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On this day, September 22, 2001, Katie Harman, Miss Oregon, was crowned Miss America for 2002.




Post an Event


Tualatin Chamber of Commerce Panel Discussion on Regional Transportation and Funding Updates
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 7:00 am
Panel Discussion on Regional Transportation and Funding Updates
7-9AM
Tualatin Country Club Tualatin, OR



Senator Jackie Winters Memorial Golf Tournament
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 9:00 am
Senator Jackie Winters Memorial Golf Tournament
Aspen Lakes Golf Course Sisters, Oregon



Cascade Equinox Festival
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 am
Cascade Equinox Festival September 22nd-24th
Redmond, Oregon



Rose City Comic Con
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Rose City Comic Con SEPT. 22 – 24
OREGON CONVENTION CENTER 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Portland, OR 97232



Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree September 22nd-24th
Wasco County Fairgrounds 81849 Fairgrounds Rd Tygh Valley, OR



Corvallis Fall Festival
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 am
Corvallis Fall Festival September 23rd-24th
Central Park Corvallis, Oregon



Albany Rifle and Pistol Club Gun Show
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 am
Albany Rifle and Pistol Club Gun Show September 23rd & 24th
Linn County Expo Center 3700 Knox Butte Rd E Albany, OR



Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 am
Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival September 23rd-24th
Lincoln City, Oregon



WLN Training: Write a Campaign Plan
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm
WLN Training: Write a Campaign Plan
Online



Washington County Republican Party 2023 Reagan Dinner
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Washington County Republican Party 2023 Reagan Dinner
Hillsboro, Oregon



Oregon Legislative Committee Days
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 8:00 am
Oregon Legislative Committee Days September 27th-29th
Salem, Oregon



Oregon SOS Campaign Finance Open House
Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Oregon SOS Campaign Finance Open House
Online



Sisters Folk Festival
Friday, September 29, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Sisters Folk Festival Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2023
Sisters, OR



Take Back Oregon Freedom Rally
Friday, September 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Take Back Oregon Freedom Rally Sep 29-30
Baker City, OR



Big Top Vancouver Gun Sale
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 10:00 am
Big Top Vancouver Gun Sale Sep 30th – Oct 1st
Clark County Event Center Ridgefield, WA



Get Ready Clatsop County
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 am
Get Ready Clatsop County
11AM-2PM
Warrenton, Oregon



Oregon Open Jiu Jitsu Championship
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Oregon Open Jiu Jitsu Championship September 30 - October 1
Salem, Oregon



Seven Sundays in Salem - Jericho March
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm
An organic Jericho March around the State Capitol block to peacefully protest the legislation coming from that building and to demand changes to our election system to ensure it is honest and transparent. 3-4:30pm - on 10/1 and culminating with a final march on 10/15. (Joshua 6:2-5)
South entrance to the State Capitol, Salem



Rock the Locks Annual Music Festival
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 10:00 am
Rock the Locks Annual Music Festival October 6th – 8th
Rock the Locks Entrance Address. 83606 Bud Draper Road, Umatilla Oregon



Portland Greek Festival
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00 am
Portland Greek Festival October 6th-8th
Portland, Oregon



McMinnville Scottish Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 am
McMinnville Scottish Festival October 7th-8th
Yamhill County Fairgrounds 2070 NE Lafayette Ave McMinnville, OR



Talent Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 am
Talent Harvest Festival October 7th, 2023. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
Downtown Talent, Oregon



Meadowlark Comic Con
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am
Meadowlark Comic Con October 7th, 2023
Josephine County Fairgrounds Grants Pass, OR ​



Community Conversation with Senator Janeen Sollman (Democrat- District 15)
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am
11AM-12PM
Shute Park Library 775 SE 10th Ave Hillsboro, Oregon



98th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 pm
98th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference October 12-14
Eugene, Oregon



Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:00 am
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest October 13-15th
Hood River, Oregon



Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 9:00 am
Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
October 14th-15th
Albany, OR



Seven Sundays in Salem - Jericho March
Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 3:00 pm
An organic Jericho March around the State Capitol block to peacefully protest the legislation coming from that building and to demand changes to our election system to ensure it is honest and transparent. 3-4:30pm - final march on 10/15. (Joshua 6:2-5)
South entrance to the State Capitol, Salem



