The same day Oregon Governor Kotek signed into law HB 4002, recriminalizing much of Oregon’s drug laws, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that it has forfeited on behalf of the United States 14 real properties located in Oregon—together worth more than $5.7 million—that were used by an interstate drug trafficking organization to illegally grow marijuana for redistribution and sale in other states. The owner of a 15th property agreed to pay the government $400,000 in lieu of having their property forfeited.

The properties, located in Clatsop, Columbia, Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, were used until September 2021 as illegal marijuana grow houses by an interstate drug trafficking organization led by Fayao “Paul” Rong, 53, of Houston, Texas. On July 19, 2023, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, Rong was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

In early September 2021, a coordinated law enforcement operation led by DEA and OSP targeted Rong’s organization. Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners executed search warrants on 25 Oregon residences and Rong’s home in Houston. During the precipitating investigation and ensuing search warrants, investigators seized nearly 33,000 marijuana plants, 1,800 pounds of packaged marijuana, 23 firearms, nine vehicles, $20,000 in money orders, and more than $591,000 in cash.

According to court documents, Rong purchased numerous residential houses in Oregon using several different identities and, with others in his organization, used them to grow and process marijuana and prepare it for transport to states where its use remains illegal. In a 12-month period beginning August 2020, Rong’s organization trafficked more than $13.2 million dollars in black market marijuana.

The Rong organization takedown followed a 14-month investigation initiated by OSP after the agency learned of excessive electricity use at the various properties, which, in several instances, resulted in transformer explosions. Multiple citizen complaints corroborated law enforcement’s belief that Rong was leading a large black market marijuana operation. With the assistance of the Columbia and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices, OSP found associated marijuana grows in Clatsop, Columbia, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Polk Counties. On February 18, 2022, Rong was arrested by DEA agents in Houston.

“This prosecution and yearslong effort to forfeit properties used by the Rong organization to grow and process thousands of pounds of marijuana demonstrate the long reach of our commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable and mitigating the damage these criminal organizations inflict on neighborhoods and communities,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

This case was investigated by DEA, OSP, and the U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from the FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; Oregon Department of Justice; Portland Police Bureau; the Yamhill, Clatsop, Marion, Multnomah, Columbia, and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices; Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team; and Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team. This prosecution is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. Forfeiture proceedings were handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division.

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“The Oregon State Police is committed to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations operating within our state. Our priorities include safeguarding Oregon’s natural resources and mitigating the impact illicit marijuana has on them,” said Tyler Bechtel, Oregon State Police (OSP) Lieutenant. “This case is a great example of the results that can be achieved when all levels of law enforcement work together toward our common goals.”

The proceeds of forfeited assets are deposited in the Justice Department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund (AFF) and used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of other law enforcement purposes. To learn more about the AFF, please visit here.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-04-02 12:23:32

Last Update: 2024-04-02 01:18:12

Editors note: This is the fourth in a five-part series on School Choice Initiatives aimed for the November 2024 election ballot.

Oregon’s 2024 Legislature passed nine education bills and dropped the most controversial bill of the session that would have taken decisions on curriculum materials away from school districts and parents.

Representative Ed Diehl (R-Santiam) sponsored a school choice bill, HB 4161, which mirrors IP 29 and IP 30. HB 4161 was the first school choice bill to receive a curtesy hearing, but leadership never intended for it to move forward. He is also tabling IP 29 and IP 30 for more work. It should give parents new inspiration to help pass the school choice initiatives, IP 5 and IP 6.

If school choice initiatives, IP5 and IP6, were to pass, parents will have options against the legislature passing undesirable bills that affect the public school system. Legislation is a one-size-fits-all solution, and school choice allows a parent to at the minimum select the "one-size" option that fits their student's needs.

The 2024 legislature’s idea of boosting the education and graduation rate seems to be a strategy with little valuable action. Three bills that passed involving students are:

• HB 4137- Allows kids enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program to qualify for a high school diploma without completing state requirements. Aimed at students that move across international borders. Governor signed.
• HB 4160 - Defines a graduating student as a student for one year following graduation, - to prevent “grooming” by a teacher or staff member that involves sexual conduct. (Current statute is 90 days.) Governor signed.
• SB 1532 - Requires the Oregon Department of Education to create an education plan for asylum seekers, immigrants, and refugees. Awaiting Governor's signature.

