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



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



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



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



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



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



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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


View All Calendar Events


OSP Pledges to Advance Women in Policing
Goal is 30% more women by 2030.

The Oregon State Police has signed on to the National 30x30 Pledge aimed to bring more women into policing to improve public safety, community outcomes, and trust in law enforcement. The 30x30 Pledge is a series of low- and no-cost actions policing agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement.

The activities help policing agencies assess the current state of a department with regard to gender equity, identify factors that may be driving any disparities and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing. These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture.

The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30x30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

The ultimate goal of the 30x30 Initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruitment classes by 2030 and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.

Currently, women make up only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership in the U.S. This underrepresentation of women in policing has significant public safety implications. Research suggests that women officers:

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“This pledge means that the Oregon State Police is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women Troopers in our agency, “said Superintendent Casey Codding. “We are honored to be among many in the nation to make this critical commitment, and we look forward to working with and learning from agencies across the country who share our priority.”

More than 250 agencies – from major metro departments including the New York City Police Department to mid-sized, rural, university, and state policing agencies – have signed the 30x30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.

“We are grateful to the Oregon State Police for being one of the first in the nation to commit to being a part of this growing movement,” said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, Chief of Staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. “We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow Oregon State Police’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing.”

For more information, visit www.30x30initiative.org.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-03-05 09:34:43Last Update: 2023-03-05 16:26:55



Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund
Oregon PERS one of the top performing funds in 2022

The Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) was recognized as one of the top performing funds in 2022 among pension plan peers whose portfolios are larger than $10 billion.

Ranked 2nd out of 50 qualifying plans for returns generated in calendar year 2022, Treasury managed to navigate volatile markets and minimize risks to end the year with a small loss of -1.1%. Over that same period, the average portfolio in the peer group lost nearly 10%. OPERF is managed by the Oregon State Treasury in accordance with policies and allocation targets set by the Oregon Investment Council. The fund closed 2022 with a value of $91.9 billion.

OPERF's strong performance amongst peers extends beyond 2022. Over the last 20 years, the fund's performance ranked first out of 42 peers, with an annualized return of 9.4%.

Treasury's Investment Division manages OPERF to meet long-term obligations for more than 200,000 beneficiaries and short-term operational needs, such as over $425 million in monthly retirement payments to Oregonians.

"Our fiduciary responsibility to manage the state's pension fund in a responsible manner that delivers results for Oregon's public employees — our teachers, firefighters and public health nurses — is one that Treasury, the Oregon Investment Council, and our partners take very seriously," said State Treasurer Tobias Read, who sits on the Oregon Investment Council. "We're committed to managing a portfolio that meets our beneficiaries' needs today and in 30 years."

Despite a tumultuous 2022, which saw record-high inflation and global economic uncertainty wipe out much of the returns pension funds across the country generated in 2021, OPERF's performance was the byproduct of Treasury's long-term strategic focus and oversight of Oregon's public employee pension fund.

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Treasury's Investment Division manages OPERF to generate sustainable returns and perform in various market conditions, evident by the fund generating 20% returns in a strong market year like 2021 and proving resilient in down market years like 2022. The latter results in billions of dollars remaining available for key services like education, housing, and addiction treatment instead of higher pension fund contribution rates for employers.

"I'm proud of our team's performance in a year like 2022 just as much as 2021. Our investment decisions are designed to help us benefit when the market is booming and to also be capable of weathering downturns and market volatility, to limit losses," said Treasury's Chief Investment Officer, Rex Kim.

The peer ranking report released by Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service factors in performance data for tax-exempt pension plans across the country. OPERF has consistently landed near the top of the peer rankings, most recently achieving the top ranking for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

The Oregon State Treasury improves the financial well-being of all Oregonians. We provide low-cost banking, debt management, and investment programs for governments and empower Oregonians to invest in themselves and their loved ones through the Oregon College Savings Plan, Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, and OregonSaves. Treasury also facilitates the state's Unclaimed Property Program.

When OPERF is able to out perform its obligation, it reduces the deficit on taxpayers. So why did Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland) with ten others sponsor HB 2601, which would force the Treasury to neglect its fiduciary responsibility for the whim-of-the-moment trend of legislators?

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) testified, “This bill makes a damaging assumption that the retirement funds of public employees belong to the State of Oregon. That assumption is both dangerous and wrong. This money belongs to public employees...Oregon Courts have affirmed over the past thirty years that the money in the public employee retirement fund belongs to public employees, not to the state or state lawmakers. We cannot and should not do anything to usurp their decision making authority about how their money is invested and that would lead to a decline in their earnings or their retirement future.”


--Ryan Bannister

Post Date: 2023-03-05 09:33:26Last Update: 2023-03-05 16:24:17



Senate Passes Ban on Commuter Travel for State Workers
Unanimously bans taxpayer funded out-of-state commuters.

Oregon Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 853-A, ending the policy to reimburse travel expenses for out-of-state, highly paid state workers at taxpayer expense. Introduced by Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), it is the only piece of legislation this session sponsored by all 30 Senators and has an impressive bipartisan list of sponsors in the House.

"It is important for us to be equitable in our policies as it relates to financial matters, and that we be sensitive to Oregon taxpayers," said Knopp on the Senate Floor. "Today we get to pass the most bipartisan bill of this session. It would be great if there were other bills that follow suit having such consensus and collaboration. I appreciate [my colleagues] for signing on."

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Meliah Masiba, Legislative Director, Department of Administrative Services, reported that out of Oregon 41,543 employees, 6,780 work remotely. Of those 6,348 are in-state and 432 are out-of-state remote workers.

SB 853-A, now awaiting its first reading in the House, is part of the Senate Republican Caucus's Equitable Oregon agenda. It can be found under 'Promoting Freedom & Prosperity for All Oregonians'.


--Ritch Hanneman

Post Date: 2023-03-05 09:08:25Last Update: 2023-03-05 16:25:21



Oregon National Guard Welcomes Home Hermiston Unit
Public invited to demobilization ceremony after overseas deployment.

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Idaho and consists of Soldiers from the four western states of Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The Hermiston Unit is one of five armored brigade combat teams in the U.S. National Guard and one of 16 in the United States Army.

More than 75 Oregon Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, along with maintenance support members from the 145th Brigade Support Battalion, are scheduled to conduct a formal demobilization ceremony on March 5, 2023, at the Hermiston Community Center, Oregon, at 10:00 a.m.

The Oregon Soldiers were combined with two Army National Guard Companies from the Montana Army National Guard's 163rd Infantry Regiment, as part of TASK FORCE GRIZ, supporting the United States Central Command. In addition, service members from Idaho, Nevada, and Florida made up the total force supporting OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD, strengthening defense relationships, and building partner nation abilities in the region.

These Citizen-Soldiers were initially mobilized on Nov. 4, 2021. Prior to their overseas deployment, the unit, under the command of Army National Guard Capt. Sean Popravak, first conducted additional specialized training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and departed for Qatar in early January 2022.

“Our mission was to be a mobile, armored reaction force to deter malign foreign influence and reassure allies within the Middle East of the United States' continued commitment to the region,” said Popravak.

“While deployed, we participated in Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise involving 29 other partner nations in Jordan,” Popravak said, describing some of the highlights of the nearly yearlong mobilization. “It was an exciting and rewarding experience exchanging military expertise and improving interoperability among our forces through various training scenarios and live fire events.”

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Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Reed and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, are scheduled to welcome home and serve as the presiding officials on behalf of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, during their official welcome home ceremony.

The Hermiston Community Center is located at 415 S. Hwy. 395, in Hermiston, Oregon 97838. The ceremony is open to the media and community members who desire to welcome the unit service members home.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-03-03 20:28:35Last Update: 2023-03-03 20:53:53



Portland FBI Teen Academy Set For July
Students get first hand experience catching criminals.

The FBI Teen Academy program provides an opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors to learn about careers in law enforcement within the FBI and beyond. The Portland Division will hold their summer camp July 11 to July 14, 2023.

Applicants chosen for the program actively engage with FBI agents and leaders in the Bureau to learn about case studies, crime prevention, evidence gathering, and investigative techniques related to criminal activity. The Teen Academy allows students to delve deeply into levels of law enforcement unavailable to them in a general classroom setting.

“We are excited to be able to offer the FBI’s Teen Academy program again this year,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “It’s a great opportunity for these kids to learn about the FBI, engage with our Special Agents and develop leadership skills. We try to make this week-long program beneficial and useful for the students but we get so much out of it ourselves, hearing from this next generation of what their concerns are and how the FBI can do better, it’s a great opportunity for everyone.”

Students will learn about how criminals are captured, hear from FBI agents about actual cases, and learn how to raise their self-awareness online and watch for cyber-predators. Graduates of the Teen Academy program develop a keen understanding of how the FBI interacts with local law enforcement agencies and how participants can raise crime prevention awareness in their communities. In addition, hands-on instruction by FBI experts and other law enforcement agents allows students to understand the importance of communication between national and local agencies.

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FBI Teen Academy members engage in group activities ranging from small group exercises to hands-on simulations. Participation is free to the applicants chosen, and volunteer organizations provide supplies for the events. As a result, students learn valuable life skills and increase their knowledge and understanding of how law enforcement agencies interact around the country.

Teens can submit their application to outreach.pd@fbi.gov by Friday, April 14, 2023.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-03-02 16:05:57Last Update: 2023-02-28 20:12:39



Shorten School Days Gets Parent's Appeal
Bill passes Senate with bipartisan support.

The Oregon State Senate voted overwhelmingly to enforce students with disabilities’ right to attend school full time. Senate Bill 819 will require informed and written parental consent before a student can have a shortened school day. It also requires the Oregon Department of Education to enforce the law and empowers the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to investigate and hold superintendents accountable for refusing to restore equal access to schools for students with disabilities.

Today, nearly 1,000 students with disabilities in districts across the state have been placed on a shortened day for whom a full school day is difficult due to endurance or other factors, in accordance with OAR 581-022-1620.

In at least one case, students receive as little as 25 minutes a week of instruction for years on end. If SB 819 is signed into law, beginning on March 27, parents of these students can file a written objection to their student’s shortened day schedule. The district must return the student to full time school within 5 school days. Failure to do so can lead to loss of state school funds and discipline for the responsible administrator.

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Director Colt Gill, Oregon Department of Education said, “ODE would require additional resources to implement the investigations required by this bill in order for each eligible child to have an educational program that enables the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE).”

“Students with disabilities have had the right to full time public education since the 1970s. It is inexcusable that many districts routinely deprive students of the chance to learn reading, math and social skills by shutting the schoolhouse door in their faces,” said Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis).

“Today, the Oregon State Senate sent a clear message: There is no excuse for school districts to violate the civil rights of students with disabilities, and the Oregon Department of Education is expected to enforce state and federal law. With rapid action from the House and Governor, Oregon students will be able to realize the promise of a free and appropriate public education next month.”

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-02 13:59:07Last Update: 2023-03-03 00:22:44



New Chair for Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission
Effective Immediately

Governor Tina Kotek has chosen Marvin Révoal as the Chair of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). Révoal's appointment takes effect immediately.

"Marvin Révoal is a respected community leader, and I trust that he is committed to leading the commission through this time of change and course correction," Governor Tina Kotek said. "As Interim Director Prins evaluates and enacts the necessary changes to advance accountability and transparency, Chair Révoal will provide valuable leadership to help ensure those changes take hold."

