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On this day, April 23, 1846, although President Polk had called on Congress in December 1845 to pass a resolution notifying the British of the termination of joint occupancy agreement in the Pacific Northwest, it was not until this day that both houses complied. The passage was delayed especially in the Senate by contentious debate. Several Southern Senators, like William S. Archer (D-Virginia) and John M. Berrien (D-Georgia), were wary of military capabilities of the British Empire. Ultimately a mild resolution was approved, the text of which called on both governments to settle the matter amicably.




Post an Event


Washington County 2024 Primary Candidate Meet & Greet
Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Come meet your candidates running for office here in Oregon such as Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Treasurer as well as Washington County state house and senate legislators and local county commissioners. Food and a no-host bar. Family friendly.
Scotch Church Road Vineyard 30125 NW Scotch Church Rd. Hillsboro, OR 97124



Dorchester Conference 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Dorchester Conference 2024 April 26th-28th
Welches, Oregon



Multnomah County Fair
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 9:00 am
Multnomah County Fair
Oaks Amusement Park



Memorial Day
Monday, May 27, 2024 at 11:00 am
Memorial Day
A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving.



Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 12:00 am
Juneteenth
Celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when in the wake of the American Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas.



Lincoln County Fair
Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.thelincolncountyfair.com
July 4-6
Lincoln County Fairgrounds



Independence Day
Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm
Independence Day
USA



Marion County Fair
Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.marion.or.us/CS/Fair
July 11-14
Oregon State Fair & Expo Center



Jackson County Fair
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:00 am
TheExpo.com
July 16-21
Jackson County Fairgrounds - The Expo



Columbia County Fair
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 8:00 am
columbiacountyfairgrounds.com
July 17-21
Columbia County Fairgrounds



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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


View All Calendar Events


Democrats Pass Bill to Help Convicted Felons Stay in the Country Illegally
“Making victims pay for their abuser to stay...”

Oregon Senate Democrats have moved to make taxpayers foot the bill for the deportation lawyers of illegal non-citizens, including those who have also been convicted of felonies like murder, rape, domestic violence, sex abuse, and kidnapping.

“Making victims pay for their abuser to stay in the country illegally is wrong,” Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “These kinds of soft-on-crime policies are what is causing Oregonians to feel unsafe in their homes. In the middle of a crime spike, we should be making communities safer, not putting more criminals back on our streets.”

In the Judiciary Committee, a Republican amendment to SB 1543 was rejected that would have ensured those who had stood accused or convicted of felonies would not receive benefits under the universal representation program.

Department of Corrections data shows that as of January 1, 2022, at least 615 individuals with federal ICE detainers are in custody in Oregon prisons.

Three-in-five of those have been convicted of sex abuse, rape, murder, or sodomy.

Under SB 1543, these individuals would be prioritized for taxpayer assistance.

It is estimated that taxpayers already pay over $26 million per year in prison costs to detain criminal illegal non-citizens. SB 1543 appropriates another $10.5 million to pay for their deportation defense.

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

SB 1543's Chief Sponsors are Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Senator James I. Manning Jr. (D-Eugene), Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego), Representative Teresa Alonso Leon (D-Woodburn), Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland) and Representative Andrea Valderrama (D-Portland).

The bill passed the Senate along party lines, 17-8 and will now be considered by the House.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-28 15:57:16Last Update: 2022-03-01 17:44:45



Culturally Responsive Investments
Oregon Democrats want racial reparations through redistribution

The Oregon State Senate has approved Senate Bill 1579 on a vote of 17 to 9.

This legislation would direct Business Oregon to implement an Economic Equity Investment Program to award grants to qualified organizations that provide culturally responsive services to disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses and communities.

“The Equity Investment Act is a proactive investment in our communities statewide,” said Akasha Lawrence Spence (D-Portland), Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 1579, who carried the bill on the Senate floor. “This measure is necessary to help communities from our rural center to our urban core become self-sufficient, attract private investment and become resilient in the face of economic shocks. Senate Bill 1579 will increase Oregon's capacity to build thriving communities.”

