On this day, November 22, 1992, A Washington Post story 1st revealed claims by several women that Sen. Bob Packwood, liberal Oregon Republican, had accosted them with unwanted touching and kisses.
“If Brown ‘followed the science’, Oregonians would not be subjected to theseâ€
Today, Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls) issued a statement about Governor Kate Brown extending her emergency orders under the guise of COVID-19 safety measures, even as COVID-19 is undergoing a dramatic decline in Oregon.
Senator Linthicum said:
“The COVID-19 ‘emergency’ is over. However, Governor Kate Brown’s unconstitutional government overreach and unscientific emergency orders that undermine Oregonians at every turn will be continuing. The never-ending emergency declarations create a perpetual excuse for bureaucratic expansion that robs Oregonians of their livelihoods and forces every person to adapt to a lower quality of life.
“If Gov. Brown truly ‘followed the science’, Oregonians would not be subjected to these bogus emergency orders which grant the governor the power to decree the closures of industries, schools and daily life on a whim and under the guise of ‘safety’.
“The statistics show that seasonal influenza has all but disappeared in Oregon as every sniffle, cold and headache has been lumped into the COVID-19 money-pot. They say the flu has disappeared due to masking and social distancing, yet in the same breath we are told we need to be doing more including wearing two or three masks. It doesn’t make sense, but that is the point. Gov. Brown and her cronies continue to instill chaos and concern to maintain unchecked power. This is not an idle accusation. Right now, our national COVID-19 effort has cost more than our entire experience in World War II, while COVID-19 antibody testing data suggests the case fatality rate is far lower than reported. These data suggest there are far better ways to keep people from dying than full-scale draconian lockdowns.
“It is time for Oregonians to stand against Gov. Brown’s power-hungry emergency orders that needlessly infringe on our communities, shutter our businesses and lead to the destruction of livelihoods and our society.â€
While observing committee hearings in the virtual Oregon 2021 Legislative session, the staff here at the Northwest Observer came across the House Business and Labor hearing on March 1, 2021. The public is still not allowed to attend hearings in person, and video is the only way that a member of the public may witness.
The start of the video on OLIS was clunky and apparently the “blue light†that indicates to the committee, staff and others the hearing is now “live†to the public, came on before the chair of the committee, Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) knew he was live.
We don’t know what was said before the blue light came on but, noticed that the members were apparently discussing something that led to the opening exchange between Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Tangent) and the chair.
State legislators are required to take several hours of mandatory training on sexual harassment, workplace behavior and more.
In this video, an older, white male Democrat leader seems to be what we would call “aggressive†toward a younger female member. Watch the body language of Boshart Davis after the chair’s comment. Women will immediately notice the noticeably discomfort she is experiencing.
It appears that Democrat men in the Legislature (Diego Hernandez, David Gomberg and Paul Holvey) have a problem that the mandatory training is not addressing. They are aggressive toward younger women.
The reporting staff here at the Northwest Observer believe that House Speaker Tina Kotek should open an investigation from the Legislative Equity Office and its Director Jackie Sandmeyer into this video. And believe that Rep. Holvey should be brought before the Rule 27 Conduct Committee.
If this had been a Republican male making such remarks and aggressive behavior toward a younger female member of the House Democrat caucus, this would be “front page news†in all of the Portland media. We understand that Rep. Holvey most likely did not mean anything by his remarks, but in this day and age of #MeToo and #TimesUp, we must hold people accountable for actions such as these. We hope that at the very least a public apology will come from the chair of the Business and Labor committee, preferably on the floor of the Oregon House.
Newberg Pool Congested Zone of the Willamette River has long been a contentious issue between property owners and boaters. The 20 river miles has some of the most unique boating regulations in the state due to it popularity in the summer and shoreline development.
From 2010 to 2019 the Marine Board held unlimited number of hearing and discussions with stakeholders on both sides to come to an agreed plan and adopt administrative rules. The rules restrict wakesports to approximately 3 miles with various distances from docks for wake surfing and waterskiing.
