Update from Senator Deb Patterson
In a recent update, Senator Deb Patterson detailed legislative efforts to combat Oregon’s “K-shaped economy,” where inflation outpaces working-class incomes. Through bills like SB 1507, Patterson aims to lower the cost of living by defending core funding for healthcare, education, and tax credits.
By Senator Deb Patterson, For The West Side Newspaper
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Oregon is now in the full swing of summer. I want to thank everyone who took time out on a sunny afternoon to come to my Town Hall on June 4. I shared updates from the 2026 Legislative Session and issues I am working on for next year. There was also an opportunity for community discussion, where community members shared concerns about cost-of-living and affordability. We also discussed ways to strengthen the local economy and push back on federal overreach.
War in Iran and tariffs are making it harder for families to make ends meet. At the state’s most recent economic forecast, Oregon’s Chief Economist Carl Riccadonna said, “Incomes are not keeping pace with inflation.” While the stock market has done exceptionally well, most Oregonians are struggling to get ahead due to the rising costs of housing, healthcare, gas, and food. This is leading to what economists call a “K-shaped economy,” where higher income-earners are seeing their money grow and working Oregonians fall further behind.
We must ensure all Oregonians share in our state’s prosperity — not just the top 1%. That’s why I pushed this year to make life more affordable for Oregon families, by cutting taxes for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians through the Earned Income Tax Credit and protecting funding for core services like education, health care, and public services in SB 1507.
The Legislature reviewed the implementation of this bill and other recently passed laws in legislative hearings in June. Other hearings also highlighted topics such as affordable housing development, antitrust enforcement, regulating PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”), and the status of the Oregon State Hospital. The video recordings and meeting materials are available online through the Oregon Legislative Information System.
If you have questions about these topics or any other issue I am working on, please contact my office at Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov or (503) 986-1710. I look forward to hearing from you. I also hope to see many of you soon at the 4th of July celebrations that will be happening in our community. Happy 250th, America!
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