In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senator Daniel Bonham and former House Minority Leader Mike McLane peel back the layers on one of Oregon’s most powerful—and expensive—agencies: the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
At the heart of the conversation: BOLI’s rapidly increasing budget, significant case backlogs, and an apparent disconnect between what the agency claims to do and what it’s actually delivering for Oregonians.
A Budget That Keeps Growing… But Results That Don’t
BOLI is requesting a $22 million increase in its operating budget and authorization to hire 70 new staff members—nearly doubling the agency’s size. But lawmakers say the agency already has over 100 employees and still can’t keep up with its core responsibilities.
For example:
- Only ~30% of wage claims are being processed.
- Investigators and frontline staff are reportedly down, despite rising budget allocations.
- Wage theft and civil rights complaints are sitting in a massive backlog, leaving workers and employers alike in limbo.
Sen. Bonham and Rep. McLane question whether Oregonians are getting what they’re paying for—or simply funding a growing bureaucracy.
Mission Creep and Political Priorities
One of the central concerns raised in the episode is mission creep—where agencies like BOLI expand far beyond their original purpose. Instead of focusing solely on civil rights and wage enforcement, BOLI has taken on roles influenced by political and ideological shifts, such as DEI implementation and expanded regulatory oversight that many say harms small businesses.
The hosts point out that Oregon’s prevailing wage laws, which BOLI enforces, are inflating construction costs and making affordable housing projects unaffordable. This includes Copeland Commons, a nonprofit project on the coast that was stalled due to union contract mandates and compliance requirements that increased costs by millions.
How Policies Are Driving Up the Cost of Living
The conversation broadens into how broader state policies are making Oregon increasingly unaffordable, especially for younger generations:
- Unemployment benefits for school staff during seasonal breaks have doubled district expenses in some cases.
- Pay equity laws have made it harder for private-sector employers to offer bonuses or merit-based raises without triggering legal scrutiny.
- Oregon now ranks 36th in employment growth, with the government sector being the only area showing consistent growth. Every other sector is shrinking or stagnant.
These are self-inflicted wounds, the lawmakers argue, created by a well-meaning but disconnected legislature that continues to pass feel-good laws without measuring their real-world impact.
The Double Standard
One of the episode’s most pointed observations is the double standard between government agencies and private citizens. When farmers or small business owners face regulatory or market pressures, they don’t get to ask for more money—they’re expected to figure it out.
But state agencies? They show up during the interim, asking for larger budgets, new staff, and more time—despite having fewer deliverables and longer delays.
Final Thought: Accountability Over Expansion
This episode doesn’t argue that agencies like BOLI shouldn’t exist—it argues that they should be accountable. If an agency is failing to meet its core responsibilities, why should taxpayers fund its expansion?
Are Oregonians getting better service? Or just a bigger bill?