Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has now announced that Erin McMahon, a retired General Officer for the Oregon National Guard and United States Army has been appointed to lead the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. The Oregon Senate will take up her confirmation as permanent director in September.

"As our state responds to wildfires, extreme weather events, and other rapidly changing emergencies, the person leading the Oregon Department of Emergency Management must be able to anticipate and respond to a broad range of crises that Oregon will inevitably encounter,” said Governor Kotek. “Erin McMahon brings over twenty years of experience leading teams in response to large-scale emergencies at the state and national level. I am confident in her ability to support Oregonians across the state and look forward to seeing her positive impact and leadership at ODEM.”

Kotek says that McMahon has twenty-four years of experience advising state and national leaders on emergent and active emergencies requiring operational and civilian support.

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In her role as Principal Deputy General Counsel for the United States National Guard Bureau, McMahon advised federal leaders on the 2021 Oregon wildfires, when more than 1,000 fires burned at least 518,303 acres across the state.

She claims that McMahon also worked with programs for the Department of Defense to combat sexual assault. McMahon served the United States as an Army Brigadier General (ret.).

Most recently, McMahon was a Senior Advisor at The McChrystal Group in Virginia.

“I am honored and proud to serve Oregon as the Director of the Department of Emergency Management,” said director Erin McMahon. “After over fifteen years of supporting emergency management operations at the national level – including during the COVID-19 health emergency and dozens of climate-related catastrophes – I will capitalize on my prior work with FEMA and other federal partners to develop a strategic plan for emergency management that will help our communities before, during and after disaster. I am honored to serve Oregonians in times of crisis and beyond.”


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-18 11:22:02

Last Update: 2023-08-18 20:31:37

In 2023 Oregon has seen 628 fires, so far, burning 63,104 acres. Of those, 85 fires were started by lightning down from an average of 181. It’s the other 543 fires that are on the increase from 481 average over 10 years that are human caused and concerning.

SB 762 (2021) passed as the Landscape Resiliency Program (LRP) to improve forest restoration and set up landscape-scale projects that reduce wildfire risk on both public and private forestlands. The bill has been criticized over the Wildfire Maps producing a backlash. However, the appropriated $20 million also funded the placement of 20 more SensORs to monitor air quality from wildfires, and to treat 210,734 acres in the four highest expected net value change (eNVC) risk classes by the end of 2021-2023 biennium.

The Landscape Resilience Program Final Report concluded that the projects exceeded the expectation treating 211,914 acres. To date, there are no wildfires in the treated areas.

The most discussed part of the LRP are the three projects involved in prescribed fire (Rx) work, totaling 6,325 acres. The report says, “when Rx was completed, the fuel model changed, resulting in a less fire prone site, reduced fire risk, and decreasing potential fire intensity limiting severity.”

Timber owners fear ODF may be forced to burn profitable resources if the Western Oregon Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is adopted. They are linking Rx to the proposed HCP if there is a decrease in timber harvest by 50 percent. The National Forest Service (NFS) timber sales tied up in courts since 1970, lack of revenue from harvesting, and lack of funding by Congress has them suspecting that the larger fires may be creatively used as prescribed fire burns. Others site a federal agent as saying the way government works is to make NFS more influential by exploiting wildfires and growing the need to employ more firefighters and equipment to grow the agency.

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Out of the 24 current fires in Oregon, there are currently five large fires. A complete list can be found on Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard. The five large fire areas to avoid:

