Northwest Observer

Southern Oregon Joint Operation Disrupts Drug Trafficking Organization

Investigation spotlights what can be done with the means

The Oregon State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Grants Pass Police Department, and multiple local interagency drug teams concluded an 18-month investigation November 14 when nine search warrants were served in southern Oregon resulting in 23 arrests.

They were able to seizure 37 firearms and 33,000 dollars in cash as the culmination of a local drug trafficking organization. Additionally, the search warrants resulted in 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 636g of fentanyl pills, 52g of fentanyl powder, 58g of cocaine, 250 pounds of marijuana, and ¾ of a pound of illegal mushrooms. The investigation had already yielded 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.25 pounds of fentanyl, 3 pounds of cocaine, and ½ a pound of heroin over the course of 18 months. These quantities are significant and their removal from the distribution chain is a significant outcome.

Nine years after Oregon voters passed a ballot measure legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and its regulated cultivation and sale, the state is grappling with an explosion of illegal marijuana farms that have brazenly cropped up, primarily in Southern Oregon. There are four countries reporting cartels with slave camps in Oregon as a result of legalizing drugs and defunding police. The public is still mostly unaware that Oregon is a target for slave camps.

In the Second Special Session in 2021, SB 893 was passed dedicating $21 million to help police, sheriff's offices and community organizations in 14 counties paying for costs of cracking down on the thousands of industrial-scale, illegal pot farms, and trafficking of illegal drugs and slaves. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called the proliferation of cannabis growing operations run by foreign cartels a humanitarian, environmental and public safety crisis.

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

This investigation has put a spotlight on what enforcement can do with funding. As legislators talk of a special session to repeal Measure 110, legislation to extend funding investigations is also of importance. Apprehending cartel doesn’t just cut off the supply chain for illegal drugs, but it curtails trafficking of slaves. Reports include abuse, rape, and two girls were recently shot by cartels. These victims won’t talk to police because they’ve been told they will be deported.

Captain Kyle Kennedy told local communities; “we need your help. You are the eyes and ears of everything that happens in your neighborhoods. We ask you to report any suspected criminal activity to local law enforcement. We can work together in the disruption of these drug trafficking organizations.”

The Oregon State Police continues to work in collaboration with local interagency drug teams around the state in order to deter and disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into Oregon communities.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-16 11:56:19

Last Update: 2023-11-16 00:02:10

Representatives to Pursue Legislation Limiting Teacher Union Walkouts

Prevent using students as a bargaining chip

Oregon Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), Jami Cate (R-Lebanon), and Christine Goodwin (R-Canyonville) announced they will pursue legislation in 2024 session to limit teacher union members from walking off the job on school days.

“Oregon students are all too familiar with school closures and learning losses. In Portland, union bosses are using nearly 44,000 students as bargaining chips in their negotiations, causing irreparable harm to Portland families,” said Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson. “Portland Public Schools are the gold standard for how not to run a school district despite record investments from the state. It is time that they be held accountable.”

Thirty-seven states including Washington and Idaho have laws prohibiting teachers from striking. California and Oregon currently have no such law.

“I am saddened for the students whose school districts are run by far-left activists repeatedly putting politics first and students last. Teacher unions hold tremendous power, but instead of using it to prioritize the needs of students, they are making themselves part of the problem rather than the solution,” Representative Jami Cate added.

Portland Public Schools has seen dramatic enrollment declines while having some of the highest salaries in the state, averaging in the mid-$80,000s.

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

“Working parents and students are hurting right now. The teacher union and PPS had all summer to negotiate before school was in session. Instead, parents have had to find ways to support their children during the eight hours per day they should be in school for nearly two weeks,” said Representative Christine Goodwin.

The representatives are exploring ways they can compel the teachers back into the classroom with minimal harm on students while allowing the two sides to negotiate. Using students as a bargaining chip is nothing less than child abuse. What students suffer have life-time consequences for struggling students, which according to school reports, it is the majority.

