Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) has introduced SB 1104, the Oregon Media Tax Credit bill, a proposal to provide Oregonians a dollar-for-dollar tax credit akin to the Oregon Political Tax Credit, when they pay to subscribe to any news outlet that covers Oregon news happenings.

The Oregon Political Tax Credit is a $50 per person, $100 per tax filing couple tax credit that most Oregonians see back on their tax return when they contribute to a political action committee for political candidates, or a policy issue committee that supports property tax or ballot issue measures. Hayden believes a parallel Media Tax Credit is necessary to encourage Oregonians to subscribe to media outlets and help defray the cost of news published behind paywalls.

“The media plays an important role in maintaining the republican form of representative government we enjoy in that it’s the role of the free press to hold government to account for its actions,” stated Hayden. “Now more than ever, we need journalism to thrive, and we need a fair, democratic way to give people encouragement to support local journalism in the same way politicians have carved out a way to receive tax-free political contributions. Having one type of tax credit that supports political speech while not fairly using tax dollars to support the free speech of the press which holds us accountable is no longer acceptable.”

Critics of his proposal note that the established media in Oregon tilts leftward and supports Democrats and the practical effect of this measure will be to prop up liberal reporting that hurts Republicans and helps Democrats.

Though late in the session, Hayden hopes the Media Tax Credit bill will be the start of an important conversation about how to support Oregonians’ ability to access news coverage that impacts Oregon.

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 measure allows for $50 per person or $100 per tax filing couple, with no household income limits, to receive the tax credit when they file their tax return if they paid for media subscription services which meet the following criteria:

• The news outlet has to have been in existence as a registered business or nonprofit for 12 months or longer online, in print, or in some other media form;
• Regularly employs journalist staff that cover any news topic within Oregon;
• Is a qualified 501(c)3 news organization whose mission is to support professional journalism and public records reform efforts; and
• Disallows any advertisement of the Media Tax Credit by a person or organization not qualified to be the indirect beneficiary of the tax credit.

“This tax credit is about supporting the work of journalists who daily are working with thin staff to report important news that should matter to all Oregonians, yet because of the media models of paywalls and hard costs to report and distribute the news, like thousands of dollars spent in public records fights with the government, we see journalism reporting buckling under financial pressures,” Hayden stated.

“It’s critical that we ensure two things: that people can have an independent say in where they spend their media dollars (hence a broad tax credit with choice for the subscriber just like the choice they have in spending their Political Tax Credit) and that media outlets doing this important work are financially supported and can compete for those tax credit dollars by continuing to invest in journalistic talent and fighting the fight to get the truth about what’s happening in state and local government to the people.”

Hayden pointed to the recent spate of news stories by a small group of political reporters working to cover important topics but expressed frustration that there aren’t enough reporters to cover the thousands of bills in the legislative session that impact Oregonians. “The main story of this legislative session was about the recent walk out, but there were not enough reporters to really dive into the heart of the bills at issue, like HB 2395, the opioid omnibus bill that before being amended, would have set medical privacy down to age zero with no civil liability for harming a child. Those details matter.”

He further noted stories like the DMV data breach and the La Mota scandal as a reason to have a mechanism to support journalism. “We should call this the Sophie Peel Act,” he joked, referencing the dogged reporting by Willamette Week that shined a massive spotlight in the allegations of corruption by the former Oregon Secretary of State. “In all seriousness though, that’s the level of reporting we need all day every day in Oregon. The Media Tax Credit bill is a way to give people incentive to keep the Fourth Estate alive and well in Oregon.”

SB 1104 will have its first reading this week before the end of the legislature’s Sine Die. Senator Hayden anticipates bringing this measure back in a subsequent session.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-06-20 12:12:45

Last Update: 2023-06-20 12:55:19

Deschutes County's newly established Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Committee will hold its first meeting on Monday, June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Deschutes Services Building in downtown Bend, Oregon.

The committee will focus on preventing and reducing conflict related to the presence of wolves by making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on grant applications to the State’s Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Grant Program.

This grant program complements and supports Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan by working to proactively minimize wolf-livestock conflict and assist livestock producers experiencing wolf-related livestock losses.