In 2019, legislation passed requiring wakesports to complete an education course and maintain a Towed Watersports Education Endorsement and a Towed Watersports Motorboat Certificate decal. Additionally, rules set a maximum loading weight of motorboats at 10,000 pounds for applicants seeking the certification decal.
Boats over that weight cannot be used for wakesports in the Newberg Pool. The Board has issued 631 Towed Watersports Education Endorsement and 406 are issued a Towed Watersports Motorboat Certificate. The average loading weight of these boats is 5,079 lbs.
Representatives Witt and Meek didn’t do their research before proposing these bills.
Manufactures are not required to specify the weight of boats they build. Boats specifically designed for wakesports typically provide the weight, but other watercraft that is often used for wakesports don't have a factory loading weight. It will make it a guessing game to register.
Shouldn’t the study come first to justify reducing the weight?
Out of the 406 certificates issued about 188 are 4,000 pounds or less. Wakesports is limited to a three mile stretch with strict distant limitations from residential docks. There is no justification for banning 218 legally permitted craft from wakesports.
If the State Marine Board conducts a study on increasing the maximum loading weight, the 218 boat owners would have an opportunity to be a part of the discussion and not be blindsided by these bills.
As it stands now, both bills have amendments that virtually ban all water craft from the 26-55 mile markers on the river.
The Marion County Commissioners have sent a letter to the members of the Oregon House Committee on Housing, expressing their opposition to HB 2100. The base bill itself just calls for a study on housing, but the real purpose of the bill is to be a placeholder for the -1 Amendments which replace the contents of the base bill, in a "gut and stuff" maneuver with 13 pages of directives for Oregon's Housing and Community Services agency.
The bill has no official legislative sponsor, but the text indicates that it was introduced at the request of Governor Kate Brown for Housing and Community Services Department.
The letter, signed by all three Commissioners and focusing on funding, says that "Marion County opposes HB 2100, which would disinvest in our local solutions for existing emergency housing needs and homeless services. The Commissioners are Kevin Cameron (R-Salem), Colm Willis (R-Stayton) and Danielle Bethell (R-Keizer).
The letter continues:
"HB 2100 is Oregon Housing and Community Services' effort to modernize Oregon's homeless response system. This modernization includes moving funding for homeless services towards an outcomes-based system, allows for intentional initiatives to address homelessness, and changes the way funding is allocated for homeless services.
"Oregon's current delivery system utilizes a needs-based formula to allocate resources directly to Community Action Agencies around the state. The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) receives $2,391,915 to provide critical services and coordination of services to persons experiencing poverty, housing instability, and homelessness in Marion County. MWVCAA's ability to build a network and coordinate services across organizations has been an integral strategy to our region's approach to addressing homelessness and housing instability. The proposed modernization would continue the needs-based approach and maintain regional allocations but restrict MWVCAA 's guaranteed allotment to 80%; the remaining 20% of funds would be made available on a competitive basis to all providers statewide with no guarantee of funds being directed to needs in our county."
HB 2100 has had one public hearing, but the amendment has not yet been adopted. It has not currently been scheduled for further action.
Oregon House Republicans today urged Legislative Democrats to
abandon a massive proposed tax increase on beer and wine in favor of policies that
would support the recovery of the restaurant and adult beverage industry amid the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Republican lawmakers contrasted a recently introduced
proposal that would exponentially increase taxes on beer and wine producers in Oregon
with Washington State’s recent decision to adopt a one-time waiver for liquor licenses in
the state.
“No industry has been hit harder by the pandemic than the restaurant and hospitality
industry, and by extension the producers of adult beverages,†said Rep. David Brock
Smith (R-Port Orford).
“In Washington, a bipartisan group of lawmakers had the
common sense to provide some measure of relief to this industry. Unfortunately, here in
Oregon, House Democrats have embraced the opposite approach to an extreme degree
by proposing to increase taxes on beer by 2800% and wine by 1700%. At a time when so
many of these businesses are struggling to keep their doors open or have closed
permanently and hurt hardworking employees and their families, moving forward with
a proposal like this makes no sense.â€
According to reports, Washington’s bill could save restaurants as much as $2,500.
