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2026 Legislative Session: SEIU 503 Members Fought for Oregon’s Future

The 2026 Oregon legislative session was shaped by major budget challenges, federal attacks on working people, and the tireless advocacy of SEIU 503 members who showed up, spoke out, and fought for our jobs and communities. 

Because Oregon automatically adopts changes to the federal tax code, new federal tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations created a huge hole in the state budget. At the same time, lawmakers faced urgent funding problems for transportation, housing, health care, and other essential services. Throughout the session, SEIU 503 members pushed lawmakers to protect workers, defend public services, and reject efforts to balance the budget on the backs of working families. 

There were important wins this session. There were also disappointing setbacks. But one thing is clear: when SEIU 503 members take action, we make a difference. 

It may have been a “short” session, but our members took on a range of issues. You can jump ahead here ⬇️

Protecting Oregon’s Budget from Federal Corporate Tax Giveaways 

After Congress passed H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Oregon was projected to lose nearly $900 million in the current budget cycle, with an estimated $15 billion in lost spending and tax revenue over the next six years. 

SEIU 503 members led the charge to pass SB 1507, which disconnects Oregon’s tax code from some of the most harmful federal tax giveaways, while also expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and creating a tax credit for small businesses that create new jobs. 

This is an important step, and we appreciate the legislature taking action. But it is not enough to solve Oregon’s long-term budget problems. If lawmakers are serious about building a stable future, closing corporate loopholes must be part of the agenda in 2027. 

No Lost SEIU Jobs 

SEIU 503 entered session with a clear demand: reject Congress’s tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, and do not balance the budget on the backs of working people. 

Thanks to pressure from SEIU 503 members who came to Salem, sent emails, and spoke up, lawmakers passed a budget with no SEIU member job cuts.  

That is a real victory. But the fight is far from over. 

Because of federal tax and spending decisions, Oregon is expected to face devastating Medicaid and SNAP cuts in the next couple budget cycles. That means we will need to keep organizing to protect essential services, close tax loopholes, use reserves where needed, and stop working families from paying the price for federal attacks. 

SEIU Members Rallied for Our Future 

On February 5, more than 150 SEIU 503 members joined a broad coalition of labor and community organizations in Salem for the Fight for Our Future Rally. 

Together, hundreds of Oregonians gathered outside the Capitol to oppose cuts to the services families rely on every day. SEIU 503 President Johnny Earl spoke about the need for a budget that protects K-12 schools, the Oregon Health Plan, child care, homecare, and other essential services. 

The rally sent a clear message: Oregon must reject federal tax policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of working people. 

Fighting to Protect ODOT Workers and Oregon Roads 

Transportation was, again, one of the biggest challenges of the session. 

After lawmakers had to return for a special legislative session last September to pass a comprehensive transportation funding package, the funding was referred to the ballot, leaving the Oregon Department of Transportation with a major budget hole and the possibility of up to 1,000 jobs being cut or eliminated.  

Once again, our members rose to the occasion. We helped pass the legislature’s emergency $288 million “band-aid” package to keep ODOT running through 2027 with no new layoffs and filling some critical vacant positions.  

SEIU members played a major role in making this happen. On February 10, dozens of ODOT workers came to the Capitol to speak directly with lawmakers. Members met with 22 legislative offices, and Jason Lawrence, Michelle Godin, and Mike Atwood took part in a panel presentation to the Committee on Transportation and Economic Development. 

Their advocacy helped lawmakers understand what is really at stake: safe roads, reliable emergency response, and the jobs of the workers who keep Oregon moving.  

The short-term budget solution was reached by shifting funding for new projects and canceling popular programs like Safe Routes to Schools. Even with this package, Oregon will still see fewer maintenance crews, slower response times, and delayed bridge and guardrail repairs. 

This is a win in stopping the bleeding, but we still need to either pass transportation funding in Measure 120 in the May Primary Election or figure out a long-term solution in the 2027 long legislative session. 

Workforce Standards Board Fight Continues 

SEIU members once again fought hard to pass legislation creating a Workforce Standards Board for care workers. Members lobbied, testified, and sent hundreds of emails calling on lawmakers to support stronger, statewide standards for workers. 

Despite that effort, the bill did not move forward this session. This is frustrating and disappointing. But we are not backing down. 

We are especially grateful to Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, who championed the bill and worked alongside SEIU members throughout the session. We will revisit our strategy, build even more support, and return ready to fight again in January. 

Major Wins for Immigrant Justice 

SEIU 503 was proud to stand with the Immigrant Justice coalition to help pass several important bills protecting Oregon families. 

