Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed an international ​West Coast Climate Agreement with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and British Columbia Premier John Horgan this week, promising to work together to halt climate change.

That agreement updates the charter for the Pacific Coast Collaborative, an international governmental agency formed by the three U.S. states and the Canadian province in 2008. The immediate problems it seeks to address are the recent drought, heat spells, climate change in general, and lack of equity among the communities

The new agreement commits the West Coast populations to low-carbon technologies, renewable fuels, electric transportation, and “forest resiliency”--that is, reduction of wildfires. Brown has been advocating a reduced dependence on diesel trucking for several years. The governors announced a mutual intention to "dominate" the world's green energy industries.

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The document specifies that the agreement has no status in law or mechanism of enforcement.

Some Internet commentators have commented on the unspoken contrast between the dire shortage of fresh water and electric power in California, and the abundance of water and hydroelectric power (potential) in the Northwest; some have wondered whether this Collaborative will become a foundation for sharing those resources.

Currently, Oregon generates about half its utility power from fossil fuels. Following California, Oregon is also developing its own Advanced Clean Cars II regulation to move to 100% zero-emission new vehicles by 2035. But some groups are skeptical that such a radical conversion would be possible or reliable within the time frame.

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Though the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB) advocates for nuclear power as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, nuclear is not included in the Collaborative's plans. Nuclear power has seen decades of bitter opposition on the West Coast. The region has also seen some strategic failures, what with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California that was built near a geological fault, the Trojan Plant in Oregon that became a maintenance nightmare, and the Columbia Generating Station in Washington that had some issues in the past with nuclear waste disposal.

At this time, the most practical solution for clean energy may be the Pacific Power proposal to build modern Natrium nuclear plants in the region, though there is no sign the state governments will permit those projects.


--Mark DeCoursey

Post Date: 2022-10-12 11:54:00

Last Update: 2022-10-12 11:55:25

A groundbreaking election integrity lawsuit was filed October 8, 2022, against the Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and names twelve counties as defendants. This suit is novel and has been filed as a class action lawsuit representing Oregon voters. It seeks a declaration that mail-in voting and computer tabulation of the votes are unconstitutional because voters are being disenfranchised. The ease with which the voting systems can be manipulated, the number of anomalies showing that the vote is being manipulated, and the reaction of government officials to hide and cover-up rather than disclose all serve to disenfranchise voters.

Plaintiff Marc Thielman, former Alsea School District Superintendent, spearheaded this case with the support of key funders and the legal expertise of Attorney Stephen Joncus. Thielman states, “Oregon is ground zero for the election integrity fight and this lawsuit seeks to build on prior cases, such as the Tim Sippel case recently held in Washington County. Already, Oregon officials have conceded in a court of law, that electronic voting machines can be accessed remotely and are vulnerable to hackers. This new lawsuit is intended to give voice to the election integrity minded community that is being steadily disenfranchised at the hands of State and County Officials who swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people.“

"The government has created a system that is not trustworthy and cannot be verified which causes people to turn away and not bother to vote. If the powers that be have already decided the election, why bother spending time on picking candidates? Why bother voting if my vote will be canceled by an illegal vote? There is a crisis of confidence in Oregon’s election system that has been created by our own government. The voters have to restore control by ending mail-in voting and use of computerized vote tallying machines.

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The Introduction to the case reads: Americans are confronted with a storm of election “anomalies” that have served to undermine the confidence of a significant percentage of the American electorate in the integrity of our free and fair elections. A citizen’s vote is a fundamental expression of the First Amendment. Voters are guaranteed Equal Protection under the US Constitution. Maintaining the sanctity of each vote is a duty of local, state and federal government agents and as such, the vigilance of federal, state, county, and city election officials for upholding voter confidence must be of the highest order. Unfortunately, state, county, city election officials have consistently demonstrated a profound lack of curiosity for alleviating the negative impact of these anomalies on the confidence of the average voter.

Counties sited as defendants are Clackamas, Washington, Multnomah, Linn, Lane, Marion, Jackson, Deschutes, Yamhill, Douglas, Klamath, and Coos. Thielman says, “This case will bring new evidence and expose the profound abuses and lack of curiosity among State and County election officials whose conduct clearly violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and promotes voter suppression and disenfranchisement at the hands of the government.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-11 19:18:49

Last Update: 2022-10-12 12:45:02

In what some consider to be a new height in politicization of the office of Oregon Secretary of State, Secretary Shemia Fagan has extended the reach of the audits department to perform audits on "Sexual and Reproductive Health Care, Gun Safety and Environmental Regulations."

According to a release from her office, "In response to emerging state and national trends, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced additions to the 2022-23 Audit Plan. The additions include audits of Oregon's sexual and reproductive health care services and the Department of Environmental Quality, in addition to an advisory report on the state's 'Red Flag' gun safety policy. The additions seek to strengthen public services and improve outcomes for Oregonians."

The Oregon Constitution outlines the duties of the Oregon Secretary of state. They do not include audits in "response to emerging state and national trends."

Article VI, Section 2. Duties of Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall keep a fair record of the official acts of the Legislative Assembly, and Executive Branch; and shall when required lay the same, and all matters relative thereto before either chamber of the Legislative Assembly. The Secretary of State shall be by virtue of holding the office, Auditor of Public Accounts, and shall perform such other duties as shall be assigned to the Secretary of State by law.

“This year, the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the constitutional right to abortion, and families in Oregon and across the nation have been heartbroken by gun violence. I can do something about it,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “That’s why I have directed the Audits Division to evaluate access to safe and legal abortions in Oregon and determine how effective Oregon’s red flag gun safety law is at keeping Oregonians safe.”

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The new additions include an audit of Oregon’s sexual and reproductive health care services. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has significant, wide-ranging impacts on state governance. Oregon has made substantive investments in reproductive health care services and is now operating in a new landscape. The audit will examine the risks to Oregon’s sexual and reproductive health care services, with a focus on potential inequities and public health outcomes.

Auditors will also complete an advisory report examining Oregon’s “Red Flag” policy, which allows courts to take weapons away from people who are at risk as a danger to themselves or others. In response to increasing gun violence in our communities -- including a deadly shooting at a Bend supermarket in late August -- this project aims to provide state leadership with timely, high-quality analysis and information related to red flag programs.

Oregon Firearms Federation Executive Director Kevin Starrett offered that "Secretary of State Fagan has a well known and extreme animosity towards law abiding gun owners, even once denouncing the Oregon Firearms Federation as an 'extreme organization.' Oregon’s red flag law deprives people who have not even been accused of a crime, let alone convicted of a crime, of their rights and property with no due process. But even more outrageous, it does this without even the pretense of making anyone safer."

According to Starrett, "Under the law, a person can have his firearms stolen from him by the state based on an unproven allegation by an unqualified accuser. But if the accused person really is experiencing a mental health crisis, no help is offered or available and that person is still free to do harm to themselves or others. And if that person is not a danger, they must somehow prove that in court, at their own expense."

The law, passed during the 2017 Legislative session as SB 719 includes, as reasons to take someone’s firearms away, the recent lawful purchase of a firearm or the use of legal marijuana. Additionally, if the accused person is examined by a qualified mental health professional, and found to be perfectly normal and a danger to no one, he is forbidden by the law from using that assessment in his defense.

Starrett Concluded, "We fully expect Fagan to further weaponize an already dangerous and faulty law."

Finally, the Audits Division will be executing an audit of the Department of Environmental Quality with a focus on enforcement activities and community relations. The timing of this audit is ideal in terms of providing new DEQ leadership with valuable, objective, and actionable information to assist them with moving the agency forward. Secretary Fagan received a written request from the Senate Republican caucus on September 23 to perform this audit.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-11 15:10:41

Last Update: 2022-10-11 23:03:07

From the late 1960s until 1986, Richard Troy Gillmore took regular runs through the neighborhoods of Portland.  Gillmore had a special purpose for his fitness routine:  He was casing the community for likely rape victims.  In that period, Gillmore raped at least nine women, according to his statements to police.  Police suspect he raped as many a hundred others.

Gillmore was eventually caught and tried in 1987.  Because most of the known incidents were too old under Oregon's statute of limitation, only the last was prosecuted at his trial.  On December 6, 1987, Gillmore convicted by the jury for raping 13-year-old Tiffany Edens.

In the last ten years, Gillmore's case has been considered multiple times for parole and each time rejected.  Finally, after 35 years, the maximum assigned by the court minus time off for good behavior,  the Parole Board has approved Gillmore's release.  At age 63, he will walk the open streets and breathe free air before the end of the year.

The case has stirred considerable controversy over the years.  Many wonder why Oregon imposes so short a statute of limitations on rape.  If the rapist avoided capture for three years, he could not be prosecuted.  Thus, Danielle Tudor could not tell the court about Gillmore raping her in Southeast Portland when she was just 17 in 1979, and Colleen Kelly could not testify that Gillmore broke into her Southeast Portland home and raped her when she was 13 in 1980.  Gillmore evaded capture and ran out the clock.

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Since that time, the statute of limitation has been extended to six years if the victim is a minor.

Some small correction in that situation was effected by the State Parole Board in 2012.  At that time, the definition of "victim" was expanded to include anyone injured by the convict, including those who had not appeared as a witness at trial.  Under the new rule, some of Gillmore's other victims were able to speak at his parole hearings.

According to the Oregonian, though Gillmore was considered a "dangerous offender" at trial, he is being released as only a Level 1 sex offender.  That assignment was determined by the "Static 99" risk assessment tool the state uses to gauge the sexual recidivism rate for sex criminals.  And that Level determines the notification given to the residential community where Gillmore is assigned to live.


--Mark DeCoursey

Post Date: 2022-10-11 01:28:56

Last Update: 2022-10-11 21:55:24

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Oregon Congressional District 2 is the largest of Oregon’s six districts covering two-thirds of the state including all of Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler counties, and part of eastern Josephine county, and some of the Grants Pass area. Some 53 percent of the land is federally held. Cliff Bentz was elected to represent District 2 in 2020 to replace Greg Walden, who chose to retire.

Cliff Bentz served in the Oregon House for ten years and the Oregon Senate for two years before being elected to Congress. He is a partner in the law firm Yturri Rose specializing in agricultural, water and real property law. He also owns a 100-acre alfalfa farm.

Challenger Joe Yetter is a veteran, a physician, teaches a faculty development fellowship program, and was part of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. He says he is running because, “we cannot ruin the world that they [our children] must live in. Equality and justice mean that all people are equal under the law and, to the extent it is possible, we must redress the sins of our past.”

Yetter favors two or more years of national service for all young Americans. He says, ”this is not a popular idea today, but I'll work to make it popular. As your representative in Congress, I will work with President Biden and my Congressional colleagues to continue to repair and expand NATO re-establish our standing in the world.”

Bentz says, “America is not just a country; it is an idea. A very successful idea that no one else in the world has been able to duplicate.” He opposes boycotting Israel and doesn’t support expanding NATO.

Yetter would build the economy by supporting the Build Back Better investments in infrastructure and job training needed, in an equitable way. He sees higher wages, improved workers' rights, gender equity, family farm values, support of home-ownership, and a tax code that is fair as a priority.

Bentz says we have to have a strong economy. Each person crossing our southern border cost the American taxpayer $10,000 per year, which is amounting to $7 million a day and growing. We are spending billions and billions of dollars on unnecessary things and sending money to states that don’t need it. At some point taxpayers have to pay for it and that doesn’t seem to be understood by many.

Yetter’s health care stance is for government run healthcare. He also says, “I believe in liberty. I believe in bodily autonomy. Roe should be codified in Federal law.” He supports universal health care that includes pre-pregnancy counseling, nutrition, and health habits; that provides health care throughout the pregnancy and after; and that provides care for the family regarding employment and social support.

Bentz opposes government run healthcare costing $30 trillion and wants to see a free-market plan that drives down skyrocketing costs. He supports medical malpractice reform to stop frivolous lawsuits and voted against controlled drug pricing that limits initiative for new and better medications. He sees the healthcare system being drained and abused by illegals crossing the border.

As a veteran, Yetter feels strongly about the nation’s obligation for the medical needs of veterans and funding for improved services. He says, “I consider VA medical care The Best Care Anywhere. And, remember: I've practiced medicine (and been a patient, too), in the military and in civilian practice, on three continents and in several states here at home.”

Bentz also fully supports veterans and says, “without our military, and the men and women serving, we would not have a country.”

Yetter is a full supporter of renewable energy suggesting solar panels on irrigation canals in drought areas that will cool the water and reduce evaporation. He says, “We need to act immediately to combat climate change: electrifying, de-carbonizing, sequestering, and more.”

Bentz led a panel on the lower emission future for fossil energy at the Congressional Western Caucus saying, “getting completely rid of fossil fuels is not a strong strategy for the U.S. We need to not only lower (not delete) our carbon footprint, but also understand how the carbon footprint is created. That understanding will generate cleaner energy domestically.” As a member of the Natural Resources Committee he says, “it genuinely eludes me as to why we are not producing energy in America. Our energy is cleaner and we can produce it more efficiently than other nations.”

Bentz supported farmers on the floor in congress to provide a relief package with a balance to provide water to farmers in drought areas. He opposes the breaching of dams on the Snake River and sending billions to communities affected. He sees fires and withholding water to farmers as the biggest priority for his district. He says, “We must get back into the forests to mitigate the risk of future wildfires.”

Yetter also supports marijuana legalization nationwide, rational gun ownership and responsibility, and universal pre-K education and full funding of state college for any student in an accredited program.

Bentz wants closed border, opposes recreational marijuana, reduced regulations, lower taxes, supports Second Amendment rights, opposes taxpayer-funded college, is anti-gender identity, and values life of the unborn.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-10 19:48:34

Last Update: 2022-10-06 21:25:26

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Incumbent Elizabeth Steiner Hayward was appointed to the Senate District 17 in 2011 to replace Suzanne Bonamici after she won a special election to represent Congressional District 1. Senate District 17 covers the heart of Portland and parts of Washington County.

Steiner Hayward is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. In 2013, Steiner Hayward publicly revealed she suffers from major depressive disorder and multiple sclerosis. She disclosed her condition to advance SB 823, mental health services, and the funding that was needed to implement it.

Steiner Hayward has set her sights on making Oregon the healthiest state in the nation. In her accomplishments, she includes establishing Oregon's CCO system which streamlines and integrates health systems to deliver healthcare more efficiently and increasing Oregon's vaccination rates. She worked to improve health outcomes through upstream interventions such as raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, establishing the nation's first state-wide universally-offered nurse home visiting program for families with newborns, and improving access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. She voted for HB 2447, which proposed single payer government run health care, HB 2005 establishing paid family medical leave and HB 3057 mandating the COVID-19 vaccine to attend school, work or travel.

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John Verbeek isn’t new to the campaign race. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2020, and five other races prior to that including Oregon’s Congressional District twice. He has 34 years in financial services and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

Verbeek agrees everyone has the right to good health, but supports private healthcare insurance. He says, “Minimizing poor medical outcomes requires more than a doctor visit or bipartisanship. We must look not only at the contribution of government but also at the participation of private individuals.” He further believes a child’s health care is under a parent’s authorization. Medical oversight (OMB and OBNM) should be limited to protection of patient-physician relationship with witnesses and informed consent. Verbeek believes this will protect a system from being turned into a government-sanctioned cult.

Verbeek has three children and sees quality teaching as a priority. “The purpose of public education is not to cultivate university professors and lawlessness, but to cultivate young people learning to read, to write, to do arithmetic and to obtain other useful skills for leading productive lives; Including the purpose of sports as part of sound education… to cultivate self-reliance and distinguishing attributes (character), expect legislative support for funding those educational programs, for teachers who can be trusted with someone else’s child, and for principal school officials be held to the greatest standard.” He also believes justice involving minors should be parental authority and responsibility first in a rightful chain of command.

Steiner Hayward voted for SB 554 requiring gun owners securely store weapons and bans guns in the capitol and PDX, allows public schools to ban guns, and makes gun owners liable for crimes committed after the gun is stolen. She also voted to prohibit law enforcement and courts from inquiring about immigration status in HB 3265.

Verbeek says he would have voted no on SB 554 and believes everyone should be diligent with anything potentially lethal. He also disagrees with HB 3265. He further says, “early releases by officials does not serve justice, unless it serves justice over an unjust verdict. He believes the penance leads to reconciliation with what is good for a clear conscience and a changed life that honors the law from a clean heart and spirit.”

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Steiner Hayward is in full support of the green energy agenda. She voted yes on HB 3055 funding infrastructure $5.3 billion over 10-years increases gas taxes 40 cents, voted to permit tolling, voted for electric vehicle rebates and charging stations with public funds, voted for the CAT tax that bankrupted small business during the pandemic, and voted for HB 2021 requiring 100% reduction in emissions below baseline emissions by 2040 with no structure to insure adequate power.

Unlike Steiner Hayward, Verbeek believes in a free enterprise for raising living standards, and not government. He says, “reduction in emissions below baseline would be harmful to families with less income, especially their personal mobility.” He also doesn’t agree with the electric vehicle agenda and questions the expense and battery recycling. He would vote no on the $5.3 billion infrastructure bill and tolling and objects to controlling our movements.

Verbeek says, “when government maintains order with justice, and promotes opportunity and freedom for all, Americans can be unified and happy.” Compare votes of Steiner Hayward with Verbeek’s responses: https://bit.ly/OAA2022-SD17Guide


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-09 06:18:14

Last Update: 2022-10-05 11:50:20

Last year the Oregon State Legislature requested that the Oregon Department of Transportation examine policies and actions that could improve quality of life through increasing housing options with easy connections to transit. This aligns with our strategic goals to address equity, address climate change, improve access to public and active transportation, and address congestion.

ODOT has completed its Oregon Transit and Housing Study identifying policies, strategies, and actions that can better link housing, including affordable housing, with transit services in the future. The study and its products are designed to inform state, regional, tribal, and local agency and transit provider staff about steps they can take to improve transit and housing outcomes in their area.

ODOT has invited people to browse the online open house. The online open house will be available until October 21st. It is designed to allow you to browse the lessons learned and products completed throughout this project on your schedule. There are no surveys or other work included. The virtual open house will allow people to explore the collected results of the case studies, survey, and the rest of the study.

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According to ODOT, the study can help guide public investment and lead to denser developments along bus, streetcar, and/or rail lines. It can help implement national and statewide emissions initiatives, such as the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Program, to help meet climate change targets. According to ODOT, this project provides recommendations and strategies to help make Oregon a better, more affordable place to live.

While housing policy is not directly a part of ODOT’s mission, they are pursuing this Study due to the important connection between transportation and housing on the quality of life for all Oregonians, especially those traditionally underserved. The information we uncovered can help ODOT, other state agencies, public transportation providers, and regional, local, and tribal transportation and land use agencies better enable links between transit and housing of all types.

The study identified several key takeaways:

1. Transit-supportive housing is not a well-defined concept nor a focused concentration within many of the policy and guidance documents. Many state-level policies affect the provision of transit, housing, and affordable housing, but few directly address all the concepts together. A clear and consistent statewide policy position across multiple agencies could help to reach numerous statewide goals – improve housing production and affordability, reduce GHG emissions, etc. – and direct funding and investment toward these goals.
2. Coordination between state agencies and local and regional partners is key in addressing and delivering transit-supportive housing. Land use, housing, and transit, while addressed within local community comprehensive plans, are aspects of the built environment that are often planned independently by separate agencies. Greater coordination between the agencies could result in identifying opportunities for additional collaboration that may ultimately benefit Oregon communities. Delivering effective transit-supportive housing will require fostering a shared understanding of the concept and partnerships among these agencies and local jurisdictions.
3. There are opportunities to leverage recent legislative, executive, and agency actions to further transit-supportive housing policies. HB 2001 and HB 2003 focus on missing middle housing and statewide housing needs, respectively.
4. Transit-supportive housing performance measures, evaluation criteria, and guidance would benefit any transit-supportive housing policy.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-08 06:57:57

Last Update: 2022-10-05 14:48:35

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

During a virtual forum with the Marion County Democratic Party, Richard Walsh, running for Senate District 11, declared his support for a $22 billion tax hike on Oregonians to create a universal health care system. This is just $6 billion less that the State of Oregon’s entire general fund for the entire 2021-2023 biennium. This is an unprecedented expansion of state government.

Senate District 11 covers parts of Marion County, including Woodburn and much of Salem. Richard Walsh is competing against Senator Kim Thatcher for Speaker Peter Courtney’s district upon his retirement.

Kim Thatcher voted against single payer government run universal health care in 2019, HB 2447, and introduced a Vaccine Passport ban and advocated against forced vaccinations and for vaccine safety while legislators were trying to exempt themselves from what they were trying to force on the public. Thatcher repeatedly sponsors various forms on protecting the unborn from inception to 20-weeks to ‘care of life’ if a child is born alive after attempted abortion. She also passed legislation that cracks down on sex offenders.

Walsh says, “I will protect and defend a woman's fundamental right to control her own body. We must protect access to the full scope of reproductive health care, including access to abortion. I will fight to preserve accessible, affordable care in Oregon.”

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Walsh says, “housing affordability must be addressed. To do this we need to address the core issues of income inequality, financing, and affordable housing inventory.” Thatcher takes another approach, “The government has layered costly regulations and permitting making it more expensive to build new homes… Oregon’s population is outpacing her supply of homes. We can loosen the crippling regulations contributing to the housing and homeless crisis. I will defend against any changes to raising caps on property taxes that drive up housing costs.”

Walsh wants to address rising costs by cracking down on price gouging in areas where Oregonians are struggling to keep up with rising costs. He says, “We all deserve housing, health care, and transportation that’s affordable, and I am ready to tackle this problem by prioritizing the needs of our working families.”

Thatcher has consistently voted and advocated against reducing greenhouse emissions 100% below baseline, the electric vehicle agenda and the $5.3 billion transportation infrastructure raising gas taxes and allowing tolling in HB 3055 and HB 2021. She also did not support SB 390, requiring 100% of electricity to be generated utilizing renewable and carbon-free energy.

Walsh supports SB 554 as common-sense gun safety measures to prevent gun violence like safe storage and capacity limits. He says it “allows us to protect our children and keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who don’t need them, while still preserving core constitutional rights for responsible gun owners.”

Thatcher was vocal against SB 554 calling it a trap. “SB 554 will set up numerous potential “felony traps” all over the state for those with Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL).” Thatcher’s survey responses: https://bit.ly/OAA2022-KimThatcher


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-08 06:17:48

Last Update: 2022-10-05 11:08:55

The Burns Paiute Tribe, a federally-recognized Indian tribe, signed an agreement with the State of Oregon and ODFW to continue support and cooperation to protect and enhance fish and wildlife, cultural resources, and habitat connectivity.

"This agreement affirms the role of the Burns Paiute Tribe in both exercising and management of aboriginal rights that were never extinguished," said Burns Paiute Chairperson Diane Teeman."We value our partnership with the state in co-management of fish and wildlife and this Agreement is an important step in further developing that partnership." Governor Kate Brown, Chairperson Diane Teeman and ODFW Director Curt Melcher signed the agreement on Oct. 3 at the Tribal-State Summit in Florence.

"The people of the Burns Paiute Tribe have been stewards of these lands and First Foods like salmon and steelhead since time immemorial, and it is critical that our governments work hand-and-hand to protect and maintain Oregon's fish and wildlife," said Governor Kate Brown.

"I'd like to thank the Burns Paiute Tribe and Chairperson Diane Teeman, as well as ODFW and Director Melcher, for making this important agreement possible, which is essential for this critical work to move forward in a collaborative way, using the combined expertise and knowledge of Tribal and State experts," Brown added.

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The agreement memorializes ongoing cooperative efforts between BPT and ODFW. These efforts include ceremonial hunting opportunities, a ceremonial and cultural Chinook fishery on the Malheur River, and a collaborative effort to address vehicle-caused wildlife mortality from Highway 20 in the Malheur River Canyon.

"At ODFW, we understand and appreciate the importance of fish and wildlife to the Burns Paiute Tribe," said Director Melcher. "It gives me great pleasure to sign this agreement recognizing our shared interests and outlining our future commitments to the fish and wildlife resources of the state," he added.

In addition, the agreement establishes a framework for future collaboration work on salmon and steelhead restoration efforts in the Malheur River Basin. The framework includes cooperative efforts to restore habitat, in addition to conducting baseline assessments including pathogen assessments that will be needed for any future reintroduction efforts.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-07 18:20:14

Last Update: 2022-10-07 18:44:56

The Statesman Journal is reporting that Democrat candidate for state House District 21 R.J. Navarro knowingly hired a registered sex offender, convicted of sexually abusing a child younger than 14, on his campaign.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-07 11:10:42

Last Update: 2022-10-12 13:37:56

The Oregon Supreme Court has denied Review of the Oregon Court of Appeals decision in regard to the challenge by crime victims and District Attorneys as to the Governor’s exercise of clemency powers outside the process specified by law.

Kevin Mannix, attorney for the victims and District Attorneys, commented as follows on the denial of the Review:

“This is a sad day for crime victims and prosecutors in Oregon. The Oregon Supreme Court has let stand a decision by the Court of Appeals that the Governor is not bound to follow the clemency process set by law, which requires input from District Attorneys and an opportunity for victims to be heard before a clemency decision is made. Instead, the Governor can follow whatever process she wants and can ignore input from victims and District Attorneys if she wishes. The Court also allows the Governor to give the Parole Board authority to shorten sentences where the law does not give such authority.

“Because all of this involves an interpretation of Oregon law, no further appeal can be taken. Instead, I will go to the Legislature to seek a specific law which makes it clear that the Governor cannot set up her own clemency procedures and ignore the statutes. I will also seek a referral to the voters of a constitutional amendment which specifies that victims and District Attorneys must be allowed to be heard in the clemency process. I will go one step further and seek a constitutional amendment which provides that no Governor can use the clemency power to shorten felony prison sentences except when such clemency is approved by a majority vote of the Oregon Senate. This is one way we can restrict the abuse of the clemency process which we have witnessed in Oregon.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-10-07 10:25:20

Last Update: 2022-10-07 14:03:26

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Incumbent Deb Patterson had a rocky start in Senate District 10, barely defeating Denyc Boles, the incumbent, in a recount in 2020. Patterson previously lost to Jackie Winters. Now she faces Representative Raquel Moore-Green after the redistricting put her in Senate District 10. The voters in parts of Marion and Polk counties have two candidates with voting records to give a clear indication on how they stand.

Moore-Green is a small business owner and served her community as a member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Business Alliance, Union Gospel Mission, and the Salem Police Foundation to name a few. Her goal is to bring balance to the senate and ensure legislation that will improve educational standards, support law enforcement, and reduce the tax and regulation burdens placed on our businesses. She is running for the Republican and Libertarian parties.

Deb Patterson earned a master's degree in music, and in health administration from Washington University School of Medicine, and a master's degree and doctorate from Eden Theological Seminary. Her experience includes working as a healthcare administrator and executive director, and the executive director of Northwest Parish Ministries. She has served as a member of the Salem Rotary Club, Healthcare for All Oregon, and SEIU 503. She is running for the Democrat and Independent parties.

Moore-Green believes in accountability, and wants to ensure that future Governors will not have the ability to exclude the legislature’s active participation during states of emergency. Oregon has forced legislative fiscal accountability by passing the tax kicker, which refunds excess forecasted funds to taxpayers. Moore-Green voted not to lower the kicker by rewriting prior budgets to reduce the amount of the kicker. Patterson voted to reduce the kicker, voting for SB 846.

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Moore-Green believes public safety means funding of law enforcement and supporting services to address mental health issues, alcohol abuse and drug addiction, as well as provide job skill training. She voted against HB 3265 restricting law enforcement and courts from inquiring about immigration status, and voted against SB 554, that locks up firearms to make them inaccessible.

Patterson supports common sense gun safety laws like universal background checks and safe storage voting for SB 554, which makes it virtually impossible to defend yourself from murderers and criminals. She also voted to restrict law enforcement and courts from asking about immigration status.

Moore-Green says, “Our students deserve to compete nationally, but Oregon’s recent lower graduation standards fail to equip them for the real world. We need comprehensive education that’s rigorous, transparent, and inclusive of parental input.” She voted against eliminating the essential skills test for a high school diploma (SB 744), and voted against HB 2166 enacting a social emotional learning framework establishing an early childhood suspension prevention program.

Patterson says, “I know that we must do more to give our children a head start, to support strong community schools that respect and reflect the diversity of Oregon and to make college and vocational training more accessible for everyone.” She voted in support of eliminating the essential skills test for a high school diploma (SB 744), and voted for HB 2166 enacting a social emotional learning framework establishing an early childhood suspension prevention program.

Moore-Green wants greater access to patient care and wants to see local county initiatives promoting healthy diets, exercise and lifestyle choices. She voted against HB 3057, vaccine mandates for attending school, work or travel. She says she values life and voted to require ‘care of life’ if a child is born alive after attempted abortion.

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

Patterson says, “I support access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare…I opposed legislation that infringed on one’s right to choose and will continue to stand up for reproductive rights for everyone.” Except when it comes to mandating vaccines, she voted for HB 3057 mandating vaccination for attending school, work or travel. She also voted against requiring ‘care of life’ if a child is born alive after attempted abortion.

Patterson supported legislation to bring Oregon to 100% clean energy by 2040 voting for HB 2021 that has no structure to insure adequate power. “We can build a clean energy economy that protects our environment and invests in our workers and our economy and we must start now,” Patterson said. She also voted for HB 2290, to spend taxpayer dollars installing public electric vehicle charging stations, and HB 2165 establishing a rebate program for electric vehicles.

Moore-Green says “we must protect our small/private farms, fisheries, and dairies from continued regulation. They are excellent stewards of their resources – providing jobs, food, and services for nearly 4 million Oregonians.” She voted against bills intending to convert to electric vehicles, and voted against reducing emissions 100% below baseline emissions by 2040, with no structure to insure adequate power.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-10-07 06:17:13

Last Update: 2022-10-05 10:57:27