In Episode 2 of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senator Mike McLane, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan expose one of the most under-discussed issues in Oregon politics—the unchecked power of the administrative state.
Most Oregonians believe their government consists of three co-equal branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. But there’s a fourth, often unseen force at play—the bureaucratic agencies that create and enforce thousands of rules without direct voter input.
Oregon’s Unelected Rulemakers: 40,000+ and Counting
Did you know that Oregon now has more administrative rules than state laws? The numbers are staggering:
- 40,000+ rules created by state agencies
- 42,000+ pages of regulations
- 500 new rules just last year
- DEQ alone has 2,000 rules spanning 8,000+ pages
These regulations affect everything from business operations and housing to farming and healthcare, often increasing costs and creating bureaucratic roadblocks for Oregonians.
When Agencies Ignore the Legislature
One of the most shocking revelations from this episode is that agencies often ignore laws passed by the legislature. In one example, the Parole and Supervision Board failed to implement a law from 2013 requiring the classification of sex offenders—leading to a massive backlog that puts public safety at risk.
Even worse, agencies sometimes create their own laws without legislative approval. OSHA’s farmworker housing rules, for example, were expanded beyond their original intent, resulting in a $1 million per farm cost increase.
Government Arrogance: “You’re Not the Boss of Me”
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the administrative state is its lack of accountability. When lawmakers questioned OSHA’s authority to impose new housing rules, the agency ignored the legislature’s legal team and claimed they would determine their own legality.
This type of unchecked power raises a fundamental question: Who really governs Oregon? Is it the elected representatives, or is it the bureaucrats behind the scenes?
A Growing Financial Burden on Oregonians
These unelected agencies don’t just make rules—they impose fees and taxes to fund their growing reach.
- The Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) is proposing a 300% increase in industry fees
- Oregon Health Authority is implementing a 22-27% payment increase for certain providers based on subjective qualifications like “lived experience”
- New environmental mandates are expected to triple the cost of regulatory compliance for Oregon businesses
With inflation and rising living costs, can Oregonians afford this level of government interference?
What Can Be Done?
This episode makes it clear—Oregonians must demand government accountability. The unchecked power of agencies must be challenged, and elected officials must reassert legislative authority over the rulemaking process.
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🚨 Oregon is at a crossroads. It’s time to decide—will we let unelected bureaucrats control our future, or will we fight for real accountability? 🚨