Governor Kate Brown’s bill, HB 2165, carried by Representative Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) passed the House along party lines. Democrats are claiming the bill will increase the affordability of electric vehicles (EVs) by removing the sunset on the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, and doubling the Charge Ahead rebate offered by the program up to $5000, but not less than $2500. It also makes eligible vehicles up to $60,000 retail price.

“Increasing the value of the Charge Ahead rebate will better meet the needs of low- and moderate- income families, helping address the upfront costs of purchasing an EV, and will help household budgets by saving folks money on fuel and car maintenance,” said Rep. Karin Power. “This work is especially important for the health of communities that live near transportation corridors, and for our youngest Oregonians whose lungs are still developing. This bill is a next step in supporting cleaner air, electrification, and grid resilience across our state.”

What the House Democrat announcement fails to point out is the bill is divided between two main activities: Transportation Electrification & Infrastructure, and Zero Emission & Electric Vehicle (ZEEV) Rebates.

The ZEEV portion has to do with increasing the Charge Ahead Rebate program (zero-emission vehicle rebates). The rebates are funded through a tax of 0.5% on new vehicle value imposed on dealers for the privilege of selling in Oregon that increases the cost of a $50,000 vehicle by $250. So, in reality it doesn’t make an electric vehicle any more affordable, it simply makes up for this added tax. That tax revenue is expected to average $31 million a year, and will annually transfer $12 million to the Charge Ahead Rebate program.

In 2019, according to data from Cox Automotive, the average cost of an electric vehicle decreased from $64,300 to $55,600. Depending on the range for recharge, low range vehicles could run as low as $36,000 and long range at $106,000 or more.

The Transportation Electrification & Infrastructure portion of HB 2165 directs an electric company to collect an amount ofone quarter of one percent of total revenues from retail electricity consumers and expend those funds to support and integrate transportation electrification. It also allows utilities to pass investment costs to customers that may include expenditures outside the utilities’ service territory. Where the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle may be a wash under the bill, every electric rate payer will see an increase in their service cost.

This bill is currently headed to the State Senate.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-05-06 10:23:23

Last Update: 2021-05-11 15:47:19

The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Caucus in the Oregon legislature reinforces their minority status every time they allow someone else to speak for them. They have sided with the majority party all session to make sure they are recognized and given status in every measure introduced. But, while they want recognition, they piggyback onto House Majority Leader in accusations against Rep. Mike Nearman.

The BIPOC caucus would seem to have some difficulty in proving their case that Representative Mike Nearman is guilty of endangering them by having exited through a door at the Capitol.

Seemingly having a vendetta against the Republican, the group makes another claim, which has been found to be loaded with inaccuracies in stating the following:

“He is a member of hate groups, including the anti-immigrant group Oregonians for Immigration Reform, where he has served as a board member. This past Saturday, he was scheduled to speak at a rally in Salem attended by white supremacist and nationalist groups, including the Proud Boys and The Three Percenters militia movement. These are white supremacist hate groups and their racist, violent tactics have no place in our Capitol, the underpinning of our vibrant, diverse democracy.”

They seem to be mindlessly echoing the unfounded accusations of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), who has been caught in a number of lies trying to push their narrative that most U.S. citizens are inherently racist. The group has accused countless other groups of being racist, if they aren't aligned with the Democrat party.

Democrat House leaders issued a statement in January in response to the BIPOC caucus on committing to a truly equitable future:

“Members of the BIPOC Caucus and other community leaders have continually pointed out structural problems big and small that conspire to exclude diverse voices in the Legislature. …We are committed to confronting the past while taking steps to build a future that is more truly equitable, one that centers the needs of people who have been oppressed, discriminated against, and kept out of the halls of influence for too long…. we commit to a brighter future for every Oregonian.”

Does the BIPOC caucus think they are the only group that has been trampled on that needs recognition, and they have a privilege to hate and not be hated, to show bias but not be discriminated against? It seems they have become the equivalent to the little boy who cried wolf one too many times.

Their sensationalism continues:

“Nearman is set to appear in Marion County Court on May 11. As Black, Asian, and Latinx legislators, we do not have the luxury of waiting this out. Every day that Nearman continues as a state legislator, a clear message is sent: your lives, your wellbeing, your safety, do not matter. We call on members of all caucuses, especially House Republican leadership, to call on Nearman to resign and denounce white supremacy, xenophobia, and white nationalism. Our right to feel safe depends on it.”