ORP Platform Convention
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
ORP Platform Convention October 19th-21st
Pendleton, Oregon



Wasco County GOP 2023 Beef and Burgundy Dinner and Auction
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Wasco County GOP 2023 Beef and Burgundy Dinner and Auction
The Dalles, Oregon



Vision Oregon Event
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Vision Oregon Event
October 25th
Portland, OR



Wes Knodel Guns Show
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show October 28th-29th
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SE Airport Way Redmond, OR



Douglas County GOP Trump Reagan Dinner and Auction
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Douglas County GOP Trump Reagan Dinner and Auction
Roseburg, OR



Halloween
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 12:00 am
Halloween
Happy Halloween



League of Minority Voters: Liberty and Hope Awards Gala
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 5:30 pm
League of Minority Voters: Liberty and Hope Awards Gala
Portland, OR



Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Stormy Weather Arts Festival November 3-5
Cannon Beach, Oregon



Wes Knodel Guns Show
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show November 4th-5th
Linn County Expo Center 3700 Knox Butte Rd E Albany, Oregon



Clackamas County Republican Party’s Roaring 20’s Fall Gala
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Clackamas County Republican Party’s Roaring 20’s Fall Gala
Oregon City, OR



Oregon Legislative Committee Days
Monday, November 6, 2023 at 8:00 am
Oregon Legislative Committee Days November 6th-8th
Salem, Oregon



Oregon Regular Municipal Elections
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Oregon Regular Municipal Elections
Oregon



Yachats Celtic Music Festival
Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Yachats Celtic Music Festival
Nov 10, 11, & 12th
Yachats, OR



Veteran's Day Parade
Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
Veteran's Day Parade
Downtown Albany, Oregon



Veteran's Day
Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Veteran's Day
USA



Willamette Valley Ag Expo
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 9:00 am
Willamette Valley Ag Expo
November 14th-16th
Albany, OR



ShowBiz Salem Holiday Expo
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm
ShowBiz Salem Holiday Expo November 18th-19th
Oregon State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St NE Salem, OR



Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 8:00 am
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Oregon



Civil War Oregon State vs. Oregon Football Game
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Civil War- Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks Football Game
Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR



Christmas Ships
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Christmas Ships
Oregon Riverways



Canby Gun & Knife Show
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
Canby Gun & Knife Show Dec 2nd – 3rd
Clackamas County Fairgrounds 694 NE 4th Ave Canby, OR



Sportsmans Outdoor and Shooting Expo
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
Sportsmans Outdoor and Shooting Expo Dec 2nd – 3rd
Columbia County Fairgrounds 58892 Saulser Road St Helens, OR



Christmas Storybook Land
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:30 am
Christmas Storybook Land

December 2 – 16
Linn County Fairgrounds Inside the Cascade Livestock Building 3700 Knox Butte Rd Albany, OR 97322



Wes Knodel Gun Show
Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show
December 9th-10th
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SW Airport Wy Redmond, Oregon



Christmas Day
Monday, December 25, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Christmas Day
Merry Christmas Oregon



New Year's Day
Monday, January 1, 2024 at 12:00 am
New Year's Day
Oregon



Oregon Legislative Committee Days
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 8:00 am
Oregon Legislative Committee Days January 10th-12th
Salem, Oregon



WLN's Fourteenth Annual "TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!" Leadership and Activist Training Conference
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 9:00 am
"TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!" Leadership and Activist Training Conference
Portland, Oregon



Oregon 2024 Legislative Short Session
Monday, February 5, 2024 at 8:00 am
Oregon 2024 Legislative Short Session February 5th-March 11th, 2024
Salem, OR



Oregon March for Life
Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:00 am
Oregon March for Life
Salem, OR



Portland International Auto Show
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 10:00 am
Portland International Auto Show February 22nd-25th
Portland, OR



Oregon Festivals & Events Association Annual Conference
Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 10:00 am
Oregon Festivals & Events Association Annual Conference
February 29 - March 2, 2024
Seaside, OR



ORTL Together We Advocate Conference
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 8:00 am
ORTL Together We Advocate Conference
Tualatin, OR



Last day for major party or nonpartisan candidate to file declaration of candidacy or nominating petition.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Last day for major party or nonpartisan candidate to file declaration of candidacy or nominating petition
Oregon


View All Calendar Events


Higher Taxes Due to Relief Funds
Republicans offer to counter Democrat plan to tax PPP loans

Oregon House Republicans are introducing legislation to combat a new proposal from Democrats that intends to tax Oregon businesses for paycheck protection program (PPP) loans they received that were vital to keeping people employed during the pandemic last year.

