Coverage
Oregon lawmakers gear up for budget fixes, federal fights
Rep. Willy Chotzen will introduce a bill building off Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield's work in court to safeguard federal funds for the state.
‘We are fighting back:’ State Dems unveil bills to rebuff Trump ‘attacks’ on Oregon values
“We value the freedom to live without fear, and we believe diversity is a strength, not a threat,” [Rep.] Chotzen said. “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.”
Oregon bill would let state withhold payments to feds amid sanctuary funding threats
“What my bill does is it only applies in a situation where a federal court has already determined that the president needs to send funding into Oregon and the president refuses to do so,” said Rep. Willy Chotzen (D-Portland), the bill's sponsor. “The president is violating a court order.”
“The Trump administration … often is not willing to play by the rules and not willing to follow the law,” [Rep. Willy] Chotzen said. “I was concerned about what would happen if they continue to withhold money, if we continue to sue and win…We do this all the time in businesses. The basic idea is that if one party in this case, the federal government, owes Oregon money, then it would be unfair for Oregon to keep paying the federal government. There’s a debt owed to Oregon. … The idea is that we’re just offsetting debts just like two businesses do.”
Oregon Lawmakers Signal Aggressive Short Session Focus on Affordability and Federal Conflicts
Rep. Willy Chotzen said the legislature intends to defend access to healthcare, food assistance, reproductive rights, and privacy.
Oregon’s 2026 legislative session: What you need to know
A proposal from Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland, would allow the state to withhold tax payments to the federal government, if the federal government unlawfully withholds funds from the state.
What Oregon lawmakers will discuss in the 2026 legislative session
"Oregon families and Oregon values are under attack," said Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland.
Oregon lawmakers want to fend off Trump from deploying National Guard again
Rep. Willy Chotzen, a Democrat from Southeast Portland and another chief sponsor of the bill, said that many “reddish” states have long had such laws. That includes Texas, Idaho and North Dakota, he said. “This isn’t a partisan issue,” Chotzen said.
Oregon House Republicans test rule barring political donations during session
“My constituents have never asked me to make it easier for us to campaign during the 35 days of this year that we have to create legislation,” said state Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland. “My constituents want us to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interest. They want us to be above approach.”
Oregon could pause federal payments in battle with Trump administration under new bill