“Teacher unions must stop using vulnerable students as pawns in a political game,” Goodwin concluded.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-15 18:53:53

Last Update: 2023-11-15 19:11:22

Former State Rep. to Join Law Practice

She will focus on health law, government accountability, and civil rights

The law firm of Kell, Alterman, and Runstein, L.L.P., announced that the firm has hired former state representative Julie Parrish as an associate attorney to help expand the firm’s practice expertise in the areas of Health, Government, Elections, Civil Rights, and Constitutional law, as well as business litigation and transactions.

Parrish, a former four-term Oregon lawmaker, recently graduated from Willamette University College of Law and was admitted to the Oregon Bar on October 5th, 2023. In addition to her Juris Doctorate degree, Parrish earned area of legal concentration certificates in Health Law and Government Law, and was awarded the Roy Lockenour Award for Professional Responsibility. The American Bar Association also peer-reviewed and published three articles Parrish wrote dealing with the intersection of government and health policy. She also has an MBA from Marylhurst University, and a Communications Bachelor’s degree from Southern Oregon University, with a minor concentration in hospitality management.

“We are excited to welcome Julie into the firm,” stated Tom Rask, the firm’s managing partner. “For nearly 100 years, Kell, Alterman and Runstein has retained some of the brightest minds in the legal profession to serve the legal needs of our clients. We’ve been able to serve people across areas like business and corporate law, commercial and personal litigation, family law, and tax and estate planning. Bringing in Julie’s passion for government accountability, fixing our health care system, and fair elections will allow us to expand the firm’s ability to help people when they come to us with problems and concerns.”

Rask further explained that Parrish’s deep understanding of the legislative process, her ability to get legislation passed, and her knowledge of how state agencies work bring a unique skill set to help clients when their legal needs are rooted in statutory or regulatory matters.

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

Though Parrish had always wanted to go to law school, it wasn’t until after serving in the legislature and after the passing of one of her mentors, the late Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, a trial attorney, that she found the right time to pursue a lifelong goal.

“When Dennis Richardson died, I realized we’d lost a really great legal mind who believed that the law was a social equalizer, someone who understood the law should work fairly for everyone,” Parrish said. “I recognized that though I had passed really important legislation during my time in Salem, some of the biggest challenges I couldn’t get resolved in the legislature – like improving our public education system – could be accomplished in a court room. And after writing laws for eight years, it made sense to go practice law.”

As Parrish works to build legal practice areas with Kell, Alterman, and Runstein, she will continue to provide policy support to Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) and be involved in ballot measure work and political consulting, including working for measures to let voters vote on freeway tolls (Initiative Petition 4) and helping bring down the high cost of property taxes for seniors.

“As this new opportunity unfolds, I’m grateful that I can still keep a foot in both the legislative and political arenas to support good candidates and ideas to help make Oregon a better place while working to build a law practice that extends those efforts into a courtroom,” said Parrish. “The ability to practice law is a new tool in the toolbox, and I’m excited to get started using it to make a difference in my community.”

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-11-15 15:07:52

Last Update: 2023-11-15 15:19:55

FBI Encourages Reporting Federal Hate Crimes

Most hate crimes take place in homes

The Portland Division of the FBI is joining the FBI’s nationwide efforts to increase awareness about hate crimes and have instigated an advertising campaign across Oregon to encourage reporting hate incidents. The campaign, which began on November 6, includes billboards in Medford, Eugene, Corvallis, as well as static and digital displays at Portland International Airport.

Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The FBI defines a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes and works closely with local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement partners in many of these cases, even when federal charges are not pursued. This Oregon effort ties with a national FBI awareness campaign that hopes to drive education efforts and increase reporting: “Protecting Our Communities Together: Report Hate Crimes”.

There are a number of federal laws that give the FBI the ability to investigate hate crimes. Those laws generally require some kind of criminal act and a finding that the person committing the act did so because he/she was motivated by bias. The criminal act can include offenses such as murder, assault, arson, and it generally requires the use or threat of force or violence. For an incident to qualify as a federal hate crime, the subject(s) must have acted wholly or in part based on the victim’s actual or perceived status. This is generally consistent with state law.