HB 2457 is just a sleepy revenue bill reconnecting Oregon's tax code to the federal tax code for simplicity, but as it is proposed to be amended would disregard a commitment made by Democrats and Republicans in Congress by taxing PPP loans Oregon businesses received in 2020. The amendment has been proposed by Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland).

“This new proposal would completely undo the intention of the paycheck protection program,” said Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls). “The state of Oregon already received a two-fold benefit from PPP: the state receives more income taxes because people remained employed, and fewer Oregonians needed to utilize unemployment benefits. Surprising businesses with this retroactive tax is completely contrary to what Democrats and Republicans in Congress intended when they passed the CARES Act.”

Proponents of this -1 amendment to HB 2457 claim that businesses received the double benefit of a forgivable loan that could also be claimed as a business expense.

“I would instead ask why the state, flush with cash, would consider squeezing Oregon businesses for additional dollars when many are just trying to stay above water and keep people employed after a difficult year,” Rep. Reschke said in response.

Rep. Reschke’s amendment would prevent PPP loans from being treated as taxable income.

Oregon House Republicans also announced a proposal to help Oregonians who may have their taxes negatively affected by stimulus checks.

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

“Stimulus checks were crucial for Oregonians struggling to make it through the worst of the pandemic in 2020,” stated House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). “No one should be paying higher taxes just because they received this financial help. We should not be making things more difficult for Oregonians.”

While the stimulus checks that Oregonians received aren’t considered taxable income, they can still raise the tax liability some Oregonians may be responsible for when they file taxes this year.

HB 3383 will soon be read on the floor and would undo the impact that stimulus checks can have on tax liabilities.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-16 17:59:38Last Update: 2021-03-16 18:40:28



Kate Brown Wants Her Political Appointment Confirmed by Senate
May not be best way to fix Oregon’s foster care crisis

Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has announced that she has submitted a list of state board and commission appointments to the Oregon Senate for confirmation.

Among those Kate Brown has selected, one choice seems to stand out as a curious selection for the Governor's Child Foster Care Advisory Commission.

It seems that Kate Brown has nominated a highly partisan Democrat operative in Casey Dreher, who once worked with the Washington State Democrat Party as a field organizer, according to his social media profile.

Partisanship and controversial decisions like these may be heavily contributing to the fueling of frustrations and polarized political divisions which seem to have become a dominant theme these days. Strictly merit-based appointments may be a wise move for several reasons, especially in this case when the ones affected are innocent children in need of legitimate help. Proper decision making from our political leaders certainly affects all of us.

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

If confirmed by the Oregon State Senate, Casey Dreher would likely continue his political agenda in the same manner as his past advocacy, such as working with the Public Defender Services of Lane County.

Recently, the Public Defender Services of Lane County has made radicalized political statements in strong support of rioting and Leftist/Marxist/Communist groups in Oregon.

One of those statements can be read here:

"This shouldn’t be a remotely controversial or political position, but in the wake of almost a week of protesting after the brutal police killing of African American George Floyd, it needs to be stated and affirmed. In our office, we don’t have the same level of overrepresentation of African Americans in the criminal justice system as larger communities. But we do have a justice system that targets and punishes those of color. We know that police do not always afford the same rights or protections to our minority clients as they do to our white clients. They are quicker to assume harm, and quicker to arrest and slower to listen and to understand."

"We have followed the actions of the protesters who are showing up to protest the death of Mr. Floyd and the system racism in the criminal justice system. We have struggled with how to balance the competing desire to be safe from Covid-19 but to also make our voices heard at the same time. We stand in solidarity with the protesters. We reject the narrative of “both sides” that equates police violence as being equal to the property damage that has resulted as police have provoked protests into full blown riots. And we will continue to thoroughly document police misconduct and build a knowledge base to dismantle the credibility of police officers who lie, employ excessive force or violate the civil rights of our clients. At PDSLC, we believe in client centered representation. It is a privilege to work at an office where our focus on protecting our client."

