After resignations started pouring in over Governor Tina Kotek hiring her spouse, the Governor has issued a statement regarding the role of the First Spouse. Should Oregonians be concerned?

“Fellow Oregonians, I want you to know that my focus is doing the best job possible for you and your families. I take responsibility for not being more thoughtful in my approach to exploring the role of the First Spouse. I am sorry for the way this conversation between my office and you has started.

“I was honored to be elected as Governor, so that I could bring clarity and energy to tackling the state’s biggest challenges. My administration, since Day One, has held that True North, prioritizing the state’s homelessness and housing crisis, the inadequate system of mental health and addiction care across the state, and the need to improve educational outcomes for children with a focus on early literacy and summer learning. We have much to do together to achieve our shared goals, and with these priorities and a renewed focus on strengthening how state government does its work, I believe we have made progress and will continue to make progress.

“My job as Governor is to see the entire playing field. Whether it is deepening my understanding of the needs of our entire state by visiting all 36 counties in my first year, collaborating with lawmakers to pass critical new laws and investments, focusing on the future success of the Portland Central City, or responding to the inquiries of individuals who contact my office – no topic is too small or too big when it comes to serving Oregonians.

“First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson has been by my side for 20 years. The First Lady and I share a profound commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable among us, fighting for a more just world, and making sure we leave this world better than we found it. She is a social worker, someone with lived experience with mental health and recovery and someone who has throughout her career helped lift up the stories of others to make meaningful change. As a family, the First Lady and I jointly and intentionally decided that she not return to employment or have any outside income as to avoid any perceived or actual conflict of interest. And her work as First Lady is also unpaid and is on a volunteer basis. As a family, we have traversed Oregon on the campaign trail and on the One Oregon Listening Tour, reaffirming our faith that nothing is impossible if Oregonians work together.

“In my short time as Governor, I have considered how Oregon can emulate other states that rely on the time and talent of a First Spouse who has no financial interest or benefit in state government.

“There is no road map in Oregon for defining the role of a First Spouse, who is a 'public official' under Oregon law. I make all policy and personnel decisions for my office. I have sought guidance from the National Governors Association and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC). I am committed to defining the role of the First Spouse with respect to what we learn from OGEC, not only on behalf of this administration but future administrations as well.

“After listening to and reflecting on the concerns of Oregonians who have contacted my office, as well as the advice of staff, I want to be clear about these things: There will not be an Office of the First Spouse. There will not be a position of Chief of Staff to the First Spouse. Other than staff that is assigned to support the First Lady in her official duties, no state staff will report to her or be supervised by her.

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“My office is also assembling a First Spouse Manual to spell out policies and procedures related to that role, including protocols for addressing any staff concerns or complaints. The First Spouse manual is in progress and is one of the reasons Meliah Masiba was brought on as a temporary advisor to my office. She reports to Chief of Staff Chris Warner. You can read her job description here.

“Between now and when we learn more from OGEC, the First Lady will continue to accompany me and attend events representing the Governor’s Office, such as Tribal visits and ceremonial events, and she will listen to Oregonians about the issues most impacting them, especially in the area of mental health and addiction.

“Your trust is important to me. I will continue to work hard to solve problems so that every Oregonian can have what they need.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-01 16:25:55

Last Update: 2024-05-01 16:52:47

A new Alternative Shelter Evaluation Report from Portland State University’s Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative indicates that alternative shelters provide better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness than traditional shelters. The research, conducted by HRAC on behalf of Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services, analyzed the cost, participant experiences, and client outcomes in village-style and motel shelters as compared to more traditional congregate shelters.

"This research shows that motel and village shelters, which provide private living spaces that support the autonomy, dignity, and safety of clients, lead to better experiences and more positive outcomes than congregate shelters," said Jacen Greene, HRAC assistant director.

Village and motel shelter models have grown in recent years as an alternative to traditional shelters. In Portland, several villages have been constructed by community members and local agencies to better support the houseless population. This report shows that the village model is not only more desirable to people experiencing homelessness, but can be less expensive in some circumstances to build than congregate shelters. The success rate for moving an individual into housing is also higher than at traditional shelters.

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“Alternative shelters provide participants with levels of privacy, autonomy, and safety that are not always present in congregate shelters,” according to the report. “These factors helped participants feel like they could pause, breathe, and work toward their goals."

