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Committee OKs $8.75 million in lottery bonds for Albina business hub; rural senators voice equity concerns
Summary
The Senate Committee on Labor and Business voted to advance Senate Bill 1110, authorizing lottery bonds that would produce $8,750,000 for development of a business hub in Portland's Albina neighborhood.
The Senate Committee on Labor and Business voted to advance Senate Bill 1110 to the floor with a recommendation that it be referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee staff said SB 1110 would authorize the state treasurer, at the request of the Department of Administrative Services, to issue lottery bonds that produce $8,750,000 in net proceeds plus an amount needed to pay bond‑related costs. The net proceeds and interest earnings would be transferred to DAS for distribution to William and Russell's CDC to develop a business hub in Portland's Albina neighborhood "to provide office and retail space for entrepreneurs and community partner organizations in order to support small businesses, professional development, workforce training, and economic growth." The bonds must be issued by June 30, 2026.
During discussion, Senator Hayden opposed the measure on the grounds that investments repeatedly favor metropolitan areas and do not sufficiently reach rural communities. "Where's the 1 for rural Oregon? Where do we get that development?" Hayden said, explaining a concern that funds concentrate in the Portland metro area rather than distributed statewide.
Senator Pham voiced support, saying the project addresses displacement and gentrification in Albina and could help local small businesses. "This is a project that I looked at with real interest... being able to invest in small businesses and the local economy is really important for Portland's Albina neighborhood," Pham said. Chair Taylor and President Wagner also recorded aye votes. The roll call recorded a no vote from Senator Hayden, another no from the vice chair, and three ayes; Senator Woods was excused.
The committee closed the work session on SB 1110 and referred the bill to Ways and Means by prior reference. The measure passed the committee despite rural equity objections raised during discussion.
No committee amendments were adopted in the session; the committee noted the bill includes an OLIF fiscal light statement prepared to send the measure to Ways and Means.