Oregon has struggled with education. As early as 2013, Oregon's graduation rate was the lowest of any state in the nation at 68.7 percent, meaning a poor education system can't be blamed on the pandemic. By 2019 it started to rise ranking the fourth lowest, but slow growth was blamed on low graduation rates and poor funding. However, since the pandemic, it has plateaued at 81.3% in 2022 and 2023. The state makes the case that minorities and low-income have a harder time and depress the graduation rates, so they have overwhelmed schools with equality policies.

The Oregon Department of Education said they don’t have stats on private schools because they don’t have authority to require them to register, but pointed to the National Center for Education Statistics. The data for private schools shows a graduation rate average of 96% with an increase in graduations the larger the school to 99.4% for schools 500-749. Beyond 750 the rate was 97%. Graduation rates also improved for nonsectarian schools with Catholic private schools graduating 99.1%.

Students participating in school choice programs are significantly more likely to graduate from high school. The Heritage Foundation reported that education researcher Greg Forster, PhD, conducted an analysis of all existing empirical evaluations of school choice programs to date. According to Forster, 11 out of 12 random assignment studies found that choice improved the academic outcomes of participants; not a single evaluation found that school choice had a negative impact on academic outcomes.

Students participating in the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which helps low-income students attend private schools of their choice, experienced a 21 percent increase in graduation rates.

Forster also examined the evidence on the impact of school choice on students who remained in nearby public schools. Of the 23 studies conducted, 22 observed that school choice improves outcomes at public schools as well. A study in Florida also showed that school choice improved test scores of students in public schools that risked losing students. “In other words, it occurs from the threat of competition alone.”

It was also established in Florida that significant increases were found in the test scores of students with disabilities who remained in the public system as more private schools entered their voucher program, suggesting “that schools were serving those students better when they faced more competition.… Vouchers do not drain public schools of their ability to serve disabled students; instead, schools are pushed to serve those students better.” Oregon’s IP6 replaces a voucher program so the funding follows every student.

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School choice creates greater opportunities for all children to have access to education that instills democratic values. One concrete example comes from New York, where low-income and minority students were more likely to register to vote and turn out in elections.

A study in Milwaukee showed an increase in students graduating subsequently increased enrollment in college by four to seven percent.

Donna Kreitzberg, sponsor of IP5 and IP6, says, “IP5 and IP6 are not intended to replace public schools, but it is the hope of petitioners that public schools will respond favorably and upgrade education practices for students in their care. School choice gives students the opportunity to pick their own public school, charter school, private school, online learning option, private tutoring, or homeschooling option, and make the state responsible for equity in funding."

For more information, Education Freedom for Oregon website has information about the petitions, events on gathering signatures, and print and mail petitions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-04-01 19:41:08

Last Update: 2024-04-01 16:35:41

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the first abortion-related case the court has taken since the court struck down the Roe vs Wade in 2022. The current case would limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone, a FDA-approved drug. Mifepristone, also known as RU 486, is a synthetic steroid used to terminate pregnancies up to week 10 of pregnancy.

While Oregon Democrats would have you believe that this is all about a doctors ability to assist patients seeking reproductive health care, it is a play on words. While nationwide access to abortion could be curtailed again, the judges appeared not to be impressed.

Still, Oregon Democrats used the occasion to highlight grants issued last week as a result of their work to ensure that access to care in Oregon is protected and strengthened across the state.

Representative Andrea Valderrama (D-Outer East Portland) led the efforts for grant funding said, “When there’s no silver lining in the headlines coming out of D.C. today, we have a lot to be proud of here in Oregon as the work we did is going out into communities to increase access to abortion care across our state. These grants show a commitment to ensuring longer-term, systemic investments to protect and increase access to abortion care for all Oregonians.”

They neglect to mention the nearly 1,000 aborted lives every month. How many lives are taxpayers ending by awarding 23 organizations $8.5 million to fund abortion healthcare access and affordability barriers faced by marginalized Oregon communities.