• Flat Fire – located 2 miles SE of Agness, Oregon. This fire started on July 15 on the Rogue-Siskyou National Forest and is currently the largest fire in the state at 33,817 acres with 47% containment. It is burning in extremely difficult terrain and very dry fuels, which means this fire will remain on the landscape throughout the summer months. ODF continues to work with USFS and CFPA to manage the fire and protect high-risk values.
• Pricebord Fire – located 9 miles E of Junction City, Oregon. This fire started August 4, and has burned 310 acres and is 75% contained. This was an incredible catch, one of the best this year for ODF, made possible through the combination of ODF resources, local landowner efforts, Linn and Lane County fire departments, and OSFM. The fire is currently in the mop-up stage.
• Bedrock Fire – located 27 miles SE of Eugene, this fire started on July 22 and has burned 15,178 acres on the Willamette National Forest. Bedrock might be a case against prescribed burns. It started on the edge of a burn two years ago and moved fast through the older burn. Lightning started a second fire on the south edge at Gayles Creek, which the crew was told to let burn. Bedrock fire is now progressing north toward private land. Landowners and ODF staff have been engaged for weeks in an attempt to keep the fire off private ownership, however, due to difficult terrain and associated safety concerns, some private land will be burned. ODF personnel have been inserted into the IMT to ensure private land values at risk remain a top priority.
• Wiley Creek Fire – located 9 miles E of Sweet Home, Oregon. This fire started on August 7 on USFS ownership and is currently 220 acres and 5% contained. Unfortunately, the fire has spread onto approximately 10 acres of ODF protected land. Evacuation notices and road, trail, and area closures remain in place. A significant airshow with helicopters, water scooping, and retardant dropping aircraft was critical in reducing the spread rate of this fire and allow firefighters to establish fire lines quickly and safely. A robust Type 3 IMT is in place and making great progress through utilization of dozer and handline to surround the fire while resources begin the mop-up of hotspots. ODF remains confident this fire will remain in its current footprint with decreasing smoke impacts and fire activity alleviating some of the local concerns.
• Lookout Fire – located 4 miles northeast of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. This fire was caused by lightning from a storm that moved through the area on August 5 and is currently 25 acres and 0% contained. This is a USFS fire in rugged land and roadless areas on Lookout Mountain, which delayed response giving it a big head start. Active fire behavior has prompted evacuation notices and threat to structures. It is ODF’s biggest concern due to a potential push toward Blue River through the combination of terrain aligned with east winds. USFS has a Type 3 IMT on the fire currently but has a Type 2 team incoming to take over management of the fire.

The Oregon Department of Forestry worked towards a shared stewardship approach to the LRP for implementing land management that improves community resilience against wildfires. However, resilience has different priorities when the community depends on timber for their necessities.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-08-17 09:43:21

Last Update: 2023-08-17 17:01:00

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced the appointment of Aruna Masih, a long-time employment, worker, and civil rights attorney, to the Oregon Supreme Court. Masih will be Oregon’s first Punjabi, Indian American and South Asian Supreme Court Justice. Born in New York to a Punjabi, Indian father and British mother, when six-months old, they moved back to India as medical missionaries to work at a rural, mission hospital in Punjab, returning to this country when she was in high school.

"Aruna Masih is a decorated civil rights attorney who has worked on behalf of Oregonians for over twenty-five years in both her career and community service," said Governor Kotek. “As a practicing attorney, Aruna will bring direct and recent experience working for people — an invaluable perspective that will strengthen the current Oregon Supreme Court. Aruna’s dedication to public service and passion for equal access to justice is also evident from her long-time leadership in advancing equity and diversity in the legal field. I look forward to seeing her continued service to Oregonians as a Supreme Court Justice.”

Aruna Masih’s experience has been as a practicing attorney in Oregon for over 25 years. For most of her career, she has been a partner in the law firm of Bennett Hartman LLP, providing representation in a variety of areas, including employment, labor, appellate, professional licensure, contract, and constitutional law. Masih has also represented clients at McKanna Bishop Joffe LLP. Her legal background is a depth of technical expertise in nuanced Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and pension case law.

Masih is no stranger to the Oregon Supreme Court, she has been a part of her firm’s PERS team, representing the PERS Coalition of unions and public employees in their fight to preserve retirement benefits before the legislature and the courts. She has testified as an expert witness about public pensions and represented public employees in all the major PERS cases decided by the Oregon Supreme Court since 2003.

Along with her law partner, Margaret Olney, she advises on and litigates election law matters, including filing ballot title challenges before the Oregon Supreme Court.

