An Update from Representative Paul Evans

By Representative Paul Evans, District 20

Few places on the planet are as remarkable as the Willamette Valley in the Springtime. After months of gray skies and cold rain, our communities come alive again with color, energy, and renewal. The fields turn green, flowers return, and the valleys and hills remind us why so many of us choose to make this place our home. Oregon is not perfect, but during this season it is difficult to imagine wanting to live anywhere else.

May is rapidly coming to a close. It has been an important month marked by local and state elections, the final weeks of another school year, and the approach of Memorial Day. This year’s observance carries additional weight. It has now been nearly twenty-five years since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the beginning of America’s long war against terrorism. For an entire generation of veterans, service members, and military families, those events shaped the course of our lives.

This Memorial Day arrives while the United States is once again engaged in a dangerous and complicated conflict in the Middle East. Until the Iran War is resolved through formal or informal negotiations, instability in the Gulf region will continue to impact global markets, fuel prices, and international security. Americans are understandably uneasy. Veterans understand better than most that wars are easier to begin than end. We should continue to support our service members while also demanding thoughtful leadership, strategic clarity, and a realistic pathway toward regional stability.

Closer to home, several important developments deserve attention. First, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) officially decided to support Phase II of the Salem Center Street Bridge rehabilitation project. This was a critical step because portions of the federal funding tied to Phase I depended upon continued state participation and long-term planning commitments. ODOT has adjusted the projected construction timeline slightly, with preliminary work now anticipated to begin in early 2027. While construction will undoubtedly create temporary frustrations, protecting and modernizing key transportation infrastructure is essential for both economic growth and public safety.

Second, the Oregon Health Authority has extended its review of the proposed merger between Salem Health and Santiam Hospitals & Clinics. The initial thirty-day review generated enough concern to warrant a far more comprehensive analysis of both the short-term and long-term impacts. I remain cautious about the proposal, particularly regarding questions of regional access, affordability, and service concentration. That said, I appreciate the decision to slow the process down and allow for deeper public review before irreversible decisions are made.

Third, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs continues to receive public comment regarding the proposed new national veterans cemetery in Marion County. I strongly support establishing a cemetery within the Mid-Willamette Valley, but I also believe we must get the decision right. An “almost good” location may create long-term infrastructure, transportation, or environmental challenges that future generations inherit unnecessarily. Alternative locations still exist, and discussions continue.

Finally, although it feels like the 2026 Legislative Session just ended, it is already time to prepare for our next quarterly “Legislative Days” at the Capitol from June 15–17. Budget and policy committees will reconvene with updated economic and revenue forecasts in hand. I hope Oregon’s revenue picture remains relatively stable, but rising fuel costs and broader economic uncertainty may soften projections somewhat.

In the meantime, I hope you find time to enjoy our communities and the beauty surrounding us. All indicators suggest we may be heading toward a very hot summer, so take advantage of the mild weather while we still have it. And if you have not visited the State Capitol recently, I encourage you to do so. The safety improvements and facility upgrades underway are helping preserve one of Oregon’s great civic treasures for future generations.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, please contact me at (503) 986-1420, or Rep.paulevans@oregonlegislature.gov.