“We are in an immense moment of social reckoning in this country. I have spent nearly every one of 20 years in community advocacy focused on police and criminal justice reform,” said Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Co-Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 1579. “I am a Co-Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 1579 because I know creating economic opportunities for all is fundamental to creating a fairer future for Oregonians who have been left behind."

Business Oregon's Strategic Plan for 2018-2022 says that persistent economic disparities exist among people of color and other represented communities, despite growth rates higher than the state's overall population.

They are saying that household income and wages are lowest for Oregon's African American, Native American, and Hispanic communities. Observers might note that Business Oregon is suggesting that "white communities" do not need the "culturally responsive investments" that these other communities do.

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 Strategic Plan states that these groups are also disadvantaged in their access to capital and are underrepresented in employment within the professional and technical services sectors.

Senate Bill 1579 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-28 13:54:02Last Update: 2022-02-28 15:52:33



Masks No Longer to be Required in Oregon
Date changed again, to March 11

With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon, and Washington are moving together to again update their masking guidance.

After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon, and Washington will be adopting new indoor mask policies and moving from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools.

State policies do not change federal requirements, which still include masks on public transit.

“Two years ago today, we identified Oregon’s first case of COVID-19," said the Governor Kate Brown. "As has been made clear time and again over the last two years, COVID-19 does not stop at state borders or county lines. On the West Coast, our communities and economies are linked. Together, as we continue to recover from the Omicron surge, we will build resiliency and prepare for the next variant and the next pandemic. As we learn to live with this virus, we must remain vigilant to protect each other and prevent disruption to our schools, businesses, and communities––with a focus on protecting our most vulnerable and the people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority rules requiring masks in indoor public places and schools will be lifted after 11:59 p.m. on March 11.

In California starting March 1, masks will no longer be required.

However, the division continues, as masks will be recommended for unvaccinated individuals in most indoor settings.

After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended.

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

Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. As always, local jurisdictions may have additional requirements beyond the state guidance.

“We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement," stated Washington Governor Jay Inslee. "While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously.”

In Washington, indoor mask requirements will be lifted as of 11:59 p.m. on March 11. The Washington State Department of Health will be issuing new guidance for K-12 schools next week so schools can prepare to implement updated safety protocols.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-28 13:06:56Last Update: 2022-02-28 13:26:28



Marc Thielman Targeted By Media
Does Oregon media have an agenda?

Mid-Valley Media has trouble keeping their political bias out of their news articles.

They have run a series of articles against gubernatorial candidate Marc Thielman, taking readers down a path of innuendos and suggestions that aren’t factual, and made sure readers know Oregon is a very-blue Democrat state.

They paint Marc Thielman, former Alsea School District Superintendent as ruthless, accusing him of playing theatrics by keeping Alsea school district open allowing students to legally unmask using CDC guidelines and the Oregon and U.S. Constitution.

Mid-Valley Media states Thielman’s resignation was justice for his unmasking stance and suggests it put the district at risk despite his district having no COVID cases traced back to the school as a source. This was an eye-opener to parents and other districts followed his lead.

Thielman’s decision to resign as Superintendent of Alsea was based on not being able to give 100 percent to being superintendent while in the midst of a gubernatorial campaign. He has always had support from the school board and staff in the 11 years he has been Alsea superintendent. The school board’s decision to keep schools open while others were closing didn’t sit well with a few employees who felt threatened by not enforcing the mandates. One employee had health issues and chose a severance package to honor her many years of service, but has now changed her mind with her complaint. Meanwhile, Alsea was able to keep their whole staff because Thielman accepted religious and medical exemptions in support of personal medical freedom.

Thielman had one focus in mind when he kept his schools open during the 2020-2021 school year, and that was to educate kids. The penalty for ignoring mandates was withholding of $275,000 of ESSR III federal funds to deal with COVID shortages and closure. They were not state school funds. His district grew 500 percent during this time, which brought in more sustainable tax revenue than the ESSR III funds. Unused amounts of ESSR funds will expire.

