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On this day, July 17, 2020, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler demanded that President Donald Trump remove militarized federal agents he deployed to the city after some detained people on streets far from federal property they were sent to protect. Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation said they will demand a federal investigation into the deployment of federal officers in Portland, where local leaders say their presence outside federal buildings has inflamed tensions during nightly protests and led to violent confrontations and questionable arrests in recent weeks.




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Linn County Fair
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.linncountyfair.com/
July 18-20
Linn County Expo Center



Washington County Fair
Friday, July 19, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.bigfairfun.com/
July 19-28
Washington County Fairgrounds - Westside Commons



Coos County Fair
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.cooscountyfair.com
July 23-27
Coos County Fairgrounds



Curry County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.eventcenteronthebeach.com
July 24-27
Curry County Fairgrounds - Event Center on the Beach



Hood River County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.hoodriverfairgrounds.com
July 24-27
Hood River County Fairgrounds



Jefferson County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.jcfair.fun
July 24-27
Jefferson County Fair Complex



Lane County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.atthefair.com
July 24-28
Lane Events Center



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



Clatsop County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://clatsopcofair.com/
July 30 - August 3
Clatsop County Fair & Expo



Malheur County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.malheurcountyfair.com
July 30 - August 3
Malheur County Fairgrounds - Desert Sage Event Center



Benton County Fair & Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
bceventcentercorvallis.net
July 31 - August 3, 2024
Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds



Deschutes County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://expo.deschutes.org/
July 31 - August 4
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center



Union County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.unioncountyfair.org
July 31 - August 3
Union County Fairgrounds



Yamhill County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.co.yamhill.or.us/fair
July 31 - August 3
Yamhill County Fairgrounds



Klamath County Fair
Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.klamathcountyfair.com/
August 1-4
Klamath County Fair



Wallowa County Fair
Friday, August 2, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://co.wallowa.or.us/community-services/county-fair/
August 2-10
Wallowa County Fairgrounds



Baker County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.bakerfair.com
August 4-9
Baker County Fairgrounds



Harney County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.harneyfairgrounds.com
August 4-9
Harney County Fairgrounds



Sherman County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.shermancountyfairfun.com
August 19-24
Sherman County Fairgrounds



Crook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.crookcountyfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Crook County Fairgrounds



Douglas County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.douglasfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex



Grant County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.grantcountyoregon.net
August 7-10
Grant County Fairgrounds



Josephine County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.josephinecountyfairgrounds.com/
August 7-11
Josephine County Fairgrounds & Events Center



Polk County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.polk.or.us/fair
August 7-10
Polk County Fairgrounds



Tillamook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.tillamookfair.com
August 7-10
Tillamook County Fairgrounds



Umatilla County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.umatillacountyfair.net
August 7-10
Umatilla County Fairgrounds



Wheeler County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.wheelercountyoregon.com/fair-board
August 7-10
Wheeler County Fairgrounds



Clackamas County Fair
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 8:00 am
clackamascountyfair.com
August 13-17
Clackamas County Event Center



Morrow County Fair
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.morrow.or.us/fair
August 14-17
Morrow County Fairgrounds



Wasco County Fair
Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.wascocountyfair.com
August 15-17
Wasco County Fairgrounds



Gilliam County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
http://www.co.gilliam.or.us/government/fairgrounds
August 29-31
Gilliam County Fairgrounds



Lake County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.lakecountyor.org/government/fair_grounds.php
August 29 - September 1
Lake County Fairgrounds



Oregon State Fair
Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.oregonstateexpo.org
August 31 - September 9
Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center



Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla
Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla 5pm-9pm
Albany, OR


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Measure 11 Lowered Racial Disparities
Measure 11 removes the hidden biases that come into play

Proponents of eliminating of Ballot Measure 11 uniformly claim, without presenting any evidence whatsoever, that the measure has increased racial disparities in the justice system. Not only is this claim categorically false, but the exact opposite is true. Ballot Measure 11 has significantly improved racial disparities in felony sentencing and imprisonment in Oregon, and among some minority groups, has totally eliminated those disparities. Any assertion to the contrary is simply false.

Academics utilize a data tool called the Relative Rate Index to quantify disparities among demographic groups. The RRI measures the rate at which a demographic group appears in the particular category under study against the rate at which that demographic group appears in the general population. For instance, if a particular racial group constitutes 10% of the general population, but 20% of infant mortality deaths, an obvious disparity exists. That RRI ratio of 1:2 represents a significant issue for policy makers to address.