“Violent acts motivated by hate are unacceptable in our communities. Sadly though, the amount of hate crimes reported here in Oregon has doubled from what it was just five years ago. Even still, the vast majority of these crimes are going underreported and that needs to change. That’s why we are spreading the word with this campaign,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “The FBI serves to safeguard against hate and violence, but we can only do so if we know about any such threats or violent actions. Every person has the right to live without fear of violence or intimidation. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable whose hate-filled aggression violates the civil rights of others.”

The FBI recently released the 2022 Hate Crime Report as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In Oregon, 212 of 236 agencies voluntarily submitted data for this current 2022 report. The UCR program specifically defines a hate crime as a criminal offense motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias or biases against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

In Oregon, there were 290 single bias incidents reported, and 428 reported victims in 2022. (Note: These victim numbers include both single bias and multiple bias incidents.) Nationally, there were over 11,000 single-bias hate crime incidents involving 13,278 victims and 346 multiple-bias hate crime incidents that involved 433 victims. In 2022, the top three bias categories in single-bias incidents were race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, and sexual-orientation. The top bias types within those bias categories by volume of reported hate crime incidents is Anti-Black or African American for race/ethnicity/ancestry bias, Anti-Jewish for religious bias, and Anti-Gay (male) for sexual-orientation bias.

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

The bias motivator in about 60% of Oregon incidents were race/ethnicity/ancestry. Victims perceived as Black were the racial group targeted most frequently. Religion was the motivator in about 10% of cases. Victims perceived as Jewish were the religious group targeted most frequently. Sexual orientation was the motivator in about 18% of reported Oregon incidents. Raw UCR reporting is available on FBI.gov and through the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.

Portland has pictured Oregon as violence in the streets, but highway/alley/street/sidewalks is where 18 percent of hate crimes took place. Most hate crimes in Oregon, 25 percent, took place in homes. Parks and playgrounds saw 7 percent as did parking lots and garages.

Anyone who has information about or believes they are a victim of a federal hate crime should contact the FBI by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report online.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-14 20:17:01

Last Update: 2023-11-14 20:50:03

House GOP Proposes Addiction Solutions

“Oregon is in crisis because Measure 110 has failed”

Oregon House Republicans have sent a letter to Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner, and Speaker Dan Rayfield with proposals for policy needed to end the addiction, crime, and homeless epidemics that they say have been exacerbated by the failure of Measure 110.

“Oregon is in crisis because Measure 110 has failed. House Republicans have diligently assembled proposals for legislation needed to effect meaningful change to end the addiction, crime, and homelessness that plague our state,” said House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich. “It is time for the majority party to put partisanship and special interests aside and work with Republicans to implement these desperately needed solutions so that our state can begin to heal.”

House Republican proposals include:

Restore criminal justice accountability for those who possess deadly fentanyl, heroin, and meth.
Prohibit the public use of hard drugs in a manner consistent with alcohol and marijuana.
Prioritize treatment for drug addicts by allowing them to choose treatment instead of jail if arrested for drug-related offenses. Expunge criminal records for those who successfully undergo treatment to beat their addictions.
Adequately fund county probation departments and Oregon Specialty Courts that supervise misdemeanor theft and property crime cases where defendants are struggling with addiction.
Invest in good health by providing adequate county-level funding to implement prevention, treatment, recovery support, community harm reduction, and enforcement services.
Make capital investment in stabilization and treatment facilities by leveraging state bonds.

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

Reform ineffective boards and procedures within the law that prevent resources from reaching areas of acute need.

House Republicans believe the following actions must be taken to alleviate the suffering caused by Measure 110 so Oregon can begin to heal:

1. Rehabilitate those struggling with addiction. Measure 110 promised treatment but it instead has enabled addiction. The House Republican plan will not leave people without the support they need to recover. Treatment should be a requirement, not a suggestion, for those who commit crimes to fuel their habits. We can achieve this by mandating treatment, instituting welfare holds for intoxicated individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others, and creating conditional discharge diversion procedures for those charged with drug possession. We support expunging drug possession criminal records for those who successfully undergo treatment.