Alsea has two online high school programs. One is credit recovery and the online graduation rates are lower than inhouse. Last year’s inhouse graduation rate was 90 percent, above the state rate of 80.6 percent. Oregon Department of Education doesn’t allow Alsea to separate it's data by the two programs, so it lists a lower rate, where larger districts will create an alternative school to push their failing students into so they can report an inflated rate.

The editorials on Thielman typifies the media’s war on families and personal liberties that Marc Thielman and others are fighting against. Thielman was criticized for showing parents how to apply for a medical exemption, but they didn’t say it was for 504 and IEP qualified disabled students.

He was on national news discussing how his own disabled daughter struggled with masking.

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

Mid-Valley Media dug up an Elvis impersonation video over 12 years ago when Yoncalla raised a complaint from a disgruntled employee who had been fired for mismanagement of school funds. Another administrator was to be the Elvis figure for a school assembly, but he got sick, and Thielman being who he is as a servant leader, stepped in and wore the Elvis outfit that was too small for him. Two entities investigated and found the complaint didn’t have merit.

Parents want a governor that will put education back under local control and fight for their constitutional rights. It will take a strong person to sort through the quagmire left from the pandemic.

Parents, guardians, and the public have come to realize there has been an erosion of parental rights, graduation standards, and educational options within the public sector.

Thielman is only the first target of the media. The question is, how much will we allow the media to influence our choice.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-28 12:50:32Last Update: 2022-02-28 13:54:02



Angela Plowhead Endorsed by River Church Pastor
“She stands up for liberty and freedom”

Oregon congressional candidate Dr. Angela Plowhead has been endorsed by Pastor Lew Wootan from the River Church, of Salem, Oregon. Dr. Plowhead is a constitutional conservative running for Oregon's new congressional district 6 (CD6).

"My wife and I are endorsing Angela Plowhead," said Pastor Lew Wootan. "Yeah, we're endorsing her. She believes in what we're doing, we believe in what she's doing, and not only that, the reason that I'm endorsing her is for a couple reasons. First, she stands up for Liberty and Freedom. And secondly, she wants to correct things that are wrong."

Pastor Lew continued, "Beyond that - the biggest reason I support her is because she's teachable. She's been a friend, she has stood up with us when other people were criticizing us. She stood up and has been there with us."

Dr. Plowhead responded to the endorsement, "Every American has the right to freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. The constitution is very clear that there can be no law established against these things. I will stand for and with anyone whose rights are being impeded. That is why I’m am standing with Pastors Lew and Lorri Wootan, who have stood for the constitutional freedom of their congregation from the beginning. At the age of 19, I vowed to defend the constitution, that vow did not end when I left military services. It is integral to who I am. Standing up for what is right should not be a choice but an obligation we demand of every politician who represents this nation."

Pastor Lew believes that Angela is principled but willing to listen to other views. He says, “You can't be so rigid that you end up full of pride and surrounded by people who are butt-kissers. That will end up hurting you. And hurting who you represent. And you have to have people that when you correct them and you speak to them in a way that can be corrected - that they'll listen, and they'll take it to council, and they'll do something different if it needs to be done. And that's been Angela. She's been a friend, she has stood up with us when other people were criticizing us. She stood up and has been there with us."

The River Church is outspoken on civics issues, particularly the role of government in American lives.

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 have a code of conduct which states the church's stance on such issues as how all Americans have God-given rights as described in the Bill of Rights of our State and US Constitutions, and as a Constitutional Republic we have elected governments to protect those rights.

They also do not support violence, especially against individuals and government officials, and they do not support or approve racism or extremism. They believe that American rights of freedom of speech and press, as recognized by our State and US Constitutions, protect every American’s ability to share truth about the violations of our rights and learn how to preserve our God-given rights and restore liberty.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-27 11:44:58Last Update: 2022-02-27 21:14:39



Democrats Say No on Reducing Cost on Prescriptions
Oregonians will continue to pay more for basics

Amid runaway inflation, Oregon Democrats are bringing multiple spending packages out of Ways and Means, and the Senate Republicans voted to cut taxes on prescription drugs and items necessary for Oregon families.

Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) made a motion to withdraw SB 1507 from the Finance & Revenue Committee, where the bill has been blocked by majority Democrats this session.

The bill would exempt prescription drugs, diapers, baby formula, and feminine hygiene products from the corporate activities tax. Democrats don't seem to want that to happen.

The effort was blocked by Democrats along a party-line vote, 8-16. Senator Rachel Armitage​ (D-Scappoose), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Senator Lew Frederick (D-Portland), Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis), Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Portland), Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence (D-Portland), Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), Senator James I. Manning Jr. (D-Eugene), Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem), Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), Representative Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro), Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Portland), Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland), and Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) all voted no to this exemption that would lead to lower prices for Oregonians. Observers say that the Democrats may want to retain this revenue in order to fund pet projects.

They instead are moving forward a more narrow provision in SB 1524 that would reaffirm taxes on most Oregonians’ prescription drugs, by only exempting those with nine or fewer locations.

“Most Oregonians don’t realize we have a sales tax here in Oregon,” Senator Findley said. “They don’t think they are paying a sales tax when they buy their prescriptions, diapers, or baby formula. Make no mistake, the hidden sales tax of 2019 is costing Oregonians more and putting pharmacies out of business.

“Some will pat themselves on the back for voting for SB 1524 which picked only select pharmacies to exempt from these taxes. It doesn’t go far enough and reaffirms taxes on the majority of Oregonians' prescription drugs. I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible, and SB 1507 would have been a more comprehensive approach to accomplish that goal.”

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

Provisions within SB 1524 would not have saved Bi-Mart pharmacies from closing. Nor will it reduce the cost of prescriptions purchased at Walgreens, Walmart, or another main supplier.

Without the passage of SB 1507, Oregonians will continue to pay more for basic necessities.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-27 09:24:35Last Update: 2022-02-27 15:19:25



Senate Republicans Vote to Cut Sales Tax on Necessary Items
“I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items.”

Amid runaway inflation, Senate Republicans have voted to cut taxes on prescription drugs and items necessary for Oregon families. Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) made a motion to withdraw SB 1507 from the Finance & Revenue Committee, where the bill has been blocked by majority Democrats this session. The bill would exempt prescription drugs, diapers, baby formula, and feminine hygiene products from the corporate activities tax.

The effort was blocked by Democrats along a party-line vote, 8-16. They instead are moving forward a more narrow provision in SB 1524 that would reaffirm taxes on most Oregonians’ prescription drugs.

“Most Oregonians don’t realize we have a sales tax here in Oregon,” Senator Findley said. “They don’t think they are paying a sales tax when they buy their prescriptions, diapers, or baby formula. Make no mistake, the hidden sales tax of 2019 is costing Oregonians more and putting pharmacies out of business.

“Some will pat themselves on the back for voting for SB 1524 which picked only select pharmacies to exempt from these taxes. It doesn’t go far enough and reaffirms taxes on the majority of Oregonians' prescription drugs. I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible, and SB 1507 would have been a more comprehensive approach to accomplish that goal.”

Provisions within SB 1524 would not have saved Bi-Mart pharmacies from closing. Without the passage of SB 1507, Oregonians will continue to pay more for basic necessities.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-26 06:08:07Last Update: 2022-02-25 16:56:58



Heard Excluded from Senate Chambers
“This is no longer about health”

Senator Heard Comments on Todays Proceedings Oregon Senate Democrats have voted to exclude Senator Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg) from the chamber floor and State Capitol building for respectfully refusing to wear a mask. In a motion brought forward by the Super Majority Democrats, they silenced over 140,000 Oregonians with a simple majority vote. All Senate Republicans opposed the motion and supported Senator Heard. He released the following statement:

“In a time when virtually no legislative bodies, both foreign and domestic, are requiring masks during speech and debate, Oregon Democrats have seen fit to not only continue to expel the people of Oregon from their House and Senate chambers, but to also silence the voice of opposition through the tyranny of mob rule over the rights of the individual.