Through this grant program, the state provides pass-through grants to counties to establish and implement county wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance programs.

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 grant funds can be awarded for compensation to residents whose livestock or working dogs are injured or killed by wolves. They can also be used to provide assistance to residents who implement preventative or nonlethal wolf deterrence efforts.

The Deschutes Board of County Commissioners has appointed five members to the committee, including:

Owners or managers of livestock:

• Ethan O’Brien, Co-Owner North 44 Farm LLC
• Johnny Leason, Owner Pineridge Ranch Hay & Cattle LLC

Supporters of Wolf Conservation and Coexistence with Wolves:

• Sarahlee Lawrence, Owner and Operator of Rainshadow Organics
• Donna Harris, Core Member of the Wolf Welcome Committee

County Commissioner:

• Commissioner Phil Chang

For more information, you can email Jen Patterson, the Strategic Initiatives Manager, or visit the Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance Committee website.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-06-19 16:20:31

Last Update: 2023-06-19 19:32:17

The Oregon budget was used as an excuse to end the Senate walkout, but it is a baseless excuse since the legislature technically had until September 2023 to get the state budget passed. The budget is bloated with new expenditures that will potentially boomerang when Oregon’s revenues catch up with the economy.

One of those new expenditure bills is HB 2757, which provides funding for a coordinated crisis services system including improving and maintaining the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline.

Who wouldn’t support a suicide and health crisis hotline? But there is something troubling about how the sponsors, Representatives Tawna Sanchez (D-N Portland) and Rob Nosse (D-Portland) are using the bill to overcharge 13 times what is actually needed. The proposed funding is $0.50/line/month for the biennium = $68,520,000 where what is needed is $5,000,000, which is $0.0346/line/month. It’s the highest charge of any state, and 44 states have no phone tax for 9-8-8 services.

Oregon Business and Industry points to the unstructured and open-ended system for the large amount of revenues raised. “We understand that if this bill were to pass, Oregon’s 9-8-8 crisis intervention tax would be the highest in the nation. As such, legislators should clearly understand the need for this level of taxation, or conversely, if a successful 9-8-8 program could be administrated at a more economic funding level.”

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 Oregon Telecommunications Association states their providers adopted the Federal Communications Commission 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Hotline and are already in compliance. They question the value and cost of adding an actual response to callers. Currently, 97.11% are resolved by the call counselor. Records show that EMS is contacted 2.56% of the time and a Mobile Crisis Team is contacted 0.33% with calls answered within 15 seconds.

Voters should ask about prior funding:

• HB 2417 (2021) – $5 million General Fund to initiate the crisis hotline center (contract with Lines for Life and Northwest Human Services). $10 million General Fund distributed to counties to establish and maintain mobile crisis intervention teams that could respond to crisis in the community.
• HB 5024 (2021) – $6.5 million General Fund for Mobile Response and Crisis Stabilization Services (MRSS) that continued expansion of crisis stabilization services, resulting in coverage across the entire life span of Oregonians regardless of insurance status.
• HB 5202 (2022) – Included $1.8 million General Fund and 10 positions for ongoing agency operations to support implementation and oversight of the system envisioned by HB 2417, the development of standards for statewide mobile crisis teams, development of Medicaid reimbursement opportunities and business information system and financial management support.

The reason for the bloated funding may be in the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide testimony. “We have a sense of urgency about passage of HB2757 because it is an essential element of our work to save lives and reduce Oregon’s high suicide rate. The national 988 line emerged out of the suicide prevention movement, and has appropriately grown to provide support and stabilization for people in a behavioral health crisis.”

The Oregon Health Authority is to establish an advisory committee to provide primary oversight and direction on operation of statewide coordinated crisis system. The OHA oversight seems to cost $63 million plus federal available funds. Cities establishing a program providing mobile crisis intervention service, must include their own funding in their plan. Since the $0.50 is identified as a “tax,” it takes a three-fifths majority vote to pass.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-06-18 20:19:17

Last Update: 2023-06-18 21:31:21

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has reinstated and amended an emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine in Washington County, prohibiting the movement of tree materials from all ash and white fringe tree plant parts outside the county. The newly adopted temporary quarantine excludes olive trees and is set to expire on November 11, 2023. As data becomes available, ODA will evaluate the need for future quarantines.

