Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield to host federal oversight forum addressing funding cuts and layoffs

Portland, Oregon – Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is scheduled to hold a major event called “Safeguarding Oregon: Federal Oversight Forum” in Portland alongside Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes in an effort to deal with the serious repercussions of recent federal funding cuts and layoffs. This town hall meeting is to highlight the effects these government decisions have on local communities and to collect public feedback that might lead next legal actions against these policies.

Set for April 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the University Place Hotel’s Columbia Falls Ballroom on the PSU campus, the forum is an important venue for conversation and community involvement. With earlier sessions in Arizona and future forums scheduled for Eugene and Bend, this event signifies the ongoing series of community impact forums Democratic attorneys general are doing around the nation.

The conversations center on the distress felt by communities following the unexpected firing of many government employees and the consequent decline in essential services many rely on. Dan Rayfield underlined the seriousness of the situation.

“This is not just a political issue—this is a human issue,” Rayfield said. “It’s about people’s livelihoods, their homes and their futures. Federal employees are the backbone of our communities, and they are now scrambling to make ends meet. These town halls help us connect the dots and use this public testimony when our teams are working on litigation to block these orders in the courts.”

Echoing Rayfield’s concerns, Kris Mayes criticized the federal decisions as “reckless” and “arbitrary,” underscoring the chaos unleashed on critical federal services and the livelihoods of affected workers.

“These reckless DOGE firings and arbitrary cuts to critical federal services are outrageous, unacceptable, and deeply infuriating,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Alongside my fellow attorneys general, I have been fighting to protect jobs, safeguard life-saving services, and ensure states receive the funding they are owed. We will continue to stand up for the rule of law and our Constitution.”

The town hall will feature a diverse panel of speakers, including representatives from food assistance programs, public health and safety sectors, TSA workers, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and fired federal workers. This diverse lineup aims to present a comprehensive view of the crisis’ ramifications across various segments of society.

Additionally, there will be an open forum segment where attendees can share their personal stories and pose questions directly to the panelists. For those wishing to contribute, the forum provides an opportunity to submit questions or deliver up to two minutes of public testimony, with prior registration required through a designated form.

The “Safeguarding Oregon: Federal Oversight Forum” stands as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles within local communities and the continued efforts by state leaders to mitigate these challenges through public engagement and legal interventions.