2. Restore criminal justice accountability by reinstituting penalties for possession of deadly fentanyl, meth, and heroin. Additionally, the public use of drugs should be prohibited consistent with the laws regulating alcohol and marijuana use.

3. Reinvest funding to address acute needs. Fund county probation departments to supervise misdemeanor theft and property crime cases where defendants are dealing with addiction, and prioritize adequate and stable funding for Oregon’s Specialty Courts. Create adequate stabilization, detoxification and treatment capacity in jurisdictions throughout Oregon by making sustainable investments in sobering center/stabilization and treatment bed capacity for adults and youth. The state should use bonds to make capital investments for treatment and recovery infrastructure.

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

4. Repeal other failed aspects of Measure 110 to improve efficiency at delivering life-saving resources. This includes abolishing the ineffective, activist-led Oversight and Accountability Council. Ensure that counties actually get the funding needed to implement prevention, treatment, recovery support, community harm reduction, and enforcement services. Direct the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to conduct a gaps analysis and advise counties and the legislature on budgeting and best practices for addressing substance use.

The letter goes on to say:

Each day that this horrendous policy remains in place creates more opportunity for drug dealers to take advantage of vulnerable Oregonians. It’s another day that struggling addicts are unable to receive the treatment promised to them when the policy was enacted. It’s another day that Oregonians live in fear of falling victim to crime as desperate people look for ways to feed their habits. It’s another day that the homeless crisis worsens.

Failure to act is to embrace the status quo of death, overdoses, crime, and suffering. Enough is enough. House Republicans are willing to work with you on tangible solutions to solve these crises. Stand with us and let’s get this done for the people that we serve.
Many Democrats supported the passage of Measure 110. Governor Kotek has not taken a clear stand on the repeal of Measure 110.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-11-14 15:12:34

Last Update: 2023-11-14 15:38:47

Changes in Oregon State Treasury Department

Jaime Alvarez named as the new Director of Debt Management

The Oregon State Treasury has announced that Jaime Alvarez is the new Director of Debt Management in Oregon. In his new role, Jaime will oversee the statewide program responsible for issuing all State of Oregon bonds and managing the state’s outstanding debt.

Jaime was promoted to the Director position after serving as the Deputy Director and Senior Debt Program Manager of Treasury’s Debt Management Division since 2021.

“Jaime has been a valuable member of our bonding program since joining Treasury and I am excited to announce his appointment as the new Director of the Debt Management Division,” said Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. “I have confidence in Jaime’s ability to lead and advance the program’s efforts to build a better Oregon through bonds and careful management of our state’s debt.”

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

In his new role, Jaime leads a team that works closely with partners from across state government, regional and local governments, nonprofits, and the financial industry to provide financing assistance. Put another way: when governing bodies across Oregon need to finance capital projects like affordable housing or retrofit a school facility with seismic upgrades, Jaime and his team make it happen.

He will also serve as Treasurer Read’s designee on the Oregon Private Activity Bond Committee and the Oregon Municipal Debt Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining Treasury, Jaime worked for the City of Houston, Texas, as the Division Manager of the Capital Management and Debt Management Division of the Finance Department. In his capacity as Division Manager for the City of Houston, Jaime worked on bond issuances for General Obligation, Combined Utility System, Airport and Convention and Entertainment credits. Jaime’s prior experience also includes financial positions at The Bank of New York and JP Morgan Chase Bank.

Jaime holds an M.B.A. in Energy Finance from Texas Southern University and a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Houston.

Appointed in mid-October, Jaime succeeds Jacqueline Knights, who accepted a senior position with the United States Department of Treasury.

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-11-13 17:39:19

Last Update: 2023-11-13 20:17:33

Representative Morgan to Resign in December

“I will truly miss being an advocate for my community”

One of Oregon's Republican state legislators, Representative Lily Morgan has now announced her resignation from her position as Representative for the people of House District 3. She has released the following statement:

"It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that I am stepping down from my role as Representative for Oregon House District 3. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the community that I grew up in. I have thanked God every day for being blessed with this opportunity.