This most recent quarantine was amended and replaced the expired quarantine first adopted in June 2022, when ODA first discovered the invasive and destructive EAB in Forest Grove within Washington County.

Due to the continued spread risk, ODA has amended and adopted a new temporary EAB quarantine per Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR 603-052-1070), limiting the movement of ash and white fringe tree materials from Washington County.

The quarantine restricts the movement of several tree materials, including but not limited to logs, green lumber, nursery stock, scion wood, bud wood, chips larger than 1 inch by 1 inch, mulch, stumps, roots, branches, and firewood of hardwood species.

The purpose of the quarantine is to slow the spread of the invasive and destructive EAB.

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

Researchers consider the half-inch green, shiny beetle North America’s most destructive forest pest, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees nationwide.

So far, the state has only detected EAB within the city limits of Forest Grove.

EAB is native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing canopy dieback and, ultimately, tree death. The beetle is often challenging to detect, especially in newly-infested trees.

Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the tree bark, and basal shoots.

ODA is establishing several processing and disposal resources to limit the movement of ash and white fringe tree materials within the quarantine area.

To receive more information on EAB with an up-to-date list of resources, or to report a sighting of EAB, please visit the Oregon Invasive Species Council website.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-06-18 18:33:22

Last Update: 2023-06-18 18:49:35

On July 12, Hillsboro’s Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the 2023 Housing Needs Analysis. Community members are encouraged to attend and provide testimony on this technical analysis. Hillsboro is a growing community with more than 109,000 residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities. The City’s population has increased significantly over the past 20 years, and with it, the need for a variety of housing to meet our community’s diverse needs.

Now the City -- under the leadership of Mayor Steve Callaway -- is looking towards the future and forecasting the community’s housing needs over the next 20 years.

• What will the future housing needs of Hillsboro’s growing population look like?
• Is there enough residential land to meet these needs?
• And will the supply of housing meet the needs of community members at all income levels?

These are some of the questions answered by the 2023 Housing Needs Analysis, which aims to help Hillsboro meet the housing needs of its residents.

This process is being driven by Oregon's land use laws which were codified in 1973 in SB 100. At the time, many thought that these regulations were revolutionary and would become a template for the rest of the nation. In hindsight, many experts have concluded that they have exacerbated the housing crisis in Oregon.

According to the city's website, over the past year, the City listened and engaged with a wide-cross section of Hillsboro’s community members to inform the Housing Needs Analysis. The City partnered with community-based organizations to engage Historically Marginalized Communities through focus groups in both English and Spanish speaking receiving valuable insight into housing needs. In addition, a Community Advisory Committee -- made up of a diverse range of community members, housing professionals, and local nonprofits -- was formed to assess whether there is an adequate supply and variety of housing for Hillsboro community members at all income levels.

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

Completed in June 2023, the 2023 Housing Needs Analysis looked at the amount of buildable land available for housing and forecasts the need for additional housing units over the next 20 years.

The analysis concluded that by the year 2043:

• There will be a need for approximately 2,300 additional housing units beyond what is already planned — or the equivalent of 175 acres of land.
• Of the 2,300 additional units needed, just over half are projected for homeownership, with the remainder available as rental units.
• The greatest need for rental units is for those below market rate, to maintain housing costs that are affordable.
• Income trends suggest that the largest demand for homeownership will remain in the $300,000 to $600,000 price range.
• With a clearer picture of Hillsboro’s future housing needs, the focus shifts to finding strategic ways to address those needs.

The work in this area will follow the adoption of the Housing Needs Analysis and could include looking at different policy areas such as:

• Increasing housing development in multi-dwelling zones, and along TV Highway corridor's future bus rapid transit line.
• Ensuring Hillsboro has enough land, public infrastructure, utilities and services to support a variety of housing types and choices.
• Increasing affordable housing in new residential areas to foster mixed income neighborhoods.
• Supporting homeownership opportunities for homebuyers, including low-income and first-time buyers.
• Increasing rental housing development for large households.
• Increasing development of accessible housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-06-18 15:04:31

Last Update: 2023-06-18 15:36:44

On June 15, some Republican Senators made the decision to provide a quorum to the Democrats through negotiations a lot of us disagreed with. To most of us Senate Republicans, it felt like a surrender to the Democrats, especially concerning a few of the most tyrannical bills being negotiated which, ultimately were amended and made less bad. Also, it was good that some terrible bills died per the agreement.