Nearman is well known for his training on the Constitution. Does BIPOC know that their implication against Rep. Nearman’s character is quite unfair, in light of Oregon Constitution Article 1, Section 1? In this first section, the Oregon Constitution states: “Natural rights are inherent in people. We declare that all men, when they form a social compact are equal in right.”

Supposed "diversity measures" are questionable under the Oregon Constitution Article 1, Section 20, which states: “Equality of privileges and immunities of citizens... No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.”

If Nearman’s association with certain groups is wrong, then why doesn't extremist groups such as Antifa rioting in Portland for over a year deserves equal denouncement. The rioting and destruction of inner city businesses has certainly disproportionately affected those groups of people they claim to represent. Those extreme leftist groups certainly instigate more vandalism, pillage, arson, and rioting that makes every citizen feel unsafe.

One would think that The BIPOC caucus would want to work with Representative Mike Nearman (Independence) to find common ground with everyone, regardless of skin color if their real goal truly is a safer Oregon for all.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-05-06 09:42:13

Last Update: 2021-05-06 15:37:55

After a lengthy four month investigation, State Representative Mike Nearman (R-Independence) has been formally charged on two counts. Both charges are only misdemeanors.

Oregon House Democrat Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner has made a statement in response to the announcement that Representative Mike Nearman (R-Independence) will be facing misdemeanor charges for walking out a door at the Oregon State Capitol. She claims he allowed white supremacists and other extremists into the State Capitol on December 21, 2020. Smith Warner is calling for Nearman to voluntarily resign. This was expected by many observers, as it in line with the Democrat leader's entirely partisan approach.

Representative Nearman is charged with official misconduct and second degree criminal trespass, according to court documents. Both charges are misdemeanors.

House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner claims to lead her caucus on building "a more equitable Capitol", however, when House Speaker Tina Kotek’s staffer, Kristina Narayan was arrested during a riot for interfering and not obeying a Police Officer, the Majority Leader condoned her action by supporting HB 3164, which limits the circumstances under which a person could be charged with interfering with an officer. In this light, it doesn't seem equitable to attack the Minority Republican legislator for a lesser crime.

It seems that Majority Leader Smith Warner may be likely playing partisan politics in her position on the Nearman walking out the Capitol building door.

“When Rep. Nearman opened the door of the Capitol to armed, violent extremists, he not only endangered the physical safety of every person, legislator, and staff in the building, but also the very foundation of our democracy. “

The video shows no guns, and no extreme violence. The timing of the investigation and announcements seem to indicate that the Oregon Democrat leaders were likely attempting to correlate the incident with the national outrage of the U.S. Capitol incident that occurred on January 6th of this year.

The protestors present at the Oregon Capitol on December 21st seemed to have been lobbying for the public to have legal access to their legislative Capitol building as required by the Oregon Constitution.

"Freedom of expression represents the foundation of democracy. Every person - including members of my staff - has the right to stand up for what they believe and engage in nonviolent resistance." stated House Speaker Tina Kotek.

Does her statement apply to those wanting to lobby their elected representatives at the Capitol on December 21, or only to her staffer, Kristina Naranyan, who was charged with crimes during a Portland Oregon Leftist riot?

If you watch the video to the end, the police and security leave and people go in and out of the door left open by security. They do not "raid the Capitol" as Majority Leader Smith Warner has suggested. If Rep. Nearman is to be found guilty of opening the door, are not the security guards guilty of the same crimes for leaving that same door open only 10 minutes later? There had been no instructions to the legislators that day as to what entry and exit protocol was to be.

Many observers are putting forth the explanation that everything Representative Mike Nearman stands accused of that day was merely the Republican legislator advocating for fair and equal representation for all Oregonians.

“Let’s set up some options where people have freedom to do what they want,” Nearman said. “If you want to be masked and you want to be quarantined, go be quarantined. If you want to be out in public and that’s an acceptable risk to you then you can do that.”

Senate Minority Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons) issued a statement following the announcement of charges filed against Representative Mike Nearman:

“Democrats have overseen widespread and constant violence in Portland. Progressives have turned a blind eye to assaults against first responders, vandalism, and looting with sparse criticism from major Democrats. At this point, it looks like Representative Nearman simply opened a door. No matter who you are, no one is above the law. We should trust our judicial system to air out all the facts and judge them fairly.”