"I have truly loved being your voice in Salem and have appreciated getting to know the ins and outs of the issues we face as Oregonians from a broader perspective. The issues we face here at home when it comes to opioid addiction and homelessness are problems we are seeing across the whole state, and getting to work with my colleagues to try and find sound solutions to these problems over the last few years has been a pleasure."

"I have been given the opportunity to continue to serve Southern Oregon a little closer to home. This opportunity would allow me to spend more time with my family, and to continue that mission of service. I will truly miss being an advocate for my community and our values in Salem, but ultimately, I must do what is best for myself and my family."

"I thank the voters who elevated me to this position. I trust the Commissioners will appoint a replacement that exemplifies what the people voted for in November of 2022. I have had a long road in public services, and while it is taking me away from the Legislature for now, I would be remiss if I did not admit that I hope it one day will bring me back to Salem as your advocate."

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

Representative Morgan steps away from the legislature having championed pressing issues in Southern Oregon, including cannabis, illicit drugs, addressing human trafficking and foster care.

She was a leading voice on the passage of HB 3000 (2021), which passed with broad bipartisan support and overhauled cannabis regulations in Oregon. More recently, she passed HB 2645 (2023), which gave law enforcement more tools to crack down on fentanyl use. HB 4074 and SB 1052 both addressed the human trafficking issues to create mandatory reporting on cannabis farms and increase penalties for trafficking across Oregon. In her three years in the State House, Representative Morgan was chief sponsor of 23 bills that passed into law.

Representative Morgan has taken a position with the City of Gold Hill as the city manager. Her resignation will be effective on December 3rd at 11:59pm.

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-11-11 17:54:34

Last Update: 2023-11-11 18:09:17

Oregon U.S. Senators Announce $5.1 Million to Improve Air Quality in Oregon

Electrify is Federal answer to air quality

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Klamath County Public Health and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have secured a combined $5.1 million in federal funds for air quality. This follows a $1 million grant received in August 2022 to Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls to monitor air quality and improve health outcomes in wildfire-prone Southern Oregon. Now the move is to align with the Green New Deal and electrify homes that are heating with free wood.

The $4.67 million from the Environmental Protection Agency will go to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to partner with Klamath County Public Health, allowing the two agencies to change out around 300 woodstoves and weatherize 100 houses in Klamath County, with a focus on improving services to underserved populations who rely on wood for heat. As part of the $4.67 million, $323,630 in utility assistance will be granted to low-income applicants who change out their woodstoves through the program.

An additional $451,250 in EPA funding will go to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation for air quality monitoring.

“This federal investment packs a one-two punch because it improves overall air quality and helps Oregonians get efficient heat sources to replace their wood-burning units,” Wyden said. “That adds up to a huge win for quality of life in Klamath County as well as for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.”

“These critical investments will be used to help ensure folks in Klamath County and on the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation have the support and innovation to better monitor and improve air quality,” said Senator Merkley. “Air pollution often goes unnoticed, but can contribute greatly to chronic health conditions. This funding will help improve health outcomes and quality of life for thousands of Oregonians."

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

“Air quality is an area of public health that requires our constant attention and intention,” said Jennifer Little, director of Klamath County Public Health. “We’ve had two diligent partners in working toward better air for everyone in the DEQ and South Central Oregon Economic Development District. This grant also includes a new element with Klamath Lake Community Action Services, which is an exciting addition to the ongoing work. Our community is better for the work of each and our continued partnership.”

Removing woodburning stoves may contribute to air quality in the winter, but the greatest impact is summer wildfires and federal prescribed burns in the heat.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-08 23:41:11

Last Update: 2023-11-08 23:54:13

Republicans Blast Oregon SOS for Surveilling Citizens

“We urge the Secretary of State’s Office to halt implementation now!”

