain a central issue in the months ahead.
As the legislature settles into the new session, lawmakers will be tasked with tackling these complex challenges while seeking bipartisan support for critical investments in housing, transportation, and wildfire prevention. With the session now underway, the eyes of Oregonians are on the statehouse to see how lawmakers will address the pressing issues facing the state.