--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-05 14:09:39

Last Update: 2021-05-05 14:56:38

An audit has been released by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Audits Division that finds that the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) and state ethics laws could be better leveraged to improve ethical culture and trust in government.

The audit, which looked at the structure of OGEC and the state laws that govern its work, found that Oregon’s ethics framework and OGEC operations are generally aligned with other states and with leading practices. However, the audit identified a number of areas where the commission could be strengthened and given more independence.

“The Oregon Government Ethics Commission, through its professional staff and board members provide oversight to ensure accountability in Oregon government at every level,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “This audit provides a roadmap for increasing confidence and trust in Oregon government by recommending steps that should be taken to build stronger independence and oversight.”

The audit makes 14 recommendations, which include statutory changes as well as improvements to systems within the commission. Among the recommendations were to:

• Require public employees to receive regular ethics training or require public employees to document their acknowledgement and understanding of the state’s ethics laws upon hiring and regularly thereafter
• Require school board members to file Statements of Economic Interest
• Continue to expand training options to provide more virtual and online trainings
• Consider utilizing social media and other avenues of communication to regularly inform the public of Commission decisions, how to file a complaint, advisory opinions, information related to Statements of Economic Interest, and lobbying disclosures
• Establish statutory protections for commissioners to prevent removal without just cause before a commissioner’s term has ended
• Establish more specific limitations on commissioners’ political activities

​​​​​​​The commission is already in the process of making positive steps toward implementing two of the recommendations included in the audit. Senate Bill 60 would expand the preliminary review period from 30 to 60 days and Senate Bill 63 would allow commissioners to serve more than one term.

​​​​Performance audits identify improvements an agency or program can make to better achieve its objectives and mission. These audits are conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that auditors plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for findings and conclusions based on audit objectives.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-05 10:41:55

Last Update: 2021-05-05 11:43:57

On Tuesday, May 4th, 2021, at about 12:45 p.m. Portland Police responded to a report of a robbery with a knife at a bank in the 4500 block of North Interstate Avenue. It seems this is a U.S. Bank branch.

The suspect, who was taking advantage of the Draconian, statewide mask wearing mandate in Oregon, made a demand for money via demand note and claimed to have a knife. The robber obtained cash from the victim teller, and fled the branch.

This tends to raise the question of why there are so few licensed, concealed firearm carriers in Multnomah County, but when considering local policies and attitudes towards firearms in general, it comes as no surprise. A legal, firearm carrying individual willing to intervene would have easily deterred the crime.

Responding officers gathered suspect information and searched the area, which led them to the 4000 block of North Winchell Avenue. Officers found a person matching the suspect description, identified as 26-year-old Benjamin Patrick Murphy, in the 4000 block of North Winchell Avenue and took him into custody.

Benjamin Patrick Murphy has face tattoos.

It is highly likely the suspect would never had robbed the bank, had normal bank face covering policies been in place.

Officers recovered evidence related to the robbery.

Murphy was booked into the Multnomah County jail on a US Marshal Hold for bank robbery.

It seems that in a bank, logic would prevail, and masks or face coverings would not be allowed for security purposes. This has always been normal bank policy, until 2020. Those employees who work in the banking industry have repeatedly raised these concerns, in fear for their personal safety and lives, yet the industry has not challenged the one-size-fits-all rules set forth by the Oregon state government.

Local officials and the main stream media seem to be okay with perpetuating the nasty division caused by the mandate to constantly wear masks, despite the lack of evidence that it is helping keep people healthy.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-05 09:50:54

Last Update: 2021-05-05 12:39:14

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) has adopted a rule to maintain social distancing measures for workers across the state against the coronavirus.

Although the rule includes several changes since the rule was proposed in late January, the basic requirements are largely the same as they have been since 2020.

Oregon OSHA states the rule will be repealed when it is no longer needed. As with the temporary rule it replaces, the rule includes such health protection measures as physical distancing; use of face coverings; employee notification and training; formal exposure risk assessment and infection control planning; and optimization and maintenance of existing ventilation systems.

One of the most significant areas of public comment concerned the lack of a specific sunset date or other trigger to automatically repeal the rule.

