Northwest Observer

Senate Democrats Vote to Maintain Tax on Stimulus Checks

â€œThere is no defensible reason to be taking stimulus checksâ€

Oregon Senate Democrats have locked up to block Republican legislation to return an estimated $300 million in taxes back to middle-class families. Because of a quirk in the Oregon tax code, an estimated 870,000 Oregonians paid more in state taxes simply for receiving a stimulus check.

Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City), who introduced SB 842 in March to return this money to Oregonians, made a motion on the Senate floor for the measure to be debated and voted on. Senate Democrats voted in lock-step to shoot down the motion.

â€œI am a former mayor,â€ Senator Anderson said. â€œI am used to passing common-sense, bipartisan ideas that fix unintended consequences. It's extremely disappointing that partisanship got in the way of this bill. There is no defensible reason to be taking part of Oregoniansâ€™ stimulus checks, especially given Oregonâ€™s current financial position.â€

Congress passed three separate pieces of legislation over the last year that sent Oregonians three stimulus checks. The maximum an average family of four paid could have paid in increased state income tax is $1,000 between all three payments. That is $1,000 that was supposed to help these families weather the storm in the depths of the pandemic. On the other hand, the State of Oregon has billions of dollars extra in unexpected revenue.

Congressman Peter DeFazio sent Governor Brown, Speaker Kotek, and President Courtney a letter in February expressing support for exempting stimulus payments from taxes. He said that Congress intended these payments to be tax-free, saying, â€œ It is unconscionable to ask those working families who have struggled the most during this crisis to bear the weight of the stateâ€™s budget shortfall.â€ At the time of the letter, Oregon had a projected budget shortfall. Oregon now has a billion-dollar surplus.

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

â€œDemocrats blocking this legislation shows Oregonians exactly where their priorities are,â€ Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons) said. â€œThis money belongs in the pockets of Oregonians. It is only right to return it to them. I hope that Democrats will find it in their hearts to move this legislation during the next session.â€

More stimulus payments will be sent to Oregonians with children starting July 1. It is unknown if these payments will also be partly diverted to the state.

â€œConversations around the new child tax credit payments are the kinds of conversations that this bill was trying to initiate, but because it was blocked in committee, working families will again be put in limbo over how these payments are going to affect their taxes,â€ Senator Anderson added.

The motion to debate SB 842 failed by a vote of 11-17, largely along party lines. It will remain in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee where it will likely die upon sine die, unless Democrats suddenly decide it is a priority to give Oregonians the full benefit of their stimulus check.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-24 13:43:34

Senate Republicans Attempt Last Ditch Effort to Fix Democratsâ€™ Loose Voting Law

Unpostmarked ballots are counted up to 7 days after election day

Democrats are charging forward with a bill that would open our election up to more possibilities of fraud with HB 3291, introduced by Representative Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) and Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego).

At issue in HB 3291 are two key provisions. The first would require unpostmarked ballots to be counted as long as they arrive up to 7 days after election day. This would allow someone to mail ballots up to 7 days after the election, and if they didnâ€™t receive a postmark, it would be presumed valid. It would also make it easier for late unpostmarked ballots to be counted if brought into an elections office.

The second would allow election officials to start counting ballots before election day. Politically motivated election officials could give candidates and campaigns running tallies on the vote count weeks before election day, giving favored campaigns and candidates an advantage in get-out-the-vote efforts.

â€œThe longer and more drawn out the process, the greater chance for bad actors to tamper with votes,â€ Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons). â€œThere are decent parts in this bill, but these two provisions provide a freeway to fraud. How many letters does each of us get in the mail with a missing postmark? It's not an insignificant number. We need to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. This bill makes it easier to cheat.â€

Despite Republican objections in committee, Senate Democrats refused to tighten up the billâ€™s language. Senate Republicans introduced a minority report on the Senate floor that would have fixed the two provisions and given the bill bipartisan support. Instead, Democrats rejected the changes along party lines on a vote of 12-17.

The Republican changes would have made unpostmarked ballots received after election day be marked as â€œchallenged,â€ giving voters the opportunity to prove they mailed it before election day. It would also have disallowed county clerks to start counting ballots before election day.