These victories included: 

  • HB 4114, the Protect Your Door Act, which requires federal agents to identify themselves, register operations in advance with the Oregon Department of Justice, and allows compensation for victims of violations 
  • HB 4138, which bans masks on law enforcement during operations and increases transparency around cooperation with federal authorities 
  • HB 4079, which improves communication procedures to keep students, staff, and families safe and informed 
  • HB 4111, which strengthens anti-discrimination protections, blocks retaliation, and prevents irrelevant immigration status from being used in civil cases 
  • SB 1587, which closes a loophole that allowed private companies to sell Oregonians’ personal data to the federal government 
  • SB 1570, the Health Care Without Fear Act, which protects workers who share immigration rights information and requires hospitals to create policies for responding to law enforcement 

The coalition was not able to pass HB 4150, which would have required state contractors to certify they do not do deportation or immigration enforcement work for the federal government. That fight continues. 

Housing Wins, but More Work Ahead 

SEIU 503 also worked with the Stable Homes for All Coalition to pass important housing protections. 

Lawmakers passed: 

  • HB 4123, which strengthens tenant privacy protections and limits landlords from disclosing personal and financial information without written consent 
  • SB 1523, which removes digital barriers to housing by allowing tenants to pay by check or other reasonable methods, apply on paper, and use non-digital keys 

These are meaningful improvements. But the session also ended with a major disappointment: lawmakers did not approve the $10 million needed for eviction prevention programs. 

These programs are some of the best tools available to keep people housed. Securing that funding remains a top priority. 

Defending Patients and Preparing for Medicaid Cuts 

Health care policy this session took place under the threat of severe future federal Medicaid cuts, but our members still fought and won. 

One major victory was defeating HB 4038, which would have weakened Oregon’s Cost Growth Target program, one of the strongest tools for holding down rising health care costs. 

We helped pass HB 4127, providing funding to help Planned Parenthood health centers in Oregon stay open and continue serving patients. This was a big win for the SEIU 49 members who work at Planned Parenthood.  

Another important conversation came through HB 4147. Although the bill did not pass the Senate, it helped draw attention to how Oregon subsidizes health coverage through the Oregon Health Plan for workers employed by some of the state’s largest corporations. As federal Medicaid cuts approach, cost and responsibility will come into focus. 

Health care workers also helped win passage of SB 1570, the Health Care Without Fear Act. Our testimony made clear that hospitals and clinics must remain places of safety and care, not fear. 

Maria Rodriguez, a new SEIU member bargaining her first contract told lawmakers that medical care depends on trust between patients and caregivers. When patients fear immigration enforcement near health care settings, that trust breaks down and people delay care. Maria’s leadership showed what it means for union members to fight not just at the bargaining table, but at the legislature too. 

Important Wins for Care Workers 

Care workers secured some of the strongest victories of the session. 

SB 1518, the Oregon Caregiver Wage Protection Act, was the first bill of the session to pass both chambers. It protects domestic workers in Oregon from federal attacks on minimum wage and overtime rights. The bill had bipartisan support, and worker testimony played a key role in moving it forward. 

HB 4115 was another important win. It extends background check recertification for caregivers from every two years to every three years and expands portability so workers can move between care settings without starting the process over. This reduces paperwork, helps new hires get cleared more quickly, and makes the system work better for both workers and the people they support. 

Lawmakers also passed HB 4040, removing a harmful restriction that prevented parents from working as Personal Support Workers in the CEN program. Once implemented, parents of eligible children will be able to choose whether to work as an agency-employed direct support professional or a PSW, bringing the program more in line with adult developmental disability services. 

SEIU 503 also successfully fought off potential cuts to the Essential Worker Healthcare Trust, preserving affordable, high-quality health coverage for workers who rely on it. 

Climate Progress and the Fight Ahead 

Climate and energy issues also saw movement this session. 

SEIU engaged on HB 4135, known as 1.25% for Wildlife, which increases the Oregon Tourist Lodging Tax to support wildlife protection, wildfire mitigation, and job creation. After a broad bipartisan coalition effort, the bill passed and now awaits the governor’s signature. 

Another major priority was SB 1541, the Climate Superfund Act, which would have made the world’s largest oil and gas companies pay for the damage caused by the climate crisis they helped create. The bill did not pass this session, but SEIU and coalition partners expect to bring it back in 2027. 

The Fight Continues 

The 2026 session showed both the power of member action and the scale of the challenges ahead. 

SEIU 503 members helped prevent major cuts, protect jobs, defend immigrant communities, win meaningful improvements for caregivers and tenants, and push lawmakers to take action on tax fairness, transportation, and health care. At the same time, Oregon still faces serious long-term threats from federal tax giveaways, Medicaid cuts, transportation instability, and underinvestment in essential services. 

That means our work is not done. 

We will keep fighting for a state budget that puts working people first. We will keep fighting for strong public services, fair taxes, safe workplaces, and thriving communities. And we will be back in 2027 ready to push for the long-term solutions Oregon needs. 

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