On Friday September 16 and Saturday September 17, The Oregon Moms Union will be hosting their First Annual Parents Matter Summit, a two-day educational event with prominent school choice and parental rights advocates including Rebecca Freidrichs, Dr. Carol Swain, Lance Izumi, Corey DeAngelis, Marcus Brandon, and Mark Siegel.

“We are so proud of the progress that Oregon Moms Union has made over the last year and the impact it has made on parents and children throughout the state,” said MacKensey Pulliam, President of the Oregon Mom’s Union. “This event is a testament to how much progress we have made through our grassroots efforts in the school choice and parents’ rights movement in a state that is severely lacking in academic performance in the public school system. Parents are waking up to the problems associated with our public schools’ curriculum and are looking for solutions, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The Parents Matter Summit is going to be a critically important event that will shed light on the issues that are students continue to face and the solutions we can adapt to initiate the change we need to positively shape our children’s future.” Pulliam added.

The two-day event will consist of:

• A Viewing of “Who’s Children Are They” with creator Rebecca Friedrichs
• An education panel with nationwide education experts
• Special breakout sessions for future school board members and School District Captains
• Strategy sessions focused on special education, parental rights, private schools, and homeschooling
• Dinner Gala on Saturday Night with a special Keynote Speaker Dr. Carol Swain and Corey DeAngelis

Members of the press interested in attending can sign up using the form on the website.

Oregon Moms Union, formed in early 2021 in the wake of COVID-19 school shutdowns and distance learning, seeks to empower parents to advocate for a student-first K-12 education system. It currently has more than 90 volunteer School District Captains serving in more than 75 school districts.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-24 11:37:14

Last Update: 2022-08-24 12:11:06

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has prepared a draft ballot title for Initiative Petition 4 and is inviting public comment on it. Comments are due bu September 6 and they can be submitted via email to irrlistnotifier.sos@sos.oregon.gov or mailed to the Secretary of State at 255 Capitol St NE Ste 126, Salem OR 97310.

Comments should be regarding the legality or constitutionality of the title, and not on the content of the proposed ballot measure. A "title" contains four parts: A caption, Result of a Yes vote, Result of a No vote, and a Summary.

Caption:
Amends Constitution: Prohibits “highway” (defined) fees/tolls after December 31, 2017, unless voters in nearby counties approve

Result of “Yes” Vote:
“Yes” vote amends constitution. After 2017, new “highway” (defined) fees/tolls require voter approval in counties within 15 miles, including planned tolls on I-5, I-205.

Result of “No” Vote:
“No” vote retains current law allowing public bodies to collect fees/tolls without voter approval, including planned tolls on I-5, I-205.

Summary:
Amends Constitution. Currently, public bodies may collect fees and tolls without voter approval; current law requires tolls be collected on certain sections of I-205 and I-5 in Portland metro area. Measure prohibits public bodies from assessing “any fee or charge for the use of a highway,” unless referred for approval or rejection to the electors in each county with a border within a 15-mile radius of any section of “highway” proposed to be tolled and approved by majority of votes cast. Definition of “highway” includes “every public way, road, street, thoroughfare and place, including bridges, viaducts and other structures.” “Vehicles” include devices propelled/powered by any means, including bicycles. Measure applies to tolls established after December 31, 2017, including forthcoming I-205 and 1-5 tolls.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has already begun the process of developing a tolling system and has received approval to toll from the Oregon Legislature in 2017 through HB 2017


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-23 15:04:46

Last Update: 2022-08-23 15:36:55

The Betsy Johnson campaign has delivered signature sheets to the office of the Secretary of State in order to have her name placed on the November ballot for the office of Governor as a non-affiliated candidate. She is required to turn in 23,744 valid signatures to qualify.

According to Johnson, "Today, we made history. Together with Betsy Brigade members, I delivered 48,214 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office, more than double the number of signatures that I need to qualify for the ballot in November. By delivering more than twice the number of signatures needed to qualify, we’ve made it very difficult for the political establishment to imagine ways to keep me off the ballot. I will be on the ballot in November, and I hope to be your next governor."

According to the State Candidates Manual on the Secretary of State's website, "Candidates who are not members of any political party may file for partisan office in a general or special election in two ways: (1) by submitting a completed Individual Electors nominating petition containing the required number of valid signatures, or (2) by holding an Assembly of Electors and filing the assembly minutes that contain the required number of valid signatures of active Oregon voters. Nonaffiliated candidates for partisan office do not appear on the primary election ballot.