Senate Republican Tim Knopp (R-Bend) authored SB 694 which would have extended the date in which voters can put their ballot in the mail to be counted. It would have also banned ballot harvesting, a process by which political operatives can deny equal access to the ballot box by collecting ballots from preferred voters.

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

â€œCoupled with ballot harvesting, this bill will make our election system ripe for bad actors,â€ Senator Knopp said. â€œI wrote SB 694 to allow Oregonians more time to get their ballot in, but the provisions in this bill will do nothing to promote confidence in our elections. The fixes Republicans proposed today are completely reasonable, and I fail to understand the Democrats' unwillingness to work with Republicans on the integrity of our elections.â€

HB 3291 is also unclear how independent observers would be able to observe the counting of ballots by election officials if they can start counting as soon as they receive them.

HB 3291 narrowly passed the Senate with bipartisan opposition on a vote of 16-13, with the deciding Democrat Senator taking several seconds to decide how he wanted to vote. The bill will now head to the Governorâ€™s desk for her signature.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-24 13:37:04

Last Update: 2021-06-24 13:50:50

Numbers Speak Louder than Words

U.S. deaths from the COVID-19 vaccine is 5,888, and 25,359 injuries and counting

Governor Brown set a 70% vaccination goal along with Washington. Governor Inslee, who has called an end to his goal and will open Washington on June 30. Governor Brown has not followed suit. Her incentive programs have done well taking the number needed to be vaccinated down to only 38,143 away from the 70% goal. Oregon Health Authority states on their website that the â€œPfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, under an Emergency Use Authorization to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for use in individuals 12 and older for Pfizer, and 18 years of age and older for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. So far, they have not been approved or licensed by the FDA.â€

A doctorâ€™s testimony in Parliament points to disclosure, â€œWe are not told that it is a human experiment when given the vaccine. A similar experiment in 2009, Pandemrix, was stopped with 32 less side effects than what we have now. Telling the public the vaccines are safe is intentionally committing crimes, the most serious being genocide.â€

The CDC has received reports of more than 300 cases of heart inflammation in young people under age 30 after taking the COVID-19 vaccination, and teenagers under 20 account for half of the cases that are mostly male. That is three times the average.

U.S. deaths from the COVID-19 vaccine is 5,888, and 25,359 injuries and counting. Compared to Europe with 12,184 deaths and 1,196,190 reported injuries, and United Kingdom with 1,047 deaths and 725,079 injuries, makes it a worldwide issue. These arenâ€™t auto accidents and they arenâ€™t COVID-19 numbers. These are COVID-19 vaccine deaths and injuries from an unapproved experimental shot. Injuries leaving people paralyzed, numb hands and feet, pain and seizures making them unemployable.

If there were 5,888 deaths in any other medical trial, would there be a push for 70% participation? Would the government offer prizes? The CDC met last week to discuss the latest research and safety issues, but isnâ€™t expected to make any changes except for monitoring reportingâ€™s. That leaves the burden to make safe decisions on the public.

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

There is contradicting information about what is in the COVID-19 vaccines, and it usually boils down to what the spike proteins do. They penetrate cells to provoke virus-neutralizing antibodies that will trigger immunity. The problem occurs when spike protein triggers immunity against COVID-19 and strips it of immunity to everything else.

A new study is the first to directly show that the spike proteins themselves are able to cause harm to the host cells. If that is the case, then the vaccines are really no different than the disease. The study further shows that COVID-19 is primarily a vascular disease that damages blood vessel walls rather than a respiratory illness as previously thought. Now there is fear that the flu could be a serious problem this winter because as the vaccine works through the body, the vaccinated body wonâ€™t be able to defend itself. Are vaccinations creating another emergency?

British reports are calling for completely stopping the COVID-19 vaccinations. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency now has more than enough evidence to stop the vaccines that they say are toxic to humans. The World Health Organization is also recommending not vaccinating anyone under the age of 18.