Dreher may have also been involved with some controversy regarding student transparency while he served as Arizona Students' Association Executive Director.

The Governor has made several questionable decisions throughout the COVID lockdown that has dragged on for over a year and this decision regarding Oregon's foster children care is not likely to inspire confidence in observers.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-03-16 14:11:51Last Update: 2021-03-16 20:59:06



Gervais Schools to Use Contact Devices
Prom night is going to be a big problem

The Gervais School District has announced that they will be using contact tracing devices as students return to school in order to comply with guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education. In a letter to parents accompanied by a video the district has explained what the contact tracing devices are and how they work.

Students from grades 6-12 will wear the contact tracing devices on a lanyard, suspended from the student's neck while in school and if one contact tracing device comes within 6 feet of another device, it will vibrate and blink red. When the students -- and the devices they are wearing -- separate beyond six feet, the devices will turn green and stop vibrating.

At the end of the day, students return the devices and the data is downloaded from them. If there is a positive case, a report can be run outputting the contacts of the infected student, as well as how long other students were in their vicinity.

According to the district, these devices will not be worn by students in Preschool through 5th grade because those students are much more contained and have fewer people in their groups. I also want to emphasize that the tracers are not GPS devices. The tracers do not track the location of students or staff. They only track the amount of time the device spends while within 6 feet of another device.

The school district circulated this video, which explains how they work and what measures the district is taking.




--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-15 17:01:28Last Update: 2021-03-15 21:40:13



Diesel Tax Impact Considered
Purchasers “are not considered to be a taxpayers”

With the stated goal of bolstering the Clean Diesel Engine Fund HB 2674 would financially harm both retail businesses and consumers, once the 48-page expected amendment is adopted. The bill has been introduced by Representative Rob Nosse (D-Portland). It would create administrative burdens for businesses and state government. Is the goal of this bill to raise revenue, discourage the use of diesel equipment or to increase the number of state employees? How will the bill affect industry and the consumer?

It proposes a 3% tax on tires. The tax must be recorded on a separate invoice from the sale. The tax on nonroad diesel equipment is 1.5%. The tax on rentals of nonroad equipment is 3.5% and on general diesel equipment 2%. Purchasers “are not considered to be a taxpayers”. It is a tax on those with the privilege of providing the equipment for sale or lease. However, tax on nonroad diesel equipment purchased from out-of-state sellers will be the responsibility of the purchaser. The tax will be reduced by the amount of any tax paid out-of-state sellers but not to an amount below zero. Sales to nonresidents are exempt from this tax. Excess taxes are refunded to purchasers when equipment is surrendered or traded in. The purchaser is burdened with proof for refunds claimed.

Every provider of nonroad diesel equipment must register with the Oregon Department of Revenue and keep records. Enforcement will be through the Circuit Tax Court of Oregon. They have power to subpoena individuals in prosecuting owners and officers of sellers out of compliance. Rules for appealing rulings are established as are punishment including criminal charges. Revenue Department moneys may be held by the Treasurer’s Department. Moneys to reimburse the Treasury Department shall not exceed 5% of monies held in suspense. Moneys from rentals shall be transferred to the counties where the transaction occurs. Moneys in excess of 2% shall go to the Clean Diesel Engine Fund.

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

The bill would put Oregon at a competitive disadvantage from our current posture, contributing yet another obstacle to attracting business to our state. Diesel power drives farming, mining, fishing, construction and forestry to name a few industries. Utilities providing water, sewer, electricity and communications run on diesel as does fire protection, emergency services, police and military. This tax would eventually be borne by the consumer and provide no discernable benefit.


--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2021-03-15 16:41:15Last Update: 2021-03-15 17:01:28



Ranked Choice Voting Proponents Prepare for Hearing
Requires the use of ‘weighted ballot counting”

Ranked Choice Voting is confusing to most voters, it is a strategic game at best as voters will have to not only choose their favorite candidate, but they will have to guess who is likely to win and factor that into 2nd and 3rd choices, to have their vote count at all.

