Immigration top of mind for Oregon Democrats ahead of 2026 legislative session

By MIA MALDONADO/Oregon Capital Chronicle

Democratic lawmakers who hold supermajorities in Oregon’s Legislature will prioritize responding to federal immigration enforcement, threats to public lands and President Donald Trump’s tax cuts in the upcoming legislative short session.

Lawmakers are limited to two bills apiece in the 35-day session, which begins Feb. 2. Democrats previewed their plans, which include at least seven bills responding to the Trump administration’s strict immigration enforcement policies, during committee hearings and press conferences this week.

They’re not likely to face many roadblocks. Democrats hold 18 of 30 seats in the state Senate and 37 of 60 in the state House, an increase since 2025 after Tillamook Rep. Cyrus Javadi switched parties from Republican to Democrat. Republicans have the power to block legislation from coming to the floor of the House or Senate because the House needs 40 members present and the Senate 20 to conduct business, but a voter-approved constitutional amendment bars any lawmakers who skip at least 10 days of floor sessions from running for reelection.

One proposal, by Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, would clarify that local and state governments in Oregon will not collaborate with federal efforts to sell off public lands. Roughly 53% of land in the state is managed by the federal government.

The rest of the proposals discussed at a Wednesday press conference focused on protecting immigrants, state workers and students in the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including bills to:

• Allow Oregon to withhold payment to the federal government if the federal government unlawfully withholds funds from the state.
• Strengthen Oregon’s anti-discrimination protections for immigrants.
• Allow Oregonians to sue federal immigration agents for violating their constitutional rights.
• Create guidelines for state agencies to respond if ICE demands government data.
• Require schools and universities to notify parents if federal immigration agents appear on campus.
• Prevent state grants and contracts from going toward companies aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts.
• Limit mask use and standardize identification for all law enforcement.

“We value the freedom to live without fear, and we believe diversity is a strength, not a threat,” said Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland. “We will not tolerate unconstitutional attacks on our neighbors or allow hate to take root in our state. That is why we are fighting back.”

It’s unclear whether Democrats will receive any support from Republicans, Chotzen said.

Working Families Caucus pushes for breaking with federal tax code

Democratic lawmakers and community advocates with the Working Families Caucus held a similar press conference Tuesday morning, condemning the tax and spending law President Donald Trump signed in July that gives corporations tax cuts and increases funding for ICE while also drastically reducing who qualifies for Medicaid and federal food assistance.

The federal cuts from the bill are projected to cost Oregon $900 million in revenue in the 2025-27 budget.

The caucus is working on a proposal to break from the federal tax code, which would recover $700 million in the same budget cycle.

Rep. Mark Gamba, D-Milwaukie, said doing so would maintain last year’s tax rates.

“It’s not some big, horrible thing that’s going to destroy corporations,” Gamba said. “It is literally what they were taxed last year. We have got to stop giving away tax money to the billionaires and the corporations and start protecting the people in our communities who work hard every day to keep our communities functional.”

Tuesday and Wednesday’s press conferences set the tone for the Democratic party’s agenda in the upcoming legislative session.

Republicans are preparing to give a legislative preview in late January, said Ashley Kuenzi, the spokesperson for the Senate Republican Office.

“We know Oregonians are struggling with the cost of living right now, and they’re tired of being told the answer is higher taxes,” Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee told the Capital Chronicle. “More than 250,000 people said ‘enough is enough’ when they signed the petition to repeal Governor Kotek’s transportation tax hikes. Senate Republicans are listening.”

Republicans are heading into the short session focused on affordability, accountability and making the government live “within its means,” he said.

• Oregon Capital Chronicle is a nonprofit Salem-based news service that focuses its reporting on Oregon state government, politics and policy.