Limiting Governor Brownâ€™s stronghold during an emergency has not been lacking in this legislative session. There was even an attempt to terminate the state of emergency relating to COVID-19 with SR 2 by a floor motion to withdraw it from committee, which failed. However, if vaccinating individuals continue at the current pace, Governor Brown will be forced to open the state around July 1.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-06-24 07:57:04

Last Update: 2021-06-23 22:19:31

Excessive Heat Warning in Oregon

Unprecedented heat expected this weekend

Strong high pressure over the Pacific Northwest will bring a stretch of unseasonably hot weather to much of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon.

Temperatures will already be in the low to mid 90s beginning Friday, but increase further to dangerous levels Saturday through Monday. High temperatures will run 20 to 30 degrees above normal for late June at many locations, putting numerous daily, monthly and possible all-time high temperature records in jeopardy.

Overnight lows will also be unseasonably warm, limiting the amount of relief from the heat and contributing to increased risk of heat related illnesses. The heat is expected to peak Sunday, then gradually trending downward towards the middle of next week. However even next week will be 10 to 20 degrees above normal.

Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 100 and 108. Highest temperatures are expected on Sunday. Overnight lows remaining in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

The hot daytime temperatures, combined with warm overnight lows, will result in high heat risk and heat related stress.

Smoke from wildfires may also affect the situation.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, call 911 if needed.

--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-06-23 18:21:24

Last Update: 2021-06-23 18:45:58

Bud Pierce Runs on â€œStronger Togetherâ€

He is not new to Oregonâ€™s Governor race

Bud Pierce is identified as an American physician and politician. He is not new to Oregonâ€™s Governor race, running as a Republican nominee in 2016 special election, he has again announced he will run in 2022.

Bud Pierce was born William C Pierce in Wiesbaden, West Germany and raised in Riverside County, California. He moved to Salem in 1994 after receiving a M.D. in 1987 from UCLA School of Medicine. The medical degree came while serving six years as an enlisted Marine reservist, . and he served in the United States Naval Reserve as a doctor during his medical training.

Today, Pierce is a senior partner of Oregon Oncology Specialists of Salem, one of the last physician-owned oncology practices in the Northwest. He is the anchor of the practice, working five days a week, at his dream job.

Pierce started Oregon Crossroads, a public policy and opinion website and podcast in 2019 to engage the ideas of people who live and work in the trenches of life. His goal is to bring practical solutions to complex problems. He firmly believes that leadership is not telling others what to do, but bringing people together around an idea, which was his goal for Oregon Crossroads. Pierce wants to â€bring people together around problems and create solutions that workâ€”something that our current leadership is not doing.â€

Pierce announced the details of his campaign platform as wanting to focus on homelessness, public safety, supporting small businesses, healthcare and environmental protections.

Pierce says, â€œOregonians currently suffer under the oppressive leadership and poor performance of our current governor. I will never set arbitrary and non-scientific policies, ask law enforcement to monitor you in your own homes, or ask you to inform on your neighbors in the absence of statutory crime.â€

â€œThe citizenry is frustrated and unsettled, and I am a far stronger candidate than I was in 2016â€ Pierce contends. â€œThe time has come for a Republican to once again serve as governor of Oregon after a 40-year drought.â€

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-06-23 15:02:16

Despite Surplus, State Seeks Revenue

Despite record revenue, Legislature will collect another $30 million from businesses per year

The House Committee on Revenue has passed a bill that would increase taxes on businesses.

SB 139 narrows the scope of which businesses can qualify for a reduced tax rate, and will raise more than $30 million a year for the state. Thereâ€™s no identified objective for this money. Instead, it simply raises revenue.

In May, it was announced that Oregon is set to have a tax revenue over $1 billion more than projected.

â€œWe should be doing everything we can to support businesses and main streets so we can restore jobs,â€ said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). â€œIncreasing taxes will threaten the ability of our communities to bounce back from the pandemic. The state does not need this money, so we shouldnâ€™t be taking it from Oregonians.â€

â€œWeâ€™re seeing far too many proposals this session to increase taxes simply for the sake of raising state revenue,â€ added Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls), who raised serious concerns regarding SB 139 A during Revenue Committee. â€œThe state has more money than ever, but Oregonians and businesses donâ€™t. This bill will simply make life harder for people.â€

Though the Oregon Constitution requires that bills for raising revenue originate in the House, this bill comes from the Senate, and apparently, Legislators, under the guidance of Legislative Counsel have determined that this bill is not subject to the requirements of Article IV, Section 18: Where bills to originate. Bills may originate in either house, but may be amended, or rejected in the other; except that bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.
SB 139 passed out of the House Committee on Revenue on party lines (4-3) and will be third read on the House floor Thursday.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-23 15:01:57

Last Update: 2021-06-23 15:08:08

Japanese Concerned For Their Safety in Oregon

Consulate has expressed concerns to Kate Brown

Oregon is getting to be well known around the world for all the wrong reasons these days, it seems.

Now, the Consular Office of Japan in Portland has issued a strongly worded letter directed at Oregon's Governor Kate Brown, expressing concern about it's people's safety in Oregon after a violent attack on two Japanese women near Tillamook, Oregon.

The letter was also directed to Oregon Department of Corrections Director, Colette Peters.

The two women were severely beaten by an inmate who had just fled a prisoner work crew nearby. The inmate then stole one of the victim's cars.

The letter reads as follows: Dear Governor Brown,

I hope you are doing well in these difficult times. Unfortunately, today I am contacting you because I would like to raise some grave concerns about the serious injury to two Japanese women who were assaulted by a prisoner who fled the South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) on April 14th, 2021.

The two Japanese women were hiking at Gales Creek Campground, Tillamook County, Oregon. At the same time, a work crew from SFFC was cleaning the campground area. One of the prisoners who was cleaning the Campground escaped from the work party and suddenly attacked the two Japanese women from behind, severely beating them with a large stick. Both women were seriously injured. The escaped prisoner stole one of their cars parked at the campsite and escaped.

The two Japanese women were urgently rushed to a hospital where one is still hospitalized due to skull injuries and cerebral hemorrhaging, and the other has undergone four surgeries to repair complicated fractures of her arm. We are shocked by this violence and I am deeply concerned to learn that prisoners under the control of DOC, whose mission is to promote and protect public safety, can easily escape and harm the general public.

In response to this incident, we will have to reconsider how we, the Japanese community, should think about safety in Oregon. Currently, there are about 9,000 Japanese people residing in this state, including permanent residents and expatriate families of Japanese companies. Their safety is one of the most important duties of the Consular Office. One of the victims of this crime is a member of a Japanese company expatriate family. We are concerned that such incidents will scare these people and companies and that they will hesitate to expand their economic activities here. We also expect that many students and tourists from Japan will return to Oregon when the pandemic ends. Outdoor activities in Oregon, with its rich and beautiful natural environment, are an aspect of life here that Japanese people love and one of the biggest attractions for Japanese tourists. Many people will be disappointed and reluctant to visit Oregon if it is seen as unsafe.

We would also like to take this opportunity to note that we are watching with concern the media reports on deteriorating security, such as increased violence and shootings in some areas, including in Portland. In order for us to provide timely information to our citizens in Oregon we would appreciate support from the state government, under your guidance, on the following points.

1. We ask the state government to provide as much support as possible to the victims of the incident mentioned above. Please let us know what kind of support is possible in such circumstances. We would also appreciate it if you could promptly report on any new information or developments related to this case and keep our office closely informed.

2. Please investigate how such an incident occurred and thoroughly implement measures to prevent similar failures from happening again. Please inform us of all of the locations where prisoners in DOC facilities are working in the field in Oregon so that we may advise our citizens and let us know what steps have been and will be taken in the wake of this incident.

3. In order to limit the upset within the Japanese community caused by this recent event, it would be desirable for the responsible authorities to make some statement showing their utmost commitment to ensuring the safety of public spaces in the state.

In addition to traditional trade relations between Oregon and Japan, active investment by Japanese companies in the high-tech industry in recent years has further strengthened the cooperative relationship between Japanese and US companies within the global supply chain, as well as providing many excellent jobs for Oregonians. We hope to continue to develop this kind of positive relationship that benefits both sides so much, and we look forward to the continued support and assistance of the Oregon State Government.
Sincerely yours,

Masaki Shiga

Consul General

Consular Office of Japan in Portland

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-23 12:07:09

Last Update: 2021-06-23 17:20:48

Campsites to be Removed in Bend

Those camping along Emerson Avenue need to vacate by June 23

The Bend City Council recently approved an administrative policy that sets out steps and procedures the City will use to determine when to remove or manage established campsites on City rights-of-way. The policy is intended to be used to remove those established campsites on City rights-of-way that are having the greatest impact on public health and safety -- including the safety of those individuals residing or camping at a location.

