In Episode 13 of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senator Daniel Bonham is joined by Senator Diane Linthicum, Representative Ed Diehl, and policy analyst Alex Lopez for a sweeping look inside Oregon’s Department of Human Services (ODHS)—a state agency now operating with a proposed $22.5 billion budget and over 11,000 employees.
While ODHS is tasked with providing safety, dignity, and independence for vulnerable Oregonians, lawmakers say it’s grown too big, too slow, and too disconnected to deliver.
💸 Where the Money Goes:
- DHS’s proposed 2025–27 budget represents a 14.2% increase over the previous cycle.
- Over $1 billion is spent on non-citizen health coverage every two years.
- Despite the investment, Oregon ranks 50th in mental health care and tops the list in youth incarceration.
- One-third of all Oregonians now receive at least one ODHS service.
Lawmakers question whether the sheer scale of this agency is sustainable—or even functional.
⚠️ Problems Highlighted in This Episode:
- Overregulation: ODHS has issued over 2,500 rules, totaling more than 62,000 pages. One bill required 32 steps for restraining a child in care, leading to confusion and inaction.
- DEI Bloat: ODHS has 49 DEI-focused positions costing over $7 million per biennium. The director earns $451,000 per biennium.
- Money for Nothing: $65 million in ARPA and general funds earmarked for residential behavioral health has barely been touched.
- Misplaced Priorities: Resources are being spent on abortion tourism, non-citizen benefits, and bureaucratic expansion—while services for veterans, kids with disabilities, and rural families go underfunded.
- Agency with Choice: A $155 million project was passed to unionize home care workers—without hiring a single additional caregiver.
📉 Real-World Impact:
ODHS’s growth isn’t improving outcomes:
- Grandparents raising grandchildren can’t navigate the system.
- Behavioral health providers can’t get licensed due to delays over facility details.
- Rural Oregonians remain underserved as Portland soaks up the resources.
Meanwhile, frontline workers feel helpless, and mid-level managers fear losing their jobs if they speak out.
🧠 Final Thought:
This episode shows how Oregon’s largest human services agency is choking on its own complexity, harming the people it’s meant to help. Lawmakers call for accountability, streamlined rules, and a return to merit-based, dignity-focused service.