As compared to other shelter models, villages have the lowest capital costs per unit when the land is free (as has been the case for villages in Portland), but are more expensive than motel or congregate shelters if land costs and pod replacements are factored in. Motel shelters are often faster to set up and are more flexible in terms of conversion to housing, but can be difficult to set up due to supply. In evaluating cost, HRAC found that moving a person into housing and providing supportive services — like rental assistance or vouchers — is comparable to the cost of providing a congregate shelter bed, and costs less than alternative shelters.

"We found that placing somebody into housing, paying their rent, and providing supportive services is usually a less costly alternative than any type of temporary shelter, and is the only approach that actually ends homelessness," Greene said. While much funding is available for homeless alternatives, critics point out that relatively little of the money goes to actually provide housing.

These findings provide guidance to determine which type of shelter is most appropriate based on the circumstances of the population being served. An effective shelter strategy should:

• Utilize shelter types with individual, private rooms
• Size shelters to a smaller total number of units
• Center equity in services and programming
• Include identity-supportive shelters and/or programming
• Locate shelters close to essential services and amenities
• Consider long-term shelter costs and site usage/conversion potential in planning
• Incorporate input and feedback from people with lived experience of homelessness

“Ultimately, any shelter strategy should be viewed as a temporary stopgap until enough housing can be provided to address current and forecasted needs,” according to the report. “Someone in a shelter is still experiencing homelessness, and the only true solution to homelessness is to ensure that people who are housed are able to remain there, and people who are unhoused are placed in housing as soon as possible.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-04-30 13:08:54

Last Update: 2024-04-30 13:23:24

House Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA 1) of the U.S. House of Representatives announced his endorsement of Republican candidate Monique DeSpain to represent Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District.

“As a retired Air Force Colonel, attorney, and single mother, Monique DeSpain knows what it means to roll up her sleeves and get things done. She will fight to secure our border, rebuild our economy, reduce crime, and support law enforcement. Unlike her democrat opponent, Monique will deliver for the people of Oregon and I am proud to endorse her in her race for Congress in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

“It’s my distinct honor to have the endorsement of Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise in my campaign to unseat corrupt career politician Val Hoyle and bring my commonsense, accountability focused, problem-solving leadership to Congress on behalf of the people of Oregon’s 4th District,” said Monique DeSpain.

Oregon's 4th Congressional district includes Benton, Coos, Curry, Northern Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln Counties. The largest city in the district is Eugene.

“Leader Scalise is a fighter who, despite having to battle back from a near-fatal gunshot wound and fighting off cancer, he continues to fight for the American people every day,” added DeSpain. “Demonstrated grit and determination are required to deliver victory in all our personal and public fights. I understand what it means to fight for my family, my clients, and my country. Results are what counts. I’ve served my country for 30 years in the Air Force, stood up to the Governor on behalf of crime victims, and raised my twin boys as conservatives right in the heart of progressive Eugene. Voters are ready to end five decades of failure, neglect, and waste at the hands of career politicians and deploy me, a political outsider, to fight for them in D.C.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-04-29 10:45:23

Last Update: 2024-04-29 10:59:01

April 15th brought out protesters blocking I-5 south of Eugene. They weren't protesting tax day, they were united countrywide protesting against the theft of their lands and livelihood and protesting the theft of 1,976 acres of land in the Jordan Valley to be used for development projects for hundreds of settlement housing units. The Palestinians make up 21 percent of the population and own 1,065,156 acres. In other places the same day they shutdown the bridge in New York City, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as well as an access road for the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.

As a result of the demonstration in Eugene, 52 people were arrested for disorderly conduct. Two individuals were additionally charged with conspiracy and theft 2. Six vehicles were towed from the scene, and all suspects are in custody at the Lane County Jail. The incident required 121 law enforcement responding agencies and the use of 10 transport or emergency vehicles.

This doesn't seem to have satisfied the instigators. They have now moved on to college campuses taking over Columbia University, Harvard, New York University, and University of California has cancelled it commencement ceremonies due to protesters. Andy Ngo, an Oregon independent journalist, says they are targeting Portland State University reporting one of the militant 2020 BLM-Antifa rioters, Danialle James, has called for protesters.