"The name of a candidate nominated to the ballot through either the Individual Electors or Assembly of Electors process will appear on the general or special election ballot with the designation of nonaffiliated."

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Johnson characterized her achievement, "Coming onto the ballot through the power of people’s signatures is one of the most meaningful -- and foundational -- elements of my campaign. As I’ve been traveling the state talking to Oregonians, it has been very clear that they are ready for a real change, and there’s no bigger change than electing an independent governor loyal only to the people of Oregon."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-23 12:52:48

Last Update: 2022-08-23 15:36:01

Kevin Mannix, representing Linn County District Attorney Douglas Marteeny, Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow and several crime victims, have filed a Petition for Review in the Oregon Supreme Court. The Petition challenges the Oregon Court of Appeals decision made regarding the Clemency Process.

The Petitioners seek to maintain the Marion County Circuit Court’s decision that declared the Board of Parole’s newly established “Juvenile Review Hearing” process illegal, preventing the Parole Board from carrying out any further early release of convicted felons.

Petitioners also challenge the refusal of Governor Kate Brown to follow the clemency process laws which have existed in Oregon since the early years of the state. Those clemency process laws require notice to the District Attorney in each case where clemency is under consideration. The District Attorney then notifies the crime victim so that both the District Attorney and the crime victim have the opportunity to be heard as to the proposed clemency action.

Kevin Mannix stated: “Governor Brown has refused to be bound by this process. She takes the position that she can devise her own clemency process. We are challenging this in court because the process laws should apply in every case and every victim should have a right to be heard.

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”Mannix added: “Oregon’s carefully crafted clemency process was established to ensure that the Governor is fully informed as to the concerns of crime victims and District Attorneys when making clemency decisions. This Governor’s refusal to follow this process is an insult to those who have been victimized by crime. I hope the Supreme Court will require the Governor to follow the law as to the clemency process.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-23 09:36:32

Last Update: 2022-08-23 15:37:14

“Over the last decade, a staggering 99% of people needing Search and Rescue assistance in Oregon lived outside the county where they were rescued -- underscoring that people exploring the state may be inexperienced, unprepared or exploring unfamiliar terrain when heading out to adventure." This is an important point according to State of Oregon Search and Rescue Coordinator Scott Lucas. "Summer is always a busy time for Oregon's SAR program, and 2022 has been no exception. The good news is, SAR missions are down 22% from this time last year. The flip side is injuries are up 35% -- so fewer missions but greater injuries. We're especially seeing an increase in alpine rescues – rescues in mountainous regions at 5,000 feet and above.

"On average over the past decade, alpine rescues are up 100%; 19% over the last year alone. Climbing injuries are up 26%, owing to people not knowing the area, proper routes or their own limits. These increases have led to more extreme lifesaving helicopter missions, up 41% over last year. Our SAR teams have already performed 596 missions to date this year, most of those attending to hiking injuries for people who were ill-prepared for their adventure."

Lucas continued, "Oregon is known for year-round outdoor recreation. This week, archery hunting season opens, and Oregon's new rules of drawing tags means many hunters will be in new and unfamiliar locations. That, combined with folks looking to squeeze in the last bit of summer, may escalate the risk and resulting SAR missions. There's also a greater risk of human-caused fires as we hit the height of wildfire season."

Lucas points out that "one positive upward trend is the use of GPS tracking devices. This tells us that people are starting to pay greater attention to our SAR messaging and understand the importance of being prepared. Having a plan helps prepare explorers for any Oregon adventure – as those of us in emergency management know all too well. Now is a critical time to remind our audiences of best safety practices when heading outdoors, including getting familiar with the area they're heading, bringing printed maps, checking local fire restrictions, packing appropriately, traveling with a companion, and always letting someone know where they're going and when they'll be back.

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Lucas reminds outdoor enthusiasts that "people should always know their physical limits and plan for activities that won't exceed their experience to avoid becoming a search and rescue statistic."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-23 06:40:34

Last Update: 2022-08-23 11:48:19

Clatsop County Oregon is welcoming Justin Gibbs as the new Emergency Management Director.

Gibbs brings more than 14 years in emergency management and public administration to the position. A native of North Carolina, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master’s Level Certificate in Community Preparedness and Disaster Management.

“Having been born and raised on the coast of North Carolina, I very much feel at home,” Gibbs said. “I look forward to learning, growing and becoming a member of the community and serving its members with integrity.”

Gibbs’ background includes more than 13 years with Hyde County, North Carolina, where he served as 9-1-1 database administrator before being selected as emergency services director. His tenure included response to multiple hurricanes, storms and wildfires, as well as an assignment to Puerto Rico as a planning section chief for the Hurricane Maria response in 2017.

Prior to joining Clatsop County Gibbs served with Multnomah County for two years, most recently as Interim Division Chief of Planning with the county’s Emergency Management Planning Section.

“My focus will be to develop strong relationships with the cities to ensure they are supported across all phases of Emergency Management, as well as concurrently making sure that Clatsop County is operationally ready to respond to disasters that will inevitably impact unincorporated areas of the jurisdiction,” he said.

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Gibbs’s arrival comes as the county has elevated Emergency Management to a department-level office within the county organization, in recognition of the vital role it plays not only in disaster planning and response but also policies such as the government responnse to diseases like COVID-19.

. Located at Camp Rilea, Emergency Management maintains responsibility for a breadth of planning efforts, facilitation of various appointed and volunteer committees, all-hazards public outreach and education, grant management and operating the County Emergency Operations Center at Rilea’s Warrior Hall.

The department partners with other county offices as well as local cities, fire districts and Medix ambulance service, community groups, schools, water districts and state and federal agencies on emergency training, preparedness and response.

It coordinates amateur radio operator, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other volunteer organizations, and manages the county’s ClatsopAlerts communications system.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2022-08-22 20:52:14

Last Update: 2022-08-22 21:05:07

Jason Harvey has been appointed as the next Chief of Police for the Corvallis Police Department. He will succeed outgoing Chief Nick Hurley upon his retirement on December 30, 2022.

During the interim period, Harvey will work closely with Hurley, the Police Department, and the Corvallis community to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Harvey is a 25-year veteran of the Corvallis Police Department and has worked in virtually every role at the department, from patrol officer to detective to K-9 handler. He currently holds the rank of Captain at CPD, where he oversees a division responsible for uniformed patrol, detective investigations, crime analysis, and traffic enforcement.

Harvey holds a degree in criminology and criminal justice from Portland State University. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2017. He is also a graduate of the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute and holds an Executive Certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

Outside of work, Harvey enjoys spending time with his family, camping, and endurance sports such as cycling and long-distance running.

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“I am honored and excited to be appointed the next Chief of Police for the City of Corvallis,” Harvey said. “Serving this community is a true privilege, and I am committed to working with Chief Hurley over the next few months as we coordinate the handover of responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition for the department and the community.”

The leadership transition comes a few months after the Corvallis Police Department was re-accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CPD has the distinction of being the longest-tenured CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency in Oregon.

The appointment was made by City Manager Mark Shepard.

“Captain Harvey is an accomplished law enforcement professional and a true community ambassador for Corvallis,” Shepard said. “I am excited to work closely with Jason to maintain the high levels of service that the community has come to expect from its Police Department.”

Harvey will assume his duties as Police Chief on December 30. A public reception with the community is planned for early 2023.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2022-08-21 11:22:03

Last Update: 2022-08-21 11:33:52

In a panel discussion on homelessness with local leaders on Friday, August 10, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Director Andrea Bell outlined and defended what the state is doing to prevent and end homelessness.

“We are continuing to focus on supply, supply, supply—supply of affordable housing,” she said at the annual Oregon Mayors Association Summer Conference. “We don’t have enough affordable housing and haven’t had enough for a very long time. We also need to open up that stock of affordable housing by opening up pathways to homeownership. At the same time, we need to focus on preservation of affordable housing.”

Accompanied on the panel by North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke and Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, who provided their own cities’ experiences and efforts, Bell emphasized the importance of partnership between leaders on the state and local level.

“We’ve been able to make some collective strides,” Bell said. “It’s not just because of the state. It is primarily because of the partnerships we have with leaders, with leaders like yourselves, with leaders of these communities who are actually doing this work on the ground.”

Permanent supportive housing is one area where OHCS says that progress is being made. In 2019, OHCS set out to increase the number of new units by 1,000 by 2023.

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"Working with local governments to fund and build navigation centers is another way these partnerships have worked to get things done. It is these innovative solutions that have proven to be—and will continue to be—real solutions and pathways to help get people out of unsheltered homelessness and into permanent homeownership", Bell said.

Although the Oregon Housing and Community Services agency insists that progress has been made, critics are saying there is still much to be done.

“We are here today because we do not accept homelessness is a fact of life; we do not accept housing instability as a fact of life,” Bell said. “And so that’s great.”

In addition to preparing to ask the Legislature for $800 million in funding for the 2023-25 biennium to sustain homeless services and eviction prevention, among its other programs, OHCS says they will continue to listen for feedback from local governments. Observers of the situation remain skeptical of the efforts.

“The reality is that at the end of the day, our job, our responsibility is to the people of Oregon and to all of you to have what you need from us.”, stated Director Bell, who was appointed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2022-08-20 17:26:27

Last Update: 2022-08-20 17:56:15

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission again expressed displeasure with badly behaving cannabis businesses, signaling a desire to sideline marijuana licensees unable to follow common business practices. Last month, the Commission indicated its frustration with licensees that break the law or don't follow OLCC rules and as a settlement are required to surrender their license; many licensees in this position are able to monetize the soon-to-be surrendered license through the sale of their cannabis business. Commissioners want to close that loophole.

At the Commission's regularly scheduled monthly meeting on August 18 Commissioners made clear that they don't want industry poor performers to jeopardize consumer confidence in the regulated recreational marijuana market. The Commissioners also approved stipulated settlement agreements, renewed 12 liquor store agent contracts and appointed two new agents to run independently operated liquor stores.

While discussing cannabis stipulated settlement agreements, Commission Chair Paul Rosenbaum voiced concern about a settlement with a lab that had a faulty testing process. The result is that improperly tested products were approved and eventually sold to consumers.

"Consumers in this state have to be one hundred percent sure that we're complying and doing it [testing] safely," said Rosenbaum.

Other concerns are the frequency of packaging and labeling mistakes, and licensees not following the proper process and protocols for testing. OLCC Compliance Director Jason Hanson told the Commission there has been a rise in issues that could lead to product recalls.

According to Hanson problems have included: licensees adding ingredients to marijuana products after final testing and not re-testing; licensees not following requirements for non-cannabis additives when making flavored vapes; and licensees not understanding changes to OLCC rules before continuing to manufacture and distribute products for sale.

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"What worse violation can you think of then getting approval to go to the market, then changing the product?" said Rosenbaum.

On August 18, 2022, OLCC issued a product advisory after finding that a THC vaping product containing a banned ingredient was sold at two licensed cannabis retailers in Eastern Oregon. Commission staff worked with the licensees who voluntarily removed the products from their shelves in early July, 2022.

The Commission also expressed a desire to work with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on a joint campaign to address excessive alcohol consumption. That interest came after OHA shared with Commissioners a new public awareness campaign "Re-think the Drink" to raise awareness about the impacts of over consumption of alcohol. The campaign asks Oregonians to reflect on and then reconsider their alcohol consumption while pointing out the impacts of over consumption.

A joint campaign might better highlight the value of the OLCC and the control state system according to Commissioner Matt Maletis.

"This agency is one of the lead funders of addiction treatment services, cities, counties and health programs," said Maletis. "I think that is something people forget that we are partners with slightly different missions, but really we don't because we're on the same team."

The OLCC's Distilled Spirits division reported to the Commission that although liquor sales revenue has grown 5.2%, the volume of liquor sold is down 1.5% from the same period last year. This shows a continued trend of Oregonians moving up-the-shelf and purchasing higher price point liquor products. The revenue growth is attributed to Oregon's continued population growth and the hospitality industry's re-emergence from the pandemic.

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In other business, Commissioners renewed 12 independently owned liquor store contracts because of their operational success. The Commission also appointed Angela Smeulders to operate a Tualatin liquor store located at 19265 SW Martinazzi Ave. Smeulders has acted as the temporary agent since September of 2021 due to her father's retirement as the previous agent. Commissioners also appointed Robert Babin to operate the Jantzen Beach Store located at 11980 N Jantzen Dr. Babin has been the store manager for the past 12 years and took over the Jantzen Beach store due to his father's retirement.

The Commissioners also ratified the following stipulated settlement agreements (detailed information on specific cases can be found on the OLCC website):

• ELEVEN ELEVEN a marijuana producer, will pay a $2,750 fine OR serve a 11-day license suspension for one violation.
• LIGHTSCALE LABS a marijuana laboratory, will pay a $5,750 fine OR serve a 23-day license suspension for one violation.
• CURA CANNABIS SOLUTIONS a marijuana processor, will pay $130,000 fine, AND serve a 23-day suspension OR pay a $132,750 fine AND serve a 12-day suspension for multiple violations.
• VILLAGE GREEN a marijuana producer, will pay $24,500 fine OR pay a $10,500 fine AND serve a 56-day suspension.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-19 13:37:26

Last Update: 2022-08-19 16:19:53

The Election Division has provided notice of a temporary administrative order for OAR 165-005-0130. The rule provides a new restriction on the disclosure of the addresses of election workers. This temporary rule went into effect on August 16, 2022 and will end on February 10, 2023 or upon adoption of a permanent administrative order.