HB 3296 introduced by Representatives Tawnya Sanchez (D-Portland) and Rachel Prusak (D-West Linn), would increase the tax per barrel on beer from $2.60
to $72.60.
The bill would increase the price per barrel of wine from $0.65 to $10.65.
“It’s really striking to see the difference between how our two states are treating this
vital industry right now,†said Rep. Bill Post (R-Keizer).
“Instead of pursuing outrageous
tax hikes, I urge my Democratic colleagues to look for opportunities to support
restaurants and producers and to help these businesses recover from the impacts of the
pandemic and government shutdown orders.â€
HB 3296 was formally introduced in the Oregon House on February 23, 2021. The bill
has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.
Returns Stimulus Check Money to Working Oregonians
SB 842 was introduced by Oregon State Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City), following through on his previous commitment to keep Economic Impact Payments in Oregonians’ pockets.
“There is no reason to be ‘nickel and diming’ Oregonians by taking part of their stimulus check.†Senator Anderson said. “The State of Oregon is doing better than expected with tax revenues.â€
Because of a loophole in the state tax code, an estimated 870,000 Oregonians will be sending a part of their federal stimulus checks to the state government. Middle-class families are hit hardest.
Senator Anderson’s office had previously indicated that people may have to amend their tax filing or get a tax credit on 2021’s taxes. However, SB 842 includes language that would require the Department of Revenue to send checks for the amount of taxes taken out of Oregonian’s stimulus checks. This is similar to how the Oregon Kicker Tax refund is conducted.
“We realized that making working people jump through hoops to get their money wasn’t the right approach,†Senator Anderson continued. “To ensure that the most Oregonians get their money back, we opted to go for a system that proactively sends checks to those affected.â€
SB 842 was first read today on the Senate floor and will head to the Senate President’s desk to await committee referral.
“There is simply no alternative to transporting these goodsâ€
HB 3305 was introduced this week and caught many in the legislature off guard. Introduced by Representative Karin Power (D-Milwaukie), the bill looks to remove access to Diesel in Oregon by 2028, virtually turning all vehicles today that run on diesel into scrap metal.
Just two years ago, Representative Powers worked across the aisle with Representative Shelly Boshart-Davis (R-Albany) to find a solution for reducing the amount of Heavy use vehicles in the state that rely on Diesel. Now, Representative Powers seems to want to take the most extreme measure and eliminate all diesel powered vehicles in the state by eliminating their access to fuel.
In a press release from the House Republican officer. Representative Boshart-Davis voiced her concerns.
“I’m not sure where to begin with this bill,†said Representative Boshart Davis (R-Albany). “Our entire economy depends on the free flow of freight by both truck and rail, nearly all of which is powered by diesel engines. There is simply no commercially available, cost-effective alternative to transporting these goods. Of course, the impacts of this bill go well beyond just trucking and freight and would destroy any and every industry that relies on heavy equipment, render tens-of-thousands of personal vehicles inoperable, and put countless Oregonians out of work. Not only was this bill blindsiding, I am also disturbed to see such a blatant attack on working Oregonians.â€
Under HB 3305, retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers of diesel fuel would be prohibited from selling the fuel in accordance with the following schedule:
January 1, 2024, nonretail dealers located in Clackamas, Washington or Multnomah County.
January 1, 2025, retail dealer located in Clackamas, Washington.
January 1, 2027, nonretail dealer is located anywhere in this state.
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January 1, 2028, retail dealer is located anywhere in this state.
Representative Boshart-Davis was joined in her concerns by Representative Vicki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “There is absolutely no way we can implement this legislation in accordance to these timelines without extreme disruption to Oregonians’ daily lives and the obliteration of our economy as we know it. The supermajority has put agenda over people and our economy. If enacted, Oregonians could no longer rely on everyday goods like food, groceries and medicine being readily availableâ€.