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Columbia University has been the epicenter of student protests for over a week, especially after the university's president, Minouche Shafik, called in the New York City Police Department and more than 100 students were arrested. The student protesters have called on universities to cut financial ties to Israel and Israeli companies, however, Columbia's biggest donor is a Jewish businessman who threatens to withdraw funding if the president doesn't get the protest under control. President Shafik is hemmed in after Speaker Mike Johnson suggested he resign.

Earlier the Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic on Airport Way to PDX, blocked the freeway in Northwest Portland, harassed a pro-Israel supporter on the street in Portland, vandalized Portland music hall for hosting a pro-Israel musician, busted a faith-unity window display, and painted graffiti on windows and walls. Just as Portland was recovering, career protesters are paid to keep the city in unrest and fear.

Breitbart now exposes that the groups organizing college campus protests is funded by George Soros and others. One group is Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) is also funded by the Soros-founded organization Open Society Foundations, which gives between $2,880 and $3,660 for its campus-based ‘fellows’ in return for spending eight hours a week organizing campaigns led by Palestinian organizations. Students joining the protest that were interviewed, couldn't say what the protest was about. Portland State University appears not to have either of these student groups, so are they just an easy target? How must protection can students expect from the police?


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-04-27 14:43:31

Last Update: 2024-04-26 19:55:43

The U.S. Supreme Court rules 9-0 in a landmark decision that undercut all DEI-based discrimination, sending Oregon's policies into question. The US Supreme Court ruled that a St. Louis police sergeant can sue over a job transfer she claims was discriminatory lays the foundation for legal action against employers who push discrimination against white people in job hiring, work assignment and promotion. Those “diversity-preferred” job postings, the practice of passing over whites for promotions, discriminatory job transfers, pushing unfair diversity trainings, etc., all of these are now legally actionable.

Lawyers tried to argue that there is ‘good discrimination’ and ‘bad discrimination’, that white people should be purposely disadvantaged to pave the way for diversity. The lawyers stated that the decision will complicate DEI programs and limit their ability to discriminate against white men.

The Supreme Court discredited these claims, re-asserting that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. The court also established a relatively ‘low standard’ for bringing discrimination cases. The victim need not suffer ‘actual harm.’ An employee only must show “some harm” under the terms of their employment, and that harm need not be “material, substantial or serious.” The decision makes it much easier for workers to sue over discriminatory practices. This is a big win for equality if lawyers don't run wild.

Oregon has been chipping away at equality for several decades replacing it with equity for underserved and underprivileged. Every bill and every program passed, no matter how equality driven it is, leadership is obsessed with releasing statements that ties the outcomes to filling gaps for the underserved, underprivileged. That has been seen anywhere from safety issues, availability of healthcare, high-speed internet access, education agendas teaching white privilege, to jobs and affordable housing.

It has been nearly a year since the Supreme Court ruled on Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina, concluding that these colleges including many private colleges in Oregon, violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in his concurring opinion, notes that "the trial records reveal that both schools routinely discriminate on the basis of race when choosing new students -- exactly what the law forbids."

A Heritage Foundation study measured how many Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) “instructors” there are at major public state universities. The study reported that DEI staff and departments urge students to embrace radical leftwing ideologies, including that people should be treated differently due to their race. The study showed DEI bureaucracies are better understood as an academic version of a political commissariat that articulates and enforces an ideological orthodoxy on campus.

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As the Supreme Court continues to verify, the orthodoxy tends to make many groups of people feel unwelcome, promotes division, and encourages conformity rather than diversity on various social and political issues. Heritage analysts found that surveys of students reported the worse campus climates they have measured. Oregon’s universities averaged 4.6 exclusive DEI personnel for every 100 faculty members.

ORS 342.437, Minority Teacher Act, established diversity goals for Oregon’s educator workforce for the number of minority teachers, including administrators, employed by school and education service districts to be approximately proportionate to the number of minority students enrolled in the state's schools. In addition, HB 4031 added that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may award scholarships of $10,000 to culturally and linguistically diverse teacher candidates to use at approved educator preparation providers for the purpose of advancing the goal to employ diverse educators in a percentage of diverse students. These state educator preparation providers are instructed to train on CRT and sexual orientation. Does such a policy based on race and color violate the court's ruling?