Oregon OSHA determined that the ongoing Covid outbreak require that the rule be indefinitely extended.

Oregon state law does not allow a rule using that temporary process to be in place more than 180 days.

“We reviewed all of the comments – including the many comments that opposed the rule – and we gave particular consideration to those comments that explained their reasoning or provided concrete information, said Michael Wood, administrator of Oregon OSHA. “Although we chose to move forward with the rule, the final product includes a number of changes based on that record."

“At the same time, we are keeping in place key protections for workers as part of Oregon's larger and ongoing project to defeat COVID-19," Wood said. “To allow the workplace COVID-19 protections to simply go away would have left workers far less protected. And it would have left employers who want to know what is expected of them with a good deal less clarity than the rule provides."

Because Oregon OSHA determined it is not possible to assign a specific time for a decision to repeal the rule, Oregon OSHA has committed to consulting with the Oregon OSHA Partnership Committee, the two Infectious Disease Rulemaking Advisory Committees, the Oregon Health Authority, and other stakeholders to help determine when the rule can be repealed.

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 first of these discussions will take place no later than July 2021, and will continue every two months until the rule has been repealed. The indicators factoring into the decision will include infection rates (including the rate of spread of COVID-19 variants), positivity rates, and vaccination rates, as well as hospitalizations and fatalities.

While the final rule broadly reflects the temporary rule, it also includes some significant changes. Those include:

• Reducing the number of industry-specific appendices by six and limiting such requirements specifically to those involving worker protection (which reduced the length of the appendices, and, therefore, of the entire rule, by more than 50 pages)
• Dramatically reducing the K-12 schools appendix and removing all references to cohorts and square footage limitations, as well as physical distancing between students.
• Requiring employers to consider alternatives to transporting multiple people in a single vehicle and providing other guidance about reducing risk while sharing vehicles. The rule does not, however, require using multiple vehicles to transport multiple employees.
• Requiring employers with more than 10 employees – and that have existing ventilation systems – to state in writing that, to the best of their knowledge, they are running their systems in line with requirements. The final rule does not require the purchase or installation of new ventilation systems.
• Reducing required sanitation measures to reflect the most up-to-date Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
• Requiring employers to provide written notification to employees of their rights to return to work when employees must quarantine.
• Requiring health care employers to provide respirators to employees working with known or suspected COVID-19-positive patients, unless such respirators are unavailable.

The final rule also makes clear that the risk assessment, infection control plan, and infection control training completed under the temporary rule do not need to be repeated as a result of the adoption of the final rule.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-04 22:30:01

Last Update: 2021-05-04 23:03:37

Just as restaurants threw out their food and laid-off workers, the Governor has now decided to lift her lockdown starting on Friday.

Her announcement comes after intense statewide blow-back and criticism for using arbitrary metrics to shutdown thousands of Oregon businesses.

“Oregonians deserve stability, but the Governor is giving them whiplash. Local business owners and workers cannot even plan their lives a week in advance, ”Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod(R-Lyons) said. “No one person should have all this power over the everyday lives of Oregonians. This reversal further highlights the need for the Legislature to hold the Governor accountable and pass legislation to check her abuses of power."

”Republican legislation like SB 533 and 789 would restore democratic processes and balance to government decision-making. Under current law, the Governor has complete power over who can work and earn a living when she declares an emergency. Republican proposals would protect Oregonians against the arbitrary decisions of one person and give Oregonians stability."

Senate Bill 533 would prohibit the Governor from taking actions that would keep Oregonians from working or operating their businesses.

Senate Bill 789 will require the Governor to get the Legislature’s approval of an emergency declaration after 60 days.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-04 18:49:20

Last Update: 2021-05-04 19:15:09

The Oregon House Republican Caucus announced last week that in response to new shutdown orders from the Governor’s office, they want to pull bipartisan bills to the House floor to bring up proposals with sponsors from both parties that would roll back COVID-19 executive orders and require additional accountability.

They are following the bipartisan actions of Legislatures in New York, Texas and Michigan, where state lawmakers seek to restore balance to government decision-making.

