Driving Clackamas Forward: Meek, Drazan, and You

Event Overview

At the August Oregon City Business Alliance Forum, members heard directly from two of Oregon’s most influential leaders: State Senator Mark Meek (D–20th District) and State Representative Christine Drazan (R–51st District, House Minority Leader). The discussion centered on Oregon’s economic future, transportation funding, housing, taxation, and how bipartisan collaboration—or lack thereof—shapes outcomes for businesses and communities across Clackamas County.

The forum provided a unique opportunity to compare perspectives from both parties while highlighting areas of agreement, tension, and shared concern about Oregon’s ability to remain competitive, affordable, and livable.

Speakers

Mark Meek, Oregon State Senator
Democratic Senator for District 20 (Happy Valley, Oregon City, Gladstone, and parts of Clackamas County). A small business owner, Air Force veteran, and former State Representative, Senator Meek brings experience in both private enterprise and public policy. As Senate Finance & Revenue Chair, he plays a central role in tax, transportation, and economic legislation.

Christine Drazan, Oregon State Representative & House Minority Leader
Republican Representative for District 51 and current House Minority Leader. With decades of experience in legislative strategy, nonprofit leadership, and business advocacy, Drazan is a leading voice for lowering costs, accountability in government, and pragmatic reform.

Key Takeaways

1. Shared Recognition of Challenges – Both leaders agreed Oregon faces pressing issues: affordability, homelessness, education performance, and infrastructure.
2. Different Approaches to Solutions – Meek highlighted housing production, tax modernization, and infrastructure investment; Drazan emphasized limiting costs, resisting overregulation, and restoring accountability in agencies.
3. Transportation and Tolling – Both addressed ODOT’s funding crisis. Meek worked to eliminate congestion pricing mandates on I-205 tolling, while Drazan criticized cost escalation and questioned efficiency.
4. Housing and Land Use – Meek promoted legislation to spur construction of duplexes, triplexes, and condominiums. Drazan cautioned that statewide mandates risk undermining local voice and placemaking.
5. Labor and Regulation – Debate centered on wage theft, prevailing wage rules, and liability reforms. Meek defended new protections for workers; Drazan opposed measures she viewed as union-driven cost increases.
6. Healthcare and Taxes – Meek pushed for reforms to Oregon’s estate tax and relief from the corporate activity tax on medical providers. Drazan argued the state’s tax system shifts burdens instead of lowering them.
7. Recreational Liability – Both agreed Oregon must reform liability laws to keep ski resorts, guides, and tourism businesses viable.

Key Topics & Speaker Highlights

Senator Mark Meek

• Reported wins: housing bills (HB 2138, SB 974, HB 3746), industrial site readiness (HB 2411), and local funding for reservoirs, recreation centers, and Head Start.
• Advocated for Major League Baseball in Portland as a catalyst for billions in jobs and tourism without new taxes.
• Criticized “idealistic policies” driving businesses away, citing Intel layoffs and housing market impacts.
• Stressed the need to reform Oregon’s estate tax threshold and address burdens on healthcare providers.
• Shared a personal legislative victory: securing disability relief for an Oregon City police officer suffering PTSD after years of denial by PERS.

Representative Christine Drazan

• Emphasized affordability, homelessness, and accountability as bipartisan priorities—though solutions diverge.
• Opposed “political theater” in public hearings on transportation taxes, warning Oregonians do not trust government spending.
• Voiced concern over expanded unemployment benefits for striking workers, arguing it incentivizes disruption.
• Led bipartisan work to repeal Oregon’s wildfire risk map and secure wildfire mitigation funding.
• Raised alarms over harm-reduction practices that she believes worsen addiction visibility and public safety.
• Urged restoring local voice in housing decisions, warning against “top-down” density mandates.

Expanded Q&A

• Transportation Funding & Accountability – Audience members pressed on ODOT cost overruns (Abernethy Bridge). Drazan criticized project labor agreements and union costs; Meek argued for changing procurement models to limit open-ended bids.
• Sales Tax Debate – Drazan: firm “no” due to fairness concerns. Meek: a “qualified yes,” suggesting a true sales tax could replace the corporate activity tax and capture revenue from tourists.
• Immigration & Workforce – Meek opposed ICE anonymity and stressed protecting farm labor; Drazan emphasized deporting convicted criminals but acknowledged Oregon’s population decline and need for workforce growth.
• Housing Mandates – Both supported housing expansion but stressed the importance of local input and mixed-use planning.
• Urban Renewal – Both supported community-centered processes; Meek favored focused project lists, Drazan underscored inclusivity and accountability.
• Recreational Liability – Broad bipartisan agreement that reform is urgently needed to preserve ski resorts and outdoor tourism industries.

Conclusion

This forum spotlighted the complexity of governing in Oregon’s polarized political landscape. While Senator Meek and Representative Drazan often diverged on policies, both recognized the urgency of housing, affordability, and infrastructure challenges—and both expressed commitment to bipartisanship where possible. Their candid dialogue underscored that Oregon’s path forward requires balancing bold ideas with fiscal restraint, local voice, and accountability.