According to the U.S. Supreme Court, it appears Oregon needs a serious look at who they are really discriminating against.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-04-26 11:35:04

Last Update: 2024-04-26 19:30:01

Oregon State Senator David Brock Smith has been reported to have received campaign contributions from Thomas Tuttle, a resident of California who is now allegedly living in Gold Beach, Oregon.

Records indicate that since 2016, Tuttle has made significant donations to Senator Smith's political action committee, Friends of David Brock Smith. These contributions total approximately $150,000, which includes donations both from Tuttle in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and posthumously in 2018 from his deceased wife. Tuttle's donations have been consistent annually, including in non-election years.

Concern has been raised regarding Tuttle's voter registration status. Allegations suggest that Tuttle may have been registered as a voter in both San Francisco, California, with the Democratic Party, and in Curry County, Oregon, with the Independent Party. Questions have been raised about the legality of this dual registration and participation in elections of both states.

Tuttle is the co-founder of Newport Asia, an investment management firm that invests in Asia, including China and India. He has conducted numerous investment seminars on investing in Asia and is frequently quoted in business publications and news programs.

It is crucial to note that, according to the Oregon Secretary of State, it is not against Oregon law to vote in different state primaries that do not occur on the same date. The matter in question pertains to the possible simultaneous participation in the November 6, 2018, general election for both states. However, the statute of limitations for investigating this has expired, and thus, no official investigation will be pursued.

The Oregon Secretary of State's office clarified that, while specific allegations have been made, the statute of limitations impedes any new investigation into the 2018 general election voting matter. Additionally, Oregon election law does not preclude candidates from accepting financial contributions from out-of-state residents.

Upon follow-up, the Curry County Clerk confirmed that Tuttle is currently eligible to be registered to vote in Curry County. Tuttle's voter registration status in California has been terminated accordingly.

In light of the collected information, Senator David Brock Smith faces inquiries regarding his knowledge of his campaign contributor's actions and his decision to accept the contributions under the circumstances presented. Senator Smith, recognized for his advocacy for fair elections, has not publicly addressed the queries on this matter.

The recount of the allegations and available responses in this article were intended professionally and objectively to emphasize the importance of factual accuracy and due process. It is equally important to acknowledge that allegations remain unproven until due legal process determines otherwise.

Response from the Oregon Secretary of State:

January 22, 2024
Re: Elections Division Case No. 23-471

This is to acknowledge receipt of your investigation request. You alleged that Thomas Tuttle violated ORS 260.715 by voting in both Oregon and California in multiple elections and financially contributing to an Oregon candidate.

ORS 260.715(4) prohibits voting more than once at the same election, in Oregon and in another state and states: …a person may not vote or attempt to vote in an election held in this state and in another state on the same date.

The information you submitted indicates Mr. Tuttle may have voted in both states for the November 6, 2018, general election, however, the statute of limitations has lapsed, and we are unable to open an investigation into this matter. Further, the other elections Mr. Tuttle appears to have voted in did not fall on the same date.

If you have evidence that Mr. Tuttle does not meet the qualifications to be registered to vote in Oregon, you may contact the county clerk to initiate a challenge under ORS 254.415.

Lastly, even if Mr. Tuttle is a resident of another state, Oregon election law does not prohibit a candidate from receiving contributions from out of state residents.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Darcy
Compliance Specialist
Oregon Secretary of State | Elections Division

Response from the Curry County Clerk:

Shelley Denney
Monday, April 8, 2024 11:15 AM
Subject: RE: Case # 23-471 Closing Declination Taylor 01222024

Good morning,

It appears that Thomas Tuttle is no longer a registered voter in the State of California and is therefore is eligible to be registered in Curry County. I can discuss his voting in both states with the SOS however based on the email below I am not certain they will do anything since the statue of limitations is up for them to investigate.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Shelley Denney, C.C.C.
Curry County Clerk

About the Author: Rob Taylor has been an activist for over 30 years and was the Winner of the 2024 Don Mcintire Award for Excellence in Grassroots Political Activism. His podcast can be found on Rumble and YouTube at the Rob Taylor Report.


--Rob Taylor

Post Date: 2024-04-26 10:16:29

Last Update: 2024-04-26 12:02:01

Oregon Representative Charlie Conrad (R-Eastern Lane County) has taken grief over his vote for HB 2002, which allows girls of any age to obtain an abortion without her parents’ knowledge.

