As we look ahead to Oregon’s 2027 legislative session, one thing is increasingly clear: our industry’s ability to influence public policy depends on our willingness to show up, build relationships, and invest in advocacy.

At ORLA, that work is already well underway.

We continue to move through our Government Affairs process to finalize the hospitality industry’s legislative agenda for 2027. At the same time, ORLA members and industry leaders have put us in a formidable financial position through two highly successful ORLAPAC fundraising events this season.

That combination—a clear policy agenda, strong political resources, and engaged members—is exactly what we need as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

ORLAPAC Continues to Build Momentum

The results from this year’s One Big Night speak volumes about the commitment of Oregon’s hospitality community.

• 2026 One Big Night Profit: $117,983
• 2025 One Big Night Profit: $109,669
• 2024 One Big Night Profit: $102,203

That’s three consecutive years of growth.

Our 2026 results were made possible by ORLA members and leaders answering the call—attending and sponsoring the event, providing meaningful silent and live auction packages, and bidding enthusiastically. Several live auction packages sold at prices far exceeding previous years, demonstrating just how committed our members are to strengthening the industry’s political voice.

A special thank you goes to our Co-Presenting Sponsors, Elmer’s Restaurants & Vesta Hospitality, along with Lauri Byerly, our lead professional staffer for the event, and Greg Astley, ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs.

And the momentum didn’t stop there.

In July, the ORLAPAC Open Golf Tournament raised another $29,640, further strengthening our ability to engage in the upcoming election cycle. ORLAPAC currently has a balance of $359,151, positioning our industry well to make strategic campaign contributions and support candidates who understand the realities facing hospitality businesses and who will bring practical, common-sense perspectives to policymaking in Salem.

These fundraising results matter. But money alone does not move public policy.

Relationships do.

Preparing for the 2027 Legislative Session

ORLA’s legislative agenda is still being finalized, but one priority is certain: reform of Oregon’s Corporate Activity Tax.

The CAT creates an inequitable burden for hospitality businesses because it is based largely on commercial activity rather than profitability. Restaurants, lodging properties, and other hospitality businesses can generate significant gross sales while operating on extremely thin margins.

That distinction matters.

A tax structure that looks primarily at the top line can disproportionately affect businesses with high sales volumes and low profit margins. ORLA will continue advocating for reforms that better recognize the economic realities of operating hospitality businesses in Oregon.

But our effectiveness on issues like CAT reform—and the many other issues that will emerge during the 2027 session—will depend on more than what happens at the Capitol.

It depends on what happens before lawmakers walk through those doors.

Become an ORLA Hill Runner

One of the most powerful advocacy tools available to our industry is also one of the simplest: a genuine, one-on-one relationship between a hospitality leader and their elected representative.

That is the vision behind ORLA’s Hill Runner program.

Our goal is ambitious but achievable: an active ORLA member developing a direct relationship with every state representative and state senator serving in the Oregon Legislature.

Imagine what that network could accomplish.

When an important hospitality issue comes before the Legislature, lawmakers wouldn’t simply receive another email or hear from another lobbyist. They would already know a restaurant owner, hotelier, operator, or hospitality leader in their district. They would have someone they could call to understand how a proposal would actually affect employees, customers, businesses, and communities back home.

That kind of relationship cannot be manufactured during the heat of a legislative session.

It has to be built over time.

And you don’t need to be a policy expert to do it.

You know your business. You know your employees. You understand your community. You know what it takes to make payroll, manage rising costs, create jobs, serve guests, and keep a hospitality business moving forward.

That experience is exactly what legislators need to hear.

Being a Hill Runner means helping ORLA create those connections and ensuring our industry has trusted voices throughout the Legislature. It means giving policymakers a real-world resource when they are considering decisions that affect Oregon hospitality.

Money Gives Us Resources. Members Give Us a Voice.

We should be proud of what our industry has accomplished.

A record $117,983 in profit from One Big Night. Another $29,640 raised through the ORLAPAC Open Golf Tournament. And an ORLAPAC balance of $384,637 as we prepare for an important election cycle and legislative session.

Those are formidable results.

But our greatest advocacy asset will always be our members.

ORLAPAC gives us the resources to participate meaningfully in the political process. Our Government Affairs team gives us professional representation and a coordinated strategy. And our members give us something that cannot be replaced: authentic relationships with the people making decisions in Salem.

We need all three.

As we prepare for 2027, I’m asking ORLA members to consider taking the next step. Become a Hill Runner. Build a relationship with your legislator. Help us make sure Oregon’s hospitality industry has a strong, informed voice in every corner of the Capitol.

If you’re interested in getting involved, reach out directly to me at jbrandt@oregonrla.org or contact our Director of Government Affairs, Greg Astley, at astley@oregonrla.org.

We have momentum. We have resources. We have an industry worth fighting for.

Now let’s make sure we have the relationships to match. | Jason Brandt, President & CEO, ORLA