Just as Legislative Days are addressing trends in health care costs, the Oregon Health Authority is pursuing supplemental nurse staffing contracts of up to $25 million to help address critical workforce shortages.

Governor Kate Brown is declaring a surge of adult and pediatric cases and hospitalizations of respiratory viruses and issues an emergency order. This isn’t a health emergency for one particular disease or virus or even a combination, but it’s the age-old saga of a lack of staff and beds for treatment. In August 2021, Oregon hospitals sent patients to Boise and Reno for lack of beds and canceled elective surgeries, and Governor Brown deployed Oregon National Guard to make up for the health care workers she fired for lack of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Brown is using three conditions, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus, influenza, and COVID-19 to justify Executive Order 22-24 to ensure Oregon hospitals have flexibility to hire enough health care workers to meet current needs, and take other steps to provide care to patients. But, she has not addressed allowing unvaccinated health care workers to return to work. Even the New York Supreme Court has ruled that unvaccinated should be given back their jobs as well as retroactive pay.

This executive order replaces and expands on Executive Order 22-24 issued November 14 when Governor Brown granted hospitals flexibility to address the rise in pediatric hospitalizations related to respiratory viruses. Since then, pediatric hospitalizations for RSV and Influenza hospitalizations have continued to climb and are expected to continue to increase as we are in the flu season.

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"Our health care workers––our nurses, doctors, and hospital staff -- are being pushed to their limits by this year’s combination of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 hospitalizations,” said Governor Brown. “I am asking Oregonians to come together to help our health care heroes this holiday season. Stay home if you are sick, stay up to date on your vaccinations, and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor situations -- especially if you are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV, the flu, or COVID-19.”

State health experts at the Oregon Health Authority encourage all individuals, particularly those at increased risk of severe disease (and their caregivers), to take steps to prevent RSV and other respiratory infections this flu season.

• Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. There is not currently a vaccine for RSV.
• Stay home and avoid holiday gatherings and events when sick, and keep your child home when your child is sick, if possible.
• Cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, and regularly wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• Consider wearing a mask indoors, especially during crowded indoor gatherings and events, particularly if you or a friend or family member are at risk for getting severely ill from RSV and other respiratory infections.

The Oregon Health Authority held a media briefing to provide its monthly update on COVID-19, as well as RSV and influenza activity, December 8, at noon with Dr. Dean Sidelinger and clinicians. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, coughing and sneezing. Most infections go away on their own in a week or two. At this time, hospital emergency departments are strained, and suggest parents and guardians utilize urgent care centers. Parents and guardians should immediately seek health care if their child is experiencing more severe symptoms of RSV, such as trouble breathing, dehydration, gray or blue color to the tongue, lips or skin, or significantly decreased activity and alertness.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-10 17:26:43

Last Update: 2022-12-09 16:52:54

The Joint Legislative Emergency Board has approved $10 million in emergency funding to support defendants across the state who are currently unrepresented amid what some are calling "the ongoing public defense crisis."

“We have to make the public defense system work for Oregonians,” House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) said. “It remains unacceptable that any Oregonian lacks legal representation and that we have a system without effective legislative oversight. The Emergency Board acted thoughtfully and deliberately today in focusing on immediate crises. Now, we’ll move into the legislative session focused on making government work for all of Oregon.”

This action was taken in the midst of a crime wave sweeping Oregon and reflects what some are calling Democrats' focus on criminals instead of victims. Additionally, spending was increased to help enforce so-called "red-flag" laws where guns are taken from law-abiding citizens.

This comes after the Emergency Board in June approved an additional $100 million to help the agency address current public defender caseloads, while still pushing the Office of Public Defense Services to modernize its operations. Legislative leaders previously allocated $12.8 million to OPDS to increase hiring of criminal defense attorneys to address what they say are the the growing number of criminal defendants without legal counsel.

Additionally, Speaker Rayfield and President Courtney formed the Three Branch Workgroup with the executive and judicial branches in April to develop short-term and long-term solutions to reform the state’s public defense and public safety systems.

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The Emergency Board also approved applications for grants related to major statewide needs, including wildfire preparedness and relief, supports for youth experiencing homelessness, energy planning, community safety efforts and behavioral health intervention.

“I’m proud of the work we did today,” Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) said. “We made investments to help Oregonians. That’s what we are here to do.” In addition to the Public Defender spending, the Legislature

• Approved a $17.4 million grant application for community wildfire defense and a $6 million grant application for disaster relief from the US Forest Service.
• Increased the Other Funds expenditure limitation by $9 million for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to spend funding related to the Interagency Agreement with Oregon Housing and Community Services for the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program.
• Approved a $5.5 million grant application for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) from the U.S. Department of Energy for energy planning, policy and program development work.
• Approved a federal grant application for $3.1 million through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for a State Crisis Intervention program to be used possibly for red flag law training, education, and public awareness initiatives, state crisis intervention specialized court-based programs, behavioral health deflection for at risk individuals and law enforcement for safe security, storage, tracking and returning of relinquished firearms.
• Approved a $250,000 grant application for the Oregon Health Authority from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to enhance training for behavioral health mobile crisis teams.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-10 11:13:11

Last Update: 2022-12-10 12:04:43

Senate Republicans have unanimously elected the remaining positions in their leadership team ahead of the 82nd Legislative Assembly. Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) was elected to continue his service as Republican Leader at their caucus retreat last month. The Senate Republican leadership team now includes:

• Deputy Leader: Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City)
• Deputy Leader: Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale)
• Deputy Leader: Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer)
• Whip: Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls)

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) released the following statement:

“With the legislative session approaching, I am proud to say that our leadership team is made up of high-quality individuals representing many parts of Oregon. This is a strong team and I look forward to working together to serve our caucus through this next session as we seek to provide Oregonians with bipartisan solutions to the chronic problems exacerbated by years of one-party rule. I am confident we can do that this session.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-09 16:52:54

Last Update: 2022-12-09 17:09:25

In a letter addressed to Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, Oregon Elections Director Deborah Scroggin has submitted her letter of resignation. She is the second Elections director on a row to resign shortly after a general election. In 2020, almost exactly two years ago, Election Director Steve Trout resigned.

“Deborah has a lot to offer elections administration at a time when this work is so critical for our country,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “I thank Deborah for her service to Oregon and wish her the best of luck in the future.”

Scroggin‘s resignation will be effective January 20th, 2023. Molly Woon, Strategic Projects Director and Senior Advisor to Secretary Fagan, will take over as Interim Director until a permanent replacement is hired.

Ms. Woon has over 15 years’ experience in public service, working in the state legislature, in city and county government, and in the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for Secretary Fagan and former Secretary Jeanne Atkins. In her current role, she serves as the primary liaison between the Secretary and the Oregon Association of County Clerks and accompanied Secretary Fagan on the vast majority of her 36 county elections office meetings in the past year. Among her recent projects, she led the work to disperse $2 million in election modernization funds, she is leading several innovation projects focused on election modernization, and she was responsible for day-to-day coordination between the Elections Division and the Secretary of State’s Executive Team during the November 2022 election.

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“Molly Woon is the perfect fit to provide stability in the Elections Division during this transition,” said Secretary Fagan.

In her letter to Secretary Fagan, Scroggin said,

I am writing to inform you that I am tendering my resignation as Director of the Oregon Elections Division effective January 20, 2023 I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve Oregonians in this position. After careful consideration, I have decided to seek other opportunities outside the Secretary of State’s office.

We are at an extraordinarily challenging time for elections officials. Mis and disinformation have made the work of administering elections extremely challenging. Increasing complexity and funding uncertainty has stretched the state and counties thin. These challenges make the work we do all the more important.

We have made progress by building strong systems at the state level that will protect democracy in Oregon, and I want to thank everyone on the team for their hard work these past two years.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-09 16:30:31

Last Update: 2022-12-09 16:49:22

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has used her professional position to advocate for online censorship of alternate points of view about COVID-19. She has also used her position as attorney general to support emergency actions that essentially prohibit personal gatherings and in-person political discourse, making online forums the only possible place to discuss these matters. Now AG Rosenblum has joined Democrats in censoring crisis pregnancy centers in an effort to expand abortion access.

AG Rosenblum is vocally supporting the Democrat 2023 legislative agenda to authorize adults not be held accountable for the life of viable unborn humans. She testified before the House Interim Committee on Health Care.