Having spent his working career in enforcement, Conrad must have known that backlash was coming because he immediately filed a vote explanation stating, "I voted "No" on advancing this bill to the floor due to my concerns about providing reproductive health care to minors, particularly children under 15 years old, without the involvement of their parents." Somehow he put aside the probability of liberal health care providers taking advantage of the loophole when he talked to providers that wouldn't take such action without consulting parents.

Conrad continues to defend his vote saying, "We need a government comprised of people working together, not in opposition, to solve the issues plaguing us today – in short, those who embrace and practice the once vaunted Oregon Way." Conrad has been criticized for voting for HB 2279, which repeals residency requirement in Oregon's Death with Dignity Act paving the way for out-of-state patients. He also voted with Democrats on critical enforcement bills relating to paramilitary activity and domestic terrorism, HB 2572 and HB 2772 among others.

In a letter to supporters, Oregon Right to Life Executive Director Lois Anderson said, "When Conrad voted to expand abortion last year under the radical bill HB 2002, we knew he had to learn his radical positions have consequences. And so we worked hard to find a stellar, pro-life candidate who could challenge Conrad’s seat in HD 12."

"It’s hard not to get excited when you find a candidate like Darin Harbick," Anderson said. "Not only is Darin a successful businessman, devoted husband and father, and involved member of his community, but he is also a faithful pro-life advocate."

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Harbick is a self-made businessman founding several businesses located in the Upper McKenzie Valley. He currently co-owns Harbick’s Inc., a logging/dump truck business, with his son. While managing his businesses, he served 14 years on the McKenzie School board, the Lane County Tourism board, and coached high school and college women’s basketball. Harbick says, "The most rewarding business is our faith-based residential treatment home which serves people who suffer with mental illness."

Harbick currently holds a 27 point lead over Conrad, primarily over HB 2002. After the vote, Lane County Republican Party passed a resolution and issued a letter requesting Representative Charlie Conrad resign citing his voting record and listed ten grievances of how his vote does not align with their stated values affecting children and parents. Now it will be up to voters to determine which will advance to the General Election. Currently there are no challenger, but minor parties have not held their primaries.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-04-26 09:49:50

Last Update: 2024-04-26 19:30:53

Oregon Supreme Court, Judge Garrett, ruled in Umatilla County v. Department of Energy on a case involving a dispute over the approval of a site certificate for the construction of a wind energy facility in Umatilla County.

The Energy Facility Siting Council granted the certificate allowing Nolin Hills Wind, LLC, to place wind turbine facility within the two-mile siting criterion requirement between any turbine and a rural residence. Umatilla County sought judicial review of the council's decision, arguing that the council should have required Nolin Hills to comply with the two-mile setback ordinance.

The court determined that central to the case is the role of authority the county’s recommended substantive criteria has under ORS 469.504(5). This is a question of state tyranny squashing democratic rule of the people. This case sets a precedence for more abuse of rural communities to supply metro. Umatilla County isn’t the only rural landscape proposed to turn their landscape into junkyards.

When the Canadian developer submitted the Nolin Hills Wind Power Project revised proposal for 48,000 acres,350-megawatt wind farm, entirely zoned for exclusive farm use (EFU), the council acknowledged it did not comply with the county ordinance two-mile buffer. DOE issued a draft and final order recommending that the council find that the proposed facility complies with all applicable requirements, acknowledging the facility would not meet the ordinance requirement, but is not an “applicable substantive criterion.”

The Supreme Court affirmed the council's decision, concluding that the council was authorized to issue a site certificate for the proposed wind facility notwithstanding the failure of the proposed facility to comply with the two-mile setback rule. The court found that the council was not required to reject a proposed facility simply because it did not comply with a local criterion. Is it enough that the council has “big-brother” authority when it disrupts the daily lives of others?

ORS 469.470 requires the council to cooperate with subdivisions

“in the interests of the public health and the welfare of the people of this state, it is the declared public policy of this state that the siting, construction and operation of energy facilities shall be accomplished in a manner consistent with protection of the public health and safety and in compliance with the energy policy and air, water, solid waste, land use and other environmental protection policies of this state.”

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This is not the first case the court ruled in favor of the council’s authority. In Friends of Columbia Gorge v. Energy Fac. Siting Coun., 368 Or 123, 125, 486 P3d 787 (2021), the court established the council oversees the development of large energy facilities that meet the statewide planning goals. A proposal near Harrisburg has residents protesting, which may be their next case. One of the complaints is that windmills have a 600-foot base and when they decommission them, the base stays.

Oregon has 51 windmill projects producing 3,415 MW of wind generation making up 11.6 percent of Oregon’s electricity generation consuming near one-third and exporting the remainder. Governor Kotek stated she wants to take the state off of hydropower and convert to wind and solar by 2040. How much farm land will that take away from crop production? It’s pushed by how fast they remove dams or shut their power off if they were built for flood control.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-04-23 16:32:01

Last Update: 2024-04-23 23:35:04

Governor Tina Kotek announced Chris Warner as her permanent Chief of Staff and named additional staff to her executive leadership team. She also named a new Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director. An unexplained exodus of staff has caused several vacancies and a nepotism scandal in which Kotek's wife was given a state-paid position after her wife announced that she was a mentally ill alcoholic.

Prior to his new role, Warner was Governor Kotek’s Deputy Chief of Staff of Public Administration, where he oversaw the office’s efforts to better align the Governor’s oversight of state agencies. With more than 30 years of public policy and political experience, Warner recently served as the Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation. In that role, he led a diverse 1,000-employee bureau and managed an annual $500 million budget. Prior to that, he served in various roles in Governor Ted Kulongoski’s administration, including Legislative Director and Senior Transportation Advisor. Warner, who is originally from Baker City, was also previously a top aide to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.

“Chris Warner brings years of experience leading teams to implement large-scale initiatives, navigating complex budget cycles for both local and state government, and contributing executive-level management skills to challenges large and small,” Governor Kotek said. “I am excited he has stepped up to serve Oregonians in this new role.” Other changes in the Governor’s Office include:

• Taylor Smiley Wolfe, formerly the Governor’s Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director, takes on a new position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor’s Initiatives. Smiley Wolfe was on the Governor’s transition team and has successfully led the Governor’s housing and homelessness efforts since the start of the administration. Smiley Wolfe brings leadership experience developing and advancing outcomes-oriented policy initiatives at different levels of government and has previously served as Director of Policy and Planning at Home Forward, the largest provider of affordable housing in the state, and Policy Director in the House Speaker’s Office.

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• Vince Porter, formerly the Governor’s Economic Development and Workforce Advisor, becomes Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Administration, taking over for Warner. Porter brings government relations and leadership experience having previously served as the Director of Regence Health Policy Center, where he led advocacy initiatives focused on finding solutions to affordable and accessible healthcare. Porter also served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Strategies 360 and as an Economic Development Policy Advisor for Governor John Kitzhaber and Governor Kate Brown.
• Kate Nass, the Chief Financial Officer for the State of Oregon, remains in her position and joins the leadership team to direct the Governor's Office Budget work. Nass brings over 14 years of budget and policy experience having previously served as the state's Deputy Chief Financial Officer, the Oregon Health Authority's Deputy Director of Finance.
• Matthew Tschabold will serve as the new Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director. Most recently as the Governor’s Housing Advisor, Tschabold was instrumental in passing Senate Bill 1537, part of Governor Kotek’s priority housing production package, in the 2024 legislative session. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Tschabold served as Policy and Planning Manager and Deputy Director for the Portland Housing Bureau and has 20 years of experience at the state and local level in community development and planning, public administration, and finance.

“These individuals have each meaningfully contributed to the progress my administration has made for Oregonians thus far,” Governor Kotek said. “The breadth and depth of experience on this team will deliver results for Oregonians in every part of the state.”

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The Governor’s executive leadership team provides strategic advice to the Governor and is now comprised of the following:

• Chris Warner, Chief of Staff
• Taylor Smiley Wolfe, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor’s Initiatives
• Vince Porter, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Administration
• Lindsey O’Brien, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Engagement (on leave)
• Andre Bealer, Equity and Racial Justice Director
• An Do, Public Affairs and Communications Director
• Richard Lane, General Counsel
• Berri Leslie, State Chief Operating Officer and DAS Director
• Bob Livingston, Legislative Director
• Kate Nass, Chief Financial Officer

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-04-23 10:18:36

Last Update: 2024-04-23 10:16:29

Editor Note: McHaddad’s opinion on Oregon politics was first run on Right Now Oregon on April 18, 2024

I recently ended my tenure as the City Administrator/Recorder of Sodaville, Oregon, a position that saw frequent interactions with political leaders. Governor Tina Kotek, obviously, steered clear of our community during her “One Oregon Tour” (which I called the “Some Oregon” Tour) in which certain communities were visited or at least contacted by the Governor’s office to learn about local issues and others were not.