The following bills have bipartisan support:

• HB 2243 (sponsors Rep. Wilde, Lewis, Evans, Owens) First attempt failed in a motion to remove from committee. The bill requires that declarations and extensions of states of emergency under certain statutes be accompanied by written explanations.
• HJR 18 (sponsors Rep. Reschke, Nearman, Post) - Terminating state of emergency relating to COVID-19.
• HB 3177 (sponsor Rep. David Brock Smith) - Limits types of restrictions that Governor may impose on certain businesses during state of emergency related to COVID-19 pandemic.
• HB 3350 (sponsor Rep. Witt, Owens) - Prescribes requirements for providing education to students with disability during COVID-19 emergency.
• HB 3243 (sponsor Rep. Reschke) - Provides that civil penalty imposed as result of violation of COVID-19 emergency rule becomes due and payable 50 years after order imposing penalty becomes final.

This week, New York’s legislature repealed several coronavirus-related executive orders, nearly two months after stripping Governor Andrew Cuomo of pandemic-era emergency powers. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, a Democrat, explained the decision by saying it is time to begin removing certain restrictions and regulations that are no longer necessary to rebuild the state’s economy.

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

In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown has exercised emergency powers which grant authority to enact widespread restrictions on commerce, education and public gatherings without any checks and balances. The newest shutdown orders do not reflect the current situation.

Today the personal protective equipment supply situation is different, the vaccination situation is different, and the treatment of patients has evolved as well. Furthermore, the regional collaboration among hospitals has been developed over the course of the pandemic.

Severe cases of COVID-19 are also less common now because nearly 70 percent of Oregon’s at-risk population is fully vaccinated. Hospital rates for parts of the state like Southern Oregon are also not increasing, yet the new shutdowns impact businesses in those communities.

House Republicans point out that despite these changing circumstances, the response from the Governor’s office has not changed. “The Legislature is in Session and we have a duty to engage.

"Oregonians need to have a balance of power between the separate branches of government again,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby.) “The decision to shut down businesses this week contradicts the newest CDC recommendations by not accounting for vaccinated individuals in Oregon. Furthermore, our businesses allow people to gather in places with standardized safety measures. There is no evidence that shutting them down will have an impact on transmission rates. If COVID guidelines in Oregon continue to ignore CDC guidelines to the detriment of families, kids and our main street businesses, we must restore the Legislature’s ability to hold the executive branch accountable.”

“There’s zero evidence that we’re anywhere close to running out of hospital capacity in Marion County from COVID-19 cases,” added Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis. “We have plenty of PPE and because of vaccinations we aren’t seeing the same high level of severity in overall cases who need hospitalization. On top of that, there is zero data to suggest that restaurants have ever been a top contributor to COVID-19 transmissions. Shutting businesses down won’t change the numbers.”

This week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance that lifted many restrictions for vaccinated individuals, including dining at the same table without masks and social distancing.

Many Oregonians are suggesting that Governor Kate Brown should quit hiding behind her mask, follow federal guidance and open the state.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-05-04 16:06:02

Last Update: 2021-05-04 19:58:45

Checks and balances are meant to exist within our constitutional, republic government. It is one way to protect the governed people from potential tyranny.

Sadly, this idea does not seem to be popular amongst Oregon Democrats, who are happy to completely hand over any legislative power that would challenge the mandates of Governor Kate Brown.

Oregon House Legislators voted to consider a bill on the House floor that would give the Legislature oversight on Governor Kate Brown’s emergency powers and sole authority over the COVID-19 response.

Republicans moved to pull HB 2243 out of committee directly to the House floor for a vote.

The motion did not receive the required number of votes to pass. All Republican members voted in favor to make the Governor accountable to the Legislature.

28 Democrats voted against the motion, maintaining the Governor’s sole authority over COVID-19 and unchecked ability to shut down businesses.

The decision is in response to the Governor’s announcement last week to unilaterally extend her own emergency powers again, granting her the ability to issue shutdowns without involving another governing body.

County commissioners have repeatedly asked the Governor to be more targeted in her decisions. Currently, the statewide threshold for “extreme risk” designation disregards the fact that hospital cases of COVID-19 are decreasing in some counties where businesses must now close.

“The Legislature is in Session and we have a duty to engage,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) previously said. “Oregonians deserve a balance of power between their separate branches of government again.”