Several Republican legislators in Oregon are now blasting Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade for steps taken by the agency recently that enables to state of Oregon to constantly surveil, track, and attempt to suppress or manipulate the free speech of Oregon’s citizens. They have bicamerally penned a letter, it reads as follows:

We call on you and your office to immediately halt implementation of the "Misinformation, Disinformation, and Mal-information (MDM) Analysis Platform Services" Contract (IT Services Contract per Bid Solicitation S-16500-00007470). We have learned that the purpose of this system is to continually monitor and actively manipulate the free speech of Oregonians. We believe that this system as described in the Request for Proposal (RFP) violates Oregonians' First Amendment rights.

Logically (logically.ai), a UK-based company, was awarded the MDM contract last month. As detailed in the RFP (link here), the system will "…identify and mitigate harmful information online as it relates to elections (mis-, dis-, and mal- information, or “MDM”).” The Logically system will monitor Oregonians’ social media posts for MDM on a nonstop basis and use artificial intelligence to “identify perceived threats” and “recommend countermeasures”, including promoting an AI-generated counter-narrative to Oregonians’ speech. The system will also report anything it determines is a possible threat or constitutes speech that “violates community guidelines and/or policies” of different sites to those social media platforms. It will report "urgent information" to the FBI and State Police.

The problem is that the state will determine which content is labeled MDM. Also concerning is how such determinations will be made and by whom. These terms and processes are not defined either in the contract or in any Oregon statute. Instead of focusing on the primary role of ensuring confidence and transparency in Oregon’s elections, the Secretary of State’s Office has chosen to monitor and encourage the censoring of citizens who voice legitimate concerns, some of which may question government practices or policies, on public platforms such as social media.

We reject the idea that any elected official or agency has the authority to constantly surveil, track, and attempt to suppress or manipulate the free speech of Oregon’s citizens. We urge the Secretary of State’s Office to halt implementation now and we call on the Legislature to address this pressing Constitutional issue during the 2024 session. Oregonians deserve a transparent government that prioritizes service to its people. Our government should never use secretive processes and AI programs to tip the scales by suppressing some citizens and augmenting only those who voice consensus with the state. Using artificial intelligence in this manner does nothing to improve confidence or security in our elections; instead, it will deepen the ongoing divide we are all working to heal.

We look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Court Boice State Representative, District 1

Shelly Boshart Davis State Representative, District 15

Ed Diehl State Representative, District 17

Tracy Cramer State Representative, District 22

Lucetta Elmer State Representative, District 24

Christine Goodwin State Representative, District 4

Jeff Helfrich State Representative, District 52

James Hieb State Representative, District 51

Bobby Levy State Representative, District 58

Rick Lewis State Representative, District 18

Kevin Mannix State Representative, District 21

Emily McIntire State Representative, District 22

Lily Morgan State Representative, District 3

Virgle Osborne State Representative, District 2

Mark Owens State Representative, District 60

E. Werner Reschke State Representative, District 55

Anna Scharf State Representative, District 23

Brian Stout State Representative, District 31

Kim Wallan State Representative, District 6

Boomer Wright State Representative, District 9

Kim Thatcher State Senator, District 11

Dennis Linthicum State Senator, District 28

Suzanne Weber State Senator, District 16

Cedric Hayden State Senator, District 6

David Brock Smith State Senator, District 1

Fred Girod State Senator, District 9

Lynn Findley State Senator, District 30

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-11-08 16:20:46

Last Update: 2023-11-08 18:10:37

ORP Releases Platform, Looks to Incentivize Volunteers

“We’re thrilled to roll out the new PCP Initiative”

The Oregon Republican Party has now released it's official platform, numerating the issue positions agreed upon within the party. You can read the ORP Platform , and find out how to get involved in the party on the ORP website.

