34 The Mainline Policymaking & Advocacy legislative process. He highlighted the importance of electing strong advocates and the need for real people—employers, forest operators, and businesses—to testify on the real-world impacts or advantages of proposed bills. He warned: it is becoming much harder to make the case against harmful policies that threaten small businesses and rural jobs, if Portland-based activist groups are the only ones showing-up to hearings. AOL lobbies for you at hearings and works with business coalitions to make our voice heard. With a tough 2025 Legislative Session ahead, now through June, these insights underscored the importance of strong small business advocacy and direct engagement from forest contract operators from rural Oregon. t signaling a shift away from employer concerns. In the Senate, the Labor and Business Committee has little focus on business at all. That means you’ll see more bad bills targeting employers, with fewer opportunities for balanced discussions. Sen. Starr expressed doubts about passing a comprehensive transportation package envisioned by the Democratic majority, which could impact infrastructure critical to your operations. Sen. Bonham highlighted wildfire funding, pushing for any new expenditures to come from the state’s ballooning general fund, rather than adding more financial burdens on businesses and landowners. Most importantly, Sen. Bonham stressed how critical it is to have supporters and partners like Associated Oregon Loggers—who are engaged in the Lobby Voice Lunch at Convention ›By Amanda Sullivan-Astor, Forest Policy Manager At AOL’s Convention, the Lobby Voice Lunch gave members a look at what’s ahead at the State Capitol during the 2025 Oregon 6-month Legislative Session in Salem. What this session means for employers like you was shared by a three-person lobby panel. Senate Republican Leader Sen. Daniel Bonham (R-SD 26), and returning legislator Sen. Bruce Starr (R-SD 12), discussed key legislative issues, as moderated by Kevin Campbell, AOL Contract Lobbyist with The Victory Group. Both senators emphasized the challenges ahead for the business lobby and Republicans, particularly with a wave of labor-focused bills unfavorable to employers. The House majority democrats have even renamed its committee to “Labor and Workplace Standards,”
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