HB 2243 (chief sponsors Rep. Wilde, Lewis, regular sponsors Rep. Cate, Evans, Hayden, Leif, Levy, Moore-Green, Morgan, Owens, Post, Reschke, Wallan, Wright) - Requires that declarations and extensions of states of emergency under certain statutes be accompanied by written explanations.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-04 13:38:27

Last Update: 2021-05-04 14:27:15

There are many fine suicide hotline programs and all of them could go away in an instant, replaced by a one-size-fits-all state operated program, supported by a new tax. Most of the current suicide prevention hotlines are run out of the county mental health providers.

Nationally there has been a call for a 9-8-8, system, modeled on 9-1-1 systems in which one three number combination can be dialed anywhere and all the switching mechanisms will identify it and route it to where it needs to go. Suicide prevention hotlines are a perfect application of this tool. Imagine a distraught young person or perhaps a veteran. They just need to talk to someone. One could easily see how it could make a difference by merely dialing 9-8-8, than having to make several calls or poke around online to find the right number.

Never underestimate the ability of tax-and-spend Democrats to take an important issue like suicide prevention and use it to create bigger government and increase taxes. HB 3069, introduced by Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland) creates a statewide 9-8-8 center supported by a tax on all phones. Presumably, the 15 or so existing, functional systems will just fade away.

The size of the tax increase has not been determined, but Oregonians who just had their cell phone taxes increased for rural broadband may not have an appetite for another tax increase -- whatever the size. The bill has passed out of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and is in the House Committee on Revenue.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-05-04 09:25:29

Last Update: 2021-05-04 10:37:37

53-year-old Democrat David Hunt of Milwaukie, Oregon has been caught and charged in a sex trafficking sting operation, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

David Hunt is the former Oregon Speaker of the House during the 2009-11 Oregon legislative session and the Democrat House Majority Leader from the 2007-2009. He is also a current Clackamas Community College board member.

Hunt served as a representative in the Oregon state legislature for District 40, where he represented the Clackamas area. He served from 2003 to 2013.

Hunt helped to pass a bill criminalizing sex trafficking in 2007.

The Portland Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Unit cited 8 men total, including Hunt, in the undercover operation, conducted in April 2021. They were lured through known trafficking websites.

Hunt, along with others arrested apparently arranged payment for sexual acts. Hunt will be charged with at least Commercial Sexual Solicitation.

Hunt was unavailable for comment.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-05-03 12:19:08

Last Update: 2021-05-03 20:48:22

A group of bipartisan Oregon lawmakers introduced legislation to ensure safe and respectful Oregon university campuses. The legislation comes in the wake of the recent national response to the sexual assault allegations at Oregon Health & Science University.

In February, a lawsuit was filed against OHSU alleging that rampant sexual misconduct has been allowed for years and that leadership and management failed to report sexual assault allegations. Lawmakers cite the fact OHSU has failed to ever audit its sexual harassment, discrimination, and misconduct issues. Last week, OHSU paid $585,000 to the victim. Other racial discrimination suits have been filed against Oregon State University.

“Recent allegations on Oregon’s campuses underscores that the Legislature has not done enough to hold our universities accountable. The Legislature’s oversite in this area is much-needed so we can understand how to protect victims of harassment. The public deserves to know how their tax dollars are being spent in this area,” Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) and author of the legislation said.

The legislation would establish a bipartisan committee to investigate and hear testimony about the culture, policies, practices, and procedures that Oregon’s universities use to prevent and respond to sexual and racial harassment and discrimination.

“The Legislature must hold our universities accountable for creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone,” Senator Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), co-chief sponsor of the legislation said. “No victim of sexual or racial harassment should ever be silenced by powerful institutions. We can let their voices be heard.”

Advocates and victims have raised concerns about the recent probe being conducted by the former Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder. In the agreement between him and OHSU, the report of the investigation was called “legal advice,” raising questions about how much of the results can be covered up. The Legislative oversite would ensure the public has access to important information while protecting victims.

The bill’s sponsors include state Sens. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Lew Fredrick (D-Portland), Tim Knopp (R-Bend), and state Reps. Christine Drazan (R-Canby), Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), Mark Meek (D-Oregon City), Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), Jami Cate (R-Lebanon), Bobby Levy (R-Ech0), Lily Morgan (R-Grants Pass), and Kim Wallan (R-Medford).

The bipartisan-bicameral legislation was introduced today as SJR 30 and will be considered first by the Senate.

Photo by Cam Ferland on Unsplash


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-05-03 12:18:16

Last Update: 2021-05-03 13:00:29