First-term state Rep. Emerson Levy of Bend lists legislative accomplishments

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - In her first term as a state Representative, Emerson Levy, a mom and legislator focused on the health and safety of Oregon’s children, families and seniors, delivered major results for the people she represents in Central Oregon by making the region more affordable, improving community safety, and bringing home dollars for key infrastructure developments in Deschutes County.

Here's the rest of her news release on this year's legislative accomplishments.

“We were able to bring home big wins for our community, and I’m truly humbled to be part of that process. It is an honor to represent Central Oregon at the State Capitol in Salem.” said Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon).

Rep. Levy worked closely with elected officials in Deschutes County throughout her first two legislative sessions, including Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang.

“Representative Levy has been an invaluable partner in enhancing the safety and prosperity of the people in Deschutes County,” said Commissioner Chang. “Her dedicated efforts have delivered improved community safety, crucial funding for essential programs, and more for our community. We are lucky to have her advocating on our behalf in Salem.”

Legislative Wins:

In her first two years as a legislator, Levy got to work by introducing specific legislation to help families in her region thrive. She introduced and passed legislation to improve safety in schools, reduce the cost of life-saving prescription drugs, and address housing insecurity for families in the region.

In 2023, Rep. Levy introduced and successfully passed funding for Alyssa’s Law, which allocated $2.5 million dollars to school districts across the state to install silent panic alarm systems, updating our emergency response procedures in and around our school campuses. “As a mom of a student in our schools,  school safety is personal to me. I know that it’s personal to you, too” said Levy. “Our schools and first responders deserve updated technology to more efficiently communicate during an emergency.”

She championed Housing Deschutes Families (HB 3440), enabling smaller counties to utilize tax foreclosure receipts to support vulnerable youth and families experiencing housing insecurity. “Families in my community are struggling with the high cost of housing and we need common-sense solutions to help them. This bill gives Deschutes County another tool to support our quickly-growing region” added Levy.

Building on her momentum in 2024, Rep. Levy continued to make significant strides with legislation such as Trenton’s Law (HB 4103), which updated definitions of electric-assisted bicycles in alignment with federal standards. Levy also spearheaded Oregon’s Co-Pay Fairness Bill (HB 4113), ensuring that insurance companies consider financial assistance from pharmaceutical manufacturers towards patient deductibles, easing the burden on Oregonians seeking essential healthcare.

Bringing Taxpayer Dollars Back to Central Oregon:

Beyond her legislative achievements, Representative Levy secured substantial funding for Deschutes County in 2024, including:

• $2.5 million to the City of Redmond for water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure development in Northpoint Vista.
• $1.5 million to BestCare Treatment Services, Inc. for the development of culturally specific substance use disorder residential treatment capacity.
• $1.5 million to the Deschutes County Community Mental Health Program’s Stabilization Center.
• $850,000 to Free on the Outside, Inc. for the purchase of a re-entry men’s home in Deschutes County.
• $525,000 to BestCare Treatment Services, Inc. for the expansion of detox capacity in Central Oregon.
• $379,750 to the High Desert Museum for art and cultural programming.

In 2023, Representative Levy had already secured substantial funding for the county, including:

• $15 million for the Deschutes County Courthouse renovation.
• $5 million for the City of Bend’s construction of a pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing along Hawthorne Avenue.
• $5 million to the City of Redmond for the construction of the NorthpointVista affordable housing development.
• $4 million to Central Oregon Community College for the renovation and expansion of CTE facilities at the Redmond campus.
• $1.5 million to the Deschutes River Conservancy for its water and measurement program.
• $790,000 to NeighborImpact for food bank equipment and operations funding.

“Through the work of our democratic institutions, local leaders, and community advocates, we have achieved these important legislative results and vital funding opportunities for Deschutes County that will make our community stronger and safer. It has been an honor to be part of the process” concluded Levy.