Democrats worked to approve funding for the Reproductive Health Equity Fund for projects, programs, and organizations focused on expanding reproductive health equity through: 1) provider workforce and other care investments; 2) direct support for people seeking abortion and other reproductive services; 3) community-based outreach and education; and 4) research.

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The Reproductive Health Equity Fund began in March 2022 with a $15 million allocation from the Oregon Legislature to address gaps in Oregon’s reproductive healthcare infrastructure and expand access for the state’s most vulnerable populations.

“Money and distance should never stand between an Oregonian and the basic health care they deserve – no exceptions. I’m proud that our state is doing what’s right for our people and their health,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton & SW Portland).

“As Democrats, we will always work to protect access to abortion care in Oregon no matter what The Supreme Court decides,” said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D-Tigard, Metzger, & S. Beaverton).

It appears the Majority Leaders are following in their predecessor’s footsteps.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-31 20:39:39

Last Update: 2024-03-30 22:40:50

Salem Police patrol officers arrested Ross Benjamin Sierzega, a 33-year-old Salem man, without incident on multiple warrants stemming from a nearly two-year investigation by Felony Crimes Unit detectives into incidents of mail theft and related crimes in the Salem area. The Salem Felony Crimes Unit detectives finished sorting through all the documents seized as part of a lengthy mail theft investigation.

Following the arrest, a search warrant was served in partnership with the United States Postal Inspection Service at Sierzega’s apartment in the 3300 block of Crawford ST SE. The search of the dwelling resulted in the seizure of two lock cores from community mailboxes, several counterfeit mailbox keys and tools to manufacture the counterfeit keys, multiple checks, bank cards, and financial documents not in Sierzega’s name, and approximately 30 pounds of mail. In addition to the evidence collected, detectives seized a short-barreled shotgun and home-made body armor.

To help expedite the return of hundreds of personal documents to their rightful owners, a webpage with information has been created. Residents who suspect they may have lost documents through theft can determine if they are on the list of individuals who can recover their property.

Things to know:

• The web address for the page is salempd.info/document-return.
• If your name is listed, complete the form to start the process of retrieving your property.
• Items must be picked up by the owner.
• The owner must present valid identification, such as your state-issued ID or driver license.
• You may pick up your property at the Salem Police Station, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 333 Division ST NE.
• Additional instructions are available on the webpage.

All residents should note, any unopened mail collected as part of this investigation will be returned by the US Postmaster.

Any Salem residents who have been a victim of mail theft but have not yet reported it, should do so at salempd.info/online-report. Theft of mail should also be reported to the US Postal Inspection Service online or by calling 1-877-876-2455.

Detectives urge any victims of identity theft to visit the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website, for helpful information and recommend an identity theft alert be registered with the three major consumer reporting companies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

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Sierzega is currently in custody of the US Marshals Service on federal charges related to this investigation. In addition to 11 outstanding Oregon warrants, Sierzega was charged with the following:

• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun
• Felon in possession of body armor
• Identity theft
• Forgery, first-degree
• Criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree
• Possession of burglary tools

Sierzega will make his initial appearance in federal court March 26, on a federal warrant, which was based on charges of mail theft, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud. Under US Code, manufacture of a counterfeit mail key carries a maximum sentence of 10 years upon conviction.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-28 18:51:25

Last Update: 2024-03-29 00:00:46

Editors note: This is the third in a five-part series on School Choice Initiatives aimed for the November 2024 election ballot.

School choice may answer a catalog of ways that schools are systematically structured so as to foster racism. The monopoly of a public school system creates an inability to find a market solution to discrimination, and all the answers evolve around funding, which goes to the district and not to students.

Oregon is considered to be a high spending school system, but ranks as one of the worst five states for student to teacher ratio contributing to a low quality of education. Teacher salaries are above average, still teacher unions blame low results on underpaid teachers. The state makes the case that minorities and low-income have a harder time and depress the graduation rates, so they have overwhelmed schools with equality policies.

What did Oregon do? They passed a Corporate Access Tax (CAT), implemented equity standards, instituted confusing gender identity into all curriculum, and dropped graduation standards. In 2023 Oregon was added to the list of states identified as “dumbing down education.” For the past decade, Oregon legislation has focused on boosting education for minorities until it is approaching reverse discrimination. Equity standards focus on the lowest denominator, which translates as no standards. No standards have been shown to foster meritocracy, and meritocracy is colorblind.