I am expressing my concerns and disappointment that the Democrats were given so much latitude and the Republicans were given so little as outlined in the negotiations. The Democrats only needed one more Republican to attend Floor Session to meet the quorum requirement, and thus, it happened. It was an agonizing decision for all of us— to support returning or not.

Unfortunately, negotiations did not address the outright and ongoing corruption by the Democrats, nor did they adequately address the tyrannical bills. Negotiations did not address the ongoing Constitutional concerns nor the breaking of rules by the Democrats. Until these concerns are adequately addressed, I cannot in good conscience return this session to such blatant misbehavior being implemented by the Democrats to basically let them continue down this road. This needs to stop. Now.

Unfortunately, the improved, but still despotic bills I have been telling you about, moved through the legislative process at lightning speed on June 15 and will now become law. Make no mistake about it, they are still after our children. The Democrats still want total power over every position of government and every role of families in this state. They want every law-abiding citizen disarmed. That’s a definition of tyranny. But there is more to come.

I will continue to work with my constituents, but I cannot support an autocratic Democrat agenda we had a chance to stop. Unfortunately, even as Democrats were handed a gold platter to continue their scheme on the unaware public, they continue to feed Oregonians half truths and bald-faced lies to make their propaganda more believable. The media continues to aid them in this endeavor. I ask myself, why can’t they just tell the truth? Putting a spin on what happened is one thing, but having one’s own set of “facts” is another.

Keep in mind: the Democrat corruption, their money-laundered campaign donations, and their stacks of cash yielded us their majority. Only 1500 votes separated their majority from one of shared power. We would not be in this position, but for their corrupt flow of dirty money.

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

This session is not going to be the end of the very caustic long-term agenda of the Democrats. Oh, no. They have much more in mind. They have been taking steps every Session to ultimately reach their goals, all while selling their masked agenda to the unaware public through mainstream media – a convenient arm of the Democrat Party. Now, it is up to the public to search for the truth, the whole truth, on their own. Do not be deceived. Ask questions and then search for real answers. If you’re used to relying on mainstream media, reach out to alternative sources, too, they’re numerous. Their agenda is being pushed at full-speed.

Pay closer attention to the words being said and what is being printed in the way of “information.” Watch for their “buzz” words. Nothing is as it used to be. Definitions have changed and nothing in reality is what they want you to think it is. We’re now in a world of good vs. evil where we’re being told that good is evil and evil is good. Please don’t buy into that.

Thank you for your support and for your kind consideration of what I have shared with you. Have a great Father’s Day!


--Kim Thatcher

Post Date: 2023-06-17 16:01:08

Last Update: 2023-06-17 16:09:48

Governor Tina Kotek and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson have announced new state and county investments in Clean Start, a longstanding program that provides people experiencing homelessness with stable work in trash removal and cleaning services.

According to Axios Portland, the street count of unsheltered people in Multnomah County is 1,604. That amounts to about $15,586 per unsheltered person.

Governor Kotek will use $1 million from the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund to support an expansion of the Clean Start program to clean up trash in Portland. Chair Vega Pederson is proposing $1.5 million as a part of her urgent efforts to direct unspent homeless services funds to programs serving the community.

“It takes all of us, doing what we can – in ways big and small – to make real change. Portland is a city filled with potential and promise. Each of us can be part of the solution. Together, we can build the Oregon we want to live in,” Governor Kotek said. “I am grateful to Chair Vega Pederson and eager to see these dollars create job opportunities for Portlanders experiencing homelessness, provide peer mentoring and job skills, and support their transition into stable housing through Central City Concern’s model.”

