As ‘short session’ approaches, lawmakers grapple with ODOT, other budget issues

(UPDATE: Adding quotes from Rep. Emerson Levy, (D) - Bend)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --It's a tense time in the state of Oregon as budget planners are already being asked to prepare for cuts between 2 and 5%. Here's why. 

The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in 2025, cut federal government spending, which includes money sent to the states.

Oregon is projecting a loss of $890 million to the state budget.

Unlike the federal government, the state of Oregon's budget must remain balanced.

The money taken in from taxes must be equal to the money the state spends on programs, making an already tense short session even more contentious.

Representative Emerson Levy told KTVZ News, "Once you get to 5%, you will feel that rate. That's jobs that services. Our largest expenses are within OHP, the Oregon Health Plan. We're already seeing cuts and rates for local providers that take up kids. So, I hope that it is not that 5%, because we will definitely feel it in the community."

Rep. Emerson Levy says that she has been asked to prepare for cuts of 2%, 2.5%, and 5%.

 Another issue being discussed is the ongoing issue of education and student scores.

Proficiency numbers are down across the state, leading to greater concern about how it'll be addressed.

"I think one of the most effective things to do is to knock on the door and say, ' Hey, what do you need to get to school?" Rep. Levy told KTVZ News, "So anything that we can do to increase that or fund that, to really build a relationship with that family is really important."

The short session could run up to 35 days, and we’ll be keeping an eye on every twist and turn from Salem.