Oregon's response included a costly Student Success Act, initially funded with $2 billion by the Corporate Access Tax (CAT), which should have improved Oregon’s ranking since it was passed in May 2019, in time to combat the pandemic. The biennium funding from CAT has grown to $2.8 billion for 2023-25. Fifty percent was proposed to go directly to school districts for top local priorities in specific areas, distributed through grant requests.

Twenty percent goes towards early learning, and House Bill 2025 extended the pre-school age range to include prenatal through age three services using $193.5 million to fund a $365.4 million budget. Some question whether prenatal is a qualified expenditure that actually should be supported by the Oregon Health Authority. It is close to the amount needed to initially implement school choice.

Thirty percent is dedicated to creating new programs and expanding existing programs that serve African American/Black Students, LGBTQ2SIA+ and now includes five different Student Success Plans for the underserved. It also funds the High School Success program to help students stay on track through high school and graduate on time. Putting $840 million into the underserved seems to be funding an empire of programs that miss the mark parents and voters were promised for the cost of CAT. The commitment to improving equity by increasing access and opportunities for historically marginalized students is a major deception of the education system for which school choice presents parents a way out.

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Those who say school choice has racist roots are implying that parents, especially lower-income, black parents, should stay trapped in public schools that have failed their children for decades. School choice was originally brought about to support freed blacks. The federal government provided support for freed blacks through the Freedmen’s Bureau building all-black public schools, and converting black independent schools into public schools. History tells a story of how socialism removed school choice and segregated public education, which made it impossible for them to flee discrimination.

Oregon’s equity policy is aimed at the underserved, which is code for minorities, low-income families, and documented or undocumented residence. School choice breaks the arbitrary link between a child’s housing situation and the school they can attend. This means the price of home a family can afford no longer determines their child’s access to a quality education. School choice equalizes access to a quality education for all races and nationalities. Why then does Oregon leadership oppose school choice when they claim to be the guardians of the underserved?

School choice, IP 5 and IP 6, presents a way out of systemic racism by allowing students (of all colors and nationalities) who want to leave their assigned government school, to find an alternative, and still improve education for students who remain in their assigned public school.

For more information, Education Freedom for Oregon website has information about the petitions, events on gathering signatures, and print and mail petitions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-26 12:50:38

Last Update: 2024-03-26 23:11:25

Oregon voters escaped a battle when House Joint Resolution 201 was left in committee on adjournment. Representative Paul Evans (D-Salem, Independence) crafted and requested the bill’s introduction. The Act would put in the constitution a state tax on property to fund public safety.

Rep. Evans writes, “Even though we did not pass House Joint Resolution 201, we made progress because it forced advocates to show up. For too long cities and counties have tried to publicly deny the necessity of real property tax reforms. Since 1991, the State of Oregon has paid an exponentially increased amount of “traditional local government services” that has led to disinvestment in traditionally state-funded enterprises – colleges, universities, and state police have suffered because of the necessary backfilling required to keep public schools open and local governments functioning."

The delusion of support comes from Rep. Evans own testimony and two others testifying in support and 17 in opposition. There are 1,458 written opposition, and 8 in support, but 4 are identical written by Evans.

One of the supporters wrote, “I want to encourage you to pass this insane bill. I hope you will mislead the voters about how much it will eventually cost, make sure the implementation requires as many new government employees as possible and further increase the tax bill for Oregonians so that we can leave no doubt where we rank on a national level for tax burden. Making any connection between the liberal approach to homelessness and the subsequent resulting need for further safety related expenses should of course be avoided.”

Rep. Evans wants to call it reform while passing a new tax that increases taxation. "HJR 201 put forward a new approach to funding necessary services through reforming property tax methodology. The reaction to the measure demonstrated the need for something like it – we simply do not have the resources available to fund statewide emergency services – and it is time to find a solution.”

Kevin Chambers is running against Evans for House District 20. As a business owner and advocate for public safety, he says, "We should be utilizing our resources via productive managed logging and management of our forests to drive more revenue. Simply put, Rep. Evans continues to utilize people and their wallets as a resource and mismanaging our tax dollars, instead of using our natural resources like timber. To many Oregonians are playing bill roulette as it is, yet Rep. Evans wants to make them pay more even though Oregonians already have less."

The Oregon State Fire Fighters Council saw dollar signs and testified regarding the need for fire districts. Lane County Intergovernmental Relations Manager, Alex Cuyler, wrote on the ice storm damage experienced in Lane County and said that federal emergency Public Assistance funds only paid for 75% of the costs. He supports this “modest, shared by all” tax that HJR 201 would generate even though it isn't an emergency fund.

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Taxpayers Association of Oregon published an alert to voters and taxpayers:

• We can’t afford it! Oregonians already pay higher taxes than most states.
• Removes current local control over property taxes from Counties/Cities by allowing new statewide property tax scheme without limits.
• This would allow Portland politicians to raise property taxes on rural Oregonians for their reckless spending.
• Removes current Constitutional limits on property tax rates (Measure 5) and assessment rates (Measure 50) with sneaky exceptions.
• Risk throwing seniors, the disabled and other limited income Oregonians out of their homes as property taxes become limitless.
• HJR 201 would be a referral to voters, because that is the only way politicians can remove/tinker with current Constitutional property tax limits that protect home owners.

This was not Rep. Evans first attempt and he made it clear that he will be back with another bill next session, if reelected. His plan would add $100 in property taxes to a modest valued home, but once passed, the legislature could increase the rate with a majority vote because it wouldn’t be a new tax.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-22 12:50:53

Last Update: 2024-03-22 20:00:50

Editors note: This is the second in a five-part series on School Choice Initiatives aimed for the November 2024 election ballot.

School choice isn't a Republican vs. Democrat battle. IP 5 and IP 6 is a "parents know their children and know which learning environment their children need," according to chief petitioner Donna Kreitzberg.

School choice increases parents’ involvement in their children’s education, according to an AEI Research report. In an evaluation of the D.C.’s school choice, Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), researchers detailed dramatic increases in parental involvement. They reported, “Our research suggests that one of the most positive consequences of the OSP is that parental involvement with their child’s education has increased. Parents of high school, middle school and elementary students across both cohorts in the first and second year of the OSP emphatically stated that their parental involvement had dramatically increased when their children entered the OSP program.” This especially held true for low-income families that did not own a home or car. “This realization suggested that most OSP parents were essentially moving from the margins to the center of their children’s academic development.”

Chief petitioner Kreitzberg, lists some of the reasons parents have for wanting education options:

• child needs to go faster at his own pace,
• child is bullied,
• child wants more hands on and less computer,
• child wants part in class and part at home,
• parents want their child in a school that doesn't close for strikes,
• parents want their child at a school closer to parent's work or babysitter,
• parents need a school with before & after school options,
• parents want a school that shares the same vision on age-appropriate books & curricula,
• parents want a safer school with a zero-tolerance violence policy,
• parents want a school with smaller class sizes,
• parents want a school that welcomes parent involvement in the classroom,
• parents want the options applied to one of their children to apply to their other children. And those options could apply for a few years and then changed.

School choice is not a private vs public school issue either. One parent expressed satisfaction with his son’s public school, until the lockdown came. His son did not do well with a self-discipline internet program and quickly fell behind. To keep up he learned how to game the program. Recognizing his son wasn’t learning anything, he was financially able to enroll him in private school where he is excelling. But not every one was financially able to take their child out of a failing situation and reeducation has contributed to behavioral problems.

Another parent’s son dropped out of high school in fear of all the violence allowed to take place without consequences. He was fortunate to find a private high school with an opening where his son could finish and graduate.

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The Heritage Foundation reported that school choice options can help students escape communities where bullying, gang related violence, or other school violence is common. This was proven in research that found school choice participants were half as likely to commit felonies and misdemeanors as those who went to their local public school.