Three Democrat Legislators have introduced ‘Ranked Choice Voting’ bills for this 2021 Legislature to consider. Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and Representative Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) brought this counting scheme to us. Ranked Choice Voting is only used in Alaska and Maine for selection of their state and congressional members per the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some other cities use it for their local elections.

On Tuesday The Senate Rules Committee will hear SB 343 which permits counties to adopt ranked-choice voting to conduct county elections and SB 791 which establishes ranked choice voting as voting method for selecting winner of nomination for and election to nonpartisan state offices and county and city offices except where home rule charter applies.

A traditional run off race is more definite if a clear winner is not selected on the first vote. In a second separate race, everyone is fully informed as to their choice of governing authority selection. That is why we have a primary vote in the first place. Ranked Choice Voting would require ballot counting tabulators that can do the recalculating of the results that would be necessary as late votes are accumulated. We already have enough mistrust of these machines after the last Presidential Election. Votes were proven to be defective in Michigan due to the fact that the Ranked Choice Voting algorithm of ’weighted votes” was in enabled for the calculation.

The National Conference of State Legislatures lists the pros and cons for Ranked Choice Voting and one of them is that the legislature will have to supply the machines that can accommodate the software that can do the weighted tabulation. The state will also have to educate the public as to how this election will work. Among the difficulties with this system they list the following concerns:

“Arguments against RCV Fairness is in the eye of the beholder. Who’s to say that winning with a plurality but not a majority is a problem? In addition, if a voter decides to only vote for one candidate and not rank the others (sometimes called “bullet” voting), and the counting goes to a second level, the voter’s ballot would be “exhausted” and may not count at all, thus nullifying that citizen’s vote.

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

A Polarized Populace. While supporters argue that ranked choice forces candidates to appeal for second- and third- place votes, doubters say that today’s polarized environment likely means voters won’t cross the aisle in significant numbers anyway.

A Complex System. Because RCV is a divergence from the traditional and historical voting method in the United States there are concerns that the voting populace will not be properly educated about the new system. This could lead to frustration by voters and the possibility that voters will not properly complete their ballots and have their votes nullified if they only vote for one candidate and that candidate does not advance beyond the first round.”

In conclusion, Ranked Choice Voting not only has the problems listed above but is a great threat to our election security as it will require the use of ‘weighted ballot counting” option in our counting tabulators. Knowledge of these settings are off limits for the public to know. This setting is part of the Secretary of State Shemia Fagan's secret security plan and only election officials can know it. How will voters know if it is turned off or on for other races? Voters expect to have the vote counted as one vote, not directed whole or in part to another candidate.


--Janice Dysinger

Post Date: 2021-03-15 08:09:20Last Update: 2021-03-15 14:40:35



The Baton Pass in the Legislative Relay
A ton of bills are about to die.

This week the Oregon Legislature will reach checkpoint #1 in its path to sine die -- the Constitutional end of session on June 28. March 19th marks the day when bills need to be scheduled for a work session in the Chamber of Origin. House bills need to have a hearing and work session scheduled by a committee of the House, and in the Senate, it is the same. If this fails to happen, the bill is effectively dead for the session. The only committees without this deadline are Rules, Revenue, Ways and Means and other Joint Committees. Bills assigned to those committees remain in play until the final days of the Legislative Session.

With hundreds of bills assigned to the various committees and many of them yet to be heard, it is expected that committee agendas will become a bit more packed between March 19th and April 13th. April 13th is checkpoint #2 where bills must have received a vote on the original chamber floor, or they are dead for the session.

Already this week, hearing agendas are packed with bills. Some of the bills have already had public hearing and are headed to work sessions, others are simply getting started. What is certain is that this is a week full of bills that affect every Oregonian. Here are a few examples of bills that are starting the hearing process. Other bills can be found on the legislative website. Monday:

Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: If you are interested in testifying for or against a bill, it is not that hard to do. However, this can only be done when a bill is scheduled for a public hearing. Also, keep in mind that this session there have been multiple occasions where bills were scheduled for a hearing but due to the volume of people wanting to speak, they only got to 20-40% of those that signed up. Just because you ask to be heard does not mean you will be. Therefore, it is important to have you talking points ready for a 1–2-minute window of time and submit written testimony as well.