Governor Kotek announced her commitment during the annual meeting of the Portland Metro Chamber. Following her announcement, Multnomah County Chair Vega Pederson announced that the county is also proposing a $1.5 million contribution toward the effort.

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

Clean Start, operated by Central City Concern, has been providing trash and needle removal, graffiti abatement and other cleaning services to the Portland metro area since 1996. Both Central City Concern and other programs funded by Multnomah County address the systemic drivers of homelessness and the individual factors that can reinforce it, helping people experiencing homelessness to overcome barriers and stabilize their lives, ultimately leaving the streets for housing.

According to a filing with the IRS, Central City Concern is run by Rachel Solotaroff, who is paid $265,923 annually. The non-profit employs 5 persons making over $200,000 a year.

“This expansion of Central City Concern’s Clean Start program will put Multnomah County’s unspent dollars into the pockets of people who need them most — those currently living without housing — to help them develop the skills to stabilize and stay that way,” Chair Vega Pederson said. “I am pleased to join Governor Kotek in making more resources possible for those who need them most.”

“CCC is beyond excited to be a part of Governor Kotek’s plan for clean streets within our community,” said Dr. Andy Mendenhall, President and CEO of Central City Concern. “Our Clean Start Program changes lives every day and provides pathways from homelessness to recovery and self-sufficiency. This collaborative effort between Governor Kotek and Chair Vega Pederson in support of both clients and our community is another important step along the path of recovering our community.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-06-16 09:56:33

Last Update: 2023-06-16 10:19:00

The Oregon Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) is patting herself on the back for her part in the negotiations while the public scratch their heads in disbelief. One Senator broke ranks, Senator Lynn Finley (R-E. Counties), and returned to the Senate floor to meet the quorum requirement. They are claiming the walkout produced victory with the main points of negotiations being:

• Agreed to fully comply with the readability law.
• Protects parental rights by striking large portions of House Bill 2002 and Senate Joint Resolution 33 in its entirety.
• Defends the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners by striking large portions of House Bill 2005 and all of Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 393.
• Prioritizes legislation that will exempt small farming, ranching, and timber families from the Oregon Estate Tax. (Senate Bill 498)
• Give impeachment power of statewide elected Executive Branch officials to the House of Representatives, and the power to try impeachments in the Senate. Oregon is currently the only state in the nation without such a procedure. (House Joint Resolution 16)
• Ensures that bill summaries will be redrafted to comply with House Rules, Senate Rules, Oregon statute, and the Oregon Constitution.

Senator Lynn Finley stated, “These are major victories for accountability, accessibility, and civil rights. They do not come freely. Republicans and Independents have potentially sacrificed our careers to protect Oregonians. The Senate Democrats made sure that most of us got more than 10 unexcused absences. Because of Measure 113 this will question our eligibility for future elections. Democrats thought we would value holding office over principle. They were wrong.”

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

“Today is a victory for Oregonian’s parental rights and law-abiding gun owners. After months of being promised a bipartisan session, Democrats chose to prioritize a partisan and extreme agenda. Republicans held the line and were able to amend the worst parts of House Bill 2002 and the Democrats Omnibus Gun Bill, House Bill 2005. I appreciated working with Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp throughout this process to ensure better outcomes for all Oregonians,” said Breese-Iverson.

The primary bills at the core of the walkout are HB 2002 and HB 2005. Both bills were passed back to committee, amended without public hearing and a partisan vote, and passed back to the floor for a vote all in one day.

It is disturbing to most to see that gender-affirming care information was left in HB 2002, but the amendment does bring back the original statute language requiring it to be a crime for concealing the birth of an infant, and allowing a minor the right to needed medical or dental treatment without consent of minor or parent eliminating gender-affirming treatments. However, the controversial section allowing a minor of any age to receive reproductive health care (abortion) information and services is still in the bill (Section 8 (3)). Reproductive health services at college student health centers, the pilot project in rural areas, and the OHA education programs were removed, cutting the cost of the bill to a minimal expense to the state. However, a number of provisions will dramatically affect the cost of health insurance premiums, including gender-affirming treatment retained as a covered benefit, protection for providers covered by malpractice insurance for reproductive or gender-affirming services. Protects out-of-state individual seeking reproductive health care (abortion) or gender-affirming treatment in Oregon.