To analyze over-representation by race in the criminal justice system, data analysts use the Relative Rate Index to compare the general population percentage of a particular race or ethnic group to the percentage of the prison population by race. Since the advent of Ballot Measure 11 in 1995, racial disparities in the prison system have improved dramatically. Disparities for Blacks have been cut in half, and disparities among Hispanics have disappeared completely in Oregon. Whites, on the other hand, have been incarcerated in prison at increasing rates since Measure 11 was instituted.

The obvious conclusion is that a sentencing system that encourages a fixed sentence (contrary to what opponents claim, Measure 11 is not a completely mandatory sentencing law) removes the hidden biases that come into play in a subjective sentencing process. The Relative Rate Index data is clear. Because of Ballot Measure 11, racial disparities in violent felony sentencing have improved as follows:

Hispanic disparities. In 1994, Hispanics made up 3.97% of Oregon’s general population, but 10.41% of its prison population. Today, Hispanics constitute 13.4% of Oregon general population, but 13.2% of Oregon prison population. Not only have all Hispanic racial disparities been eliminated among prison inmates in Oregon, but Hispanics now represent a lower percentage of Oregon prison population than they do in Oregon’s general population. Justice system incarceration disparities for Hispanics in Oregon have been eliminated since the advent of Ballot Measure 11.

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

African-American disparities. In 1994, African-Americans made up 1.62% of Oregon’s general population, and today that figure is 2.20%. Using the RRI analysis for African-Americans in Oregon’s prison system, the RRI ratio in 1994 was 8.2:1. The ratio today is 4.2:1, meaning that justice system racial disparities among African-Americans have been cut in half since BM11 came into effect.

Native-American/Alaskan disparities. In 1994, Native-American/Alaska natives made up 1.35% of state general population, and today that figure is 1.80%. In 1994, justice system disparities for this group were 1.72:1. Today, that figure is 1.77:1, essentially unchanged.

White disparities. The white RRI ratio has increased from .787:1 in 1994 to .861:1 today. RRI data makes it clear that Measure 11 has increased the share of Oregon prison inmates who are white.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-04-10 18:40:32Last Update: 2021-04-10 21:40:13



Clackamas County Seeks Economic Justice
Hospital capacity remains stable in the region

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners has sent the following letter to Governor Kate Brown in response to the governor moving the county to the high-risk level under the state’s public health framework for COVID-19, which is effective Friday.

Dear Governor Brown:

Oregonians have sacrificed and lost much over the past year as they have fought through the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud of our Clackamas County residents and businesses who have complied with your orders and who take protective measures every day, such as masking up and changing business operations.

It brings us great delight to see children back at school and the hum of school buses traveling down our streets. Thank you for allowing a return to in-person instruction and activities. We know this will help the mental health of our youth. This disease has greatly harmed our children and it is time for us to help them recover and thrive.

Our businesses have been safely operating in Moderate Risk since Feb. 26, while continuing to abide by OHA’s guidelines. They have continued to make every effort to work in a way that will help slow the spread of the virus, often at a cost to them. We were frustrated to learn on Tuesday that, by tomorrow, Clackamas County businesses will be mandated to cut back on capacity as we are moved to the High Risk category. Our understanding was that we would receive a two-week caution period before having our risk category changed. Three days’ notice to our businesses to prepare to cut capacity does not afford them the time necessary to plan for inventory reduction, staffing changes, and every day operation modifications. As an example, many of our restaurants have spent $10,000 - $20,000 in purchasing supplies and retraining and hiring employees that will be lost by this sudden change.

We know that reopening schools to in-person instruction, coupled with businesses bringing employees and customers back, results in COVID-19 cases rising. This is not new information and it is not surprising.

However, reopening then closing businesses, and moving kids from hybrid in-person to only virtual learning, would cause harm in addition to rising COVID-19 cases. The economic hardships will be felt by our communities for years.

We believe there is an opportunity to consider other factors when determining community risk level.