The bill has not been referred to a committee, but will most likely end up in House Environment and Energy.
Oregon Sen. Wagner and Sen. Frederick are sponsoring SB 683, which “requires school districts to provide instruction on racist history of this country and state.†The language in the bill seems to blindly copy the premises of the widely debunked New York Times 1619 Project. If enacted, this bill would mandate the statewide adoption of a 1619 Project-type curriculum for all K-12 Oregon public school students.
This bill characterizes the overarching theme of Oregon and U.S. History as racist. It would require all history to be taught through an oppressed/oppressor racial lens. It would require a radical overhaul of the 5th Grade Oregon Trail Unit to characterize all pioneers as motivated chiefly by racism. This bill describes racism and slavery as foundational to the state and country’s law, economy, justice system, and government.
Proponents of the bill argue that “by knowing and understanding our past can we learn from our mistakes and build a better future.â€
But learning from our past is impossible without context, perspective, and factual accuracy, all of which are missing from this bill and the curriculum that it copies from. James McPherson, past president of the American Historical Association, had this to say about the 1619 Project: “I was disturbed by what seemed like a very unbalanced, one-sided account, which lacked context and perspective.â€
What Does This Solve? This bill seeks to fill a hole in our curriculum that frankly does not exist. We do not need additional legislation to ensure that slavery and racist history are taught in Oregon public schools. Current state standards adopted in 2018 include multiple learning targets on slavery, oppression, marginalized people, and civil rights.
The Oregon Department of Education’s most recent Social Science Newsletter highlights the plethora of resources available to teachers on these topics, including radical materials from the Southern Poverty Law Center. In Oregon’s K-5 classrooms, social studies curriculum is primarily Native American history and Black history/civil rights. Slavery, oppression and activism are covered extensively in 8th grade and in high school U.S. History/American Studies classes.
According to the 1776 Commission report, educating citizens requires that students be taught “the principles that unite, inspire, and ennoble all Americans†which can “coexist with the elements of disappointment, criticism, dissent, opposition, and even shame.†“By studying America's true heritage, students learn to embrace and preserve the triumphs of their forefathers while identifying and avoiding their mistakes.â€
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SB 683 runs counter to these goals, and in fact many of the goals found in Oregon’s state standards for civics instruction. This bill is divisive and rooted in critical theory. Its intent isn’t the teaching of history, but rather the teaching of grievance-mindedness and activism.
So what is the real goal of this legislation? 1619 Project author Nicole Hannah-Jones has said, “my ultimate goal is that there’ll be a reparations bill passed.†The co-sponsor of SB 683, Sen. Fredrick, has also sponsored an Oregon reparations bill this legislative session, SB 619.
Do we need more curriculum mandates from Salem legislators? Social studies curriculum decisions should be made by historians and teachers. And school districts should have local authority to select appropriate materials for their communities.
Lindsey Graham expresses gratitude to Governor Kate Brown
On Wednesday, March 3, Oregon salon owner Lindsey Graham speaks out, following national media attention that began when Graham defied Oregon Governor Kate Brown, in order to avoid total economic devastation for the families, including her own, that her salon supports through the professional services provided. The Nation watched as Graham was wrongfully, financially and politically targeted by the full force of the State--
"I'm grateful for this trial by fire, as all doubts have now been removed and a veil lifted. While pursuing me as a political adversary, Kate Brown has inadvertently provided a platform for my beliefs, a larger voice, and a new perspective. With the realization that there are thousands of other small business owners in Oregon and across the nation that share these beliefs, I thank God for Brown, and all of her blue blooded cronies and connoisseurs of cancel-culture. This culture is cultivating a new wave of collaboration between those who are speaking out despite clear efforts to silence us. These challenges are only making us stronger and secure in our understanding of good governance versus governance through tyrannical control."
