Deschutes County backs broader uses for lodging tax, opposes bill to let striking public workers collect unemployment

Deschutes County commissioners on May 9, 2025, agreed to support House Bill 3962 — a replacement for HB 3556 that county staff said would expand allowable uses of the transient lodging tax (TLT) — provided the county’s earlier request that any change apply only to future increments is preserved. The board also voted to oppose Senate Bill 916, which would allow striking public workers to tap the state Unemployment Insurance trust fund, and directed staff to draft an opposition letter for the county’s legislative delegation.

The move on HB 3962 follows a large public hearing in Salem and a dash-2 amendment that staff said expands the definition of eligible tourism-related spending to include public safety and community infrastructure. "It gives flexibility so you wouldn't have to increase the rate as much but still be able to pay for those public safety costs," said Doug Riggs, the county's legislative consultant. County staff and several cities testified in favor of the bill, while some…