How Portland lawmakers spend their summer out of session
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From left to right: Rep. Khanh Pham (far right) on a field trip with other lawmakers. Rep. Rob Nosse with Human Access Project's Willie Levenson. Rep. Travis Nelson in his garden. Photos: Courtesy of Khanh Pham, Rob Nosse, Travis Nelson
After the Oregon legislative session ends, our state representatives often spend their interims at conferences, researching issues they care about, and meeting with constituents — often on top of other jobs and campaigning.
Why it matters: The Legislature's focus during this past spring's 30-day session was on housing production and recriminalizing drug possession and some of Portland's elected officials are already working on bills they'll introduce next year.
To get a better sense of what's on legislators' 2025 agendas — and how they spend their sacred downtime in the summer — Axios spoke with three local lawmakers.
Rep. Travis Nelson (D-North and NE Portland)
What he's up to: He's a registered nurse and union representative for healthcare workers.
- "Unless you are retired or wealthy, you're literally working two jobs when you're in the Legislature," Nelson told Axios. The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000, something voters will address on the November ballot.
- Nelson has spent time teaching at Peninsula Elementary's summer learning program, advocated to keep Terminal 6 open at the port and plans to be at Chicago's Democratic National Convention next week.
What he's working on: A bill addressing rising violence against behavioral health care workers.
🪴 How he spends his downtime: In his 800-square-foot backyard garden. He grows blueberries, raspberries, squash, collard greens, beets, cabbage and more.
- "That helps to keep me sane in the summertime," he said.
Rep. Khanh Pham (D-Outer SE Portland)
What she's up to: She's attended several climate-focused conventions in Spokane, Washington, and Colorado Springs.
- Pham has also been traveling with fellow Joint Transportation Committee members across the state to assess the road and public transit infrastructure needs of different cities and small towns.
What she's working on: A big transportation package. "Hearing about all the local needs is going to help shape the package that we come up with in 2025," she told Axios.
- Pham is also focused on Oregon's growing electric, wind and solar needs. "We have to make sure our transmission systems are prepared for that."
🛼 How she spends her downtime: Teaching her 9-year-old daughter how to roller skate in nearby school parking lots.
Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Inner SE Portland)
What he's up to: Lots of research — such as on how to fund the state Arts Commission and checking in with behavioral health providers on the rollout of recriminialization.
- He's getting ready to host a work group "about all things coordinated care" to address Oregon's Medicaid expansion in light of the expiring waiver.
What's he working on: Nosse said he's "on the hunt" to restore a bill that failed in 2023 aimed at helping smaller pharmacies in the state via benefit manager regulation.
🍕 How he spends his downtime: On his husband's farm, hosting dinner parties with politicians and advocates, or eating pizza at The Turning Peel.
- Nosse also took his first dip in the Willamette River last week at Duckworth Summer Wednesdays.