For example, in Clackamas County, we have identified many of our positive COVID-19 cases are generally contained to outbreaks connected to school activities outside of in-person instruction, such as small social gatherings. We have also found that very few are related to workplaces. Holding back the entire community and demanding that hundreds of businesses reduce capacity – and place more people back in the unemployment line – is not sustainable and causes additional harm.

We understand that hospital capacity was a factor in your recent decision to move us back to High Risk, but we must point out that our hospital capacity remains stable in the region. We fully understand the need to keep cases low to ensure we have enough hospital capacity, ICU beds and ventilators. Although cases are going up, as expected, we have successfully maintained capacity and been able to provide the needed services for our most severe cases. Hospital capacity cannot be understated. Please consider a region’s hospital capacity and outbreak sources before deciding to move a county into a higher risk level. Reducing business capacity due to case counts alone, when other public health metrics should be considered, is another setback to our entire community.

As more and more have access and receive the vaccine every day, we ask that the risk levels determined by the state include other factors. Please consider elements beyond how many cases per 100,000 people. For example, if the cases are contained to outbreaks, an entire community should not be punished. Outbreaks were once a metric for reopening Oregon in the past and can be again.

We are also concerned about the accelerated timeline for vaccine eligibility that does not match available vaccine supplies. We want to continue to uplift the need for vaccine allocations to be redistributed to the most populated areas in the state, including Clackamas County, that are still behind in providing access to community members that have been eligible for weeks and frustrated, especially our local frontline workers and small businesses.

Our residents have been through much – three declared disasters in 11 months. While our communities are resilient, many businesses and their employees are on precipice of collapse. We must also consider the impact to our lower socioeconomic groups. This is about economic justice for people. Please allow us the two week caution period and focus the efforts of education and enforcement on the populations where the spikes are occurring.

Clackamas County is committed to work collaboratively with the State to fight the spread of the virus. We ask you to take our feedback and recommendations to heart. We work closest with our most affected communities and can provide insight in what is working and what is not. We are available to further discuss these considerations further.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-04-10 18:32:52Last Update: 2021-04-10 18:40:32



Hatchet Assault Suspect Arrested Again
Also robbed a donut shop with hatchet year ago

A man who threatened a driver with a hatchet is facing charges. He was charged in a similar crime nearly one year ago in the same city. Crime rates in Portland have been climbing since District Attorney Mike Schmidt's announcement to not prosecute some crimes in Multnomah County.

On Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 3:21p.m., Portland Central Precinct officers were called to a threat with weapon call near Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Northrop Street. As officers were responding, they learned that several callers were reporting someone swinging around a hatchet and hitting a car with it.

When officers arrived, a witness pointed out the suspect. They arrested Christopher L. James, 41, and seized the involved hatchet.

Investigating officers learned that James fixated on a subject sitting in a vehicle nearby. James, with hatchet in hand, ran towards the driver's side of the vehicle. As James approached, he raised the hatchet as if he was going to hit the caller who was seated in the vehicle. Fearing for his life, the caller started to drive off. As he did so, James struck the vehicle with the hatchet causing damage.

James was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Menacing.

Officers used no force taking this armed suspect into custody.

Christopher L. James had also been arrested about one year prior, on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 3:42a.m in the morning he robbed a donut shop with a hatchet.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-04-10 16:15:10Last Update: 2021-04-10 16:54:08



Oregon Peeps Go After Vaccine Passports
More about stealing freedoms than about COVID-19 protection

A new movement across the state is budding called Tore Says Oregon Peeps. Inspired by a Cleveland radio host of Tore Says, Tore Says Oregon Peeps. Inspired by a Cleveland radio host of Tore Says, Tore Maras is exposing deep state activities. What is getting a lot of attention with the Tore Says Oregon Peeps is “vaccine passports,” which mimics travel passports but requires citizens to show proof they have received a vaccination for COVID-19 in order to be allowed to enter an area or establishment.

New York is the first state to formally launch a “vaccine passport” program called “Excelsior Pass.” It allows residents to pull up a code on their phones to prove they have been vaccinated or have tested negative. Hawaii has adopted a “Safe Travels” passport. Amazon is also discussing using this as a platform to handle financial transactions and tracking people. After Tore Maras sent letters in Ohio, legislation was introduced to not allow entities to require disclosure of vaccination status or anything similar to vaccine passports.