Abigail Shrier, researcher and best-selling author warns parents that current school policies are not your friend. In an interview with Glen Beck she says when they tell a parent to have the mental health expert talk to your kid, they aren’t your friend either. The last epidemic was encouraged by school counselors. That’s what they are told to do, affirm a child transgender identity and deceive parents. The school policy was, and still is in many places, to lie to the parents. Contributing is the social-emotional learning exercise that refers to parents as caregivers and outsiders and the trusted adults are the teachers and counselors. The effort to undermine parent-child relationships is real. Australia and UK peer review research studies both proved that the coping techniques taught the student to dwell from their negative self, which for a child revolves around the person responsible for them – their parent becomes the focus of their trauma. The study showed it made them sadder, more anxious, and more alienated from their parents.

Kreitzberg says, “With a robust school choice program, public schools have the opportunity and incentive to respond--many begin to listen more to parents' concerns at school board meetings and deliver a product that serves the students better. Just like in any industry, public schools will adapt and compete for students. Public schools can choose to shape their school culture or personality to what appeals to parents and students in their area--STEM, music, technology, outdoorsy, etc.”

For more information, Education Freedom for Oregon website has information about the petitions, events on gathering signatures, and print and mail petitions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-21 13:23:01

Last Update: 2024-03-20 22:19:50

Oregon Governor Kotek has until April 17 to sign, veto or pass without a signature Senate Bill 1578. SB 1578 will force a government-run healthcare interpreter scheduling system while providing major financial and political kickbacks to AFSCME and well-known Democrat activist organization Unite Oregon.

Republican Legislators write Governor Kotek to veto SB 1578. "At best, SB 1578 is a costly solution in search of a problem. At worst, it is a bill that creates a redundant and inferior state-run healthcare interpreter scheduling system – with unknown costs - for the express purpose of helping a labor union achieve its objective of organizing the interpreter workforce and funneling state money to politically connected non-profits that also act as activists for the Democrat party."

This bill was at the request of Lamar Wise, AFSCME. Wise is the statewide political director for the Oregon chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Patients and healthcare professionals did not ask for this bill. This bill was strictly pushed by Wise seeking to embed this program deeper into union operations, which will result in:

• More money to big union AFSCME and potentially activist group Unite Oregon
• Less access to healthcare for Oregon patients
• Massive cost to taxpayers
• Removing the services from private companies already serving patients well
• Giving unions (and Democrat activist organizations) direct access to "two million contacts throughout the Oregon healthcare system"

Willamette Week reported that Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Roseburg), noted the bill described the desired nonprofit’s attributes precisely—it “works with certified and qualified health care interpreters and individuals from immigrant, refugee, low-income and rural communities.” That describes Portland-based nonprofit Unite Oregon.

When Hayden asked Wise if AFSCME had “hand-picked” a likely nonprofit, he responded, “We know there are a few organizations that fit that description. We have also been working closely with Unite Oregon.” He added that his union nevertheless expected a competitive bidding process.

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Another controversy is over Senator Kayse Jama (D-East Portland, Clackamas) involvement being the founder of Unite Oregon. The letter points out political favors for AFSCME and Unite Oregon as intended beneficiaries of this bill. “Both entities were lobbying side-by-side. The flow of money from this bill is articulated by the recent Willamette Week article. Replace “Unite Oregon” with “Oregon Right to Life” and tell us how you would analyze this bill. The obvious expenditure of taxpayer resources to favored political organizations is becoming more prevalent and needs to stop. It is akin to political money laundering. It is well known that Unite Oregon performed canvassing activities for many Democrats in the legislature and was openly hostile to Republican legislators during the deliberations on HB 4002 this session. The fact that Unite Oregon was already awarded $3 million in SB 1530 to purchase a property on East Burnside to develop affordable housing – well beyond the scope of their mission statement and core competency, is equally dubious.”

Jama founded the Center for Intercultural Organizing in 2002, which later became Unite Oregon in 2016 after merging with Oregon Action. Jama stepped down as Executive Director after his appointment to serve as Senator for District 24. The question is whether Jama has a potential conflict of interest from his relationship with Unite Oregon as founder and his leverage for their financial gain received under SB 1530 and potential financial gain under SB 1578. He did not declare a conflict of interest for either bill.

Residents can request the Governor to veto the legislation here.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-03-20 12:31:34

Last Update: 2024-03-20 00:27:58

Oregon Governor Kotek delivered remarks at the first meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, established by the Governor’s Executive Order 23-26. Governor Kotek created the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council in response to the growing role that generative artificial intelligence is playing in society.

“Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving landscape which the state must be well-prepared for,” Governor Kotek said. “The Council will conduct important work in identifying how the state can mitigate risk and center equity in this new technological frontier. As such, a fundamental priority of my office was developing a council that included a diversity of voices, perspectives, and backgrounds. I look forward to reviewing the recommendations they will bring to my desk.”

The Council will provide a recommended action plan framework to the Governor’s Office no later than six months from the date of its first convening, and a final recommended action plan no later than 12 months from its first convening.

The council is to recommend policy changes in order for the Governor to promote state employee awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) with information needed for their decision making. That the state has clear usage policies for the use of AI tools protecting personally identifiable information and other sensitive information. The recommended action plan is to include concrete executive actions, policies, and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence while honoring transparency, privacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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The executive order 23-26 articulates a council membership requirement list that is anything but diverse, equitable and inclusion. The requirements are not aimed at being bi-partisan, and the scale of justice is overweighted on the left.

A full list of members on the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council:

• Terrence Woods, State Chief Information Officer
• Kathryn Darnell Helms, State Chief Data Officer
• Melinda Gross, Department of Administrative Services Cultural Change Officer
• TBA, Governor's Racial Justice Council
• Daniel Bonham, Member of the Oregon State Senate (R-Hood River)
• Daniel Nguyen, Member of the House of Representatives (D-Lake Oswego)
• Jesse Hyatt, Executive Branch Agency Representative
• Andres Lopez, Member - Coalition of Communities of Color, sociologist and professional research and evaluation scientist centered on how
• inequalities of race, gender, and sexuality are reproduced in organizations and urban settings.
• Catie Theisen, Member - SEIU Oregon State Council employee, political and policy specialist
• Hector Dominguez Aguirre, Member - Smart City PDX team, Open Data Coordinator
• Janice Lee, Member - Korean American writer, teacher, spiritual scholar, and shamanic healer
• Justus Eaglesmith, Member - Willamette graduate basketball star
• Kimberly McCullough, Member - legislative director for the Oregon Department of Justice
• K S Venkatraman, Member - Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board/Director, AI Computing at NVIDIA DisruptHR Portland OR
• Saby Waraich, Member - speaker and an award-winning Technology Leader

Meetings of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council are open to the public. Public comment may be made during the meeting. For more information on the Council’s meetings and charge, click here.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-19 16:01:43

Last Update: 2024-03-19 17:28:07

On Saturday, March 16th, the Oregon Republican Party Central Committee voted to select new representation to the RNC national party. The convention to do so was held in Coos Bay.

Longtime Committeeman Solomon Yue will be departing in his role, with Dan Mason of Washington County to be the new Committeeman.

"It's humbling to be elected by the ORP Central Committee to represent the 720,000 registered republicans in Oregon at the RNC and ORP executive team", said Mason. "Its important we have credible and competent candidates to compete with democrats up and down the ballot. They have proven over and over again, democrats in power don't have a monopoly on solutions, otherwise Oregonians would not be struggling in so many areas of life. I'm excited to build support for our team in a presidential year and beyond."

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Tracy Honl of Clatsop County was re-elected as the National Committeewoman.

"I’m so grateful for the trust and support that the Oregon Republican Party has placed in me to continue to serve as its National Committeewoman", said Honl. "We’re moving in the right direction to make the ORP stronger than ever before. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work once again with my friend and Oregon’s new National Committeeman Dan Mason on party building activities that helps us elect Republicans here in Oregon and at the national level - including Donald J. Trump for President this November."

Next, on May 25th, the Oregon Republican Party Central Committee will meet at the Oregon State Fairgrounds to select delegates to the Republican National Convention in July. Any Republican PCPS (Precinct-Committee-Persons) in Oregon who are interested in applying must complete and submit the application available on the convention webpage.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2024-03-17 15:36:47

Last Update: 2024-03-17 19:52:43

Editors note: This is the first in a five-part series on School Choice Initiatives aimed for the November 2024 election ballot.