Revisions to HB 2005 are not so clear. The bill still requires a manufacture number, or privately made firearm (PMF) to have a serial number, which isn’t clear the time frame allowed to obtain a number once made. By requiring a serial number, it is prohibiting “ghost guns.” The bill repeatedly references 27 C.F.R. 478.12 and other federal regulations. It removes the requirement to be age 21 to own a firearm reverting back to age 18. It also removes the requirement to have a firearm unloaded and locked in the trunk when parking near a public building, and removes provision for local governing bodies to regulate carry requirements. It appropriates $356,816 to the Department of State Police to enforce the many penalties added in the bill.

Both bills have an “emergency clause” added to prevent the public from passing an initiative overriding the statute. The means for opposition are lawsuit if grounds are unconstitutional, or elect legislators that will repeal the laws.

Meanwhile, with all the attention focused on those two bills, other bills that will negatively impact Oregonians will now pass on party line votes during the remaining few days of the session because the Senate returned.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-06-15 14:54:23

Last Update: 2023-06-15 18:43:20

Lieutenant James Coley has been named as the chief of police of the City of Cornelius, Oregon. Lieutenant Coley’s first day as the city’s chief of police will be July 1, 2023. Lieutenant Coley will be the 12th police chief for the City of Cornelius.

Lieutenant Coley has been a public servant for 32 years, having served in police, fire, and emergency medical services. He began his career at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. He holds a Master of Communication Management from the University of Southern California.

Before promoting back to the patrol division as a lieutenant in January 2021, he was a property crimes detective and arson investigator for 14 years. Currently, he is the team commander for the Houseless Outreach Programs and Engagement (HOPE), Sheriff’s Posse, and K9 teams.

Additionally, Lieutenant Coley is one of the team commanders for the Tactical Negotiations Team (SWAT) and a member of the Latino Advisory Commission.

Lieutenant Coley served in the Army and Air Force as a combat, flight medic, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD/bomb disposal) technician.

He retired from the military as a chief master sergeant (E9) after nearly 23 years of service. Lieutenant Coley deployed six times during his tenure and served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zone locations.

In 2000, Lieutenant Coley was hand-selected to support the United States Secret Service in protecting President George W. Bush at his private home in Crawford, Texas. In 2008, he was decorated six times, including a Bronze Star Medal for leading 876 combat missions in Iraq.

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

According to Cornelius City Manager Peter Brandom, “Lieutenant Coley has the experience, leadership, and passion for service to lead our police department in service to our dynamic community. He will carry on the strong community leadership that Chief Ray and our recent prior chiefs have established. We thank Chief Ray for his two and a half years of service to our community.”

Lieutenant Coley will replace current Cornelius Police Chief Bob Ray, who will be returning to the Sheriff’s Office Command Team. Chief Ray has served as Cornelius police chief since January 2021.

The City of Cornelius Police Department was established in 1953. In 2014, the City contracted police services to the Sheriff’s Office. The contract was renewed in 2022.

The Department serves over 14,000 residents with 13 police employees, patrolling an area of 2.4 square miles.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2023-06-15 09:18:09

Last Update: 2023-06-15 17:33:41

The Oregon Legislative House is rapidly fueling the fire brewing in the Senate. House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) referred his one paragraph bill, HB 3409, to Ways and Means with the intent to amend it in a joint committee. It short cuts the process with only one public hearing, then goes straight to the House floor then Senate floor for a vote.

The public had one day to be aware of a hearing on the one paragraph bill, not realizing a 112-page amendment would be posted less than two hours before the hearing by Speaker Rayfield. A bicameral legislative workgroup recommended changes and their supporters had inside information to submit testimony in support of their work. But the general public remained in the dark.

April McDonald, Legislative Fiscal Office, writes, “The measure includes provisions from 14 bills which were introduced to address climate issues through an equitable, community-focused approach, while maximizing Oregon’s federal funding opportunities. The programs supported by HB 3409 cover a wide breadth of climate-related initiatives.”

