Published: December 5, 2024

The State of Oregon operates on a two-year budget cycle. As you can see above, it’s a long process with a lot of different steps and stakeholders, including our union. Right now, we’re between Agency Budgets becoming public and the Governor’s budget being released. 

What is an Agency Request Budget (ARB)? 

Every agency prepares an Agency Request Budget (ARB) for the Governor’s office, detailing the agency’s goals and how to achieve their desired outcomes. The ARBs are the building blocks for the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB). The ARB includes key information and data such as the number of positions by division, source of funds, matchable funding, policy option packages for new funding, and so much more. Agencies develop and report Key Performance Measures, and other internal agency measures when appropriate. Agencies include specific outcome measures with each policy package requested, including information on how the investment advances Governor priorities and/or agency strategic plan goals. Agencies also update their revenue estimates with the most current information available at the time they submit their Agency Request Budget.  

What is the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB)? 

The Governor takes Agency budgets and priorities and combines them with their priorities. Most importantly, it’s a document that represents the Governor’s values and priorities for funding and programs in our state.  It’s not final, nor does it mean changes will be made to Agency operations immediately. However, it does provide a starting place for the Legislature, and gives advocates like us an understanding of what programs the Governor is prioritizing.  

What can we learn from reading the Governor’s Budget? 

  1. Governor Kotek’s recommended budget is the second step in developing the 2025-27 state budget. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL BUDGET. Virtually every line item impacts SEIU members and the services we provide, and this is just the beginning. 
  2. The Governor’s budget focuses on key challenges facing Oregonians: housing, education, behavioral health, good governance, and enhanced customer service as well as improving wildfire response and recovery efforts, advancing public safety, and boosting climate action efforts are also continued priorities. 
  3. SEIU members have been impacted by these simultaneous crises, like all Oregonians; however, we have also played the role of essential workers. For SEIU members, the budget directly impacts our livelihoods and the safety of ourselves and our families. 
  4. Here’s how some of SEIU’s top priorities show up in the Governor’s Budget:  
  5. Funding for our contracts for state and homecare workers 
  6. Investing in Long-Term Care and protecting Oregon’s care economy 
  7. Protecting investments in workers 
  8. ODOT Transporation Package 
  9. Protecting services all Oregonians rely on: housing affordability, health care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and transportation and road safety. 

What comes next?  

  • If the ARB process is “strapping on the boots,” The GRB is the first real step in the budget process. That budget will be released in early December.  
  • The Legislative session will begin in January 2025, and Agency budgets will begin to be discussed by our lawmakers.  
  • In February, the Office of Economic Analysis will produce another Economic and Revenue Forecast that will give us an updated picture of the state of the economy, and tell us what resources are available for the budget.  
  • Sometime after that forecast, likely in late February or March, the Legislature’s Ways & Means Co-Chairs will release their initial budget plan, called the “Co-Chairs Budget.” 
  • After that is released, Legislative subcommittees (budget committees) will hold hearings on “Budget Areas” (i.e. Human Services, Public Safety, etc) and specific Agency budgets. During this time, they usually hear from Agencies and members of the public – including SEIU members.  
  • They will also start the “Ways and Means Roadshow,” where legislators travel all over the state to hear from Oregonians about their budget priorities. 
  • There will be another revenue forecast in May that the Legislature will use to base their final budget on.   
  • The Legislature is bound by the Oregon Constitution to conclude in June, so the budget will be passed and finalized by that time.  

How can we get involved as SEIU members? 

  • Be prepared to attend the Ways and Means Roadshow or a budget hearing in Salem to testify about the important work you do.  
  • Join an SEIU 503 lobby day! Talking to decision-makers in Salem is one of the most important things we can do to advocate for our fellow members in the budget AND win a strong contract. Details will be released at a later date.