Preparing for the February 2026 Legislative Session

Oregon lawmakers return to Salem in February for a short but critical legislative session. The decisions made will affect our jobs, public services, and communities across the state.

State Budget 

On February 4, 2026, state economists will release the next revenue forecast – this report from the State’s economist is how legislators know whether they need to cut spending or increase investments. While the most recent forecast showed Oregon’s projected budget shortfall has gotten smaller, legislators still have to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap this session, or make cuts to services and jobs. 

This budget gap is largely due to Congress passing H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which made cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthiest. Oregon is one of very few states that copies these federal tax breaks – meaning that we’re going to give these massive tax cuts to large corporations and the wealthy unless the legislature takes action. We need to tell legislators: don’t balance the budget on the backs of working people and reject Congress’ tax breaks for large corporations. 

Get Involved

February 3: State Budget Hearing – Register Today
February 5: Fight for Our Future Budget Rally – Register Today

Our power comes from showing up — together. Stay engaged, bring a coworker, and help shape Oregon’s future.

Immigrant Justice Priorities

SEIU strongly supports a broad Immigrant Justice Package, including:

• Immigration Legal Services ($5M): Deportation defense and legal help to keep families together
• Children’s Stability Fund ($5M): Support for families when a caregiver is detained
• Protect Healthier Oregon: Maintain health coverage regardless of immigration status
• School Meals for All: Free breakfast and lunch for every student
• Anti‑Hunger Investments: Emergency food benefits and funding for food banks

We also support bills to limit harmful immigration enforcement actions, protect personal data, prevent discrimination, and ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.

Transportation Funding Crisis at ODOT

A transportation funding package (HB 3991) that would have stabilized ODOT funding and protected jobs was referred to the ballot by anti‑tax lawmakers. As a result, ODOT now faces a $297 million budget gap this biennium.

ODOT has warned that this could lead to:

• Layoffs of about 470 workers
• Elimination of 570 vacant positions
• Reduced services at DMV offices and maintenance shops

ODOT workers are already stretched thin, especially with more frequent extreme weather events. Lawmakers must act in February to close the budget gap and protect jobs and safety across Oregon.

Workforce Standards Board: We’re Not Giving Up

SEIU is bringing back our Workforce Standards Board bill in the short session — now SB 1505. Earlier this month, caregivers showed up strong for a successful hearing, but employer groups continue to fight this bill.

The Workforce Standards Board would bring together developmental disability care workers, employers, families, and the state to set fair standards for wages, training, and working conditions. Better jobs mean better care — and a stronger, more stable system. Tell your legislators to vote YES on SB 1505 [EveryAction]!

Protecting Health Care and Public Benefits

Protecting Medicaid

A key health care proposal this session is the Oregon Employer Medicaid Transparency Act, led by Representative Jules Walters. The bill would require public reporting on large employers whose workers rely heavily on Medicaid. Oregon needs this transparency because it’s not fair when large employers like Walmart or Amazon pay their workers so little that they rely on public assistance. This will help lawmakers protect the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and hold corporations accountable.

Implementing H.R. 1

One of the biggest changes made by H.R. 1 was to add new requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, including work requirements and a mandatory 6-month renewal. SEIU members at OHA and ODHS are already carrying high workloads, and these changes will make it worse. The Oregonians who rely on these programs will be deeply impacted, and many people could lose benefits. 

To implement these changes, ODHS and OHA estimate they need another 475 new positions to keep up with the workload. Without these investments, families could lose health care and food assistance, and eligibility workers will face unmanageable workloads.

Housing Protections

Housing stability remains a top priority. SEIU supports:

• Landlord Confidentiality (HB 4123): Protects tenant personal and financial information
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensures tenants can pay rent and apply for housing without digital barriers
• Eviction Prevention Funding: Reinvesting in proven programs that keep families housed

Local Wins: Sanctuary Protections

• City of Portland: Codified Sanctuary City protections into law in 2025
• Detention Facility Impact Fee: Ensures private detention facilities pay their public costs
• Multnomah County: New Sanctuary County plan expanding protections and access to services

These policies protect immigrant families and ensure public resources serve the community.

Climate, Energy, and Wildfire Resilience

Despite federal rollbacks on climate and clean energy, Oregon can still lead. SEIU is working with allies on proposals to:

• Make major polluters pay for climate damage
• Lower energy costs through home efficiency upgrades
• Expand community energy and resilience funding
• Support innovations like virtual power plants and balcony solar

We also support increased funding for wildfire mitigation, which is critical as fires grow larger and more dangerous due to climate change.

Building Union Power in 2026 Elections

SEIU 503 and SEIU 49 have officially kicked off our 2026 endorsement process for the May Primary and November General Elections. This is a member‑led process, and our CAPE Council plays a key role in making sure we endorse candidates who stand with working people and our union values.

Members deliberating at our Governor BOLI Summit

So far, we have interviewed the Governor and the Labor Commissioner, and candidates in House Districts 7, 27, 40, and 48, Senate District 11, and Congressional District 2. More interviews will take place in the coming weeks and months.

Endorsement interviews are open to SEIU members who are CAPE contributors and who live or work in the district being interviewed. As we move closer to the Primary Election, we will need all hands on deck. Door‑knocking, phone banking, and voter outreach are how we make sure voters know which candidates support workers. More details on these opportunities are coming soon. If you haven’t already, become a CAPE contributor today and help build our political power!