Governor Kate Brown responding at her press conference to questions on federal agents’ actions in Portland, said she doesn’t approve of President Trump’s tactics, and he must remove his agents. But, she did acknowledge that property destruction has to stop. Her answer is that she will be looking into a new system of training law enforcement. This, after the special session earlier this month passed police reform bills. One might wonder what was the plan behind those bills if she is yet to look into police training.

Meanwhile, outside the Gresham City Council stands a flag pole that once flew ‘Old Glory’ but now supports the Black Lives Matter flag. The City Council unanimously approved flying the flag with the official logo of a radical Marxist "Black Lives Matters" group. One must ask if they even researched the distinctive "three yellow stripe" flag Gresham is flying to know it is the same flag sold on the Marxist group's website.

The Multnomah County Republican Party has taken objection to Gresham City Council. "We as Republicans, the party of Lincoln, obviously have no objections to promoting messages of racial equality," says Chairman James Buchal, "but these City Councilors are tarnishing the City of Gresham by flying the flag of a radical Marxist organization hostile to all fundamental American values."

Buchal said they firmly oppose the BLM group's website message that "police don't keep us safe". "We reject the idea that bad actions by bad officers define policing in America, and we reject the idea that systemic racism requires massive 're-education', censorship of opposing views, and punishment for dissent in the Marxist fashion."

A demonstration in support of Gresham Police is planned for July 22 at 6 p.m. outside the Gresham City Hall Council Chambers. Organizers said, “we want our police to know we support them.” They encourage people to bring a thank you note to give to officers.

One thing that Oregon needs is a strong police force, local and state, and leaders that support them. Without that, gun sales will continue to rise.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-07-22 14:40:39

Last Update: 2020-07-22 14:58:37

It must be an election year.

At the end of her recent press conference, in response to a reporter's question about the riots in Portland, Oregon Governor Kate Brown took a swipe at President Trump and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, perpetuating the narrative floated in the media that federal law enforcement is operating illegally in Portland.

Let me be very clear with Oregonians.

“When I spoke with the director of the Department of Homeland Security last week, I told him to go home and take his federal troops with him, um, this is a democracy not a dictatorship.

We cannot have secret police abducting people and putting them in unmarked vehicles. I cannot believe I have to say that to the president of the United States. I know that Oregonians are outraged. Americans should be appalled.”

Even, the lefter-than-thou, queen of wokeness, Willamette Week reporter, Tess Riski, breathlessly -- and reluctantly -- reported that everything that federal law enforcement is doing is legal.

The Oregon Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum (D-Portland) has filed a lawsuit against the federal government alleging that “On information and belief, federal law enforcement officers including John Does 1-10 have been using unmarked vehicles to drive around downtown Portland, detain protesters, and place them into the officers’ unmarked vehicles, removing them from public without either arresting them or stating the basis for an arrest.”

US Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) and Ron Wyden (D-Portland) have introduced legislation to restrict the use of force during riots.

Oregon generally, and Portland specifically, both face grave danger to persons and property. It seems like the time is now to do something -- not play politics.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-22 12:44:29

Last Update: 2020-07-22 15:00:09

Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared new statewide mandates via her press briefing conference, including a directive stating that children as young as 5 years would hereby be required to wear a face mask both in and outdoors. Indoor gatherings were also limited to 100, statewide.

The Governor, who recently brought up concerns of dictatorship federally, is rolling out statewide mandates in a way that critics would say is being quite dictatorial herself. She has also announced that bars and restaurants must close their doors by 10pm. Observers have noted that shortened business hours by grocers, food service and other businesses has only made social distancing more difficult in some demographics.

She defended her tighter restrictions, saying “I don't make these decisions lightly and there are no easy choices.”

To recap:

• All children 5 and older indoor public spaces and outdoors where distancing cannot be maintained are required to wear masks.
• Gathering size for indoor venues such as restaurants and bars is reduced from 250 to 100. Outdoor venues are still limited to 250.
• Restaurant and bars must close at 10:00 pm.
• Allowing outdoor visits to residents of long-term care facilities where there is no outbreak. The Governor highlighted this as a positive thing.