Masih has served as Chair of the Oregon State Bar’s Advisory Committee for Diversity and Inclusion and as Chair of the Labor and Employment Section. She is a founding member and Vice-President of the South Asian Bar Association of Oregon and currently serves on the Board of the Multnomah Bar Association receiving their Diversity Award, and the Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation. She is also a former board member of the Oregon Women Lawyers and the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association.

Masih attends the Calvary Presbyterian Church in NE Portland serving on the advisory board for their Roseway Recovery Cafe, which serves community members in northeast Portland who have experienced trauma and the results of trauma, such as homelessness, substance use disorder, and addiction.

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“Equal access to the courts is an issue of civil rights,” said Masih. “To meet the challenges of our society that the pandemic has undeniably made apparent, we must renew our purpose and redouble our efforts to create a justice system that is recognized by those who interact with it and are impacted by it to be respectful, accessible, and just. Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve represented the interests of hundreds of Oregonians, and I look forward to bringing my unique perspective to the Oregon Supreme Court. I am committed to being a fair and thoughtful Justice and to continue being a steward of equal access under the law.”

Masih says her “parents modeled the importance of public service, commitment to a larger cause, and equitable access for all. These values have informed my personal and professional life.”

Since this is an elected position, voters are challenged to analyze how well she transitions from a defense attorney to an impartial judge.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-08-16 14:30:59

Last Update: 2023-09-16 16:28:51

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read announced to Willamette Week his intent to run for the Secretary of State position in 2024. He is shifting his focus from seeking the governor’s office to secretary of state. Read is prohibited by term limits from running again for State Treasurer.

The open position for secretary of state comes after Shemia Fagan resigned for moonlighting as a consultant for a cannabis company and criticism over the questionable donations from the bankrupt cryptocurrency firm FTX.

Now Read’s office may be facing similar criticism. According to the New York Times, the Oregon State Treasury “routinely understate” the risks of their investments in private equity funds. Michael Markov, a mathematician who runs a financial technology company told the Times: “Oregon’s pension fund is over 40 percent more volatile than its own reported statistics show”.

The state pension fund has been pouring money into private equity funds engaged in debt-fueled takeovers of companies promising high returns. Markov says that, on average, the risks being carried by public pension funds are at least 20% greater than they are reporting, largely because they aren’t taking account of the true risks embedded in private equity, and Oregon is twice that.

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Individual investors of private equity funds are rich enough to be insulated from fund losses. But public pension plans don’t give the option to decide where their money is invested. The Securities and Exchange Commission considers private equity too complex and perilous for ordinary people to rely on as core investments, an assessment Markov wholeheartedly agrees with.

In the long Oregon legislative session this year, the mounting deficit for the PERS fund was not addressed. Who will run for state treasurer to address this risk? What qualifications does Read bring to Secretary of State?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-08-14 21:16:57

Last Update: 2023-09-20 20:11:11

Dave Drotzmann, a small business owner, Hermiston mayor, and president-elect of the League of Oregon Cities Board of Directors, has announced that he will run for Oregon State Senate District 29.

“This dynamic rural district deserves representation in Salem that understands not only the challenges ahead but the opportunities to build on our unique strengths through our core values,” said Drotzmann. “Senator Hansell has been a strong voice for the region, and with his pending retirement, I believe I have the experience and abilities necessary to strengthen relationships and advocate for each of District 29’s counties and communities.”

Drotzmann says he will focus on making sure state government is accountable for every dollar it spends, which will allow Oregonians to afford everyday expenses in the face of record inflation and incentivize private businesses to invest in their employees. He says he will also stand firm on his conservative principles of lower taxes, safer communities, and protecting Second Amendment rights and the right to life.

Drotzmann moved to Eastern Oregon in 1998 when he started Lifetime Vision Source in Hermiston as the sole optometrist and has since grown the business to more than a dozen employees and three optometrists. During his 25 years in the community, Drotzmann served in elected office 8 years on the Hermiston School Board and the past 10 years as Hermiston’s mayor.

