GOP speaks out against marriage license fee increase
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SALEM – The cost of getting hitched will go up if the Oregon State Senate has its way. The Democrat supermajority voted to pass Senate Bill 97, which increases the cost of a marriage license from $10 to $35 a 250 percent hike.
Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) blasted the plan.
“At a time when Oregonians are struggling with skyrocketing costs for housing, food, and gas, Democrats are nickel-and-diming them at every turn,” Bonham said. “This is death by 1,000 cuts. Whether it’s raising fees, pushing new taxes, or increasing the cost of basic services, they can’t help but make life more expensive.”
Only one Republican voted in favor of the bill. That was Sen. Todd Nash (R-Enterprise). It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