As an aside, the Governor promised “Clear metrics for school re-opening in the next few days.” She emphasized, "School in the Fall will not look like a normal year."

She ended her prepared remarks with the threat, “If we don’t stop the spread of the virus I will have no choice but to force widespread and difficult closures again.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-22 12:00:31

Last Update: 2020-07-22 12:08:22

Editor’s note: This is the ninth in a multi-part series on the budget for the State of Oregon and where possible efficiencies can be found.

DOGAMI, as it is abbreviated, has two main departments.

The Geologic Survey and Services (GS&S) Program gathers geoscientific data and maps mineral resources and hazards. Geographic areas needing tsunami hazard mapping, landslide hazard studies, flooding hazard studies, and earthquake risk mapping have been prioritized by the agency. The information is shared with state and local policy-makers for land use planning, facility siting, building code and zoning changes, and emergency planning.

The Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation (MLRR) Program is responsible for regulating the exploration, extraction, production, and reclamation of mineral and energy resources for the purposes of conservation and second beneficial uses of mined lands. The objectives are to conserve mineral resources and protect the environment while providing for the economic uses of the mined materials. This includes oil, natural gas, geothermal exploration, and extraction.

This agency's budget woes are so epic that the legislature would not let them have a biennial budget, instead restricting them to a single year appropriation while they get their act together.

Can the geologic survey functions be turned over to Oregon State University? They might like the work, and the agency could use a break. As far as natural resource extraction goes, the reality is that political control of this state by environmentalists means that there is very little natural resource extraction happening, so very little to regulate -- which may be the source of the agency's fiscal irresponsibility in the first place.

Savings: $4-19 million biennially, depending on how much of the agency is dissolved.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-22 08:00:00

Last Update: 2020-07-22 15:02:23

No one who has watched the online video clips of the nightly violence and rioting in Portland over the last two months can continue to claim that what we are watching are “peaceful protests.”

State Representatives Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) and Janelle Bynum (D-Happy Valley) have issued a statement in which the motives of law enforcement are again called into question, and no recognition of the damage done by the rioters is acknowledged.

Despite the fact that most law enforcement activity has been directed at white persons, Bynum insists that this activity is “designed” to work against people of color. Many observers have pointed out that the only “design” present is that of the rioters, who seem intent to provoke law enforcement at all costs.

The statement says:

“These acts of violence perpetrated by federal law enforcement are designed to pass down a legacy of fear and further the interminable control of the movements of Black and Brown bodies since the days of American slavery,” said Rep. Bynum. “I will not let my children, or any of our children, inherit paranoia and mistrust of the people we commission to protect us. I am showing them the way of non-violent protest against oppression and government overreach. I am teaching them the true meaning of good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Does anyone remember George Floyd? Or do we not need to talk about him?


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-21 13:13:10

In the wake of continuing violent attacks against federal facilities in Portland, the Department of Homeland Security is documenting the result of these attacks against federal property. An update was also posted on Sunday.

As the media reports things like “people in camouflage were driving around the area in unmarked minivans grabbing individuals off the street” as if innocent people are being impounded, some pundits have speculated that coverage of the violence is declining, because support in the polls for the violence is on the decline.

Of course, federal law enforcement has no place initiating any law enforcement activity, unless federal laws are broken, federal personnel are assaulted, or federal property is attacked. One would suspect that the feds have reason to arrest those who have been detained. It's not like there's any shortage of federal crime in Portland lately.

While elected officials in Portland and the local media claim that federal involvement causes an escalation of the violence, it remains to be seen if federal facilities continue to be targets, as federal law enforcement arrests continue.

In a statement, DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said, “The city of Portland has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city. Each night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it.

“A federal courthouse is a symbol of justice - to attack it is to attack America. Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities, local and state leaders are instead focusing on placing blame on law enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community. This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day.