The amended bill includes approximately $45 million General Funds plus $15 million Other Funds and $0.1 million Federal Funds. The bill provides for grants for emergency hubs and green infrastructure projects; a study on pathways for low-carbon fuels derived from woody biomass; incentives for electric vehicle purchases; incentives for natural climate solutions; provide staff for environmental justice coordination; and develop strategy to address pollution and harmful algal blooms.

Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) with Oregon Business and Industry and 30 businesses issued a letter in opposition to HB 3409 objecting to the short time frame for public response. They state that many of the provisions are highly controversial in nature presenting a myriad of potential consequences. They sited regulations on residential and commercial building codes opposed by union trade organizations, housing providers, and the building industry. “The bill also contains language updating Oregon’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, among other related changes that have significant public policy implications.” They generally object to combining provisions that would be better handled as stand-alone policy bills.

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

Taxpayers Association of Oregon (TAO) stated in their analysis of the amended bill, “The bill gives power to several agencies to enact rules requiring home/commercial construction/transportation projects and heat pumps to follow in order to meet certain arbitrary government benchmarks. We fear that this would give power to un-elected State Agencies the power to force rules on taxpayers without public hearings and a vote by the elected Legislature… allows the Environmental Quality Commission to create their own fee… gives more power to the Governor by allowing her agency and agency representatives to direct tens of millions of tax dollars to special environmental funds for what appears no oversight or consent from the people’s elected lawmakers.”

TAO contends, “This bill could increase the cost of housing and construction at a time of an affordable housing crisis. This bill could increase transportation costs when Oregon is among the highest gas tax and auto fee states in America. This bill could increase energy costs during a near-historic high in inflation.”

As Oregon pushes forward on policies to reduce emissions, Britain is turning back to burning coal to generate electricity after a heatwave made solar panels too hot to work efficiently reducing the amount of energy generated. China is building a large number of coal-fired power plants to drive its economy despite their claim to decarbonize. But is reducing emissions the real agenda?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-06-14 22:49:43

Last Update: 2023-06-14 23:10:25

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Portland Field Office and the Portland Police Bureau are asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual(s) responsible for the shooting death of 22-year-old Geavauntae Sherman nearly one year after his murder.

On June 20, 2022, Sherman was shot and killed at Raymond City Park in Portland, Oregon, while attending his sister’s birthday party. It is believed that an argument broke out nearby and Sherman was shot by a male from another group in the park.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Geavauntae Sherman.

“Geavauntae Sherman was celebrating his little sister’s birthday when he was killed in the middle of a Portland city park. An argument that began over playground equipment ended in loss of life,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “It’s been nearly a year, and we know there were dozens of witnesses in the park that evening. We need those witnesses to come forward with any details they remember. We hope the $15,000 reward will encourage anyone with information to reach out to the FBI and to help this family get the justice they deserve.”

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 FBI says that they will accept anonymous tips to assist in their investigation. If you know anything, the Sherman family needs closure and justice for Geavauntae.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI Portland Field Office at (503) 224-4181, your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2023-06-14 15:57:51

Last Update: 2023-06-14 16:54:08

The Oregon Attorney General’s Office has now certified the Constitutional Carry for Oregon’s (CCFO) ballot title for Initiative Petition 2024-021.

The draft ballot title read: “Amends Constitution: Creates constitutional right to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.”

The certified ballot title now reads: “Amends Constitution: Creates right to carry a concealed firearm without a permit; voids existing concealed carry restrictions.”

In a joint statement, the petitioners stated, “We have no plans to challenge the ballot title; however, it’s important to point out that the voiding of concealed carry restrictions in no way places firearms into the hands of felons or those otherwise unable to legally possess a firearm. A second point is that such individuals do not typically apply for concealed carry permits to begin with.”

At present, 27 U.S. states are already constitutional carry states.

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

After a 10-day appeals period placed by the Attorney General’s Office, and a three-day processing period by the Secretary of State’s Office, final signature sheets will be issued. The process of gathering the 160,551 signatures for the initiative to appear on the November 2024 general election ballot will begin thereafter. 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.

More information can be found at the CCFO website.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-06-13 18:50:15

Last Update: 2023-06-13 18:58:21