“For generations, Americans relied on the constitutional right to abortion to make deeply personal decisions about their lives. But last June, our highest court declared that right out of existence. While Oregon still has some of the strongest protections in the country, we also border a state—Idaho—with a near total abortion ban. As your attorney general, my promise to Oregonians is simple: the Department of Justice will never stop defending your reproductive rights,” said AG Rosenblum. “I want to thank the Speaker’s Office for bringing these stakeholders together, including from my office, to ensure that Oregon continues to be a leader in protecting full access to reproductive healthcare for all who need it.”

House Speaker Dan Rayfield formed a work group in May in response to the impending Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision from the United States Supreme Court, which later overturned 50 years of precedent and the constitutional right to an abortion returning the decision to the states. In the time since that decision, he claims that many Americans face jail time for seeking an abortion, along with the doctors, nurses and other providers who provide that care. However, Oregon law prohibits such action, so is he wanting to save the nation?

It isn’t just an agenda to protect the right of choice, which is already in Oregon law, they want to silence opposition. From any reasonable standpoint how can Ms. Rosenblum’s actions NOT be deemed government-sponsored censorship. Collectively they stand as clear efforts to violate Oregonians’ First Amendment right to free speech.

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What is misleading public opinion is the Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group report. When you are promoting one side of an issue, it is also government responsibility to protect all sides. This report identifies Crisis Pregnancy Centers as an opponent and dangerous to their cause vilifying them providing services beyond pure medical services. They propose to silencing Crisis Pregnancy Centers by including services beyond medical as a violation of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

The report further proposes to take sexual education out of the hands of parents and local school boards and makes Division 22 standards mandated. The report is completely out of touch with the backlash from parents around the state over the sexual identity curriculum being pushed by the state.

While all the proposals in the report are geared at protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, the reproductive care only addresses terminating reproduction. It explicitly prohibits harassment and persecution related to the termination of pregnancy, which it claims is occurring. However, it offers no like protection for centers offering genuine reproductive care, which is also occurring.

The report states, “While our work in this state must be applauded, legislative leadership cannot become complacent. Existing gaps in access to care require immediate remedy and the threat of criminalizing health care choices only grows.” It implies that a God structured family and saving the innocent unborn is a threat. Legislation has already villainized parents if seeking psychological care for children thinking they want to change identity.

One can only wonder where in their minds the line gets drawn for what speech is allowed and what is prohibited. Is censorship the 2023 target? What might AG Rosenblum choose to censor next after COVID and vaccine “disinformation?” Now it’s close down criticism of abortion because it threatens women’s freedom to control their bodies. Will they go so far as to cancel pro-life organizations such as Americans United for Life because it is spreading abortion “disinformation?”

AG Rosenblum seems to be contradicting much of her father’s life’s work. Victor Rosenblum was a life-long opponent of abortion and a strong supporter of Americans United for Life. Would Victor have been censored by his daughter?

In 2006, Victor Rosenblum’s colleague Edward Grant quotes him in a National Review article, “Victor Rosenblum was a giant in many fields–political science, administrative and constitutional law, and legal education–but a prophet in one: defending the human rights of the unborn, the handicapped infant, and the infirm aged at risk of medical neglect–and worse.”

Victor Rosenblum strongly disapproved of censorship in the middle of a war, and surely would have disapproved of his daughter’s effort to censor alternative viewpoints defending the unborn.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-09 04:37:38

Last Update: 2022-12-10 16:10:32

By its own admission, the Oregon Education Association -- the state’s largest teachers’ union -- finds itself in the throes of a membership “crisis.” According to the union’s most recent documents, OEA reported an active membership of 41,784 out of 48,774 represented educators during the 2019-20 school year. By 2020-21, however, that number had shrunk to 41,127.

During the most recent 2021-22 school year, OEA membership continued to decline to just 40,634 dues-paying members, even though the total number of OEA-represented teachers topped 50,000 for the first time. Nearly one in five teachers have now broken ranks with OEA. In just three years, OEA’s membership rate has dropped from 85.6 percent to 81.2.

These numbers do not reflect the additional 600 Oregon teachers the Freedom Foundation has directly helped leave the OEA since April, when the union’s numbers were reported. All told, the union’s active membership has dropped below 80 percent.

“If OEA wants to blame someone for those defections, its leaders need only look in the mirror,” said Freedom Foundation Oregon Director Jason Dudash. “Our teacher outreach has been increasingly successful, but the arrogance of the unions themselves was a big help.”

Until 2018, Oregon was one of 23 states without right-to-work protections for government workers, meaning teachers and thousands of other public employees were required to financially support union activities.

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That changed when the U.S. Supreme Court, in Janus v. AFSCME, affirmed that mandatory union payments violate public employees’ First Amendment rights.

“Teachers want to teach,” said Dudash. “They’re embarrassed that their students are falling further and further behind every year in the educational basics they need because unions and the politicians they’ve corrupted want to turn our classrooms into indoctrination centers.

“Teachers are realizing their unions support policies that are actively harming the students and profession they love,” Dudash continued. “In Oregon and across the country, thousands of teachers are telling their union, ’We’re sick of this, and we’re done with you.’ That may seem like a crisis for the unions, but it’s great news for the rest of us.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-08 11:34:44

Last Update: 2022-12-07 11:53:56

The Oregon Health Authority's Quality Incentive Program has published a new CCO performance metric dashboard so people can quickly find their metric of interest, see individual Coordinated Care Organization trends over time and explore demographic breakouts at the CCO level. The Oregon Health Authority is directed by Pat Allen.

The dashboard is OHA's first presentation of quality measures broken out by Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) compliant data. REALD is a set of standards that offers more detailed demographic data.

Creation of the CCO performance metric dashboard follows OHA's publication, in August 2022, of the CCO Metrics 2021 Final Report, a summary of performance by Oregon's CCOs in 2021, which showed the results of Oregon's Quality Incentive Program. The program provides financial rewards to CCOs for improving the quality of care provided to Oregon Health Plan members; the report highlighted statewide performance for 14 incentivized measures.

The report showed that although the COVID-19 public health emergency continued and the Delta variant drove a surge in hospitalizations and deaths, performance on CCO incentive metrics began to rebound in 2021 after sharp declines in 2020. However, the report showed only statewide averages for all CCO members, which can disguise inequities.

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The REALD data included in the CCO performance metric dashboard includes data broken out by up to 42 race and ethnicity groups that were determined by the most affected communities. The metrics data is also broken out by up to 58 languages, including sign language and other less-commonly spoken languages. OHA will continue to refine how REALD data is used and reported in this dashboard and elsewhere.

Benefits of REALD data:

Identifying and addressing inequities by REALD categories is essential to OHA's strategic goal of eliminating health inequities by 2030. For example, Oregon is one of the first states in the United States to collect and publish health data on Pacific Islanders from countries affected by the Compact of Free Association treaty. The treaty is the result of U.S. military occupation, atomic nuclear testing and ballistic military exercises that contaminated much of the environment and impacted the health of generations. There is very little health data on COFA citizens in Oregon and the collection of REALD data will allow the agency to understand how they have been affected by health inequities and state policies, and ensure that CCOs work toward improving access and quality of services for this community.

The CCO metric performance dashboard shows trends and disparities, but not why they are happening.

"The dashboard is a starting point, laying the groundwork to engage communities in the future direction of the CCO Quality Incentive Program. Relying on quantitative data alone can have negative impacts," said Stacey Schubert, director of Health Analytics at OHA. "Context and community input and engagement are needed to understand the meaning of the quantitative data in the dashboard."


--Ritch Hanneman

Post Date: 2022-12-08 06:05:41

Last Update: 2022-12-07 11:34:44

Governor Kate Brown today ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

"We benefit every day from the bravery and sacrifice of our U.S. service members, and especially owe a debt of gratitude to the people who served and gave their lives in Pearl Harbor and World War II," said Governor Brown.

"I encourage all Oregonians to take a moment to reflect on that sacrifice and express gratitude for the freedoms our fellow Americans have ensured through their service."


