In a COVID-19 addled world where pot shops are essential and grocery workers come into contact with maybe thousands of people each day and survive nicely, the largest teachers' union has come out against schools opening, citing safety concerns.

John Larson, the president of the Oregon Education Association, which represents 44,000 education professionals throughout the state took issue with Oregon Governor Kate Brown's relaxing of metrics for school re-opening, saying

"Nobody wants to get students back to the classroom more than Oregon's educators, but the process to bring those students back must be thoughtful and deliberative. The Governor's decision to hastily implement new, relaxed, metrics will only serve to further disrupt education for students, families, and educators throughout Oregon — allowing districts to bring students back to the classroom before it is safe to do so and increasing the likelihood that our schools and communities will again be forced to lock down in the future.

"Now is the time for Oregon leaders to focus on taking strong steps to reduce the ever-climbing community spread of COVID-19 in our state and put in place safeguards that will keep our most at-risk community members safe."

This statement places the teachers' union at odds with the Governor, who is their largest recipient of their campaign funding generosity. The Governor is term-limited out and will not be able to run in 2022. Below is a history of contributions from the Oregon Education Association to Kate Brown.

Major donations to Kate Brown Committee from the OEA
Date	Donor	Amount
10/03/2018	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$100,000
09/04/2018	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$100,000
09/24/2016	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$50,000
05/11/2016	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$50,000
09/25/2012	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$15,000
03/23/2012	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$10,000
10/29/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$75,000
08/14/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$10,000
04/28/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$25,000
03/21/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$25,000

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-31 18:48:42

Last Update: 2020-10-31 22:33:42