The Oregon leadership doesn’t think voters are motivated to pass the school choice initiative and stopped the school choice bill, HB 4161 after its first hearing. But their pursuit of SB 1583 may have put new life into school choice initiatives IP 5 and IP 6. It passed through the Senate and was headed for a floor vote in the House at the close of the session. SB 1583 blocked school boards and parents from having any kind of standards for choosing materials used in public schools, claiming it would be discriminatory to someone.

Education Freedom for Oregon, a 501c4 organization, was started to ensure every Oregon student has access to education options. ”Let Them Learn” is their Oregon campaign to leave limits behind and let our kids learn by passing the School Choice Amendment, IP 5, and Open Enrollment Amendment, IP 6, to the Oregon Constitution.

Donna Kreitzberg, one of the sponsors of IP5 and IP6, says the two amendments were crafted with the input of parents, grandparents, teachers, students, legislators, constitutional attorneys, and school choice think tanks and policy advocates from about 20 states.

The Amendments were created with protections in mind. Kreitzberg says, “Nothing in the Act may ever limit the independence or autonomy of any person or entity receiving or using distributions into education savings accounts created under the Act to provide education to students nor make the actions of such person or entitles the actions of this state. Neither the government, the Department of Education, State Board of Education, nor any state agency (or nonprofit organization contracting with any state agency) may regulate the education programs, curricula, teaching qualifications or admission policies of any person or entity receiving or using distributions under the Act.“

Kreitzberg refers to IP5 and IP6 as not just being about students needing the opportunity to learn in different school settings. Teachers also need the opportunity to teach in different school settings. She says, “We have wonderful teachers with stellar qualifications who are stifled or frustrated and not able to teach in the manner they think is in the best interests of their students. They are not getting the fulfillment that they had hoped when they chose teaching as a profession. With school choice, teachers will be valued more because they will have more opportunities to choose an environment that works better for them or even start a school of their own!”

School lock downs, leaving kids at home without social interaction brought on a whole new challenge for teachers. Now classrooms are becoming a war zone. In Salem-Keizer School District, a first grader threw a chair at the teacher cutting her head. One school psychologist said there is no respect for teachers and fights are more prevalent.

This is the case at the Tigard-Tualatin schools where the superintendent is being forced to resign over lack of management. When teachers testified before the board about the violence, some beaten by and received injuries from students, the board was dismissive saying the teachers were “insensitive” causing the teachers to walk out of the board meeting. One parent reports his son dropped out because he couldn’t stand the violence and they were fortunate to get him into another high school to finish and graduate.

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Petitioners have until July 4, 2024 to gather signatures with a goal of about 170,000 more signatures for each measure to have more than necessary and to show strong support among Oregonians. Kreitzberg says, “There are plenty of folks who want to sign, it is a matter of reaching them. We have been limited because we are a grassroots group working on a small budget. We have wonderful volunteers giving it their all and would love more folks to help.”

For more information, Education Freedom for Oregon website has information about the petitions, events on gathering signatures, and print and mail petitions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-03-17 15:28:41

Last Update: 2024-03-24 02:32:30

The Oregon State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The meeting will take place remotely via the internet on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public. The agenda and handouts will be posted on the Council’s website.

What: Meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Where: Microsoft Teams click here to join the meeting Who: State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council

The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council is established by Governor Kotek’s Executive Order 23-26, Establishing a State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.

The purpose of the Council is to recommend an action plan to guide awareness education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the State’s policies, goals, and values and supports public servants to deliver customer service more efficiently and effectively.

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The state says that the recommended action plan shall include concrete executive actions, policies, and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence while honoring transparency, privacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Meetings of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council are open to the public. Public comment may be made during the meeting. Sign-up for public comment is required as spots are limited. Sign-up closes Friday, March 15 at noon. Written comment will also be accepted. Written comment can be submitted by mail to the Council Support Office, 550 Airport Rd SE Suite C, Salem, OR 97301 or online.

Accommodations can be arranged for persons with disabilities, and alternate formats of printed material are available upon request. Please contact Enterprise Information Services at 503-378-3175 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to request accommodations. Closed captioning is included on the Microsoft Teams meeting.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2024-03-17 11:10:19

Last Update: 2024-03-17 12:06:06