The Preamble of the 2023 Platform reads as follows:

We, the Republican Party of Oregon, stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We seek to ensure justice, order, and domestic tranquility, as one nation under God, our Creator. Without restrictive government, as free people, all Oregonians have the opportunity, through hard work and perseverance, to build a more prosperous future for themselves, their families, and their communities. We believe each generation should teach, proclaim, promote, and defend the essential civic Virtues of our founding. We encourage all citizens to work with us to elect ethical and accountable candidates who align with our ideals. This platform outlines our guiding principles, and our vision of the role and scope of our Constitutional Republic, the protection of individual rights, and the responsibilities we have to ourselves, each other, and our Country. We are committed to securing these ideals for future generations.

The ORP is also announcing an incentive program designed to engage and challenge PCPs (Precinct-Committee-Persons) to help with canvassing, door knocking, phone banking, letter writing, voter registration drives and community engagement events.

Precinct Committee Persons (or PCPs) are the entry-level officials of the Oregon Republican Party (ORP.) They represent the people that live within their precinct to their county Republican Party. Each PCP is a voting member of the Central Committee in their county party. You can find out how to become a PCP on the Oregon Republican Party website.

The ORP says PCPs with the greatest number of verified volunteer hours win prizes. Hours will be sent to the ORP PCP chair at the end of each quarter by the designated county verifier.

Rewards may change from time to time. First quarter prizes are:

Free admission to the ORP State Central Committee meeting
A 90-minute private flight from the airport nearest to you with Brian Bishop
$25 Gift certificates

The ORP says that the PCP who banks the most hours will select between the first two prizes. The PCP who banks the second most hours will receive the prize not selected by the winner. All other PCPs who have banked at least 5 verified hours will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $25 gift card.

"We’re thrilled to roll out the new PCP Initiative to help PCP’s engage in GOTV activities in their county and our state party", said PCP Organization Chair Jessica Davidson. "We have some wonderful prizes in store and hope you’re all excited to get to work helping get Republicans elected at every level."

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

The ORP says eligible activities include: voter registration drives, ballot collection activities, canvassing, phone banking, volunteering in a county or ORP office, volunteering at a fair or community event that includes voter registration, writing pro-Republican letters to the editor (approved by the county chair/county PCP chair).

Activities that are NOT eligible for this initiative include: attending or volunteering at rallies or conferences, attending or volunteering at Central Committee meetings or other regular county or Republican events or meetings, signature gathering for petitions (unless the event also focuses on voter registration).

In May 1856, the first Republican meeting in Oregon was held in Jackson County to nominate county officers and adopt a strong platform declaring freedom throughout the United States, and the Oregon Republican Party was officially organized in Albany just three months later.

By December of that same year, the Oregonian newspaper stated that almost every county had held a Republican convention and adopted a ‘free state platform’, in favor of the admission of Oregon to the Union as a free state.

The first nominating convention of the Oregon Republican Party was held in Salem on April 21, 1859. Delegates supported William Seward, who was in favor of Oregon’s statehood, and was noted for his strong position against slavery.

The current Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party is businessman, Justin Hwang.

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-11-07 15:19:41

Last Update: 2023-11-07 19:46:24

Legislators in Oregon and Washington Propose Year-Round Standard Time

Congress has authorized states selecting permanent standard time

As people across America adjust to this past weekend’s switch from daylight saving time to standard time, Oregon Senator Kim Thatcher and Washington Senator Mike Padden are planning to introduce bills early next year to put their states on standard time year-round. This isn't the first time lawmakers have sought to end the switch.

"I introduced Senate Bill 320 in 2019 that would change Oregon to permanent daylight saving time,” said Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, who serves Oregon's District 11. “Even though the bill passed it was contingent on Washington and California passing a similar bill and then all the states seeking permission from the federal government. Washington passed a bill but California never did, though their people overwhelmingly passed a proposition in 2018 to ditch the switch."

In 2019, Sen. Mike Padden, who serves Washington’s 4th District, supported the passage of a state law in Washington calling for year-round daylight saving time, which will not take effect until the federal government approves the same change.

“If there is one issue most people agree on, it’s the dislike of moving their clocks from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring and then back to standard time in the fall,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley, who will introduce his year-round standard-time bill when Washington’s 2024 session begins Jan. 8.