Use the OLIS system to do both. Once you locate your bill and the hearing, scroll to the bottom of the agenda for instructions: you will see links where you can submit written testimony on a bill or topic scheduled for a public hearing. You can sign up to testify live.


--Terese Humboldt

Post Date: 2021-03-15 07:48:02Last Update: 2021-03-15 08:09:20



One Year of Flattening the Curve
What are we afraid of, at this point?

It's been one year since the state started keeping statistics on the "flatten the curve" graph and it looks as if the trajectory of the disease is being driven by the disease and not by state-enforced behaviors such as mask mandates and restrictions on public spaces such as restaurants. This point is made even more salient if Oregon is compared to other states such as Florida which had relatively fewer mandates and rules, yet have a curve similar to this.

While the potential impact on hospital capacity was unknown a year ago, it's pretty clear now that hospital capacity is not now in jeopardy and in hindsight never was. There is no reason that government, through regulation, needs to "flatten the curve." To some, those words are an indictment of a power hungry government, insensitive to the little guy. The economic impact of COVID-19 has fallen disproportionately on small businesses and lower-wage workers.

The graph -- which has been the top of the stack since last year -- has a caption at the side which reads:

"When people say we want to "flatten the curve," this is the curve they are talking about. We want to slow the number of new cases of COVID-19 so our healthcare system isn't overwhelmed and can provide care to everyone who needs it."

Another amazing thing is that the seasonal flu seems to have been eradicated. The Oregon Health Authority report on influenza like illness shows a remarkably low incidence of flu this year. Maybe it was because everyone was wearing a mask. Or maybe it was because every flu case was diagnosed to be COVID-19, driven by hospitals and governments which were incentivized to record it as such.

Buried deep on the OHA site is this graph, which compares flu seasons. This season is the orange line at the bottom.

As a fearful legislature huddles in a boarded up, fenced up Capitol, unsure if they are more afraid of right-wing protestors or COVID-19, some are calling for an end to lockdowns. Maybe the party in power just prefers to legislate without the rabble second guessing them.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-14 18:01:55Last Update: 2021-03-14 20:04:29



Lane Sharing Bill Proposed
Would let motorcycles go between lanes in congested traffic.

This isn't the first time that a lane sharing bill has been put before the legislature. As in previous sessions, this bill has bipartisan support. In an era of tight transportation dollars, solutions to congestion often carry a high price tag. Except this. SB 574 is free.

The practice of "lane sharing" or "lane filtering" refers to how motorcycles can navigate slow or stopped traffic on multi-lane roads. Lane sharing generally refers to a motorcycle passing slower or stopped vehicles by proceeding between the lanes of travel, while lane filtering usually refers to cases where a motorcycle moves back and forth between lanes to pass stopped or slowed vehicles. Both practices are meant to allow motorcycles to continue moving when the general flow of traffic is slowed or stopped, and are meant to prevent overheating of motorcycle engines, rider fatigue, and protect the safety of riders by preventing them from being rear-ended in areas with high levels of traffic congestion.

The basic part of the bill says that

a motorcycle operator does not commit the offense of motorcycle or moped unlawful passing in a lane with a vehicle under the following conditions:

(a) Traffic is stopped or has slowed to a speed of 10 miles per hour or less and
(b) The motorcycle operator:

(A) Operates a motorcycle with two wheels between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction
(B) Travels at a speed of no more than 10 miles per hour greater than the speed of traffic
(C) Operates in a prudent manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic
(D) Overtakes a vehicle that is proceeding in the same direction
(E) Merges with the regular traffic flow when traffic begins traveling at a speed of more than 10 miles per hour and
(F) Is driving on a highway for which the speed limit established...is 50 miles per hour or higher.

Nicholas Harris, the Western States Representative for the American Motorcyclist Association who was very involved with the California effort, AB 51, to formalize and codify lane splitting. The bill passed and was signed into law in 2016, as well as legislation in Utah in 2019, resulting in the passing of HB 149, which also allows lane filtering in certain circumstances, testified on the bill.

