Impact Story | Celebrating Oregon’s Public Health Champions: 2025 CLHO Legislative Scorecard
While the 2025 legislative session didn’t deliver new investments in Oregon’s public health system, it revealed something just as important: dedicated champions who refused to give up on the health and well-being of our communities.
In November 2025, the Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO) released its 2025 Legislative Scorecard, recognizing legislators who went above and beyond to support Oregon’s public health infrastructure during a challenging session.
CLHO requested a total of $65.2 million in new funding and demonstrated clear need through the Public Health Modernization Cost and Capacity Assessment and the CLHO Workforce Report. No additional funds were allocated, however, due to a decline in the state’s revenue. This impact was not just felt by CLHO, but by advocates across sectors. Yet within this difficult landscape, several legislators demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to public health.
Our 2025 Public Health Leaders:
- 4 Public Health Champions earned scores over 100%, consistently advocating for Oregon’s 33 local public health authorities
- Rising Stars showed strong, consistent support and promise for future public health leadership
- Honor Roll recipients stepped up and made a difference
It’s important to note that many legislators earned 0% not due to opposition, but because critical public health bills never advanced to a full chamber vote, reducing opportunities for legislators to put their support for public health on the record.
Looking Forward: These champions remind us that advocacy is a long game. Their dedication to public health—even without immediate funding victories—lays the groundwork for future success. CLHO remains committed to working with legislative partners to secure the resources Oregon’s local public health authorities need to serve every community.
While this was CLHO’s first legislative scorecard, it will not be the last. During each long session, legislators will have the opportunity to earn points, become champions, and increase their lifetime score.
Call to Action: