On this day, November 22, 1992, A Washington Post story 1st revealed claims by several women that Sen. Bob Packwood, liberal Oregon Republican, had accosted them with unwanted touching and kisses.
On May 4, 2023, the Oregon Attorney General’s Office issued a draft ballot title to the Secretary of State’s Elections Division for Initiative Petition 2024-021, proposed for the November 5, 2024, General Election. That issuance brings Oregon one step closer to becoming a constitutional carry state.
That draft ballot title reads: “Amends Constitution: Creates constitutional right to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.â€
Led by Constitutional Carry for Oregon (CCFO), 2024-021 seeks to amend the Oregon Constitution as simply as possible, adding only one sentence. At present, 27 U.S. states are already constitutional carry states.
After a 14-day comment period, the Attorney General’s Office will then certify the ballot title. The process of gathering the 160,551 signatures for the initiative to appear on the November 2024 ballot will begin thereafter.
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CCFO has until July 5, 2024, to submit signatures.
CCFO is a grassroots volunteer effort. The three chief petitioners are: Joel Pawloski, a retired Army Lt. Colonel in Marion County; Kerry McQuisten, the former mayor of Baker City in Baker County; and Jean Sampson, former city council member of Clatskanie in Columbia County.
In a joint statement, the petitioners stated, “We’re pleased with the draft title and explanation of our effort as it will appear on the ballot. As we’ve followed the procedural constitutional requirements for initiative petitions very carefully, we don’t anticipate any legitimate challenges. We look forward to beginning the signature-gathering process.â€
Parents are running for school board to change the culture
According to many observers, North Clackamas, Oregon school district seems to have a long history of racial discrimination and sexual abuses on campus. The district has faced multiple lawsuits, which seems to result in continuous property tax increases and even lost trust within the community after those who have raised concerns are targeted, silenced and slandered.
In May of 2021, a 12-year-old 7th grade student at Alder Creek Middle School was raped by an older student, in an unlocked closet on campus. In a 200 million dollar lawsuit filed against the district, the family alleged a pattern of previous incidents between the male and female student that "should have alerted teachers and school administrators of the potential for harm."
In an August 2020 lawsuit, the parents of a six-year-old kindergarten student at a North Clackamas Elementary School sued the district for racial discrimination and the failure of staff to respond. “We want to be an active part of this community, but we want to be accepted in this community,†said Ashley Butler. He and other parents have tried to make changes within the district only to be disappointed.
In various federal and state cases, North Clackamas School District has been named time and again for failing to protect students, especially who many say are the most vulnerable demographics such as; students of color, students with disabilities, and students who identify as LGBTQIA.
Parents who have tried to raise concerns, or work with the school board to effect policy changes have similarly been slandered and silenced by current school board members, and Oregon's politically biased media.
Concerns were expressed, alleging that school-based exemptions to obscenity laws have given rise to age-inappropriate materials, and pornographic content. Not long after, the incumbent board members chose to move meetings online, "indefinitely."
According to the Portland Mercury, "audience outbursts and commentary from parents and other community members who oppose LGBTQ-related teaching materials, gender-inclusive sex education curriculums, and conversations about race," necessitated online only meetings.
And now, more concerned parents are speaking up about these LGBTQ-related teaching materials, gender inclusive sex education curriculums and conversations about race. Two local moms who are running for school board are Courtneigh Swerzbin and Aimee Reiner.
Aimee Riener, is endorsed by Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West, who is a known conservative. West won the right for same-sex marriage in Oregon when he and his husband, Paul Rummel, took their case to the Supreme Court—securing the landmark ruling.
Still, Reiner has been accused of anti-LGBTQ bigotry, after presenting explicit content to the board's attention. Until meetings were moved online, Reiner attended meeting after meeting, in an effort to address campus culture and disparate outcomes for NCSD's most vulnerable students.
Courtneigh Swerzbin is no stranger to racial discrimination. Swerzbin, like Reiner, has suffered from the bias in Oregon's media. Raymond Rendelman, editor of Pamplin's Clackamas Review, recently released a hit piece, attacking Swerzbin's grammar and victim blaming the recipient of a racially motivated incident—irrelevant to the election.
According to Swerzbin's campaign website, she was shocked to learn children and staff at NCSD are being segregated by skin color for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lessons. Swerzbin says she's running for "true inclusion," and kids over politics.
Unlike legislative elections, school board elections are meant to be non-partisan. However, the nearly identical campaign finance disclosures and endorsements for the "North Clackamas United slate" tell a very partisan story.
The slate consists of current board members; Glenn Wachter, Jena Benologa, and April Dobson. Lobbyist Paul Kemp, is a new candidate but certainly not new to politics—having spent years lobbying in Salem for gun control. According to OreStar, the slate of four share endorsements and funding from progressive left-wing activist groups, the Oregon Democratic party and large out-of-state donors with a vested interest in a new math curriculum.
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All four candidates also list a progressive left treasury service, C&E Systems, as their bookkeeper. Jena Benologa's PAC (Political Action Committee) e.g. has spent upwards of $1,00.00 to C&E Systems, whose website boasts of "Electrac," a fundraising/donor portal available to Oregon's most "progressive candidates."
NextUp Action Fund, and Basic Rights Oregon have endorsed the Leftists. This election, they are locally known as the "United slate". Both NextUp Action Fund, and Basic Rights Oregon have also lobbied to lower the voting age to 16, in addition to lobbying for HB 2002, a bill that allows the state to expand diagnosis of gender dysphoria to dentists, and optometrists while giving DHS (Child Services) the authority to remove children from parents who might question that diagnosis.
Four School Based Health Clinics operate on NCSD campuses, and provide direct access to dentistry, ophthalmology, prescription medication, abortion services and gender affirming care. Under recent legislation, schools can also transport minors to receive services during school hours, without parental consent or knowledge.
According to Marketwatch, sexual reassignment surgery is a 1.95 billion dollar emerging market in the healthcare industry. Parents, as well as healthcare professionals, have expressed concerns that a lack of standards for the therapeutic evaluation of minors, may be placing an emphasis on profits over vulnerable youth.
Rather than being addressed, these concerns have been dismissed by current school board members. In addition, there seems to be a pattern among those who have spoken out about instances of rape on campus, discrimination and who have raised concerns at school board meetings in general, have also endured harassment, death threats, bullying and even calls to their employers, as a result.
The voters of North Clackamas will be faced with a litany of issues to ponder during this school board election, as both financial and educational priorities are evaluated.
The designations were recommended by the OPAC following an inclusive public process
On April 20, 2023 the Land Conservation and Development Commission -- under the leadership of Chair Anyeley Hallová -- unanimously adopted an amendment to the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy, Part Three of the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan. The decision added six new management areas that reflect the needs of the communities that proposed them. Rocky Habitat Management Areas focus on balancing use and conservation through the enhancement of visitor experiences with education and interpretation to limit wildlife disturbance and habitat degradation.
These designations complete a multiple year effort led by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to revise the Management Strategy to include site management designations along areas of Oregon's iconic rocky shoreline. Extensive feedback from agencies, organizations, governments, and general rocky coast users supported these revisions.
A Marine Educational Area/Garden at Chapman Point and Marine Conservation Areas at Ecola Point
Cape Lookout
Fogarty Creek
Cape Foulweather
The designations were recommended by the OPAC following an inclusive public process that provided an opportunity for the public to submit proposals for new management areas. Designations will go into effect following rulemaking by partner agencies in the coming year.
Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton & SW Portland) attempts to call Republicans to get back to work after they refused to attend the floor session claiming a willfull lack of upholding the law by Senate President Rob Wagner.
Lieber is calling Republicans to return and honor Measure 113 passed by voters, which limits the number of unexcused absentees a legislator can have to 10 or be prohibited to run for reelection. Lieber states, “By walking out today, Senate Republicans are abandoning all who believe in our democracy, particularly the voters who sent them to Salem to vote on their behalf. Voters were clear last year when they passed Measure 113 by an overwhelming margin and in every state senate district: elected lawmakers should be in the Capitol doing their jobs. Republicans are, once again, undermining our democracy and ignoring the people of Oregon.
During Monday morning’s floor session, Senate Republicans pointed out that bills being considered by the Senate violate the law by being noncompliant with Senate Rule 13.02 (5), ORS 171.134, and Article 4 § 21 of the Oregon Constitution. The Senate recessed and when it reconvened that evening, the Presiding Officer ruled that it did comply, but Republicans claimed it failed to provide any reasoning to substantiate the ruling despite many objections. Republicans attempted to appeal the ruling several times.
Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) stated, “Let’s be clear – Wagner’s ruling was inappropriate, unjustified, and unlawful. It unequivocally violates Senate Rules, Oregon’s Constitution, and Oregon statute. We will not sit by and allow these actions without consequence. We have made a simple request: that bills comply with the law. Senate Rules are clear and Senate Democrats are violating them. It is the responsibility of the clerks in both chambers, as well as Legislative Counsel, to ensure a measure summary complies with Oregon Revised Statutes, Chamber Rules, and the Oregon Constitution... We cannot allow the Senate to operate in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner, nor can we allow this reckless behavior to continue. In an act of deep partisanship, Wagner ruled with total disregard for the integrity of the Senate to dictate his party’s extreme, unconstitutional agenda onto Oregonians at all costs. It is for these reasons we were compelled to take the unprecedented step of voting to remove Wagner from his role as Senate President, and why we are engaging in a constitutional protest today.â€
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Lieber is advocating for a democracy - rule of the majority. Knopp is standing on the Constitutional Republic of representation. Lieber wants to use the Constitution to get Republicans back to the Senate floor, but ignore the rules and procedures set out in the Constitution that Republicans want followed.
Republicans Senator Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) and Representative Emily McIntire (R-Eagle Point) want to solve the matter in court. They filed a lawsuit against legislative leaders contending that the bill summary of House Bill 2002 violates Senate Rule 13.02, ORS 171.134, and Article 4 § 21 of the Oregon Constitution. Weber and McIntire will be represented by Oregon Right to Life.
The statute and rule require bill summaries to be written at an 8th-grade reading level, which correlates with a Flesch-Kincaid readability score of 60. House Bill 2002 scores well below 30, corresponding to the reading level of college graduates.
“The Senate operates within the confines of the Constitution, state law, and chamber rules, all of which are being willfully ignored by the Senate President and the majority party. It is clear that legislation we adopt must be plainly written and easy to understand. Anything less disenfranchises Oregonians across the state and violates the law in the process. If Democrats refuse to comply, it is our responsibility to hold them accountable to process and rules,†said Senator Weber
Many questions about the impacts of House Bill 2002 remain. During committee work sessions, legislative counsel was unable to answer several questions about the bill. Still, it was pushed through the House despite serious concerns.
After months of advocacy, legislative lawmakers representing the Clackamas County area scored a major victory for local communities facing the impacts of tolling on I-205. Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) plans begin with two bridge tolls on Interstate 205. But plans for the next few years are per-mile tolls on all lanes of Interstates 5 and 205 and, if a replacement project gets underway, a toll for a new I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River.
Last week, Representative Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville) with Clackamas lawmakers introduced HB 3614, which would pause tolling until January 2026 and establish a committee to oversee ODOT’s tolling program. The bill was co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 31 legislators.
In response, the Speaker of the House, Senate President, and Co-Chairs of the Joint Transportation Committee announced the creation of a Special Subcommittee on Transportation Planning to oversee and monitor ODOT plans to mitigate the negative impacts of tolling on vulnerable communities. In order to make sure that any tolling program is carefully considered and incorporates the feedback from impacted communities, Governor Kotek placated lawmakers with a pause to all toll collections until January 2026.
Brendan Finn, Director of Urban Mobility and Megaprojects office at ODOT, reported on KGW News that a pause may get the issue out of people’s minds. If voters pass IP 4, it will put control in the hands of voters before a toll can be adopted by requiring voting by the residence within 15 miles of the tolling area.
“I know firsthand that our communities have not felt heard by ODOT, and that they feel their deep concerns were being ignored by the agency,†says Rep. Annessa Hartman (D-Gladstone), who has been appointed to serve on the newly formed Special Subcommittee on Transportation Planning. “Since being sworn into the legislature, I’ve advocated fiercely in the Capitol for our voices to be heard and for ODOT to pause, listen to our constituents and get this right. There is a lot of trust that needs to be rebuilt and I am proud to serve on this committee to give our districts a seat at the table.â€
The Subcommittee will meet through the interim to oversee ODOT’s plans to ensure safety, mitigate congestion, support our economy, reduce pollution, and ensure that the needs of local communities are being heard and incorporated into planning.
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“Families and local leaders in our communities have been justifiably frustrated with ODOT’s behavior,†says Rep. Jules Walters (D-West Linn). “This committee will give a voice to those frustrations, and the pause will give us time to ensure the agency hears them.â€
“Our communities should not disproportionately shoulder the cost of interstate infrastructure. A flawed tolling program would harm working families, individuals on fixed incomes, and businesses in my community. I don’t believe a toll should divide someone from their own town.†said Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville) “We have an obligation to ensure community voices are heard, legislative sideboards are in place, and that ODOT cannot proceed without truly taking our needs into consideration.â€
Oregon polls show that the majority of Oregonians don’t want tolling, except for a new I-5 bridge. As Finn reported, the timing of the pause is distracting – perhaps for more than tolling.
Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a multi-part series on How Your School Board Vote Affects Oregon Schools an OAA Voter Education Project
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills known as “soft skills†traditionally associated with conflict resolution and character education. It has evolved from being considered “wishy-washy†to being an integral part of educating the whole child.
The roots of SEL are as old as ancient Greece. Plato wrote about education in The Republic, proposing a holistic curriculum that requires a balance of training in physical education, the arts, math, science, character, and moral judgment. In 1988 an article in Scientific American featured a pilot program called the Comer School Development Program centered on James Comer’s speculation that the contrast between a child’s experiences at home and those in school deeply affects the child’s psychosocial development and that shapes their academic achievement. When the pilot showed promise in two poor, low-achieving, predominately African American elementary schools in New Haven, Connecticut, the movement took off with the pilot as the hub of SEL.
Social emotional learning and emotional skills was the subject of several studies and the focus of organizations such as CASEL (Collaborative to Advance Social and Emotional Learning). Then under new leadership the group's influence grew all the way to supporters of SEL in congress in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, through H.R. 2437, the Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act of 2011.
Preparing children to be responsible, productive, and caring citizens is a timeless pursuit that are goals of education. How best to do this in our school system is a relatively recent and still evolving area of study and practice, and it's the main question the SEL movement seeks to answer.
Oregon’s initiation goes back to 2015 when parents first got a look at the Common Core curriculum asking grades K-3 their feelings about their mother when asked to do a chore, and third-graders were asked to write opinion pieces. From that point, SEL has been viewed as suspect. Described as the process through which we learn to recognize and manage emotions, care about others, make good decisions, behave ethically and responsibly, develop positive relationships, and avoid negative behaviors, it has never materialized as such.
That same year the Comprehensive Sexual Education Act was passed requiring recognition of a child’s sexuality of choice as affirmation of their identity. Schools were weaving social and emotional development into various parts of the school day intermixing it with identity, which became gender identity in 2021.
Where SEL appeared to be an important step in a child’s development, suddenly turned and became a nightmare after almost two years of lockouts to structured schooling. By the time students returned to classrooms, the legislature had defunded resource officers, and adopted equity practices that allowed destructive organizations under the name of “inclusion†to infiltrate schools. The ugly head of “comprehensive sexuality education†emerged in the form of Rape Culture that empowered girls to show up to school half naked.
The true benefits of SEL were buried when in 2016, the State Board of Education approved the Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) creating standards by combining the Human Sexuality Education Law (2009), the Healthy Teen Relationship Act (2012), the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Law (2015), and taking advantage of other laws. It replaced the model of abstinence-only education, and didn’t recognize a belief system forcing an opt-out method as the only option for parents. However, in order to graduate, the student is still expected to know sexual education. The Board claims “the standards do not promote sexuality or impose a set of values, but they do admit they empower students to recognize, communicate, and advocate for their own health and boundaries.â€
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John Oakley Beahrs, retired psychiatry professor stated in testimony that HB 2023 (2019) mandated coercive indoctrination into identity politics under the false guise of liberal education. It “replaces actual history with indoctrination that grossly alters it, and coercively mandates instructing in but one viewpoint – one that’s favored in today’s Oregon, but neither universal nor necessarily in the public interest. In other words, LGBTQ figures are featured because of their sexual preference and gender identity, not their relation to the subject being taught. Because the subject matter is part of every subject, the law implies parents cannot opt their children out.â€
Some say parents piggybacked on the inflammatory debate over critical race theory making SEL the next controversial concept. Conservatives are saying it is just another effort to indoctrinate kids with liberal ideology. What they see is an attack against children from all sides. Diversity has confused young students to the extent that SEL has lost its way. The controversy has centered on social-emotional “screeners†being used to guide school-wide programs sponsoring Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs, using schools to promote a LGBTQIA+ agenda while identifying students who are ripe for transitioning.
Every school district wades through a deluge of social-emotional curricula to find one that works. The activation of parents across the state is going to be demanding on school boards to dig into what they are adopting and not depend on the state or district administrators for the end-all answers.
Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project lists the candidates and those responding to the survey on their website.
Following the resignation of Secretary of State Shemia Fagan under a cloud of ethical misjudgements, Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers issued the following statement.
“This is a resilient agency, with strong division leadership and internal systems that can withstand change. We are ready to continue the important work of the Secretary of State’s office during this transition.
“My first priority is to make sure Oregonians receive the customer service they deserve. This agency does such critical work, and it’s our job to put Oregonians first during this transition.
“This is an unfortunate situation, but a change of leadership will allow agency staff to continue their good work with less distraction moving forward.â€
The Secretary will continue in her official duties until Monday, May 8, at which point Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers will take on oversight of the agency until a new Secretary is appointed by the Governor. The Deputy has the power to perform any act or duty of the Secretary of State pertaining to the office of the Secretary (ORS 177.040) and is well positioned to help the agency maintain stability and continuity of operations during this transition.
All SOS divisions have consistently reported to Oregon’s Deputy Secretary of State over the last two years. In her role, Deputy Myers will continue her oversight of the agency and will collaborate with the Governor’s Office on a plan to onboard the Governor’s appointment to replace the outgoing Secretary Fagan.
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Deputy Myers' professional background includes public policy, organizational leadership, economic development, public education/youth advocacy, and a history of assisting organizations to construct equitable cultures and embed collaborative practices. Her prior public service roles include Director of Economic & Business Equity in the Governor’s Office, Chief of Staff for the Higher Education Commission and as Operations & Engagement Director for Educator Advancement in the Chief Education Office and 8 years as an elected school board member. She is well positioned to help the agency maintain stability and continuity of operations during this transition.
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“I am confident that the ethics investigation will show that I followed the state’s legal and ethical guidelinesâ€
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced her resignation today, effective Monday May 8.
The Secretary will continue in her official duties until Monday, May 8, at which point Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers will take on oversight of the agency until a new Secretary is appointed by the Governor. The Deputy has the power to perform any act or duty of the Secretary of State pertaining to the office of the Secretary (ORS 177.040) and is well positioned to help the agency maintain stability and continuity of operations during this transition.
The Oregon Elections Division and Oregon’s 36 county elections officials are fully prepared to administer the May 16 Special Districts Election. The Elections Division will work with counties to complete the normal activities involved with administering local elections.
The following is a statement from Secretary of State Shemia Fagan:
“While I am confident that the ethics investigation will show that I followed the state’s legal and ethical guidelines in trying to make ends meet for my family, it is clear that my actions have become a distraction from the important and critical work of the Secretary of State’s office. Protecting our state’s democracy and ensuring faith in our elected leaders – these are the reasons I ran for this office. They are also the reasons I will be submitting my resignation today. I want to thank the incredible staff in the Secretary of State’s office for their hard work and Oregonians for the opportunity to serve them. It has been a true honor to serve the people of Oregon.
“At this time, I believe it is in the best interest of our state for me to focus on my children, my family, and personal reflection so that the Secretary of State staff can continue to offer the exemplary customer service Oregonians deserve.â€
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek -- who will appoint Secretary Fagan's replacement -- said, “This morning, Secretary Fagan informed me of her decision to resign. I support this decision. It is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government. I believe this is a first step in restoring that trust. During the upcoming appointment process, my office will do everything possible to support the hard-working staff in the Secretary of State’s office and ensure this will not disrupt the May 16 election.â€
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The Governor’s office will initiate the process to identify and appoint a replacement. Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers will serve as acting Secretary of State in the interim.
“Secretary Fagan found herself in a web of ethical violations and it finally caught up to her. It is critically important that statewide elected officials exercise good judgement at all times. It is clear that Fagan has broken Oregon’s trust beyond repair. It’s time to return integrity to the Secretary of State’s office,†said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend).
“Today’s resignation of Secretary Fagan reflects the level of corruption occurring in state government. Since the beginning of the year, I have said we need a transparent process. The level of abuse Secretary Fagan flaunted from her official position is just another example the extreme measures of one-party rule in Oregon,†said House Republican Leader Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “We encourage the Governor to use this opportunity to appoint a person who can restore trust and ethics in the Secretary of State’s office. Additionally, we suggest due diligence and thorough vetting in the consideration of potential appointees.â€
The only Columbia River bridge between Astoria and Portland
The Lewis and Clark Bridge between Rainier and Longview, Washington will close for up to eight days beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 16 for bridge deck repairs.
The crossing between Rainier, OR and Longview, WA is the only Columbia River bridge between Astoria and Portland
During the closure, crews from Combined Construction, Inc. will replace two bridge expansion joints and a fractured floor beam. Pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency responders will be able to cross the bridge during the closure except during a small window when the floor beam is being replaced.
Closure of the only bridge across the Columbia River between Astoria and Portland may create hardships for communities along the Columbia River and require residents to reschedule medical and other important appointments. Check Tripcheck.com for more information.
The bridge must be closed to ensure a long-lasting repair and for the safety of travelers and construction crews in the work zone. To set the new expansion joints in place, crews will pour concrete which needs four days to cure and strengthen, without movement and disturbance from moving traffic. The replacement of the floor beam also requires no traffic on the bridge.
“There is no good time to close a bridge, and the vital importance of the Lewis and Clark Bridge to Washington and Oregon communities cannot be overstated,†said WSDOT Southwest Region Administrator Carley Francis. “Our goal is to do this repair work right and re-open the bridge to travelers as soon as safely possible.â€
Construction work taking place before and after the closure will be done at night using single-lane closures and alternating traffic across the bridge. The five-week construction schedule of nighttime lane closures and a bridge closure of up to eight days shortens the construction timeline for this $1 million preservation project. It also avoids months of daytime single lane closures that would create congestion throughout Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon.
On April 12, bridge inspectors discovered a fractured floor beam resulting in an emergency 12-hour closure. Prior to that discovery, the bridge was scheduled to close for up to six days for expansion joint replacement work. The closure has been extended to accommodate the additional work of installing a new floor beam.
Construction schedule
Construction is estimated to begin the week of June 12 and travelers should expect traffic delays or detours for approximately five weeks.
The full closure of the Lewis and Clark Bridge for up to eight days begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 16.
Emergency vehicles – including only ambulances with active critical medical needs or law enforcement emergency response – can use the bridge during the closure except when crews install the new floor beam. The timing of this work will be communicated in advance.
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Due to safety, no park and ride facilities are available.
Before and after the closure, crews will reduce travel across the bridge to one lane each night beginning at 8 p.m. and alternate traffic through the work zone.
There will be no single lane closures during the Fourth of July holiday weekend -Friday, June 30 – Tuesday, July 4.
For the safety of travelers and the construction crew, the work zone will have reduced speed limits.
Plan for longer travel times During the following times travelers should expect longer delays and congestion due to nighttime single lane closures:
8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Friday.
8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday to Saturday.
8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday to Sunday.
Plan ahead for lengthy detours
During the closure, all traffic crossing the Columbia River will detour to either U.S. 101 Astoria-Megler Bridge between Astoria and Megler, WA or the Interstate Bridge on Interstate 5 between Vancouver and Portland.
Ferry service
The Wahkiakum County Ferry between Cathlamet, Washington and Westport, Oregon will run twice an hour 24 hours a day while the bridge is closed. This ferry has extremely limited capacity. Its use should be reserved for urgent matters that do not require an ambulance. Travelers should also be prepared for lengthy wait times and long lines.
Medical access
Depending on where people begin and end their travel, using the detour routes can add upwards of two and a half hours of travel time. People who use the SR 433 Lewis and Clark Bridge to access scheduled medical services should plan their travel time with this in mind and contact their providers to confirm or reschedule their appointments.
“Government attorneys are required to write bill summaries in clear and simple languageâ€
Oregon State Senator Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) made a point of order on the Senate floor that HB 2285 fails to meet readability standards laid out in subsection 5 of Senate Rule 13.02 and Oregon Revised Statute ORS 171.134. This bill, and many others, are unlawful and we will not pass them.
Article IV, Section 21 of the Oregon Constitution requires every legislative act to be “plainly worded, avoiding as far as practicable the use of technical termsâ€. Subsection 5 of Senate Rule 13.02 requires all measure summaries to comply with ORS 171.134 which requires all measure summaries prepared by the Legislative Assembly to “be written in a manner that results in a score of at least 60 on the Flesch readability test.â€
“Government attorneys are required to write bill summaries in clear and simple language so every Oregonian can understand what their elected representatives are doing in the Legislature. This is made clear in Senate Rules, in Oregon’s Constitution, and further clarified in statute. We will not conduct business until a remedy is agreed upon. Transparency and accountability are required for our system to thrive. We have been very clear about this since the start of session and our commitment was further exemplified in today’s point of order,†said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend).
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The Honorable Gary Wilhelms, former member of the Oregon House of Representatives (1973-1979) and 1979 House Republican Leader issued the following statement:
“As the House Minority Leader in 1979, I remember this bill. I cast one of 31 bipartisan votes in the House to pass SB 543, putting this rule in statute. Transparency prevailed then as it should today. The law is the law, and I’m glad the Senate Republican Caucus is attempting to enforce this statute today.â€
The Oregon Senate is standing in recess until there is a legal ruling from the presiding officer.
Oregon House Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) has now urged the Legislature to advance HJR 16, which proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to establish an impeachment procedure for statewide elected officials. Oregon is currently the only state in the nation without such a procedure.
“Recent events illustrate, yet again, the importance of having an impeachment procedure on the books as a check against negligence and abuse of power by public officials,†said Representative Boshart Davis. “While I recognize that investigations need time to play out, members of both parties have already expressed their dismay and concern over the emerging situation with Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and the impact this is having on public trust. The Legislature must have the ability to remove a statewide elected official when necessary.â€
Previous attempts to establish an impeachment procedure received bipartisan support, with now Governor Tina Kotek and Congresswoman Val Hoyle voting in support. Representative Boshart Davis is joined by Representatives Jami Cate (R-Lebanon), Bobby Levy (R-Echo), and Anna Scharf (R-Amity) in sponsoring HJR 16.