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“As a business owner, mayor, and father, I’ve seen first-hand how policies and tax spending decisions in Salem too often overlook rural Oregonians,” Drotzmann said. “I will advocate for a common-sense state budget that keeps dollars in pockets of Oregonians by cutting back bloated and ineffective state programs, invest in the responsible use of our region’s natural resources to create family-wage jobs, and protect the constitutional rights of every Oregonian.”

In 2018, Drotzmann was appointed to the League of Oregon Cities Board of Directors to advocate for cities, focusing on providing the tools and local control necessary for communities to set and reach their own goals for growth and development. As president-elect he states that he is working to understand the issues facing cities of all sizes and connect with leaders across the state to help bridge divides and find solutions.

Republican leaders are already voicing their support for Drotzmann. He begins his campaign with endorsements from Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) and U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

“Dave’s experience both as an Optometric Physician and Mayor of Hermiston has made him an outstanding advocate for Northeast Oregon and he will continue to demonstrate his leadership and wisdom as State Senator,” said Rep. Smith.

Those interested can find more information on his campaign website.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-14 11:52:30

Last Update: 2023-09-16 16:29:33

In July, the Washington County Oregon Sheriff's Office partnered with the FBI and multiple local agencies to target traffickers and connect survivors with advocacy services. The mission was part of the FBI’s annual Operation Cross Country. Nationally, the operation led to the identification or arrest of 126 suspects and the recovery of 59 victims of child sex trafficking.

During WCSO’s mission, investigators arrested two men and helped seven women speak with advocates dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking.

Detectives arrested 30-year-old Calvin Daejuan Smith of Portland for promoting prostitution, identity theft, and a parole violation. Mr. Smith was released in July and arrested again in August after failing to appear for court.

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Deputies also arrested 31-year-old Chris Kendall West Jr. of Portland for unlawful possession of a firearm. Detectives continue to investigate multiple other people identified during the mission.

WCSO was joined by Safety Compass, which offers free and confidential advocacy services for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington counties. During the mission, multiple survivors were connected in person with Safety Compass advocates.

The mission was a partnership involving the Sheriff’s Office, the Beaverton, Hillsboro, Sherwood, and Tigard police departments, the FBI, Safety Compass, and the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force. That task force is overseen by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and brings together prosecutors, law enforcement, and numerous community partners and agencies to rescue victims, identify sex buyers, and hold traffickers accountable.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-13 15:20:53

Last Update: 2023-08-13 15:29:26

Oregon Health officials are reminding people heading outdoors in eastern Oregon to do their best to prevent mosquito bites after a recent jump in the number of mosquito pools – collections of up to 50 insects – testing positive for West Nile virus, according to local vector control districts.

Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., state public health veterinarian at Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division, said high heat combined with sporadic precipitation has created perfect conditions for mosquito growth in recent weeks. As a result, eastern parts of the state are seeing more mosquitoes and a corresponding increase in traps containing West Nile-positive insects.

The increase in mosquito populations may be behind new human cases of the virus.

“Eastern Oregon has seen a little bit of rain, leading to additional water available for mosquitoes to lay eggs,” said DeBess. “We saw an increase of 13 West Nile-positive mosquito pools in one week, 10 of them in Baker County, and two presumptive human cases.”

So far in 2023, a total of 22 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus. Eleven have been in Baker County, seven in Malheur County, two in Union County, and one each in Jackson and Umatilla counties.

Last year, there were five human West Nile virus cases in Oregon, and three cases among horses, with 45 positive mosquito pools. There also were five human cases in 2021, along with eight horse cases, two bird cases and 75 positive mosquito pools.

Groups at risk for severe disease include adults 50 and older, immunocompromised people and those living with certain conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

While most infected people show little to no signs of disease, one in five show signs of West Nile fever. Flu-like symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks and may include fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headaches, stiff neck, mental confusion, muscle weakness, shaking, paralysis or rash. Anyone experiencing such symptoms should contact their health care provider.

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People should mosquito-proof their homes by following these steps:

• Eliminate standing water in and around the home and business where mosquitoes can breed.
• At least once or twice a week, empty water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans.
• Clean out clogged rain gutters.
• Remove discarded tires and other items that could collect water.
• Look for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.