“It confuses and annoys many people, and it causes health problems for some. That’s why Senator Thatcher and I are working together to see if our respective legislatures can keep our clocks on standard time year-round,” added Padden.

In 2022, Padden co-sponsored Senate Bill 5511, a bipartisan measure that would have exempted Washington from observing daylight saving time until the state could move to Pacific Daylight Time year-round. SB 5511 was not approved by the Senate.

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

During Oregon’s 2023 legislative session Thatcher introduced Senate Bill 1090, a bipartisan bill that would have kept Oregon on standard time year-round and halted the state’s annual switch from standard time to daylight saving time.

Thatcher and Padden said they have contacted legislators in California, Idaho and Nevada to see if they will introduce similar bills in those states.

Arizona and Hawaii are the only states on permanent standard time. Because Congress has already decided states may be on permanent standard time if they choose, Oregon and Washington would not need the federal government to pass a bill authorizing the two states to be on year-round standard time.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-07 12:37:39

Last Update: 2023-11-07 00:03:45

Dr. Sejal Hathi Appointed to Direct the Oregon Health Authority

National eyes are on Oregon to expand health coverage

Governor Tina Kotek appointed nationally known Dr. Sejal Hathi as the director of the Oregon Health Authority as of January 16. Dr. Hathi brings over a decade of experience in medicine, health policy and education, and non-profit development. On the line is the implementation of universal health care with the passing of Measure 111, and obtain HIPPA exemption allowing health providers to register voters.

“The Oregon Health Authority has a critical role in ensuring equitable access to health care in Oregon and for stewarding our behavioral and public health systems in every part of the state,” Governor Kotek said. “This work must be carried out with transparency, accountability, urgency, and an infallible commitment to customer service. Dr. Hathi brings a rare combination of extraordinary qualifications to this role – from frontline experience as a physician, to shaping policy in the White House, to founding two non-profits focused on women and girls leadership. I am grateful she is bringing her experience and talent to serve Oregonians.”

Before joining the Oregon Health Authority, Dr. Hathi served as New Jersey's deputy health commissioner for public health services and designated state health officer. Prior to that, she served for two years as the White House’s Senior Policy Advisor for Public Health, where she led various Administration priorities for the Domestic Policy Council. A board-certified attending physician, she also held joint faculty appointments as an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“I’m both excited and humbled to be a part of the ground-breaking advances in health care access that are happening in Oregon," Dr. Hathi said. "At the national level, all eyes are on Oregon and the steps this state is taking to expand health coverage and tackle root cause issues, such as the social determinants of health. I look forward to continuing this proud tradition and working with the team to make every community in the state a healthier place to live.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Hathi served as host and producer of CivicRx, a podcast on health equity and social justice. She interviewed doctors on subjects such as: climate change is a public health emergency; calling for federal action against gun violence; unvaccinated pulled us back into a war against the coronavirus; “vaccine passports” debate; and more.

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

Dr. Hathi cared for COVID-19 patients as a resident physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and a clinical fellow on faculty at Harvard Medical School, where she also launched and led a voter education and mobilization initiative for providers and their patients. She has served on numerous national boards related to public service and public health. She served as a health policy advisor to Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, and today, she maintains a role as a founding board member of Indiaspora. Dr. Hathi has spoken at TEDWomen, the World Health Assembly, and the United Nations, among other venues.

Early in her career, Dr. Hathi founded and led two, award-winning social enterprises, each building community and advancing women’s and girls’ leadership around the world. In 2013, Dr. Hathi was appointed as 1 of 9 public health leaders to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s expert advisory group on women’s & children’s health, charged with evaluating and reporting global progress against maternal and child mortality. Dr. Hathi holds a B.S. with honors from Yale University and an M.D./M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Interim Director Dave Baden will continue his work at OHA, and will serve in a deputy director role, overseeing major programs and policy initiatives. Kris Kautz will continue as a deputy director overseeing agency operations.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-11-06 19:24:20

Last Update: 2023-11-06 20:48:00

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