The 2025 Oregon Legislature got off to a glorious start this week, full of promise for collaboration, productivity and bipartisanship.

Then, as always happens, reality began to sink in.

During Monday’s organizational day, the supermajority Democrats and superminority Republicans gracefully, and usually graciously, followed their choreographed scripts in the House and Senate.

Thousands of bills were introduced. Most will go nowhere — but were produced at taxpayer expense.

Meanwhile, the noise from the ongoing Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety Project was less intrusive.

“We have entered the build-back phase of the project. Construction noise will primarily consist of construction sounds rather than demolition sounds during this session,” CAMS director Jodie Jones told me. “So, you will hear sawing, hammering, some steel clanging as it is moved — and, if you listen carefully, you will hear the paint drying in some areas.”

Other building issues appeared minimal. One of the two House elevators again was out of service, the ADA door-opening button outside the State Street entrance still was inoperable, and the Capitol public internet was overloaded.

As usual, finding public parking was a pain. Many spaces around the Capitol remain reserved for department heads, chiefs of staff, Senate and House chamber guests, volunteers and construction vehicles. The Capitol parking garage has reopened, so lawmakers park there.

One state official who didn’t need to seek parking was new State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Most statewide elected officials joined lawmakers, tribal leaders and other invited folks in the House chamber to hear Gov. Tina Kotek’s State of the State Address. Steiner was the designated official safely protected elsewhere — in case everyone at the Capitol got wiped out and she had to lead the government.

The new LED lights and HVAC units made the House chamber more pleasant as Kotek delivered a 37-minute, 4,300-word speech that highlighted Oregon’s resilience, collaboration and challenges:

“The choices we make as leaders will have a ripple effect on generations to come, and the good choices will yield health, prosperity and community resilience. We do not always agree on what those choices should be, but I encourage each and every one of us to rise above the maze of politics — its false starts, circles and dead ends — and see the path forward, with one voice, speaking one unifying idea into existence: improve the everyday lives of Oregonians, in every part of the state.”

Kotek stuck to her governmental priorities of homelessness and housing, behavioral health and education, adding in climate change and wildfires but bypassing financial solutions for Oregon Department of Transportation.

“I think the governor gave more time to her high school track career than she did to talking about a transportation package,” Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham said Thursday when legislative leaders and Kotek met separately with journalists.

I followed up with Kotek on Thursday. She said funding likely would come from traditional transportation taxes and fees, not the state’s general fund. She also favors phasing in a road-based user fee.

Her Monday speech was among the few times that Kotek, who earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at the University of Oregon, publicly mentioned her faith: “I know my sense of hope comes from my personal faith in God, as it does for many of you.”

Her address was delivered after the Democratic presiding officers — Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Julie Fahey, who were reelected Monday to those roles — gave their own speeches about goals, collaboration and bipartisanship.

“I am committed to the belief that with transparent and open communication, a commitment to no surprises and earnest efforts at compromise, we can not only keep the temperature down as we work through some difficult issues, but even more importantly, we will improve the outcomes of the legislation that comes out of this building,” Fahey said.

The Legislature’s Republican leaders — Rep. Christine Drazan and Bonham — didn’t have that public forum, instead releasing a video afterward criticizing Kotek’s address.

“What we heard in that speech was a doubling down at the status quo and the failed policies of the past,” Drazan said.

“The one thing we can promise you is Republicans are coming to Salem to fight,” Bonham said.

Speaking earlier Monday to the Senate, Wagner had noted that the Oregon’s Legislature is unusual among the states. Most of its work happens within committees, which are almost exclusively led by Democrats.

“If you are a chair, you hold a gavel and you have the authority to set an agenda. However, I ask this session that we consider giving all opinions fair notice and respecting the professionalism of our fellow senators by allowing enough time to bring counter viewpoints forward,” Wagner said.

“In addition, honest exchange of ideas requires a certain decorum that we can model for all Oregonians. Before we stand up and blast away at a bill, let us take the time to have a warm conversation with the bill sponsor about the motivation behind the idea.”

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