“Governor Brown stated the metrics for ‘reopening’ the state would be that 70% of the adults be vaccinated. As of Tuesday, according to OHA’s data over 75% have been vaccinated fully, and over 80% have received at least one dose.

“She had stated that she would remove indoor mask mandates by the end of March or once we reached less than 400 hospitalizations. She has now moved that up to March 19th. For the week of February 13th which is the most recent data from OHA, Oregon was down to 390 hospitalizations. Since then our daily case number has trended down which means we might be well under the 400-person threshold already. Even the CDC is slated to relax their masking recommendations as soon as tomorrow. With moving targets and delayed metrics, who is to say that mask mandates shouldn’t be removed even by the Democrats' own rules.

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“This goes to show that this is no longer about health. This has never been about protecting citizens. This is a clear demonstration of tyrannical power and it shows how eager the Democrats are to wield it. The people of Senate District 1 will not submit to this government overreach.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 21:19:36Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:25:30



CRC May Become Casualty of Transportation Wars
“If the majority party thought we would turn a blind eye they are mistaken”

Several Oregon Republicans are prepared to abandon a bi-state committee currently negotiating the Interstate Bridge Replacement between Oregon and Washington if the Washington Legislature passes a 6-cent tax on Oregonians’ fuel.

“Republicans will not stand by and let Washington raise the cost-of-living for our residents without a fight,” said Senator Lynn P. Findley (R-Vale), a member of the Bi-state committee.

“If the majority party in Washington thought we would turn a blind eye when they force us to pay for their roads, they are mistaken,” added Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), who also serves on the committee. “If this unconstitutional tax passes, then Washington should pay the entire cost of the Interstate Bridge Replacement themselves.”

According to a 2019 audit of the Columbia River Crossing project done by the Oregon Secretary of State, "The Columbia River Crossing, otherwise known as the CRC, was a bi-state megaproject to build a bridge between the cities of Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. The new bridge would have replaced and modernized the existing stretch of Interstate 5 (I-5) that currently connects the two cities across the Columbia River. The two states’ Departments of Transportation formed a joint CRC project team in 2004 to manage this effort.

"The intent of the project was to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase mobility of motorists, freight traffic, transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in a notoriously congested section of I-5. To finance the effort, the CRC team developed a plan that relied on federal, state, and toll funding. However, after Oregon passed legislation in 2013 to authorize its $450 million share, Washington failed to follow suit. As a result, after nine years of planning and millions of dollars spent, the CRC project was terminated in 2014 without any construction."

Some insiders see the Washington tax proposal as retaliation for Oregon's proposal to toll parts of interstates 5 and 205.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 06:17:07Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:19:09



$400 Million Package to Respond to Homelessness Passes
It comes to over $27,000 per homeless person

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, "as of January 2020, Oregon had an estimated 14,655 experiencing homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of that Total, 825 were family households, 1,329 were Veterans, 1,314 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 4,339 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness."

The Oregon Legislature has passed a $400 million package to address immediate needs around homelessness, build on current spending to increase the supply of affordable housing, keep people in affordable homes and prevent displacement. If that money were divided among the 14,655 homeless in Oregon, it would come to over $27,000 per homeless person, in addition to what is already being spent.

“We have heard from Oregonians that they want to see action to address homelessness and housing affordability and solutions that work,” said House Majority Leader Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene/Junction City), who also serves as Chair of the House Committee on Housing. “This funding plan will invest in effective state, local and community-based efforts that will prioritize getting unhoused people on the path out of homelessness.”

“I’m proud of what we accomplished through this package,” said Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “These resources are key to supporting people experiencing houselessness and keeping folks off the street to prevent homelessness, so we can continue to make progress around housing stabilization.”

“I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Legislature for their leadership support in understanding cities’ immediate needs and responding to our request for assistance by bringing forth a comprehensive housing and homeless investment package,” said Mayor Lucy Vinis of Eugene. “We recognize this challenge is multi-faceted, and demands a partnership between cities, counties, service providers, businesses, and community members.”

