District briefed on compressed 2026 Oregon legislative session and funding risks

Lisa Merrick, Government Affairs Administrator for Multnomah ESD, told the Gresham-Barlow School District board the 2026 short legislative session is “more of a sprint,” running Feb. 2 through March 9 with key deadlines including the Feb. 4 revenue forecast and Feb. 16 and 26 chamber cutoffs.

Merrick warned the board the state faces a projected budget hole of approximately $600 million and said the Corporate Activity Tax is down about $31 million. “The primary advocacy priority is calling on the legislature to keep K-12 budgets whole,” she said, and noted reserve options the legislature could use, including the Education Stability Fund and a rainy-day fund with a projected balance of $2.158 billion that requires a three-fifths vote and a gubernatorial emergency declaration to access.

Board members raised concerns about bills that would change the Quality Education Model and Division 22 reporting requirements, saying unfunded mandates and increased reporting could force districts to choose between compliance and classroom services. Merrick also previewed likely bills on transportation timing, school meal protections, and proposals around protections and district responses for immigrant and refugee students under the Every Student Belongs statute.

Merrick invited district participation in an Advocacy Day on Feb. 13; staff noted registration closes Feb. 5 and student representatives are welcome. The board heard that the short-session timing and HR 1 impacts mean districts will need clear, prioritized asks to preserve funding and limit new unfunded mandates.