"Perhaps one of the more dangerous situations for any on-highway motorcyclist is being caught in congested traffic, where stop-and-go vehicles, distracted and inattentive vehicle operators and environmental conditions pose an increased risk of physical contact with another vehicle or hazard. Even minor contact under such conditions can be disastrous for motorcyclists.

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

"The key factor identified in the most recent study on the subject by U.C. Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, was the speed delta—the difference in speed between the motorcyclist and surrounding traffic. As indicated by the lead researcher, Dr. Thomas Rice, a delta of 15 mph or less, up to a surrounding traffic speed of 50 mph, did not result in any associated changes to injury types or occurrence rates.

"The AMA believes that SB 574, which proposes significantly more conservative limits than the practices identified in the study, is an excellent opportunity for this practice to be introduced in Oregon.

In many countries, lane splitting is considered a normal practice for motorcycle and scooter riders. Particularly in the highly urbanized areas of Europe and Asia, riders are expected to pass between conventional vehicles and advance to the front of the group."

To date, over 600 testimonial letters have been posted as testimony for the committee, nearly all in support. The bill had a hearing on March 2 and is now awaiting a work session to vote it out of committee. It needs to be scheduled by one of the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Senator Lee Beyer (D-Eugene) or Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro).


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-14 09:42:30Last Update: 2021-03-14 03:30:06



Minority Reports
This is a little understood procedural tactic

Minority reports as used in the Oregon Legislature are a tool that allows a group of members -- usually in the minority party -- to present their version of a bill as an alternative to a piece of legislation that is voted out of committee. Two committee members who voted in opposition to a bill coming out of a work session in their committee may subscribe to a minority report which would then accompany the base bill, or committee report, to the floor. Committee members must notify the Chair and the committee staff of their intent to file a minority report within two hours of the adjournment of the committee.

Minority reports may only be applied to measures coming out of policy committees. This means that a minority report may not come out of any of the joint committees, statutory committees, subcommittees, special committees, or conference committees.

Timeline for Minority Reports

1. Potential issues to be included in a minority report are submitted as proposed Legislative Counsel amendments and distributed to the committee for possible consideration. If a work session occurs within 24 hours of the first House public hearing, a minority report may be drafted containing issues that came under discussion on the measure in committee.

2. Two members who vote in opposition to a piece of legislation provide the Chair and Committee staff notice of their intention to file a minority report within two hours of the committee adjourning.

3. For the 2021 session, members giving notice of a minority report have until 5 p.m. on the second business day to deliver the Legislative Counsel draft of the minority report to the committee staff. Minority reports must be filed with committee staff no later than the next business day if the Speaker has declared Sine Die to be imminent.

4. Minority Reports will be filed at the Desk on the same day as the committee report.

Floor Procedures

If the committee report has an accompanying minority report, it will be taken up under Propositions and Motions before the reading of other bills. The carrier of the bill will have 10 minutes to speak to the committee report and then upon a motion to substitute the committee report with the minority report, the carrier of the minority report will also have 10 minutes to speak. Members will each have 5 minutes to speak on whether the minority report should be adopted. The discussion should be limited to why the minority report should replace the committee report and not to the merits of the overall concept.

Because the motion to replace a committee report with a minority report is a parliamentary procedure, the threshold for adoption is only a majority of the members present not a majority of the full body.

Should a motion to adopt the minority report be adopted, it will replace the committee report and immediately move into third readings. Should the motion to replace the committee report with the minority vote fail, the committee report will immediately move into third readings. The House will then take up the measure for a vote.

Unless there is a split in the majority caucus, a minority report is unlikely to prevail. It may be regarded as a messaging tool, by some and therefore may have some value even if it does not prevail.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-13 18:31:00Last Update: 2021-03-13 18:34:00



Illegal Firearms Recovered in Attempted Murder
Suspect is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 32-year-old Cole Miller is charged with the attempted murder and assault of a person that happened last month in the Hazelwood neighborhood. As part of this investigation, law enforcement recovered multiple firearms, including five AR-15 rifles and a ghost gun. Ironically, this is happening as the legislature considers more restrictions on firearms, which opponents say will leave only the criminals with guns.