The rule is being driven by HB 4144 which was passed in the 2022 session and it defines elections workers and requires an exemption for residential address disclosure. In enacting HB 4144 the Legislative Assembly directed the Secretary of State to adopt a rule. This rule is needed to define electors qualified for residential address exemption in certain elections public records.

The rule is being enacted as an emergency rule. According to The Secretary of State "failure to act promptly will result in serious prejudice to the public interest of protecting elections workers as authorized in HB 4144. Defining the term Elections Worker is required to implement provisions of the law in a timely manner prior to the November 2022 General Election."

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Tyler Janzen of the Oregon Association of County Clerks offered testimony during the hearing for HB 4144. He said, "This bill does two things to protect those election workers. First, it allows election workers to exempt their residential address from public records disclosure, lessening the threat of hostile behavior occurring at their private residences. Second, it makes the crime of harassment or aggravated harassment against an election worker a Class C felony, deterring would-be harassers from inappropriate actions."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-19 11:39:19

Last Update: 2022-08-19 12:52:48

The Oregon Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Home Ownership is a legislatively appointed body that is developing solutions to address conditions that reduce or prevent homeownership among people of color in Oregon. The task force has been examining racial disparities for four years. It is currently Co-Chaired by Senator James Manning Jr. (D-Eugene) and Representative Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham).

In past meetings, the task force has discussed challenges to borrowing despite programs to assist in becoming eligible and closing a home purchase. Banks have taken action expanding educational programs on how to increase credit scores and boost home ownership rates among people of color.

Many of the first task force recommendations were adopted in 2021 and 2022, which appear to have no impact. The task force was restarted in May 2022 with a recommitment to make new investments in financial services and other support services to address the disparities in homeownership.

The task force has been charged with examining twelve separate policy proposals related to funding and organizational capacity; institutional and regulatory measures; and models for asset building. However, resolving racial disparities involves reducing the wealth gap, which involves a redistribution of wealth, or requiring Oregon to go down a socialism path, which may be why the first task force had no impact. The twelve policy proposals gouge taxpayers with $332.4 million, some amounts are repeating.

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The public may provide feedback on any or all the proposals from August 18 through September 2, 2022. Members of the public are invited to submit written comment on the twelve separate policy proposals. To submit written comments, email to jardho.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. Testimony submitted to this email address will be posted on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS).

After the “love letter” law, passed in 2021, was ruled in violation of the First Amendment restricting free speech, the task force took another route. Proponents claimed discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Instead, the task force proposes to enforce through BOLI and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon and recommends $5 million of taxpayer funds to work on violations of housing discrimination.

Many of the proposals provide for assistance and education, all of which should be taught in high school along with maintenance and upkeep of a home.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-08-18 13:59:32

Last Update: 2022-08-19 13:36:33

The Republican State Leadership Committee has issued a commentary on Oregon's employment recovery -- or lack thereof. "While dozens of states across the country have blown past pre-pandemic job levels, including neighboring Idaho who has gained over 150% of jobs lost during COVID, Oregon still has not returned to pre-pandemic job levels." according to new data released by the Oregon Employment Department Wednesday.

RSLC Spokesman Zach Kraft asks "Why the massive discrepancy across the Idaho/Oregon line? Lockdowns, taxes, and regulations."

According to Kraft, "Look no further than recent reporting from the Oregonian describing three potential businesses who would make an $8 billion investment in Oregon, but are hesitant because of Oregon's high taxes and burdensome regulations. Oregon's Democrat leadership has made life tough for small businesses and dissuaded new entrepreneurs from starting businesses and bringing jobs to the state."

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"Four decades of Democrat control in Salem has caused the economy to sputter, jobs to disappear, and businesses to flee" said Kraft. "When Republicans retake the legislature, they will get the economy back on track and put more money in Oregonians' pockets. It's long past time Oregon had leaders working to make life easier for them, not harder."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-18 13:45:39

Last Update: 2022-08-18 13:59:32