Oregon Governor Kotek has until April 17 to sign, veto or pass without a signature Senate Bill 1578. SB 1578 will force a government-run healthcare interpreter scheduling system while providing major financial and political kickbacks to AFSCME and well-known Democrat activist organization Unite Oregon.

Republican Legislators write Governor Kotek to veto SB 1578. "At best, SB 1578 is a costly solution in search of a problem. At worst, it is a bill that creates a redundant and inferior state-run healthcare interpreter scheduling system – with unknown costs - for the express purpose of helping a labor union achieve its objective of organizing the interpreter workforce and funneling state money to politically connected non-profits that also act as activists for the Democrat party."

This bill was at the request of Lamar Wise, AFSCME. Wise is the statewide political director for the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Patients and healthcare professionals did not ask for this bill. This bill was strictly pushed by Wise seeking to embed this program deeper into union operations, which will result in:

• More money to big union AFSCME and potentially activist group Unite Oregon
• Less access to healthcare for Oregon patients
• Massive cost to taxpayers
• Removing the services from private companies already serving patients well
• Giving unions (and Democrat activist organizations) direct access to "two million contacts throughout the Oregon healthcare system"

Willamette Week reported that Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Roseburg), noted the bill described the desired nonprofit’s attributes precisely—it “works with certified and qualified health care interpreters and individuals from immigrant, refugee, low-income and rural communities.” That describes Portland-based nonprofit Unite Oregon.

When Hayden asked Wise if AFSCME had “hand-picked” a likely nonprofit, he responded, “We know there are a few organizations that fit that description. We have also been working closely with Unite Oregon.” He added that his union nevertheless expected a competitive bidding process.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Another controversy is over Senator Kayse Jama (D-East Portland, Clackamas) involvement being the founder of Unite Oregon. The letter points out political favors for AFSCME and Unite Oregon as intended beneficiaries of this bill. “Both entities were lobbying side-by-side. The flow of money from this bill is articulated by the recent Willamette Week article. Replace “Unite Oregon” with “Oregon Right to Life” and tell us how you would analyze this bill. The obvious expenditure of taxpayer resources to favored political organizations is becoming more prevalent and needs to stop. It is akin to political money laundering. It is well known that Unite Oregon performed canvassing activities for many Democrats in the legislature and was openly hostile to Republican legislators during the deliberations on HB 4002 this session. The fact that Unite Oregon was already awarded $3 million in SB 1530 to purchase a property on East Burnside to develop affordable housing – well beyond the scope of their mission statement and core competency, is equally dubious.”

Jama founded the Center for Intercultural Organizing in 2002, which later became Unite Oregon in 2016 after merging with Oregon Action. Jama stepped down as Executive Director after his appointment to serve as Senator for District 24. The question is whether Jama has a potential conflict of interest from his relationship with Unite Oregon as founder and his leverage for their financial gain received under SB 1530 and potential financial gain under SB 1578. He did not declare a conflict of interest for either bill.

Residents can request the Governor to veto the legislation here.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-03-20 12:31:34

Last Update: 2024-03-20 00:27:58