“This siege can end if state and local officials decide to take appropriate action instead of refusing to enforce the law. DHS will not abdicate its solemn duty to protect federal facilities and those within them. Again, I reiterate the Department’s offer to assist local and state leaders to bring an end to the violence perpetuated by anarchists.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-20 19:45:16

Last Update: 2020-07-20 19:45:54

--Northwest Observer Meme Team

Post Date: 2020-07-20 17:39:07

Last Update: 2020-07-20 17:39:18

No Fake Emergencies is announcing today that they are beginning circulation of a titled ballot initiative for the 2022 election cycle. The received approval to circulate last week from the Secretary of State.

Initiative Petition 1, dubbed “No Fake Emergencies 2022” will reform the ways emergencies are handled in the legislative process. The major effect of the initiative will be to require a 2/3 majority vote on most bills declared to be an emergency.

By declaring a bill to be an emergency, the legislation not only takes effect upon being signed by the Governor, it removes the ability of the people to subject the legislation to a referendum, where it can be effectively vetoed by the people. Critics have pointed out that this process is being abused by being applied to bills which are not emergencies, but to avoid the referendum process.

Chief Petitioner State Representative Bill Post (R-Keizer) said, “for the last 5 years, as a legislator, I’ve witnessed the absolute abuse of the ‘emergency clause’ in legislation. I strongly believe that if there is an 'emergency' then it should so be declared and stated exactly what that 'emergency' is. Instead, this legislative tool has been used to override the will of the voters. It’s time for the voters to have the say in what is an 'emergency'."

State Representative Gary Leif (R-Roseburg), also one of the Chief Petitioners, added, “for far too long the emergency clause is being used for political gain rather than what it was intended for. It’s intended to bridge the gap when resources run out. Instead it’s used so that the people cannot have a voice.”

The campaign needs to gather 149,360 signatures by July of 2022 to make the November 2022 ballot. More information can be found at their website.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-20 14:18:42

Last Update: 2020-07-20 15:18:57

Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a multi-part series on the budget for the State of Oregon and where possible efficiencies can be found.

It's rare that an opportunity presents itself to save money while at the same time making a policy decision that makes sense.

In 2013, the State of Oregon passed a first-in-the-nation "Pay it Forward" describing a pilot for this kind of higher education tuition plan. They way the plan works is described in the bill itself:

"[I]n lieu of paying tuition or fees, students must sign binding contracts to pay to the State of Oregon or the institution a certain percentage of the student’s annual adjusted gross income upon graduation from the institution for a specified number of years."

The dollar amounts are dizzying. In the 2019-21 biennium, State of Oregon general and lottery fund support for four year colleges was over $1.3 billion and that represents about 18% of the budget for Oregon University programs. The state could rescind the general fund money, and back a bond to create a startup fund for pay-it-forward scholarships. Since the money gets paid back into the fund, the fund is self-sustaining -- or even expanding, if the university manages it well. Ultimately, the fund could be required to do the service on the debt that was taken on to create the fund.

There are several positive aspects of the program:

• It virtually solves the student debt problem, at least for new students who participate in the program going forward
• Universities are incentivized to get the student through their programs. Currently, Universities are incentivezed to allow students to drink beer, languish and keep paying tuition. A pay-it-forward scholar who is still attending school is tying up money that could be used for the next scholar, and the university will take more steps to help students move along.
• It will have a tendency to direct support toward students and degree programs that have value in the marketplace. Conversely, it will focus support away from programs that are tempting to students, but don't create great earning potential.
• Scholarships can be easily directed to students who are deserving based on merit, as well as need.
• Universities crave more autonomy. In 2011 the legislature moved to make Oregon's universities more accountable to their own boards and less accountable to the state This program would free them from the bonds of state funding and the strings attached to those.

This program seems to have little downside while at the same time holds great potential for revolutionizing four-year higher education in Oregon. It can also deliver some great budget cuts.

Savings: Up to $1.3 billion biennially


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-20 08:00:00

Last Update: 2020-07-06 22:31:14

Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown has made her intentions clear. The return to school this fall will not look normal. As stated in the Governor’s July 16th press release: “As COVID-19 continues to spread across Oregon, it has become clear that school this fall will not look like a normal year. Many, if not most Oregon students are in districts that will focus on online distance learning or have a hybrid model of some online education and some in-person classroom time.”