The closure of Glamour leaves a multi-million dollar hole in annual tax revenue for the State, while adding twenty-five new recipients to unemployment benefits, EBT and Medicaid. That's twenty-five less women in the workforce and gainfully employed. While disgusted with the unchecked, unregulated and state sanctioned harassment, threats, bullying and gang stalking by leftist cancel culture, Graham feels a sense of personal gratitude for the experience, additionally releasing the following statement;
"The feminist in me is outraged, but the spirit of Christ within me is overjoyed. What was meant for my destruction has been turned into the greatest blessing, overcoming adversity, new opportunities have been created for myself and my family. I'm grateful that Oregon's supermajority has made it next to impossible for businesses to operate, I'm grateful that Kate Brown sent DHS/CPS after my children, I'm grateful to Oregon's blatant cancel-culture and the seemingly hate-filled social justice warriors.
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My eyes are now fully opened to the crystal clear line in the sand, and there's no going back. Hatred is the tool of oppressors and a type of mental servitude. While I was shocked at the obvious targeting and unprofessional use of tyrannical force employed by Kate Brown's apparent dictatorship, I have nothing but love and gratitude in my heart, as I absolutely refuse to be bound by hatred or struggle. Glamour Salon is closing, our family has moved out of Oregon to a deep red land of economic opportunity, and I have nothing left to lose.
Kate Brown gave me a voice and a platform, and I intend to use it, as are the countless other small business owners who’ve stepped into the cold reality Brown created by allowing large businesses to operate while keeping family-owned and main street businesses shuttered, beyond a timeline that was feasible for survival. I pray that those still trying to run small businesses in Oregon can survive and those placing burdens upon these businesses stop turning a blind eye to the politics they are playing with these people’s lives and livelihoods. You can certainly expect to see big things coming from me soon, as this fire has forged new strength in me that I didn’t know existed.â€
Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has announced the prioritization for the next groups of Oregonians to be included in Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution schedule.
"By summer, provided supplies from the federal government continue as planned, any Oregonian who wants the vaccine will be eligible to receive it," said Governor Brown.
"Infection rates continue to plummet here in Oregon and across the country."
"Keep wearing your masks, physical distancing and limiting social gatherings."
Phase 1b, Phase 2 Vaccine Prioritization
Oregon’s Phase 1b prioritization schedule was based on the recommendations of the members of the Vaccine Advisory Committee, with the goal of ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines to those communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, and Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Tribal communities.
The VAC recommended prioritizing Oregonians with underlying conditions and frontline workers for vaccination.
Until March 29, Oregon will continue to vaccinate individuals only Oregon seniors, educators, inmates, and any individuals eligible in Phase 1a still remaining.
The vaccination of Oregonians for the continuation of Phase 1b will proceed in two waves.
Beginning March 29, the following groups of Oregonians will be eligible for vaccination:
Adults age 45 to 64 with underlying health conditions as defined by the CDC
Seasonally-impacted frontline workers, such as migrant seasonal farm workers, seafood and agricultural workers, and food processing workers
Currently displaced victims of the September 2020 wildfires
Wildland firefighters
People living in low-income and congregate senior housing
Individuals experiencing houselessness
No later than May 1, the following groups of Oregonians will be eligible:
All other frontline workers as defined by the CDC
Individuals age 16-45 with underlying health conditions
Multigenerational household members
No later than June 1, Phase 2 of vaccination will begin with all adults aged 45 to 64. And, no later than July 1, all Oregonians 16 and over will be eligible to receive a vaccine.
When a half page bill is turned into a 93-page amendment an alert should go up. An amendment doesn’t get the public notice and opportunity to testify as a bill does. The -1 amendment to SB 582 is an attack on free markets. Taxes and fees on foods have typically been a taboo. Legislators have still found ways to get around it by taxing the production and transportation systems. Northwest Observer wrote on Extended Producer Liability warning it would show up in bills, but this is an all-encompassing step to control everything we purchase by making the producer responsible for recycling.
Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced SB 582 and serves on the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment that authored -1 amendments. It requires producers or co-producers to register with and be a member of a Producer Responsibility Organization that administers a producer responsibility program and provide records of tracking. Producers include sellers of products, packaging, manufacturing, importers, shippers, and persons distributing printed material, which may require membership in several organizations. If a Producer is in violation of labeling a recycling symbol, they cannot register with a Producer Responsibility Organization and therefore cannot do business in Oregon.
The Department of Environmental Quality approves or may revise the producer responsibility program plan, and reimburses expenses of local government service providers for eligible costs for transporting recycling. If no recycling transportation available, they must establish recycling events or drop centers.
Buried in local government responsibilities is state controls requiring that when providing a recycle program it must include all materials on the statewide collection list along with requirements for collection space and service standards. It also requires that a service processor ensures the health, safety and wellness of workers at the facility regardless of whether the workers are employees, independent contractors or employees of another business, which insulted the recyclers in the hearing.
Failing to consult with manufactures using recycled materials, they missed an opportunity to utilize recyclable materials. Pak Tech is an Oregon Corporation focused on manufacturing market that demands products are made from 100% recycled materials (rHDPE) and ending up with a product that itself is 100% recyclable. However, they claim that Oregon lacks proper recycling of milk containers they use so they import from California and Canada to make their products. In 2020 alone, they utilized over 22 million pounds of rHDPE (equivalent of over 165 million milk containers) in creating recycled products shipped around the world. However, the proposed program isn’t interested in waste reuse by for-profit businesses and focuses on public bodies, and nonprofits.
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Senator Art Robinson mentioned three paths for recycling, first it goes directly to a landfill that works its way into heat and carbon dioxide over time, the second way is to make a product out of recycling materials that eventually ends up in the landfill and into heat and carbon dioxide. The third way is to produce energy and you end up with electricity out of the bargain, which the state could sell for profits. Oregon only has one, so investment in more garbage burning plants could answer more than recycling questions.
SB 582 -1 amendment also creates a litter and marine debris cleanup and prevention program requiring producer responsibility organization to issue grants to the tone of $10 million per year. There are of course fees for everything including certification and permits, and it allows for legislative appropriations to two funds: Producer Responsibility Fund and Waste Prevention and Reuse Fund.
The bill establishes within the Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council compensated to administer and enforce the program. The DEQ is required to establish recycling contamination reduction goals. Sounds similar to emission reduction goals.
Senator Michael Dembrow suggested that industry is forcing this action, but he was pushed back by several industries testifying with robust programs that were not invited to the discussions until very late in the process or not at all. The food industry said they weren’t consulted at all and it would cost them millions that would have to be past to consumers. This seems to be the norm for leadership to not invite stakeholders until the path is laid. Recycling and taking care of our surroundings is a good thing, but is it the job of government to micromanage our lives and not give the free market the responsibility?
The absence of Rep. Hernandez leaves the process temporarily in peril
In a move designed to keep things moving in the Legislature, House Speaker has removed embattled, lame-duck State Representative Diego from his legislative committees and replaced him with the House Majority Leader, Representative Barbara Smith Warner -- or in the case of the House Energy and Environment Committee, she has appointed herself to the committee.
In the case of the Energy and Environment Committee, without Hernandez, the committee would have an even 3-3 partisan representation, so the Democrats could not be sure of passing their legislation out of committee.
The other committees are the House Committees on General Government and Revenue. Each of these committees would have an even partisan representation without Representative Hernandez. He was also replaced on the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures. All of these committee appointments have been marked as "temporary" and once Hernandez's successor is appointed, that person will either take his place or possibly further shuffling of committee assignments will occur.
The Democratic Party of Oregon is working on nominees for his replacement. The have said that they will have a list of nominees by March 15. From that list, the Multnomah County Commissioners will pick the next State Representative for House District 47.
HB 2100 has had one public hearing, but the amendment has not yet been adopted. It has not currently been scheduled for further action.