Miller is charged with one count of attempted murder in the second degree with a firearm, one count of assault in the first degree with a firearm, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a firearm enhancement and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.

This investigation started when Portland Police responded to a shooting on February 1, 2021 in the 10500 block of East Burnside Street. When they arrived, they located a person shot inside a vehicle.

According to court documents, the shooting victim said, “in case I die, I want someone to know that it was Cole Miller who shot me.” During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Miller and the shooting victim are known to each other and have been involved in a dispute.

On March 10, 2021, Portland Police received information about a disturbance involving a firearm at a convenience store at Southeast 42nd Avenue and Southeast Woodstock Street. The store employee reported a disturbance involving someone who tried to microwave food inside the business, which is against their policy. During the incident, the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the employee. A description of the vehicle and suspect were provided to Portland Police.

Hours later, Portland Police responded to the 3700 block of Southeast 42nd Avenue to conduct a welfare check involving a vehicle and suspicious activity involving the driver. When police arrived, they identified the vehicle as being the same car involved in the incident at the convenience store.

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Police identified the driver of the car to be Miller, according to court documents. Miller was later identified as the suspect in the convenience store disturbance.

During a search of Miller’s vehicle, police recovered five AR-15 rifles, a Glock 17 handgun, two Glock 43 handguns, a ghost-gun resembling a Glock 19 and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.

According to court records, Miller is a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from being in possession of a firearm.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-03-13 17:44:43Last Update: 2021-03-13 17:54:03



Leftist Violence Continues in Portland
Pearl District destruction during “peaceful march”

Police Officers in Portland, Oregon detained a group of about 100 in a march that devolved into property destruction in the Pearl District.

On Friday, March 12, 2021 at about 9:00pm, a group began marching in the street, blocking vehicular traffic, from Jamison Park, 810 Northwest 11th Avenue. They were advised by loudspeaker that the street was open to vehicular traffic, but the crowd continued to march in the street.

At about 9:15pm, at Northwest 15th Avenue and Northwest Overton Street, some in the crowd began breaking windows. Officers moved in to address the criminal behavior. They created a perimeter around the group on Northwest Marshall Street between Northwest 13th Avenue and Northwest 14th Avenue.

The group was advised that they were being detained for investigation of crimes, they were not free to leave, and they should comply with officers' lawful orders. Failure to comply may result in arrest or force being used against them to include, but not limited to, crowd control agents, impact weapons, or tear gas. Legal observers, press, and anyone who was medically fragile or anyone who needs immediate medical attention were invited to leave the enclosed area if they wished. Those that were being detained were identified and photographed, as part of a criminal investigation, before being released. Some refused to comply and locked arms together in an effort to interfere with the investigation. Officers escorted them away and they were arrested. A suspect in the earlier window vandalism was arrested and charged.

Officers discovered numerous items left behind by people inside the perimeter, including a crowbar, hammers, bear spray, slugging weapon with rocks, high impact slingshot, and knives.

As the event unfolded, groups formed on the outside and physically challenged officers.

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Some threw rocks and full cans of beer at officers. Officers deployed some OC (pepper) spray and one impact munition. Arrests were made, including two suspects carrying firearms, wearing body armor and helmets.

Thirteen people were charged with crimes: The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-03-13 12:28:11Last Update: 2021-03-13 16:31:00



Alonso Leon Wants Extra Protections for Foreign Nationals
Oregon legislator herself was formerly “undocumented”

As the Oregon 2021 legislative session rolls on, and still with the public banned from accessing the state's Capitol building, laws are being made inside that building which will certainly affect all of the people of Oregon. One such bill which is currently making it's way through committee is HB 3265.

The bill seems to have a number of stipulations within it which would further protect any foreign nationals if they are taken into custody by local United States law enforcement. HB 3265, whose Chief Sponsor is Teresa Alonso Leon(D) Woodburn, seems to be extra accommodating to anyone not a United States citizen.

The following is a summarized list of what the bill is intended to do: And, as the supermajority Democrat Oregon legislature often does with the attachment of the Emergency Clause, the law will be declared effective immediately upon it's passage.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-03-12 17:41:39Last Update: 2021-03-12 19:42:30



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