A housing, homelessness and behavioral health crisis. Flagging student test scores. Billions of dollars needed for road and bridge repairs.Oregon legislative leaders will kick off their 2025 session this week at the Capitol with no shortage of significant challenges to tackle and tame.

And while Democrats and Republicans say right now that they share a focus on other key areas of concern — such as making life more affordable for Oregonians and greater accountability of state government — the finer details around those common goals could prove divisive in the coming months.

On the latest Beat Check, reporters Sami Edge and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh offer a Salem legislative preview.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices