Across the country, parents are beginning to step-up and demand answers about what is going on in their public schools. Concerned parents and taxpayers in rural Lebanon, Oregon have recently been forced into the fray by a progressive school superintendent Bo Yates, attempting an end-run around parents, taxpayers and the school board to install a school-based health clinic (SBHC) in Lebanon’s high school under the direction of Principal Craig Swanson. According to Lindsey Perhson, a nurse and local parent activated by school concerns,

“No one will argue that healthcare for our children is incredibly important, that’s not the issue. The good news is, every child in Lebanon already has a fully-funded means to acquire health care and also has access to medical care. In Lebanon, a free clinic, birth control clinic, mental health clinic, two urgent care centers, the hospital campus and provider clinics are just blocks from the high school—easy walking distance. There is no need to duplicate these services in the high-school”.

Many Lebanon parents and taxpayers are wondering, “What is this really all about?”

SBHCs are not just about “free” medical care, strep throat and sprained ankles. They also have an ominous side, especially with the legal synchrony provided by Oregon’s minor consent laws, the most liberal in the nation. These laws actually transfer the God-given parent-child primacy right to the state. Oregon’s minor consent laws can drive a wedge between parent and child just when they need each other most.

In Oregon, a child any age can access birth control services, testing, invasive examinations, hormone treatments and abortion referral without parental notification or consent (ORS 109.610, ORS 109.640).

A child 14 or older may access mental health, chemical or alcohol treatment without parental consent (ORS 109.675). Children 15 or older can consent to any medical, surgical, dental, or other procedure they wish without consent. Remember, these are sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grade children. They cannot get a driver’s license, purchase a car, give informed consent, work a full-time job or be held accountable for many criminal offenses because, well, they’re children after all.

According to science, the brain and emotional state are not developed sufficiently to make such complex decisions. According to Oregon law they can decide to begin transitioning to the opposite sex, be provided psychotropic medications, terminate a pregnancy, have a surgical procedure and still catch the bus home without their parent’s knowledge or consent. Let’s be clear, there is still an adult involved—it may be the state sponsored adult; just not you, the parent.

To ensure the parental shut-out is complete, Oregon law shields SBHC clinics and providers from civil liability for treatment or procedures provided at SBHCs. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects privacy of educational and school nurse information but must be provided to parents upon written request. Conversely, SBHC medical services fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and will not be disclosed to the parent. That is, unless the child provides the parent with a written permission slip. This is not a joke.

An angry parent’s call to the SBHC to find out why their daughter has shut herself into her bedroom crying for the last two days could easily get a response like this, “We’re sure sorry, but under state law we can neither confirm nor deny your daughter was even seen or referred by the clinic”. The school administration, in turn, will tell you the SBHC is run by a private medical agency that they have no control over. Do you see how this system can be used to undermine parental authority and a critical need to know? If parents have private health insurance, that will be billed—they just won’t know about it unless their child thinks they should know. Taxpayers fund the rest through Medicaid, reproductive health access funds and other tax funded billing mechanisms—the same billing process used in all Lebanon’s community clinics—it is not unique to SBHCs. Providers and administrators are highly paid and every visit gets billed. Taxpayers are on the hook for everything else.

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Additionally, according to the SBHC Status Report 2021, three out of 10 SBHC visits are not children. SBHC’s often open the clinic to homeless, drug addicts, indigent persons and illegal immigrants all on school grounds during school hours—what could go wrong?

Since the dawn of humanity, many young adults go through phases where they “hate” their parents, some may go so far as to say this out loud in an SBHC councilors office. This could easily earn the parents a visit from a sheriff or social worker, asking nosy questions, removing guns and creating government chaos for a situation that typically blows over in days. As you can imagine, SBHCs provide endless possibilities for government intervention and control over family life using children as the lever. After all, that may well be the point. Missie Carra a nurse from Ft Worth, Texas did her own investigative work into SBHC development and political underpinnings and outlined her findings in an eye-opening lecture given at the NW Safe Schools Summit called “The Playbook”.

Meanwhile, back in Lebanon, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that Lebanon High School ranks 229th out of 266 high schools in Oregon, 77% of 11th graders are well below grade level in math and science and the drop-out rate is approaching 30%. That’s not a medical issue. That’s an academic failure of leadership. Many parents want their school to focus on reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, science and mostly critical thinking. If the school does its job, then Lebanon’s children will have the necessary skill to walk the 500 yards from the high school to the medical clinic. Better yet, maybe their parents will go with them.


--Clarke Vesper

Post Date: 2022-02-10 00:45:55

Last Update: 2022-02-10 10:05:00

Last year 11 states reduced their individual income tax rates including top marginal rates. Five states reduced their corporate income tax rates and the number of tax brackets. Many reductions are paired with other pro-growth reforms, including helping low-income workers.

But Oregon legislature leadership with Governor Brown’s direction, can’t seem to get their focus off of the dollar signs. Introduced bills were already chipping away at the billion-dollar slush fund that built up letting federal handouts fill-in the budget.

Governor Kate Brown statement on the February revenue forecast revibrates legislature’s majority leadership statements. “Our latest state revenue projections present an opportunity to make investments that spur a strong economic recovery and support working families, especially those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, wildfires, and the unprecedented challenges Oregonians have faced in the last two years.”

Governor Brown continues, “This is a pivotal moment for Oregon. We have a windfall of one-time resources this year, and we have the opportunity to make big investments—and to do the big and bold work to help our working families and businesses thrive. We cannot miss this moment.”

In case you missed her intention to spend the windfall on you, she repeats, “While I am pleased to see growth in wages for Oregonians, there is more work we need to do to grow, develop, and support our workforce. Now is the time to make critical investments in housing, child care, workers, and businesses to help jumpstart growth and keep our economy moving.”

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“And as we work to help Oregon families succeed, with these additional resources at the midpoint of session, we also have an opportunity to ensure that every Oregonian feels safe in their community. I will continue to work with legislators to address community safety, and I encourage members of both parties to bring forward their ideas for evidence-based community violence prevention and intervention. When we invest in and create opportunities for Oregonians and their families, we create safer, healthier communities.”

Gov. Brown drilled down on her State of the State address where she focused on budget priorities directing millions to affordable housing then turned around and said “we have invested more in affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and rental assistance in my tenure as Governor than any other administration.” Taxpayers should ask, why don’t we see some improvement?

One thing she didn’t mention, nor did the majority party leadership, was a reduction in income taxes that would stimulate the economy.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-10 00:35:12

Last Update: 2022-02-10 00:45:55

The Oregon Economic Forecast for March has a mixed bag of prognostications. According to the Office of Economic Analysis which produces the forecast, "As the inflationary boom persists, all of Oregon’s primary state revenue instruments continue to outperform pre-pandemic expectations. With the consensus of economic forecasters now expecting that there is more to come, the revenue outlook has been revised upward." The state has over $900 million in extra revenue.

On the other hand, it predicts challenges for the economy. "The biggest economic challenge remains the supply side of the economy. Supply chains are not broken but are overloaded due to strong consumer demand. Given that labor runs through everything, it is the single biggest constraint on the economy today. Labor supply is increasing. Oregon added a record number of jobs last year."

“More money for the state is not the same thing as good news for Oregonians,” said Oregon House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “People are struggling to make ends meet while the state is swimming in tax revenue. Years of Democrats’ failed leadership have resulted in tax and fee increases. This has brought the state more money than ever at a time when inflation is hurting individuals, families and small businesses by raising prices and diluting salaries. Now should be the time to eliminate financial burdens. Instead, Democrats have floated ideas like a new sales tax. Oregonians deserve better.”

The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index recently reported that the number of small business owners raising average selling prices increased by the highest amount since the fourth quarter of 1974.

Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) said that “After two incredibly difficult years, today’s news means we can make critical investments in our schools, working families, and small business. “We need to seize this opportunity to invest in our schools, particularly given the burnout many frontline workers in education are feeling.

Speaker Rayfield continued, “We need to support working families and small businesses by investing in skills training and helping people start and expand small businesses. “We need to do whatever we can to bring down the cost of living for hardworking Oregonians, particularly individuals and families in need of affordable housing. That means making smart investments to help Oregonians cover everyday necessities like rent, mortgage payments, prescriptions and childcare.”

“Crime is on the rise,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “The Governor continues to double down on letting criminals out of prison, while several bills are working through the legislature that will make our communities more dangerous. We must invest in public safety.

Governor Kate Brown took to the defensive on crime. “As we work to help Oregon families succeed, with these additional resources at the midpoint of session, we also have an opportunity to ensure that every Oregonian feels safe in their community. I will continue to work with legislators to address community safety, and I encourage members of both parties to bring forward their ideas for evidence-based community violence prevention and intervention. When we invest in and create opportunities for Oregonians and their families, we create safer, healthier communities.”

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With the excess revenue, Republicans will also pursue a $50 million appropriation to fund forest thinning operations around the state. “Decades of forest mismanagement has left our forests overstocked ready to explode with a single spark,” Senator Knopp continued. “We must act in a bold way to ensure Oregonians are protected from devastating wildfire.”

“We must also be responsible with this money. We need to reserve more funds for the next downturn. We also need to look seriously at giving Oregonians a tax break. The government has buckets of money, but inflation is pinching the pockets of working Oregonians. As Democrats introduce bills to increase taxes, Republicans are looking at ways to cut them,” said Senator Knopp.

“Wow... That is a lot of money. We can build big projects across the state. We can get the homeless off the street. We can do year-round schools. And we can better recruit, train and evaluate police. Much work to do in a very short period,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem).

Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said, “Today’s forecast is a green light for immediate investments to help kids succeed in school, get people into housing and make sure working families and small businesses are benefitting from our recovery. We must make sure that every community in Oregon shares these strong economic gains.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-09 14:13:42

Last Update: 2022-02-09 14:39:32

Oregon Legislative Democrats have passed SB 1510 out of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- Chaired by Sentator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) -- along party-lines. The public hearing for SB 1568 also tees up more bad policy by making it easier for criminals to get out of jail, making life more dangerous for other Oregonians.

SB 1510 would ban police from enforcing common-sense traffic safety measures like functional headlights and taillights, during a period of unprecedented increases in traffic fatalities in Oregon.

“Properly functioning vehicle lighting is essential for traffic safety,” said Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls). “Tying law enforcements’ hands in situations where other motorists’ safety is being threatened is reckless and dangerous public policy.”

In addition, SB 1510 would escalate encounters with the public, as they would be required to seek consent to a search of a vehicle. Yet, the bill does not change statutes that allow police officers to search a vehicle under probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

“Not only does this bill fail to address any safety problems, but it will require police officers to give false hope to drivers, only to search their vehicle regardless of their consent. That is a recipe to escalate interactions with police,” Linthicum added. “This is a perfect example of how good intentions can have deadly consequences.”

Finally, the bill appropriates millions in funding for grants to the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program which has an express purpose of “promot[ing] racial equity [and] reduc[ing] racial disparities.”

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A Legislative Counsel opinion found that the language in the bill may allow for racial discrimination. While the bill does not explicitly mention race-based discrimination, the opinion discussed the use of the term “culturally responsive organizations” which could be interpreted as a proxy for race:

“[C]ulturally specific organization by definition “serves a particular cultural community [and] is primarily staffed and led by members of that community.” “Cultural community” is not synonymous with race. However, coupled with the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program’s express purpose of “promot[ing] racial equity [and] reduc[ing] racial disparities,” it is possible that in the implementation of the program, “cultural community” could be interpreted as a proxy for a specific racial group, and the program could provide grant funds to an organization based on the organization’s explicit categorization of persons it has served or will serve based on race.”

Therefore it could be found unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. The 14th amendment was passed in the wake of the Civil War to prohibit racial discrimination in the states. It also could run afoul of Article I, Section 20 of the Oregon Constitution, which states, "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"

“This bill is chocked full of terrible provisions that will further degrade Oregonians’ safety,” Linthicum said. “But this section is perhaps the most sinister. Democrats have written this bill with crafty language in hopes of skirting the Constitution. Oregon has already been admonished by the courts over this kind of racial discrimination. There is broad bipartisan agreement, with constitutional support, that racial discrimination is flat-out wrong. I am shocked to see this kind of provision making its way through the legislature.”

SB 1510 will now go to the Ways & Means Committee.

SB 1568 would create a new unelected, unaccountable board to consider the release of criminals from prison. Board members will be appointed by the Governor, without any input or confirmation from the Senate.

The board will not include any representatives from law enforcement or victim advocates. The bill gives the board power to grant criminals a “get-out-of-jail-early-cards” when the Governor declares a state of emergency, like she did when she shut down businesses and required healthy Oregonians to stay home.

“Supporters of this bill want Oregonians to believe that letting unaccountable bureaucrats release criminals from prison is compassionate. It is not compassionate to crime victims or our system of justice. There is no other way to characterize these bills than being pro-criminal.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-08 16:11:38

Last Update: 2022-02-08 17:00:49

Valynn Currie has announced her candidacy for County Commissioner Position 2 challenging incumbent Tim Freeman. At the same time, Currie announced her resignation as Chair of the Douglas County Republican Central Committee effective February 7th. Vice Chair Patrick Lewandowski will be acting Chair until an election for a new Chair occurs. Douglas County has three Commissioners, each serving four year terms and each is up for re-election in 2022. It is one of the few Oregon Counties with more Republican voters than any other registration.

Currie was raised in Douglas County, is a small business owner, a philanthropist and has served in numerous community organizations. County Commissioners oversee a $103 million annual budget in a county of 83,000 people that stretches from the crest of the Cascades to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Tim Freeman was a State Representative prior to becoming a County Commissioner. He is president of the Association of O&C Counties. He is an appointed Director on the Board of the Association of Oregon Counties. Recently he took on new duties joining the Western Interstate Region Board of Directors, a subset of the National Association of Counties.

Each of the three commissioners has challengers in the 2022 election. The incumbents are all Republicans living in Roseburg. Challengers are either Republicans or Nonpartisans. Valynn Currie has a Facebook page – ValynnCurrieForDouglasCounty. She is listed as the principal broker at Currieco Real estate. She espouses family values, individual sovereignty and Constitutionally limited government.


--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2022-02-08 14:21:05

Last Update: 2022-02-08 16:11:38

The same day that the Oregon Health Authority files the permanent rules on mask mandates, Dr. Dean Sidelinger said in an interview with KGW8 that those mandates would be lifted on March 31, or sooner if statewide hospitalizations reach 400 people.

However, mandates in healthcare settings won’t be lifted.

As he puts it, this will allow business and governing entities time to prepare. What he is suggesting is that entities may want to continue requiring masks, and this gives time for them to plan.

It appears Governor Brown doesn’t want to get shown up by other Democrat Governors announcing an end to mask mandates.

Illinois will end their mandate by April 1, New Jersey is set to end their mandate on March 9, and Pennsylvania also says they will end the mask mandates.

Fifteen Republican led states have already dropped mask mandates and two others are scheduled to end mask mandates.

Senator Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River), Deputy Republican Leader commented, “The Governor knew it was safe to be indoors without a mask weeks ago when she was partying with DC elites. This is long overdue.”

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“These metrics should have been put forward months ago,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), “Democrats in the legislature have been silent in the face of the Governor’s overreach, while Republicans have consistently pushed for checks and balances."

“Democrats are finally realizing that mandates are not an effective way to govern,” Knopp continued. “Transparency, accountability, and checks and balances preserve faith in our public health system."

“As we have seen, the Governor can reverse course at any time. Oregonians are demanding accountability," Said the Senate Minority Leader Knopp. "Republicans stand ready to reform the executive branch’s emergency powers to prevent this overreach from happening again.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-08 12:27:20

Last Update: 2022-02-08 12:40:06

The December 2021 Oregon Legislative Special Session brought attention to the illegal cannabis growing in southern Oregon.

Governor Kate Brown had even sent the Oregon National Guard to assist in enforcement. Senate President Courtney and House Speaker Kotek were quick to appropriate funding to help with enforcement.

It seems Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) has a hard time connecting the dots. He chaired the Senate Interim Committee On Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 Implementation, which has introduced SB 1510.

The bill was slated for a work session, but was delayed for an amendment, which the public won’t have an opportunity to comment on.

SB 1510 prohibits a police officer from initiating a traffic stop for failure to use lights or operation without required lighting equipment, and requires the officer to inform a person of their right to refuse consent to search, which has to be documented.

An amendment will exclude implied consent to person’s breath or blood test to determine the alcoholic content if driving under the influence of intoxicants. This bill will place a damper on stopping illegal drug movement.

Recently, Oregon State Police reported a traffic violation stop in Marion County leading to the seizing of 9.9 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 suspected fentanyl pills, a digital scale, packaging materials, and drug paraphernalia. That’s enough to kill three people or about 5 people if injected or cause extreme harm to nine people smoking it. Troopers also located and seized a loaded Beretta 9mm handgun, with armor-piercing ammunition, which was concealed under the driver’s seat. The driver, identified as Enrique Santos Gamboa-Martinez, age 19, from, Tehachapi, California was arrested and lodged on Federal Drug and Weapons charges. If he had been told his right to refuse a search, where would these drugs be now?

Even a vehicle operating without any headlights or brake lights after dark is a safety hazard. Generally other traffic will alert the driver, but lack of response may indicate the driver has issues. The issues may be health related. A friendly stop may determine help is needed. SB 1510 doesn’t make anyone feel safer except criminal elements.

SB 1510 also moves $10 million from Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for a Transforming Justice Initiative to support the Northwest Health Foundation Fund II for the "Justice Reinvestment Equity Program," to use as subgrants and technical assistance for culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive service providers.

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The purpose of the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program is to promote racial equity, reduce racial disparities, reduce recidivism and decrease a county’s utilization of imprisonment in a Department of Corrections institution, all while protecting public safety and holding offenders accountable.

The Northwest Health Foundation home page expresses their vision for restoring voting rights is “eliminating laws rooted in white supremacy." “To achieve equity, our foundation gives our time, money and other resources to those who are furthest from power but closest to solutions.”

This organization is expected to go outside of its mission and experience, but SB 1510 covers that by appropriating $200,000 to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to monitor the program and convene a stakeholder group for evaluation. It also modifies the commission’s priorities to give culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive service top priority.

This legislation moves Oregon away from democracy, decreases public safety, and the most-impacted are the very citizens these initiatives purport to serve.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-08 12:14:48

Last Update: 2022-02-08 12:27:20

Oregonians have voted down a sales tax six times, but it has not deterred the Democrat leadership. Over the years this leadership has successfully disguised sales taxes to hit almost every aspect of our lives.

From energy to phones to grocery bags, and they keep looking. The biggest impact has been the passing of the Corporate Activities Tax (CAT) that initially hit most supply chains, but is hidden from customers.

Representative Brad Witt (D), isn’t so deceitful in introducing HB 4079, which will create Oregon's first ever identifiable sales tax. The purpose of the sales tax is to fund $750 monthly debit cards to the homeless and people under the poverty level. This tax will not go to making our communities safer, our elections more secure or improving our education system. It also comes at a time when the state has record revenues.

Proponents of HB 4079 say the tax is a “luxury” sales tax because at first it only applies to particular products over a certain price. But once passed into law, which requires a 60% vote in both Houses, it only requires a 50% vote to lower the price caps and add more goods and services. It creates a “bait and switch,” which is a scam on Oregonians.

The Oregon Freedom Pilot Program, offering monthly $750 debit cards, isn’t really a pilot once the program is implemented. The $750 debit cards go to homeless and below poverty people, attracting people from out of state, just like other welfare benefits have done. The Atlantic Magazine called Oregon a “Welfare Utopia”. We are famous nationwide for our welfare benefits. This is overwhelming our social services, charities, and local governments and is forcing government to raise taxes even higher. HB 4079 will not reduce or help pay for these welfare benefits, and has no limitation on what it can be spent on.

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Oregon State Government is already the 4th fattest and 4th biggest state spending state government in America as measured by per- person spending. Why now when the state has record revenues of billions in surplus stashed into a slush fund last year that could be used? The House Committee Members on Human Services need to hear YOUR VOICE on whether a sales tax is a good idea for Oregon. A public hearing on HB 4079 is scheduled for this Tuesday (Feb. 8th) starting at 1:00pm. You can sign up to testify remotely. Most likely each person will get 2-3 minutes to testify. Or, submit written testimony using OLIS.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-07 15:04:40

Last Update: 2022-02-07 15:14:01

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is seeking more schools, community organizations and tribes to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this summer to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from meal programs during the school year, continue to have that same access to nutritious meals when schools are closed, or students are unable to attend school in person.

“Access to summer meals is an important way to ensure that children continue to receive the nutrition they need, to learn and grow, when school is not in session,” ODE Summer Meals Outreach Coordinator Cathy Brock said. "It is important to expand the program and close the hunger gap in all areas of the state, and ODE’s Child Nutrition Program is reaching out to ensure that children continue to receive meals throughout the summer."

Some observers are questioning if this path is appropriate for the Oregon Department of Education to be pursuing. When schools were completely shut down by Kate Brown, citing Coronavirus restrictions, school bus drivers were ordered to continue to deliver school lunches via their normal bus routes. Property taxes were still due while the schools were closed.

For information about how to apply for the Summer Food Service Program, you can email them. The deadline to submit an application to become a Summer Food Service Sponsor is May 13, 2022.

ODE has state grant funds available up to $20,000 per sponsor to expand or start up summer meal programs. For more information on grant funds, please email Kaitlin Skreen or call (503) 947-5901.

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Organizations must enter into an agreement with ODE to operate the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Schools, non-profit community organizations, local government agencies, camps and faith-based organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors. Sponsors are reimbursed for serving healthy meals and snacks to children at approved sites.

Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment including schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, libraries, migrant centers, apartment complexes and faith-based locations. Sponsors may be approved to operate and/or have oversight of multiple sites.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-06 16:47:19

Last Update: 2022-02-06 17:06:15

Deschutes County is seeking residents who are interested in serving on the Deschutes County Budget Committee.

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 14.

Budget committee members hear directly from department directors, staff and organizations about the county’s programs and services. The committee makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners about how Deschutes County can best use its resources to serve the community.

Residents who have an interest in the programs and budget process of the County are encouraged to apply. Meetings are focused on the bigger picture - understanding the County's programs and services, discussing challenges and opportunities that departments are considering in their budget process and providing input on key budget decisions for the next year.

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“We encourage residents of diverse backgrounds to consider applying to serve on the Budget Committee,” said Nick Lelack, County Administrator. “This is an important position that has a meaningful impact on the County’s programs and service delivery.”

There is one vacancy on the Budget Committee to complete an existing term through Dec. 31, 2022. This position may be reappointed for a full three-year term from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025.

Committee volunteers typically attend five to seven meetings between December and the end of June, including up to four days of meetings in late May/early June.

Additional meetings may be called if necessary. Members are responsible for reviewing documents on their own time to prepare for sessions, which are held during business hours. Committee members are not paid for their time.

Those interested in serving are invited to submit a complete application that includes a letter of interest and resume, describing their interest in County finances and budget planning and ability to serve collaboratively on a committee.

Deschutes County says they strive to build an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and represents the diverse voices and needs of our communities. Residents are encouraged to apply even if their experience does not precisely match the position description—the County welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-06 16:22:40

Last Update: 2022-02-06 16:39:50

Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has delivered her State of the State address.

The Governor's speech highlighted what she would like to spend more taxpayer money on, including workforce development and career training, affordable housing, and child care.

"I stand here today at a pivotal moment for Oregon. Since I took office seven years ago, the world has fundamentally changed,” said Governor Brown. “Oregon has undoubtedly faced some of the most challenging times in our state’s history.

"However, even with all we’ve lost, we can see a path forward," Brown continued. "We have an opportunity before us. Our economy is strong, and we must keep it humming. Most importantly, we have to make sure that every Oregonian feels it. In order to make transformational change in our state, we need to lift up the communities that have been left behind."

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She went on, "In my last year as Governor, I view every day, every moment, as one more opportunity to focus on the big and bold work we still have to do for Oregon’s working families. I am dedicated to building a strong workforce for Oregon. I will bolster that workforce by providing access to child care so that parents can go to work knowing their kids are cared for. And I will marshal my colleagues to once again make a significant investment in affordable housing. These three investments work together to ensure every working family can thrive."

Governor Brown's speech highlighted key spending that she wants to make happen, including:

• Future Ready Oregon: a $200 million investment in job training with a focus on key Oregon industries in need of skilled workers
• A $400 million investment in affordable housing
• A $100 million investment in child care
• Spending for climate-related disasters

The Republicans are saying that the speech ignored the public safety crisis sweeping across Oregon communities.

“Crime is at record levels here in Oregon, but you wouldn’t know that by listening to the Governor’s speech,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “People don’t feel safe and Republicans share their frustration and anger. The lack of urgency Democrats have brought to this crisis is shocking. The Governor’s workforce package won’t do anything for our economy if people don’t feel safe to work or do business here. Oregonians are desperate for real leadership and solutions on public safety.”

“Safer communities should be a priority this session,” said House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “Any proposals from the Governor that misses this crucial element does not fully serve Oregonians. Instead, we’ve seen the Governor commute the sentences of killers, Democrats have proposed legislation to retry potentially thousands of cases of violent criminals, law enforcement budgets are lower than ever, and current law makes it harder for police to stop riots. Oregonians deserve safer neighborhoods. House Republicans demand better.”


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-03 13:11:46

Last Update: 2022-02-03 16:42:08

The Coalition of School Administrators have decided to double down on critical race theory (CRT) and CSE indoctrination.

This has created an uproar in a number of districts. The firing of five superintendents over the past year has not set well with COSA or the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

Parents are increasingly making public records requests to get to the core of issues, and COSA says it is an immoral violation on personal privacy, even though all government workers are subject to public records requests.

The Senate Interim Committee on Education, Chaired by Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) have sponsored SB 1521, which has a public hearing this week. The bill limits the ability of the district school board from terminating the superintendent if they are acting in compliance with state and federal law and refuse to follow the board’s policies.

A superintendent’s contract may have a mutually agreed upon clause to terminate without cause, but it can’t include actions if following state and federal law, and is required to give a superintendent a 12-month notice.

The school superintendent is hired by the district school board to carry out what the school board approves: school budgets, approved curriculum, and policies in schools. If a superintendent is not going to be supportive of the board and the district, then they are hindering what the district deems important in their schools.

The board sets policy according to their district and parents’ input. SB 1521 sets state and federal law over local school boards, including executive orders, orders of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, declarations, directives or other state or federal authorization, policy, statement, guidance, rule or regulation.

In other words, local control and parents’ voices aren’t to be considered.

COSA and ODE are pushing this bill to override parents that are flooding board meetings demanding to terminate the CRT and sexual identity agendas.

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

They are upset with the firing of the Newberg superintendent for not following the board’s policy stating that only American and Oregon State flags can fly in classrooms.

Recently, Director Colt Gill, ODE, threatened Superintendent Marc Thielman and the Alsea School District to withhold COVID relief funds if they didn’t withdraw their resolution on no mask mandates in their school district.

He may have stirred the pot. There are more than a few school boards looking to follow Alsea’s lead, and as many considering withdrawing from COSA and their radical agenda.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-02 15:53:33

Last Update: 2022-02-02 23:31:43