According to the new Management and Removal of Established Campsites in City Rights-of-way policy, when a segment or portion of a City right-of-way is being used as an established campsite and poses a threat to public safety and use of the right-of-way, the City can deem it an â€œunsafe campsite.â€ An impact analysis identified the unsafe campsite using evaluation criteria such as the number of Police Department calls for service, violations of laws or codes, and encroachment on travel lanes.

â€œProviding for the safety of our unhoused community members and the traveling public is the Cityâ€™s top priority in addressing whatâ€™s happening at Emerson Avenue,â€ said City Manager Eric King. Along with approval of the policy, Councilors requested that staff provide two weeksâ€™ notice to service providers before removing established, unsafe campsites.

This morning, the City provided official notice to those camping along Emerson Avenue of the need to vacate by June 23. On the morning of June 23, City crews and contractors will close portions of Second Street and Emerson Avenue and begin cleaning the area and restoring the right-of-way. Access to the area will be limited to service providers, City officials and contractors.

During camp clean-up and restoration, a safe observation area will be provided at the eastern end of the Second Street and Emerson Avenue intersection for First Amendment expressions and media.

Personal property remaining in the right-of-way after people relocate from the closed area will be stored near City Hall and available for pick-up by contacting City administration at City Hall, according to City administrative policy and in compliance with State law. People who leave the rights-of-way may choose to relocate temporarily to the low-barrier shelter located at 275 NE Second Street.

Once the unsafe campsite has been cleaned and restored, sections of Emerson Avenue will be posted as a no parking area to provide for safe access to the right-of-way and businesses.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-22 16:48:32

Out of the Chaos Comes More Taxes

Republican bill would return $300 M that Oregon owes taxpayers

House Republicans have introduced a bill by Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls) to return $300 million to Oregonians they are owed by the state.

When the federal government issued stimulus checks it was promised that people would not owe any additional taxes for them. However, a quirk in Oregon tax code resulted in many people paying more in taxes if they received these relief checks. At a time when many people and businesses are recovering from the economic chaos of COVID-19 -- while the state is awash in revenue -- many people think that this is not the time for the state to be extracting more money from citizens.

HB 3411 will make it easy for the Oregon Department of Revenue to set up a process to return this money to people when they file for taxes next year.

â€œThis money doesnâ€™t belong to the state, itâ€™s as simple as that,â€ said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). â€œWeâ€™re sitting on $300 million that belongs to the people of Oregon. This fix will give it back to them.â€

â€œWe have no excuse,â€ added Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls). â€œIf returning money that belongs to Oregonians is a priority for the majority party, then we can make it happen. If itâ€™s not a priority, then people should know that.â€

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-22 16:34:43

Looming California-Style Blackouts

New proposal could hike electric bills and risk rolling blackouts

As the state of Oregon is looking at upcoming days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and the concurrent stress it will place on the energy grid, Legislators are considering legislation that may force Oregon into California-style blackouts.

HB 2021, introduced by Representative Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) and Khanh Pham (D-Portland), has moved through committees on party lines and will soon be considered on the House floor. The bill raises electricity costs for Oregonians and will likely make the stateâ€™s energy grid unreliable.

This session House Republicans have pushed for only focusing on bills that address immediate concerns related to the pandemic, natural disasters, education and restoring jobs. Raising the cost of living for people still struggling to recover is the wrong direction.

â€œWe should not be raising electricity costs for Oregonians while making our energy grid less reliable,â€ said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). â€œHB 2021 will hike electricity costs and expose Oregon families and businesses to rolling blackouts like we see in California. We shouldnâ€™t be pushing this through a closed-door legislative session and ignore serious concerns from the public and key stakeholders. Oregonians cannot afford to pay more for less reliable electricity.â€

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-22 16:23:19

Last Update: 2021-06-22 16:48:32

Affordable Housing Segregation

Government policy has to get away from segregating neighborhoods

The term "ghetto" originated from the name of the Jewish quarter in Venice, Italy. Venetian authorities compelled the city's Jews to live in the quarter, which was established in 1516. The African-American ghetto is a creation of the twentieth century. Fifty years after the repeal of Jim Crow, many African-Americans still live in segregated ghettos in the country's metropolitan areas.