--Ritch Hanneman

Post Date: 2022-12-07 09:03:45

Last Update: 2022-12-07 10:37:57

On January 6, 2021, four Brunson Brothers watched in dismay as 387 members of Congress along with Vice President Mike Pence voted against the proposition to investigate the claims that there were enemies of the constitution who successfully rigged the election. Deron Brunson had begun suing banks in an attempt to show the corruption in the financial world and his experience gave them confidence to sue the current 385 members of Congress along with VP Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

The Brothers filed two identical lawsuits, one being held up in the Utah Federal Court, but the other, filed by Raland J. Brunson has made it to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), Docket #22-380.

What makes this case newsworthy is that SCOTUS has received the case as a national security filing on an expedited basis and bypassed the 10th Circuit Court using Rule 11, even though the 10th Circuit Court denied the case after the fact. Because it was received as a national security, the court can bypass setting a docket time and could hear it at any time on a minute’s notice or dismiss the case for no national security.

SCOTUS has taken a national emergency case specific to whether the 388 named defendants violated their oath to protect the Constitution and the American people. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

If, to protect the country and its citizens, a 10-day investigation was legally and lawfully required, then their oath was violated. On that basis alone, regardless of the outcome of the election, the consequence is their removal from office and losing all eligibility to run again, plus their actions are nullified as if the election never happened.

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Elizabeth B. Prelogar, the Solicitor General of the United States, representing the 388 defendants for breaking their oath of office, responded on Thanksgiving Day that they waived their right to respond on the case. In effect, they told SCOTUS to go forward. SCOTUS has listed it on the docket ensuring a hearing.

There is case precedent in 1877 when the U.S. Supreme Court and five Representatives and Senators took a 10-day pause to investigate to determine the election was correct. Senator Cruz of Texas used this precedent to make his proposal to Congress that an Electoral Commission be immediately appointed “with full investigatory and fact-finding authority to conduct an emergency 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states.”

If SCOTUS rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it will not affect any down ballot elections or the 2022 elections. It does remove two-thirds of Congress to never run for office again and will affect the jobs of around 12,000 staff. Because it would render the vote never happened, President Trump would resume as President.

Oregon would lose Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer, and Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden voting against the 10-day investigation forfeiting their right to run for another term.

The Supreme Court is set to meet on January 6. The Brunsons are requesting help suggesting people print and mail a letter to the Supreme Court regarding Brunson v. Alma S. Adams et al.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-06 18:20:15

Last Update: 2022-12-07 14:24:48

US District Court Judge Karin Immergut has denied a motion to delay the implementation of Ballot Measure 114. Judge Immergut was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019.

Judge Immergut did agree with the state’s request to delay the permitting process for 30 days -- a process the state assured the court will be ready by Thursday.

According to Kevin Starrett of Oregon Firearms Federation, that will provide no protection for anyone who currently owns a standard capacity magazine or anyone who owns a common shotgun which will now be contraband. It also does nothing for anyone waiting to take possession of a firearm they paid for but have not received, if that gun comes with a standard magazine.

Furthermore, according to Starrett, come Thursday even security guards and off duty police will be breaking the law if they are in possession of a standard magazine.

According to the Opinion and Order produced by the court:

[B]ased on the record before this Court at this early stage in the litigation, this Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden showing that they are entitled to the extraordinary relief they seek. Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that they will suffer immediate and irreparable harm if this Court does not block Measure 114 from taking effect on December 8, 2022. Plaintiffs have not produced sufficient evidence at this stage to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of their challenge to Measure 114’s restrictions on large-capacity magazines. Plaintiffs have also failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on their facial challenge to Measure 114’s permitting provisions. With respect to any as-applied challenge, Defendants have stated that they are not ready to implement the permitting requirements and have asked this Court to “enter an order providing a limited window in which Oregonians will be able to purchase firearms even though they do not have a permit, while also allowing Oregonians to apply for and be issued permits.” Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Motion for a TRO, ECF 5, is DENIED

“This is a lengthy and obviously disappointing decision,” said Starrett, “and we will have more information soon. But for now, unless something really unexpected happens, understand that your rights will be, once again, seriously eroded starting Thursday.”

‌
--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-06 13:26:30

Last Update: 2022-12-06 17:21:51

Over the last three years many were shocked by the heavy-handedness of unelected officials from government bureaucracies such as the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon OSHA. This last week it became apparent that our local government appears willing subvert our free market economy under a small council with two employees.

On November 30th, the Tillamook County Commissioners held a public hearing on Ordinance #88 Business License Fee for Unincorporated Tillamook County. This new fee for businesses outside of cities in the county was so vague in its language that it included definitions such as “‘Doing business’ means to engage in any activity in pursuit of profit, gain, livelihood or any other purpose” [emphasis added]. Worse still was the “Violations and Penalties” section of this ordinance included a “$600.00 for any one offense. . . Each day constituting a separate offence” and “Inspection and Right of Entry.” This means that individuals with home-based businesses believed to be in noncompliance could be forcibly entered by a warrant: Selling firewood or eggs without a license would become a risky business.

Why did the Board of Commissioners consider a hearing on this ordinance? That will have to be answered by the commissioners, but specifically Commissioner Bell. Commissioner Bell sits on the Economic Development Committee of Tillamook County that recommended this ordinance. Reviewing the minutes of the EDCTC back to 2020 reveals Commissioner Bell had primary role in the formation of this ordinance. Bell did not work alone. Bill Sargent, County Counsel, stated during the public hearing that past commissioners refused to hold a hearing for this ordinance. How long has this ordinance been under consideration? That is unclear at this time, due to the amount of documentation that must be obtained and sorted through. What is clear is that in September 2020 Terre Cooper, EDCTC Director, presented this ordinance to the EDCTC Board for drafting.

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Why all the concern about private individuals pursuing economic freedom through various means, many of which are already under multiple state and federal regulatory bodies? Why did Ordinance #88 give the EDCTC the ability to raise fees at any time and be solely responsible for approving licenses and violation fees? How much does the EDCTC need beyond its multiple grants and their $108,000 county budget? According to their website most of their accomplishments include sitting on other bureaucratic boards throughout the county and state and administering small business grants. So young men selling firewood and families selling a litter of puppies in a year need to fund EDCTC staff attendance of Zoom meetings?

Democracy may die in darkness, but economic security dies under the bureaucracy of unelected administrators. The response from the citizenry was sufficient to lay Ordinance #88 to rest temporarily, but it needs to be given a proper burial at sea. Forget a threatening China, communism just came to Tillamook County from the office of an administrator paid by us, rented from our community college.

The second public hearing scheduled for December 14 regarding proposed Ordinance #88 in the matter of a business license fee within unincorporated Tillamook County has been cancelled. Links to Ordinance #88 on the county website to this ordinance are broken.


--April Bailey

Post Date: 2022-12-06 12:46:54

Last Update: 2022-12-06 13:26:30

Several grassroots groups have joined forces to inform Oregon lawmakers of the importance of parental rights for their families. The grassroots coalition is called Unite Oregon Now. According to a press release put out by the group, their mission is to help Oregonians engage more fully with the legislative process regarding issues affecting parental rights.

Legislators are gathering in Salem at the capitol building for Legislative Committee Days this week, December 7-9, 2022. They are preparing for the 2023 long legislative session which begins next month -- January 17 through June 25. The committees will be meeting throughout the three days to discuss topics that may lead to legislation in upcoming sessions, hearing updates on previous bill implementations, hearing reports from state agencies and task forces, and keeping current on the subject areas affecting Oregonians.

The Unite Oregon Now coalition will be offering tours of the capitol building each day during Legislative Days -- Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 6-8. Tours will begin a couple short blocks away at the Ike Box coffee shop, 299 Cottage Street NE in Salem, and will start at 11am and 1pm each day. Also from 10:30am-2:00pm at the Ike Box, there will be written materials including schedules showing which committee meetings are most likely to interest people looking to protect parental rights. Breanna Jarmer, Executive Director of Oregonians for Medical Freedom explains, “Sitting in on a relevant committee meeting is a great way to get your feet wet if you haven’t engaged at the capitol before. This is also a fabulous opportunity to meet leaders and members of the grassroots organizations who have been fighting for parental rights and more for years.”

The grassroots coalition consists of: Oregonians For Medical Freedom; Children's Health Defense, Oregon Chapter; Moms For Liberty; Oregon Moms Union; and People's Rights.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-06 11:07:00

Last Update: 2022-12-06 14:49:14