Révoal has served as a member of the OLCC Board of Commissioners for nine years, and has more than 30 years leadership experience in the commercial insurance industry. Prior to that Révoal had a career in law enforcement.

"I would like to thank the Governor for the trust she has placed in me and her continued support for OLCC," said Chair Marvin Révoal. "I look forward to doing all that I can to help OLCC advance and fulfill the mission for which it was created. I believe in the agency and I believe in our control state model."

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The Board of Commissioners will function with six members until the Governor appoints a seventh member to the Commission, and that designee is approved through the Oregon Senate appointments process.

Chair Révoal will join OLCC interim Executive Director Craig Prins, who was appointed by the Board of Commissioners last week, to serve as the agency's new leadership team. Both pledged to make the OLCC a model among alcohol control states, to continue to provide the state a stable source of revenue, and to be an engaged partner with Governor Kotek in her focus on addiction treatment and services.

"I look forward to working with Chair Révoal and the other Commissioners to establish greater accountability, institute rigorous oversight, and create transparent protocols for managing OLCC's operations," said Prins. "These are just some of the steps we must take in order to restore the public's trust in this agency."


--Ritch Hanneman

Post Date: 2023-03-01 15:34:45Last Update: 2023-02-28 18:05:57



Valley Commuter Train a Substitute for Driving
Operations and maintenance costs for commuter rail are high.

House Bill 2662 drew attention during a hearing on February 21 that would require the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), in collaboration with Tri-Met and Portland & Western Railroad to study extending the Westside Express Service (WES) commuter line to Salem. Representative Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville), bill sponsor, testified, “Southwest Portland Metro Regions are among the fastest growing communities in the state. As our region grows and changes, we know we need to be proactive and thoughtful about identifying and investing in public transportation solutions.”

Economist Stephen Moore, FreedomWorks, reports on Committee to Unleash Prosperity that Oregon’s liberal paradise, Portland, can now officially be labelled a basket case. Moore wrote, “Here is what we are learning from our spies in Portland and various recent news reports. They are now calling the city an ‘anarchic wonderland.’ But it turns out normal people don’t much like anarchy. Years of riots, lawlessness, tent cities, high taxes, woke government and homeless people everywhere is chasing residents away from this former mecca of progressive governance.”

One local media outlet in the city told Moore, “The city has switched from attracting new arrivals to repelling its current citizens. In Portland, many liberals are dodging stray bullets, losing catalytic converters to thieves and sidestepping tents. Then they open their tax bills.” And we’re not talking about the summer of the 2020 riots.

A recent analysis of the U.S. Postal Service by the National Association of Realtors data released shows that Seattle and Portland metro areas are leading the West Coast in net move-outs. Census Bureau data confirms that Portland has lost population three years in a row.

Miles Pengilly, TriMet State Government Affairs Manager, testimony raised concerns related to extending WES including increasing the frequency and hours of service. The frequency of WES service is limited because WES ridership is low and the operations and maintenance costs for heavy commuter rail are high.

Pengilly recommends creating a state-chartered public corporation or some form of rail authority to extend and operate the WES line between Wilsonville and Salem, as TriMet is not the appropriate entity to oversee that project or operate that service.

Last year TriMet struggled with driver shortage, and the year before they altered schedules for lack of riders during the pandemic.

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Amtrak train from Salem to Portland costs $7 - $13 for a 1 hour and 30 minute ride, available four times a day. There is also a bus that runs the same route. To compete with drivers, the rates from Eugene to Portland were slashed 30 percent last December. Ridership dropped dramatically in April 2020 due to the pandemic closures. In 2021, the year ended regaining their 2020 ridership, but 2022 still ran 11 percent below pre-pandemic levels.

Amtrak’s experience trying to pry drivers from behind the wheel isn’t going to change with another train service, and if it divides ridership, it won't be sustainable for either. ODOT is also having conversations with Washington State Department of Transportation that would bring “ultra-high-speed ground transportation” (high speed rail or HSR). It is currently being discussed for a corridor between Portland and Vancouver, British Columbia. Representative Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene) introduced HB 2691 that would extend high speed rail from Seattle all the way to Eugene.

Another sign of unsustainability by ridership, Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale) sponsored SB 13, which allows commercial buses operated for 5,000 miles or fewer from the required registration of certain model year diesel engines to owners located in Multnomah, Clackamas or Washington County.

The push to get drivers off the road seems to be driven by cost. Lower cost to rider, higher gas prices, and then add tolling costs.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-01 15:00:00Last Update: 2023-03-02 16:48:00



Bill Allows 16-Year-Olds to Vote
Decline of children are underrepresented.

Representative Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) sponsored HB 3206, permitting an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and registered to vote to cast a ballot in school district elections, including nomination and election of school directors. It requires the Secretary of State to establish a process by rule to ensure eligible individuals only receive a ballot for school district elections.

Currently, Oregonians must register 21 days before election day and must be a U.S. citizen, must be an Oregon resident, and must be at least 16 years old. Once registered, an individual will receive a ballot and instructions in the mail about two weeks before an election. Registered voters under the age of 18 do not receive a ballot until the first election that occurs on or after the voter’s 18th birthday.

Article VIII, Section 3 of the Oregon Constitution gives the Legislative Assembly authority to "provide by law for the establishment of a uniform, and general system of Common schools." House Bill 3206 permits an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and registered to vote to cast a ballot in school district elections.

Representative Bowman presented testimony that the bill is based on Daniel Hart and Robert Atkins publication, "American Sixteen- and Seventeen-Year-Olds Are Ready to Vote." Interestingly, at the end (page 21) there is a note: "This body of research has led theorists to conclude that adolescents may lack the legal culpability of adults for some forms of criminal behavior (see Steinberg and Scott 2003)" The article's conclusion admits the claim for 16-year-olds to vote "rests upon the exploration of the notion of citizenship, in some of its legal meanings in the United States, as well as its connotations in political philosophy. Citizens should be entitled to vote, unless there is good reason to imagine that they cannot fulfill their responsibilities as citizens or as voters." They point to the decline of children in the population as being underrepresented. They say voting is a tool to educate them on civic habits.

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Representative E. Werner Reschke (R- ) testified of the dangers inherit to permitting youth to vote while the legislature recognizes their immaturity in other areas. Reschke goes on to state that the expansion of rights with no corresponding responsibility is poor public policy. The 2019 the legislature amended Measure 11 offering special treatment to offenders age 15 to 17. Reschke asks, "Why? Because 15 to 17 year old's lacked a fully formed frontal lobe, a part of the brain that plays a major part in memory, judgement and other vital functions. If that is true, why do we want to consider those who are still adolescents to directly participate in such important adult decisions?" If brain function isn't an issue, then why not 6 year olds? Where does it stop?




--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-02-28 20:28:10Last Update: 2023-02-28 17:10:59



142nd Wing Conducts Night Flying Training
First combat missions flown typically occur at night

Look up at night this week and you may see this F-15C Eagle flying night maneuvers. The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing is conducting routine F-15 Eagle night training missions from February 27th through March 2nd.

Night training allows the Citizen-Airmen pilots based at the Portland Air National Guard Base to stay current with mandatory Air Force requirements.

“The first missions flown in any combat operation typically occur at night. It is critical for our pilots to train in the environment America expects them to win in,” said 123rd Fighter Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Josh Hovanas. "Our night missions are flown over the ocean or Eastern Oregon to minimize our impact on local communities."

Night flying is conducted as an essential training requirement for nighttime maneuvers to support mission and contingency response. Training flights will be completed each evening before 10:00 p.m.