Richard Rothstein, a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute, has spent years studying the history of residential segregation in America. His assertion is that the government created the modern ghetto. â€œA ghetto is, as I define it, a neighborhood which is homogeneous and from which there are serious barriers to exit. Thatâ€™s the technical definition of a ghetto.â€ He goes on to say that government policy has taken integrated neighborhoods and made them segregated.

Where public housing or subsidized housing is meant to provide affordable housing to a diversified class of citizens, it runs the risk of creating segregated communities that overflows into more segregated schools, higher unemployment, higher use of public health care, and more transportation needs. Under FDR the left started taking integrated neighborhoods and converting them into segregated neighborhoods under federal government policies of the New Deal. Are they again using diversity and equity to segregate for the purpose of providing benefits or is it for control?

Representative Mark Meek (D-Clackamas) wants $1 million to expand the accessory dwelling unit community pilot program for low-income rental homes. HB 3335 allocates funds to the Hacienda Community Development Corporation to assess suitable property for siting and construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit in an area outside of Portland. For a homeowner to be eligible for an ADU construction, their income must be at or below the area median income. If a nonprofit organization owns a home, it must be rented to a household with an income at or below the area median income. HB 3335 requires the Hacienda Community Development Corporation provide professional property management services for the eligible homeowners receiving grants. If a homeowner submits to the project, they are micromanaged for upkeep and compliance for 10 years, or under penalty to repay grant monies.

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

HB 3335 passed out of the Full Ways and Means Committee headed to the House floor for a vote. Two other bills that have made it through the process:

SB8 Requires local governments to allow development of certain affordable housing on lands not zoned for residential uses. (Passed awaiting Governorâ€™s signature)
HB 2160 adds Pendleton to the Land Conservation and Development Commission pilot program to develop sites for affordable housing in urban growth boundary expansion areas.

HB 2708 allows the Department of Land Conservation and Development to approve local governments' plans for urban growth boundary expansion areas if 30 percent is used for affordable housing for no less than 50 years. It died in committee.

How does a state provide affordable housing without creating class-based or segregated communities that turn into ghettos? Some bills offer grants to organizations providing assistance to find housing, including low-income, mentally disabled, and minorities. And, many bills that allowed tax credits for construction of affordable housing that would have integrated them throughout the community were turned down.

In order to get away from segregation, government policy has to get away from taking integrated neighborhoods and segregating them through policy.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-06-21 08:36:37

Last Update: 2021-06-21 15:37:51

Nearman Appointment Attacked by Proposal

One would presume that such a bill has support in the House.

In a move clearly directed against former State Representative Mike Nearman, a bill has been introduced in the Oregon House to prohibit a person who has been expelled from the legislature to be appointed back to their seat. Representative Nearman was expelled from the Legislature last week. He has submitted a form indicating his willingness to serve if appointed.

HB 3413, introduced by State Representative Marty Wilde (D-Eugene) creates the prohibition. One would presume that such a bill has support in the House. It's less clear in the Senate.

This bill is just one more in a series of election reform bills designed to thwart Republican political activity. Earlier this session, SB 865 was proposed by Senators Lynn Findley (R-Vale), Bill Hansell (R-Athena) and Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) to prohibit a person from simultaneously serving as holder of state office and as officer of state central committee of political party. Currently, Senator Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg) is the Chair of the Oregon Republican Party and Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls) is the Treasurer.

The Convention of Precinct Committeepersons to select nominees for Nearman's seat in House District 23 is set for Friday. Some of Nearman's supporters have pointed out that his expulsion was anti-democratic, where 59 persons who do not live in House District 23 have denied representation for the nearly 60,000 voters who do live in his district.

HB 3413 is scheduled be first read on the floor of the House today.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-06-21 08:34:58

	Subscribe for Free Email Updates
	Name:
	Email:


Search Articles

Read More Articles