Tore Says Oregon Peeps is trying to keep this issue out of Oregon. They sent two rounds of letters that layout case law and federal law for Oregonians that do not want to get the vaccine and prohibits discriminating against. The letters to the Attorney General with a copy to Governor Brown and legislators were sent alerting them that Oregon businesses, schools and other organizations are receiving misinformation on mandating vaccinations, having no authority to mandate use of vaccines, which are not yet fully approved by the FDA. Moreover, any form of discrimination against those choosing not to be vaccinated is in direct violation of state and federal law. Code 28 CFR § 36.105(b)(2) specifically lists human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic).

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

The letters demonstrate federal law prohibits private places of accommodation from discrimination against any person on the basis of their “physiological condition” which, by law, includes the present status of their immune system. In addition, employers are expressly prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of genetic information.

It is clear that the purpose for these passports is more about stealing freedoms than about COVID-19 protection. Otherwise, a certificate from a physician could establish whether you have had COVID-19 or a vaccine, so there is no need for the passport if that was truly the only intention, to say nothing of the fact that vaccination status is a personal healthcare decision, and should be covered by privacy laws.

Tore Says Oregon Peeps’ campaign is available for participation and have provided a draft letter to copy into an email and email addresses for those wishing to participate. You can also use their letter with the documentation, or use them for guidance.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Abe Lincoln


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-04-10 09:34:14Last Update: 2021-04-14 11:23:10



Mandated Headlights in the Daytime
May be impossible to enforce

Yet another unnecessary burden may be placed on Oregonians if a new law is passed that has been proposed by an Oregon Democrat. The proposed legislation is related to vehicle headlight use.

Sponsored by Senator Lee Beyer (D-Eugene) SB 166 would require the use of motor vehicle headlights at all times when vehicle is being driven on highway.

Violations would be punished by maximum fine of $1,000.

The bill does provide exceptions for vehicles equipped with daytime running lights.

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The issue of visibility seems to be the driving force behind the proposed law, but proponents may be overlooking the bigger issue of drivers just not paying attention.

Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus once famously said: "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." Observers have noted this may be one of those instances where that saying again rings true.

Much documented testimony on record with the state legislature seems to indicate strong opposition to this legislation from Oregonians, and it's passage doesn't seem likely. However, the legislature is still operating with the public not allowed to participate in person at the Salem capitol building.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-04-09 11:14:36Last Update: 2021-04-09 12:42:53



High Court Sides With Legislature on Redistricting
Secretary of State Fagan

The Oregon Supreme Court has issued a decision that granted the bipartisan legislative request to extend the timeline to finish the redistricting process to September 27. The Constitution gives the Legislature authority to redraw legislative and congressional boundaries but that authority was put in jeopardy by delays in U.S. Census data.

The opinion, issued by Chief Justice Walters, would keep the process from the partisan Secretary of State and keep the process in the legislature. The Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan, opposed the Legislature, hoping to take control of the redistricting process. The Oregon Supreme Court rejected her partisan attempt, calling her legal arguments flawed.

“We have had a good working relationship among the Senate members of the committee,” Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend), vice-chair of the Redistricting Committee, said. “Election integrity and fair districts live to fight another day because of this decision. It ensures that we can continue to work together to ensure that Oregonians can pick their representatives fairly.”

The Supreme Court will issue a writ of mandamus allowing the Legislature to have the first chance to come up with a redistricting plan. The revised deadlines would require an emergency special session. It would give the Legislature until September 27 to enact a redistricting plan, ensuring it becomes effective by February 1, 2022.

The High Court said, in a summary document:

If it were possible for the State of Oregon to comply with all the requirements of Article IV, section 6, the Court explained, it would require that it do so. But here, where it is not possible for the state to create a reapportionment plan based on federal census data and still comply with the constitutionally prescribed deadlines, and where it is possible for the state to fulfill its paramount duties in compliance with modified deadlines, the Court concluded that it had authority to direct the state to comply with modified deadlines.

“Oregonians expect their district to be fairly drawn,” Senate Republican Leader, Fred Girod said. “The most important principles for Republicans are ‘One-Person-One-Vote’ and upholding the Voting Rights Act. Gerrymandering is unacceptable and by keeping this process in the Legislature, we have a chance to come to a bipartisan agreement to draw fair lines.”