How long will it be before Oregon’s Governor creates another emergency on something else and schools will be cancelled again? By focusing on a distance learning and hybrid model Oregon’s Governor is leaving behind families that cannot afford tutors, private schools or full time daycare. Parents who can afford it will not subject their kids to the mercy of Oregon’s failing public school system.

For now, the best move for society is to re-open schools. Short of that, the best move for families who can afford to pay for a proper education, is to do so. Everyone else? Start advocating for schools to open or accept that your kids will fall behind rich kids. The problem is not underfunding of schools. It’s teachers’ unions and bad budgeting.

Perhaps another school closure (which is coming) will finally break the political stranglehold of teacher unions with their legal monopoly of K-12 education and give parents the choice over how their education tax dollars are spent. Parents need School Choice that gives the power to parents, who otherwise could not afford a better education for their kids, to choose a better school. Forcing kids to attend underperforming public schools is a very ignorant look at education as a whole. It is fiscally and ethically irresponsible to continue to fund district schools with declining enrollment and unions with money stolen from the families and children of Oregon. Why is school choice still out of reach for Oregon’s families?


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-18 13:18:45

Last Update: 2020-07-18 13:18:56

Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown is making the rounds in the main-stream media calling for federal officers appointed by “Orange Man Bad” to leave the troubled, dangerous, violent and increasingly filthy city of Portland Oregon. She is asserting that her and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler “have control” of the city after 50 days of riot filled protests. Perhaps drunken with her newly found pandemic-related powers, the Governor has decided to disregard the safety of Oregonians who are unfortunate enough to live in the once beautiful city.

It seems Kate Brown is also being extremely hypocritical. In January 2016, in a statement made concerning the Malheur Refuge Occupation happening in rural eastern Oregon, she made the following statements about the protest at Malheur:

"This situation is absolutely intolerable and it must be resolved immediately."

"The very fabric of this community is being ripped apart."

"This spectacle of lawlessness must end."

Sadly, Democrats like Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown have the Leftist mainstream media in their pocket and on their side, and the media says nothing of this. This is a great lapse of responsibility and morality on the part of the media. Shameful. Consumer pressure may someday help the media with their current misinterpretation of our zeitgeist.

Boots on the ground in Oregon are reporting that the average Oregonian wants nothing to do with Portland, whether it be business or otherwise, and that travelers are avoiding passing through the city to great degrees. Critics have noted that this trend will be likely to continue, sadly, until Oregonians decide to change their leadership.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-07-18 08:56:09

Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a multi-part series on the budget for the State of Oregon and where possible efficiencies can be found.

Oregon law currently requires periodic emissions testing for many vehicles in the Portland and Medford areas. These tests are paid for by the vehicle owners, so the costs of doing the tests theoretically pay for themselves, though they are a drag on the economy not just in the cost of the test, but in the inconvenience borne by vehicle owners. The dollars saved by vehicle owners -- $21 in the Portland area and $10 in Medford -- will incrementally increase the economies in those regions and generate more tax dollars.

Closing the vehicle test stations might not save the state much money operationally, as the tests are self-funding, but the real estate occupied by the clean air stations certainly has some value -- probably in the millions. Sale of these locations could provide the budget with a one-time shot of cash.

Environmentalists who support the testing worry that it will lead to lower air quality, but emissions regulations on vehicles have been tightened so much that there is hardly any pollution produced.

This is what prompted the State of Washington to end it's vehicle emissions program on January 1 of this year, 38 years after it began. The Washington State Department of Ecology stated, “Air quality in Washington is much cleaner now than when the program began in 1982. Every community currently meets all federal air quality standards. The combination of the vehicle emission testing program and advances in vehicle technology led to reduced transportation-related air pollution. We think air quality will continue to improve as newer, cleaner vehicles replace older, less-efficient models.”

Savings: Several Million


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-18 08:00:00

Last Update: 2020-07-06 22:27:26