Take personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Generally, the more active ingredients a repellent contains the longer it can protect against mosquito bites. Repellents containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or Picaridin are recommended; follow directions on the container for applying it to the skin.
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when outdoors with infants.
• When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
• Install or repair window and door screens
• Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. When using an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the products.

Oregon Health Authority says that the easiest and best way to avoid mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquito bites.

The Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division works with local health departments, mosquito control districts and other agencies to detect and test for the presence of West Nile virus in animals and humans.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-11 17:48:06

Last Update: 2023-08-11 18:48:06

Three people representing a group called “Friends of Gap Road” recently asked Linn County Oregon Commissioners Will Tucker and Sherrie Sprenger to oppose a proposed solar energy park project about eight miles south of Brownsville near Harrisburg that would be sited on 1,500 acres of prime farm land.

Linn County Board Chairman Roger Nyquist was not present.

Farmers and others recently packed the Community Room of Brownsville City Hall, opposing the proposed Muddy Creek Energy Park which would be developed and operated by a company called Hanwa Qcells, whose U.S. headquarters are in California and international headquarters in South Korea.

Because the project would encompass more than 160 acres, its siting and land use process falls under the Oregon Department of Energy’s jurisdiction, although Linn County commissioners can provide oral and written comments.

Present Tuesday morning were Troy Jones, Stephanie Glaser Hagerty and Arnold Kampfer. All own property near the proposed project and have long family histories in the area.

Although the proposed project would be on Class I and II soils, solar projects are allowed as a conditional use under state law use laws. The developers plan to graze sheep on the property under the solar panels.

Jones asked the commissioners to oppose the project. “We are concerned about wetlands, wildlife and the fact this would be on EFU (Exclusive Farm Use) land,” Jones said.

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The group also believes the siting process would “circumvent” Linn County’s Planning & Building Department.

He added that the state has long-valued EFU land to keep “farming alive.”

Glaser-Hagerty said her family has lived and farmed in the area for five generations. She considers the project as a 1,500-acre experiment that will have a negative effect on the area for decades.

Kampfer encouraged the commissioners to execute “more leverage” on the siting process and to be “more forceful.” “This is not good for the community or the neighbors,” Kampfer said. “There is a place for this, but not on EFU ground.”

Commissioner Tucker said he doesn’t know enough about the project to come out in opposition, but he does “know enough to be concerned. As commissioners we can express our concerns, but we don’t have the ability to change the course.”

Commissioner Sprenger said she has had conversations with numerous people and although she has to be cautious and let the process work its way through, she is “not a fan”. “It’s a very big project on prime farm land,” Sprenger said.

The proposed facility would generate 199 megawatts of power, enough to service about 34,000 homes in the Willamette Valley. One of the issues that makes the site viable is there is a Pacific Power substation nearby with capacity to carry electricity produced at the park.

The property would be leased for 40 years from local landowners.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-11 11:43:22

Last Update: 2023-08-11 12:00:28

On June 1st, 2023 the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles was made aware that many Oregonians' sensitive data was compromised and stolen via online hackers. Apparently highly sensitive information was accessed. That sensitive data is now accessible to thieves and scammers through dark web markets. The Oregon DMV response seems to be a very tongue in cheek "we did what we can, now do what you can" stance that leaves a lot of observers of the incident wondering as to how it all happened or who to point the blame at.

The incident has prompted skeptics to wonder if the State needs so much of our private data, what they do with that information that might benefit Oregonians, and whether the trade-off is worth it, given the fact that Oregon has had 8 large data breaches recently.

In a statement from the Oregon DMV website they state that "Unfortunately, we are not able to check your DMV customer account or monitor it for suspicious activity." They go on to state that "We also cannot change the number on your card unless there is proof that your name and number were used in committing a fraudulent act. If that happens, you should first call police to report the crime."

ODOT says they are working closely with state cybersecurity services and they have engaged a third-party security specialist for forensic analysis. This is a developing, world-wide issue, and ODOT says it is coordinating with local and federal law enforcement.

They say they are sharing information as it becomes available and acting upon advisories provided by them. They say that they will continue to closely monitor systems, as well as vendor and industry information sources with information related to this vulnerability and its after-effects.

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Everyone agrees that information security and keeping personal information of Oregonians safe should be a priority. ODOT says they will constantly update security protocols to stay current with what they are saying is industry best practices and they insist that they will guard against future vulnerabilities.

There are immediate steps you can take to protect your information from identity theft. Its recommend you actively monitor your account statements and credit reports. According to the Oregon DMV website, Oregonians are entitled to a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.


--Sabrina-Marie Fisher

Post Date: 2023-08-10 14:21:08

Last Update: 2023-08-10 17:04:14

In a bi-partisan vote. the Oregon legislature passed and Governor Kotek signed HB 3194, which is viewed to help businesses and control inflation. The bill allows remodeling or construction projects at today’s costs without running into the caps that trigger a re-evaluation of value for property tax purposes.

HB 3194, sponsored by Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Crater Lake), changes the current fixed cap from $10,000 per year to $18,200 per year, and from $25,000 over a rolling five-year period to $45,000. It further allows the caps to be increased based on an increase in the CPI. The assessment year begins January 1, 2024.

Oregon voters placed limits on property taxes in the Oregon Constitution in 1990 with the passage of Measure 5, modeled after California’s Proposition 13. Voters were frustrated by the increase in property taxes attributed to rapidly rising property values, mostly in the Portland area at that time.

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The Oregon tax revolt is a political movement that is an ongoing campaign for lower taxes. The tax revolt has, in large part, been by a series of citizen's initiatives. The caps on property taxes didn’t stop the increase in property values bringing in higher tax bills. This led to Measure 47 in 1996, which capped the annual rate at which property taxes could rise. Measure 47 also adopted Oregon's double majority rule, in which local tax levies could only pass in minor elections when voter turnout surpassed half of the registered voters.

The Committee to Unleash Prosperity says every state needs a property tax limit. A new study by Laffer Associates and CTUP shows the damage of property taxes. When property taxes rise, home values fall because the higher taxes get capitalized into the value of the house.

The table shows where property taxes are highest and lowest across the U.S. with an average tax rate of 0.99%. The effective property tax rate in Oregon is 0.82%, currently ranking 23rd highest in the country. However, specific tax rates can vary drastically depending on the county and city. The caps have succeeded in keeping property taxes far lower than if they rose in sync with home values. However, limiting property taxes has caused other taxes to be implemented or rise.

Government unions like to say that high property taxes are associated with better public services and schools, but that doesn’t bear out. If you look at the states on the extreme ends, quite the opposite is true. Oregon implemented the CAT tax to subsidize the lack of property tax, which likely impacts low-income families more than a property tax. Still they claim our schools are underfunded.

Oregon’s May 16 special election should send a strong signal to government officials. Multnomah County voters said a resounding “no” to a proposed capital gains tax

Salem City Council squeezed out a capital improvements bond measure of $300 million last November by saying the tax will simply replace a bond that has been eliminated. Now they are proposing to implement a new employee tax without voter approval that is causing a revolt. The Council blames this tax on their lack of being able to raise property tax rates. Isn’t the point of a limitation to halt spending? Salem’s Council might consider the cause of the revolt isn’t the source of the proposed tax, but it’s the rich appetite for spending.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-08-10 11:00:01

Last Update: 2023-08-09 17:33:05

Governor Tina Kotek hosted a signing ceremony on Tuesday for six bills passed during the 2023 legislative session to address the behavioral health crisis in Oregon.

“As your Governor, I’m fighting for a behavioral health system that supports healing and recovery no matter where you live,” Governor Kotek said. “And to the friends and family who have watched a loved one struggle with an untreated mental health issue or addiction, I recognize your suffering and am moved by your hope. Know that I am focused on improving outcomes across our state.

“That’s why today is so important. The bills I am signing mark progress towards building a behavioral health continuum of care that incorporates harm reduction, suicide prevention, stronger tools against substance abuse among youth and adults, and improvements to the implementation of Measure 110.”

Governor Kotek has signed the following:

• SB 238: Requires the Oregon Health Authority, State Board of Education, and Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to collaborate on developing curricula for school districts related to dangers of synthetic opioids.
• SB 1043: Requires hospitals, sobering facilities, and detox facilities to provide two doses of opioid overdose reversal medication and necessary medical supplies to administer medication to specified patients upon discharge or release.
• HB 2395: Expands access to emergency short-acting opioid overdose reversal medications, like Narcan and naloxone, including by allowing law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, educators, school administrators and others to store and administer this life saving medication in the event of an overdose.
• HB 2513: Strengthens Measure 110 by increasing staffing and improving application processes to speed up approval and get funds out the door, centralizing the support hotline to get people connected to services more efficiently, and improving program data collection and accuracy.
• HB 2757: Establishes the 9-8-8 Trust Fund for improving the statewide coordinated crisis system, including maintaining and improving 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline.
• HB 3610: Establishes the Task Force on Alcohol Pricing and Addiction Services to study and report on: alcohol addiction and prevention; distribution of resources for alcohol addiction treatment; overall funding for alcohol addiction treatment programs; cost of alcohol addiction to the state; and additional funding options for alcohol addiction treatment.

Arden Sleadd of Grants Pass testified against HB 2757 to the House Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care, saying “With inflation and the cost of living so high, this bill would make it worse by imposing a cell phone tax. The state has been flush with cash. Budgets are about priorities. If the majority party prioritized Oregon's budget better, we wouldn't have to increase taxes on hard-working Oregonians.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-08-10 06:17:55

Last Update: 2023-08-10 07:02:31

Governor Tina Kotek has announced that she is partnering with the Oregon Business Council to convene local elected, business, and community leaders to tackle issues impacting the economic future of Portland’s Central City.

Governor Kotek and Dan McMillan, President and CEO of The Standard, will co-chair the Portland Central City Task Force. The task force will focus on identifying next steps to develop a shared vision for Central City’s future economic growth and address immediate emergent challenges. Committees of the PCCTF will be Vision & Value, Clean Streets, Crime & Vandalism, Unsheltered Homelessness, and Tax Competitiveness.

“It’s no secret that downtown Portland has faced an onslaught of challenges in recent years that have tarnished some of the characteristics that people love about Oregon’s largest city,” Governor Kotek said. “Growing pains turned into crises, exacerbated by a global pandemic, and now concerns about Portland have become a statewide economic issue. It’s time to look forward, bring together diverse voices, and focus our energy on developing concrete and equitable solutions. I want to thank everyone who believes in Portland and is committed to building a brighter future, whether you’re a member of this task force or doing great work elsewhere.”

The Oregon Business Council supports the vision of the Oregon Business Plan, a policy forum that we’ve shared nearly two decades with leaders from all sectors of Oregon life. This vision, recently updated, embraces three intertwined policy priorities for a coming decade of shared prosperity.

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Kotek has little private-sector business experience. For a short time she was a commercial diver and a travel agent. Her official biography touts experience at the non-profits Oregon Food Bank and later at Children First for Oregon as a policy director. She has a degree in Religious Studies from the University of Oregon and a master’s in international studies and comparative religion from the University of Washington.

Governor Kotek and McMillan are leading the task force -- according to a statement from Governor Kotek -- in response to a clear mandate from Portlanders and Oregonians to address issues facing Portland’s Central City, which represent a bellwether for the prosperity of the entire state as Oregon’s largest economic center.

"We are thankful to have a strong and willing partner in Governor Kotek working with the business community, local officials and nonprofit leaders to create actionable steps to ensure downtown Portland's future prosperity," Co-Chair Dan McMillan said. "We're gradually seeing increased foot traffic, a decrease in property crime and boarded windows coming down. It's time to seize the moment and write the next chapter for our beloved city, together."

Their first meeting will be held on August 22, 2023. The task force will meet once per month between August and October and is slated to present recommendations at the Oregon Business Plan Leadership Summit in December. Full membership will be announced at a later date.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-08-09 13:38:10

Last Update: 2023-09-16 16:30:46