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

The High Court restated the revised plan, with dates:

REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN BY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN BY SECRETARY OF STATE


Wildfire Tax Relief Passes Oregon House
Some Oregonians are still rebuilding their lives

The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to help Oregonians who own property that was damaged or completely destroyed by wildfires.

The new law will authorize tax collectors in a county covered by a state of emergency declared by the Governor, due to wildfire or other act of God, to prorate taxes imposed on a property that was destroyed or damaged, putting more cash into the pockets of Oregonians who need it to recover from devastating losses.

Republicans also expedited the passage of the bill by waiving the requirement to read it in full on the floor before voting. Republicans have not been granting this waiver of the constitutional requirement during this session. Work on wildfire relief measures began during a special session in the fall of 2020 to immediately respond to historic wildfires that ignited during Labor Day weekend.

“I have met with people in my community that literally lost everything to these fires,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby.) “The current process for relief is not working for those who lost their homes and so much more. We have to do everything we can to focus on supporting these Oregonians who are in this position to help them rebuild their lives. I know that this bill can make a big difference, and I hope it is just the beginning.”

At the end of March, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) issued a call for the Legislature to refocus its priorities on issues like wildfire relief that continue to be an immediate need for Oregonians.

HB 2341 was passed with unanimous support in the House.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-04-08 20:10:19Last Update: 2021-04-08 20:19:21



Bias Crimes Hit Outdoor Recreation
It becomes clear the penalties are particularly aimed at white people.

SB 289 was introduced as a study of laws relating to environmental equity. But, Senator Lee Beyer’s Committee On Energy and Environment saw fit to replace it. Not all committee members agreed with this move, but not the ones you would think. Thus far the session has produced bill after bill expanding the rights of inmates, early release, and benefits for rehabilitation. Along comes the amended version of SB 289 prohibiting a person convicted of a first or second degree bias crime committed on water or public land used for outdoor recreation from entering or remaining in any building, land or water of the state used for outdoor recreation for a period of at least six months, but not longer than five-years in addition to any other penalty.

When a bill is replaced, known as “gut and stuff,” the content being "stuffed" has to fall within the "relating to" clause. Finding the connection to “environmental equity” seems absent. Since it is claimed that the majority of convictions are people of color, isn't this a racist concept that goes against the equity agenda?

Digging deeper into the “bias crime,” it becomes clear the penalties are particularly aimed at white people.

In ORS 166.155 to 166.165, a person commits a bias crime in the second degree if the person intentionally subjects another person to offensive physical contact because of the person’s perception, perceived threatening alarm, or tampers or interferes with property, having no right to do so with the intent to cause substantial inconvenience to another person because the person’s perception of the other person is race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin; and it is a first degree crime if intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes these actions.

SB 289 not only seems discriminatory, but. ORS 166.155 should be of concern to every person when perceptions are used for conviction of a crime. What does it say about our liberties when you can’t read Huck Finn or Little House on the Prairie or the Bible in the open by the camp fire?

The bill heads to the Senate Floor for a vote.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-04-08 18:19:33Last Update: 2021-04-08 18:50:27



Breakthrough Cases Number Released
Vaccinated individuals test positive for COVID-19

The Oregon Health Authority has finally identified and released the count of 168 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases, including 3 deaths, as of April 2, 2021.

Breakthrough cases are when vaccinated individuals test positive for the virus.

OHA public health officials say it’s a reminder that no vaccine is 100% effective, and vaccine breakthrough cases will occur.

These cases have been reported in 25 counties and all health care preparedness regions. OHA is not reporting the regions in which the deaths took place.

Vaccine breakthrough cases are defined as instances in which an individual received a positive COVID-19 test result at least 14 days after the final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine series.

Many of the vaccine breakthrough cases identified experienced asymptomatic infection and were tested for other reasons. Eleven percent of the vaccine breakthrough cases were hospitalized within the 30 days following their positive test, and most occurred in people older than 65 or with underlying health conditions. The three deaths represent fewer than 2% of the vaccine breakthrough cases, and none of the vaccine breakthrough cases were associated with a COVID-19 variant.




--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-04-08 17:32:59Last Update: 2021-04-08 18:58:02



Legislature Moves Child Care Bills
Make childcare more affordable and accessible

The House Committee on Early Childhood yesterday passed four bills with bipartisan support to make childcare more affordable and accessible for families, provide broader and more immediate access to paid family leave and address a safety concern to protect infant lives.