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The Portland Air National Guard Base employs around 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from Northern California to the Canadian border, as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequaled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-02-28 16:04:54



Kotek Announces Grants While Legislators Discuss CHIPS Act
Governor Budgets $200 million for Semiconductor manufacturing

Oregon is aggressively pursuing opportunities to bring home a portion of the $52 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and research made available under the federal CHIPS and Science Act. To that end, Governor Tina Kotek announced a new, $1 million grant program to help small and mid-sized Oregon businesses prepare competitive applications for the once-in-a-generation infusion of federal funds.

The grant program, which will be funded through Business Oregon’s Strategic Reserve Fund, is part of a larger strategy to ensure Oregon firms are allocated as much of the federal funding as possible. The funding will be distributed as grants to private semiconductor firms in Oregon to help with costs associated in preparing an application, including third party costs or professional services. The program will consider how applicants will serve historically underserved groups to create family-wage manufacturing jobs.

The Joint Committee on Semiconductors held its first hearing on Senate Bill 4 after weeks of public testimony on the underlying policies. This bipartisan bill represents the first step on securing the future of Oregon's semiconductor economy.

Senate Bill 4 commits $200 million, which is in Governor Kotek’s budget, for grants and loans to qualifying businesses for the purpose of allowing those businesses to apply to the federal government for additional financial support made available through the CHIPS and Science Act.

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

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

The combination of Oregon's support and the federal CHIPS Act funds would create an opportunity to attract and grow the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry in Oregon. The national movement to expand domestic semiconductor production came about when the COVID-19 crisis disrupted shipments from Taiwan, the world’s most advanced chip foundry, and remote work increased demand. The tech wars inspired the Biden administration to distribute $52 billion to strengthen the domestic chipmaking sector. "It is great news for Oregon to be a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation," Governor Kotek said.

“We are acting with an extraordinary sense of urgency to supercharge Oregon’s semiconductor industry, bring new jobs and money to our state, and build a better future for every Oregonian,” said co-chair Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro). “We look forward to continuing the conversation about this first step and the work we will do later in session to maintain Oregon’s position as a global leader in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.”

"This bill is an important first step in ensuring Oregon's semiconductor industry can capitalize on the opportunity to receive CHIPS Act funding. Our next step needs to be bold and needs to provide more support for our job creators. Not only do these manufacturing jobs provide high wages, but we also know that it is critical for national security," said co-vice chair Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “Yesterday’s revenue forecast has provided us with sufficient assurance that we have the dollars to invest in semiconductor and advance manufacturing without touching rainy day funds.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-02-27 15:29:03Last Update: 2023-02-27 15:45:20



Some Thoughts on Climate
Do the science

Recently, the Northwest Observer had a brief discussion with Astrophysicist Gordon Fulks, an expert on weather and climate. He said January was warmer than February would be, seemingly a contradiction of the seasons. With February weather in the history books turned out he was right because the Earth has an elliptical orbit. The current earth orbit has the planet further from the sun in February 2023 than it was in January of 2023 -- something not correctable by an executive order or a cap and trade tax.

The chart below covers the last 800,000 years of climate data derived from ice core samples and the study of celestial movements.

From the chart you can see that:
  1. Elliptical orbits, at the height of eccentricity, coincide with very cold ice ages.
  2. We are in the Holocene Climate Optimum, a time of minimal orbit eccentricity. That is expected to continue for about another 10,000 years.
  3. Periods of high CO2 follow periods of high volcanic activity as evidenced by volcanic dust detected in the ice core samples. Banning fossil fuels isn’t going to affect CO2 numbers.
  4. The blue line on top shows that the amount of solar radiation experienced at the polar regions varies with differing levels of Sun activity and changing atmospheric conditions. Fretting about the amount of ice at either the North or South Pole won’t change a thing.
As the solar system moves within our galaxy and our galaxy along with trillions of other galaxies moves around within the Universe we need to sit back, enjoy the ride and just be grateful for this gift of life on Earth. It’s time to realize that human activity is a product of nature and will never be its master.


--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2023-02-27 11:44:16Last Update: 2023-02-27 20:33:53



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