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“This has been a bipartisan issue in the past and it should be again this year,†concluded Representative Boshart Davis. “Regardless of how ongoing events play out, it’s clear that Oregon should join the 49 other states by moving forward with establishing an impeachment procedure.â€
HJR 16 is currently in the House Committee on Rules, where it has yet to be granted a hearing.
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a multi-part series on the impact of your vote for School Board Candidates, an OAA Voter Education Project
Times have changed since the days of having a school nurse in a small room near the school office. She would typically provide band aids when needed and call parents if a child was feeling ill. She was probably also responsible for eye checks and so on. These days many schools have doctors and counseling offices at the school. According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) School Based Health Centers (SBHC) have existed in Oregon since 1986 and there are currently 81 operating centers. Centers are located on school property to provide easy student access. Appointments are encouraged, but not required.
OHA suggests the purpose of SBHCs is to provide a wide range of primary medical care and mental health services for all students regardless of insurance status. Convenience is also listed as a benefit. Parents miss less work and students miss less school when they don’t have to take the time to drive across town for an appointment.
Having a health center on school grounds may save money and be convenient, but Oregon consent laws are creating concerns for many parents. Their children can go to the health center for various services without their knowledge.
Roseburg High School has a student health center through Aviva Health. On their consent form they cite the current Oregon age of consent law: “Privacy and authorization to give consent for
treatment: According to Oregon Law (ORS 109.610, ORS 109.640, ORS 109.675), a student age 15 may give consent for any medical or surgical treatment; age 14 may give consent for mental health treatment; and a student of any age may give consent for treatment of sexually
transmitted disease and birth control. The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may restrict a parent/guardian’s access to a student’s medical records without permission by the student."
Having SBHC’s so easily accessible, a 15-year-old student can walk down the school hall and be seen by a doctor, diagnosed, and treated and then return to class without parents knowing anything about it. A 14-year-old might see a counselor during lunch hour and get advice that
parents might not agree with.
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
If parents are concerned now, consent laws are likely to become even more extreme very soon. There is currently a bill (HB 2002) in the legislature that is on the fast track to being passed. If this bill is signed into law, it will enable minors of any age to receive reproductive services (i.e.,
emergency contraception and medication abortion) without the consent or knowledge of their parents. When the legal counsel was questioned regarding this bill, she confirmed that it also makes provision for students of any age to receive gender-affirming care. Parents will only be notified and involved in their child’s care if the minor authorizes the disclosure in writing.
Representative Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) states “HB 2002 allows a child to bypass parental consent for "gender affirming care" at any age, and above 15 years for sex-altering surgeries. Keep in mind, a child needs parental authorization in Oregon to get their ears pierced or a tattoo under the age of 18.â€Â
Representative Ed Diehl (R-Turner) said, "I received confirmation this week from Legislative Legal Council that House Bill 2002 specifically exludes detransition treatments from insurance coverage. With this bill, Medicaid and private insurance are mandated to cover treatments when your “gender identity†and sex don’t align. But, if you believe you have made a mistake and want a procedure to align with your sex, coverage will not be mandated. The wording in the bill is intentional." Fox News reported on Oregon's extreme bill.
Getting cold medicine at a school health center probably has little consequence, but getting an abortion or starting gender-affirming care are very serious matters. The consequences of which will stay with them for the rest of their life. Children are not mature
enough to reason and make life-altering decisions on their own, so they naturally turn to adults for guidance. SBHCs make it easy for youth to turn to people that may not have their best interests at heart.
To codify the issues in HB 2002 and services provided at SBHCs, the legislature wants voters to amend the Oregon Constitution to provide protections for abortion, gender affirming care, as well as same-sex marriage. SJR 33 guarantees equality of rights that cannot be denied or abridged of equal rights by any law, policy or action that discriminates, in
intent or effect, based on health decisions for pregnancy outcomes, gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender, giving the legislature the power to enforce.
Parents have the responsibility and right to make decisions that they feel are best for their children and across the state they are demanding involvement and are looking to school boards to listen to their concerns and represent them.
Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project lists the candidates and those responding to the survey on their website.