Three of the bills were sponsored by Representative Jack Zika (R-Redmond) as either a chief or regular sponsor.

“2020 caused so many disruptions for families because of the pandemic and government-mandated stay-at-home orders,” said Rep. Zika. “Families need more options for affordable and accessible childcare as they continue to cope with working from home or dealing with prolonged closures of their previous childcare facilities. The additional access to paid family leave will also provide peace of mind that can be a big help as people continue facing many unknowns.”

Representative Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay) and Representative Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) also voted to pass all four proposals out of the committee.

“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in passing these important bills,” added Rep. Wright. “Our job this session should be helping Oregonians who are still facing severe hardship brought on by a year of the pandemic, natural disasters and more. These proposals represent the kind of work we should be doing to make things easier for them.”

“Accessible childcare and paid family leave are so important for providing stability in family life,” said Rep. Weber. “Whatever we can do as legislators to make life easier for Oregonians should be our top priorities.” At the end of March, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) issued a call for the Legislature to refocus its priorities to help Oregonians recover from negative effects brought on by the pandemic. Issues such as lack of adequate childcare continues to be an immediate need.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-04-08 12:26:49Last Update: 2021-04-08 12:42:50



Loans for Minorities Only
Brought to you by Kate Brown’s Racial Justice Council

In a House Committee On Economic Recovery and Prosperity meeting on April 6, 2021, Oregon legislators discussed the ramifications of passing HB 2266, a bill which would provide economic recovery loans for Oregonians, but only if their skin is a certain color.

Representative John Lively (D-Springfield) is the sponsor of the legislation which allegedly would direct the Oregon Business Development Department to study the use of economic development methods for purpose of assisting businesses, but is done with targeted outreach so that only a minority owned business would see the advantage.

While discussing the implications of such a unconstitutional law, Representative Kim Wallan (R-Medford) asked the committee if these unconstitutional race-based requirements might be removed in the spirit of reaching as many struggling businesses as possible.



The answer that the Republican legislator eventually receives comes from Leah Horner from the Office of Governor Kate Brown, and may seem disappointing to observers noting the regressive nature of racial segregation.

She simply states that Kate Brown's Racial Justice Council decided that the bill is intended to be written exactly as it is, including the unconstitutional racial elements, and they intend it to be passed as is.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-04-07 20:25:47Last Update: 2021-04-08 11:29:38



Dems Hide Cap and Trade Proposal
Unprecedented level of lurking in backroom deal

A proposal that would replicate a portion of one of the most contentious issues in recent years was finalized with special interests without ever publishing the language for the public.

A bill amendment to replicate part of cap-and-trade, one of the most contentious legislative issues in recent years, was drafted and then discussed during a committee hearing without ever providing the language to the public beforehand or knowledge that it would be discussed during the committee.

The House Energy and Environment Committee allowed public testimony on an unpublished amendment to HB 2021, introduced by Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) who also chairs the committee. The amendment introduces sweeping legislation that seeks to impose costly regulations on the state’s supply of electricity. Special interest groups testified at length in support of a “-5 amendment” that was not made publicly available to everyday Oregonians. Republican lawmakers on the committee received the draft language at 11am during session before the 1pm hearing, leaving them little time to read the amendment. Republicans criticized the move as the antithesis of transparency and the exact opposite of how the legislative process should be conducted.

Despite an hour and a half of prepared testimonies from special interests, the amendment will only receive a half hour of testimony on Wednesday now that it is public knowledge.

Prior to the start of the 2021 Legislative Session, the majority insisted that it would be the most transparent session despite keeping the public out of the building. This recent move by Democrats to quietly replicate a portion of cap-and-trade with an amendment behind closed doors calls that claim into question.

“The last thing we should do during this precarious pandemic session is conceive, draft and finalize legislation behind closed doors,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan. “Discussing a contentious proposal in a committee without ever providing it to the public beforehand is not transparent. It’s a false formality with the intention of passing laws that have zero public input. That’s breaking a promise we made to Oregonians ahead of this virtual session.”

While representatives from environmental justice organizations, investor-owned utility companies and even Democratic members of the committee repeatedly expressed support for an unpublished -5 amendment, members of the public were left in the dark.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-04-07 19:42:03Last Update: 2021-04-07 20:07:50



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