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Twenty years ago, in my first session as a Legislative Assistant, I learned a valuable lesson that has shaped my approach to public service: the power of perseverance.

As we open the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session, I want to fire up the Wayback Machine and share this story in hopes that it will inspire new and returning staffers. No matter what life experiences you bring with you to the Capitol, you have the potential to make an impact on behalf of your legislator and your state.

My first session was in 2005. I was fresh out of school with a B.A. in B.S. (i.e. Political Science). I was 24 years old, working for my new boss, State Sen. Rick Metsger. His philosophy was the best way to learn the legislative process was by doing, allowing staffers to introduce a bill on any topic we chose. He would then bring it forward as Chief Sponsor.

The only catch was that we had to do all the work — research, drafting, testifying, lobbying, vote counting, everything. It seemed overwhelming. Metsger offered me three words of advice: Believe in yourself.

 

For context, this was only the second session since the 9/11 attacks and there was a lot of public scrutiny on the disjointed communications systems used by the various emergency response agencies in New York City. I knew Oregon was unlikely to experience such an attack, but integrated communications are key for any coordinated emergency response, whether it’s an earthquake, tsunami, wildfire, or other natural disaster.

In my research, I was surprised to find out Oregon had the same disjointed system that hampered emergency responders in New York City. With that, I had identified my bill concept.

I began meeting with legislators, and while no one disputed the rationale or objective, they struggled to understand why such a significant bill was being presented by a staffer without backing from any organization or lobby group. It felt like the system just did not know how to react to truly organic ideas, much less one from a 24-year-old staffer.

As the session grinded on, my bill moved unanimously from policy committee to Ways & Means, where it languished. By the final weeks, it remained stuck with leadership doubting it had the votes needed to pass. Undeterred, I worked backwards meeting again with legislators and asked them, one by one, to solidify their support by signing on as a co-sponsor. I hit 45 co-sponsors, including the majority of the Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee, and both chambers.

Then something unexpected happened. Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown came around our office and told me to stop working on the bill. Figuring it was bad news, I immediately launched in my spiel which she interrupted mid-retort to tell me that she had included by bill language in the negotiated end-of-session bill.

My jaw dropped, and I swear I almost collapsed as the cumulative mental and emotional exhaustion washed over me.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that session taught me the basic foundations of lobbying and policy work. Perhaps most importantly, it ignited my passion for public service. It’s a passion that has stayed with me ever since.

To every staff member starting this session, don’t underestimate what you can do. The work you do today matters. It shapes our state’s future in ways you may not fully realize until years later. You are a vital part of this process, and your contributions, big or small, can make all the difference.

Believe in yourself!