“Salem is facing a homeless crisis like communities across the state. It is our duty to address this crisis with urgency,” said Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth). “Success will depend on coordination between state and local governments, and the flexibility for local communities like Salem to execute a distinct, regional solution. I’m proud to support this multifaceted approach.”

“These pilot programs will create a more equitable, accessible and responsive system by helping our local governments and community partners provide high-level coordination, centralizing communication, and strategic planning and implementation,” said Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend), chief sponsor of the bill.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 06:14:46Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:30:23



Governor Brown Lifts Emergency
Or does she?

Many are confused on when the pandemic can be put in the history file and burned. Oregon headlines has an excitement in the air. Indoor mask mandate will be dropped on March 19, but Governor Kate Brown announced that she will be lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 state of emergency on April 1. Why the difference?

Most of the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 were rescinded on June 30, 2021. In responding to the subsequent Delta and Omicron surges of COVID-19, the Governor for the most part did not use her executive authority to issue new emergency orders. She did take other steps, such as activating the Oregon National Guard to help support hospital workers, and coordinating with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to bring skilled healthcare workers to Oregon to support hospital and long-term care facility staff. Let’s not forget OHA’s temporary masking rules turned permanent just three weeks ago for no good reason except to have that option available for instant access to use against citizens.

Since June 30, 2021, the state of emergency was shifted to an emergency declaration that provided the Governor with flexibility and resources for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including allowing for the use of SERV-OR volunteer medical providers in hospitals, providing flexibility around professional health licensing, and ensuring Oregon could access all available federal disaster relief funds available, such as enhanced SNAP benefits. To codify that flexibility, SB 1529 is being rushed through by Senator Deb Patterson (D-Salem), chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care.

SB 1529 redefines ‘Health care emergency’ to allow the Public Health Director (OHA) to declare if there exists a disease outbreak, epidemic or other condition of public health importance statewide or in a specified geographic area of this state.

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 Governor made sure to exonerate herself and let us know more restrictions are on the horizon without her declaring a state of emergency. Safety requirements in place today regarding masks, vaccinations for K-12 educators and staff, and vaccinations for healthcare workers do not rely on the state of emergency declaration––instead, they are covered by state or federal agency administrative rules issued under existing non-emergency state or federal authority.

SB 1529 is headed to the House floor for its final vote.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-24 17:39:43Last Update: 2022-02-24 18:14:46



Kate Brown Announces End to COVID Emergency
Will happen on April Fools’ day

Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has announced that she will be lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, effective April 1.

She says that COVID-19 hospitalizations and case numbers continue to drop rapidly across Oregon as the Omicron variant recedes.

“Over the past six months, as Oregon weathered our worst surges of the pandemic, I’m proud of the way Oregonians have worked together to keep each other safe,” said Governor Brown. “Lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration today does not mean that the pandemic is over, or that COVID-19 is no longer a significant concern. But, as we have shown through the Delta and Omicron surges, as we learn to live with this virus, and with so many Oregonians protected by safe and effective vaccines, we can now protect ourselves, our friends, and our families without invoking the extraordinary emergency authorities that were necessary at the beginning of the pandemic."

“COVID-19 is still present in Oregon, and we must remain vigilant. We must continue to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks when necessary, and stay home when sick. That is the only way we can achieve our shared goals of saving lives and keeping our schools, businesses, and communities open.”

Some of the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 were rescinded on June 30, 2021. But excessive restrictions continued.

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

Kate Brown says she wanted to ensure Oregon could access all available federal disaster relief funds available, such as enhanced SNAP benefits.

According to Governor Brown, requirements in place currently regarding controversial masks and vaccine mandates for educators, staff and healthcare workers do not rely on the state of emergency declaration––instead, they are covered by state or federal agency administrative rules issued under existing non-emergency state or federal authority.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-24 13:51:39Last Update: 2022-02-24 14:07:53



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