One of the more annoying types of communication streams from politicians was the unsolicited inclusion of the City’s official email in campaign mailing list. Representative Janelle Bynum and State Treasurer Tobias Read, both seeking higher office, added the City’s email and proceeded with a discourteous barrage of fundraising solicitations.

This lovely donation request to the City arrived in the inbox March 12:

Hi team – It’s Governor Tina Kotek here.

This November, Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District’s voters will have the opportunity to choose a new, brighter future for their community. That’s why I’m reaching out on behalf of my good friend, Janelle Bynum, who is running for Congress to give OR-05 a true champion in Congress. I’ll explain more in a minute, but can I count on you to join me in supporting her campaign by making a contribution today?

Governor Tina Kotek

Coincidentally, Treasurer Read’s campaign manager sent a solicitation email to the City that same day.

Tobias is one of the smartest and hardest working people I know, and he has what it takes to restore trust and accountability in state government.

The strategy of adding municipal government emails to donation solicitation emails may have made sense to whichever out of state consultants who devised it. At worst, all these campaigns are doing is clogging up the City’s email inbox. What dismays me is how carelessly they cast aside community concerns in favor of seeking campaign donations.

Governor Kotek did not connect with Sodaville during the “One Oregon” Tour, continuing the pattern of choosing winners and losers among rural communities honed during her ghastly tenure as Speaker. Treasurer Read is running a tight ship at the Treasury that maintains excellent services for local governments, but never reached out to discuss what he could offer the community by holding Oregon’s second highest office.

Representative Bynum incurred the brunt of my acrimony, frequently railing about a fictitious version of Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s abortion stance while never once reaching out to Sodaville to uncover the brutal extent of Santiam River dam drawdowns on the community. Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer, on the other hand, put her staff on the case during a crisis and maintained excellent communications. But please, Rep. Bynum, tell me more about how I should give money to someone who does not care about the true issues her community faces.

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Focusing on fundraising instead of problem-solving in a community ravaged by a federally-instigated ecological catastrophe gives exactly nobody in the 5th Congressional District confidence that Rep. Bynum will arrive in Washington prepared to help. Former Santa Clara, CA City Councilor Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the other Democratic CD5 candidate, never reached out about the dam drawdown issue but neither did she take the bizarre step of soliciting funds from a city that spent an unbudgeted $100k on dealing with the 2023 Santiam River dam drawdowns.

I fully expect mainline Oregon Democratic candidates to treat rural communities as punching bags until they are no longer in power. Whoever assembled the mailing lists for Treasurer Read and Rep. Bynum apparently operated under the errant notion that rural municipalities are piggy banks for Democratic political campaigns rather than valued constituencies who can help elected officials make smart policy benefiting all of Oregon. This intentionally callous pattern of indifference outside of begging is what keeps me from taking the leadership of the Democratic Party of Oregon seriously.


--Alex McHaddad

Post Date: 2024-04-22 18:40:06

Last Update: 2024-04-22 19:22:03

It's campaign season, the time when politicians try and make voters forget their mistakes and make new promises they have no plans to keep. Voters expect some level of truth.

Christine Goodwin has exposed herself to criticism with her mailer sent to Oregon Senate District 2. The mailer is titled, “Solid Record of Protecting Gun Rights.” Goodwin calls herself, “A Friend to Gun Owners & Strong Defender of the Second Amendment”. Next to that she writes “Voted no on making law abiding gun owners into criminals (HB 2005,2023)”.

In the middle is a statement, “The only Candidate Endorsed By Oregon Gun Rights.” This statement received the backlash from the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF) Director Kevin Starrett. He says he has never seen or heard of anyone claiming that name speak or submit testimony on any gun bill. “After almost 30 years as advocates for Second Amendment rights, we can tell you we have no idea who “Oregon Gun Rights” is. They are not listed as a business by the Secretary of State. They are not a political action committee.”

“Oregongunrights.com” is the URL for the law firm of Gilroy, Napoli, Short. Their website lists OFF as an “affiliate or partner” but Starrett claims no affiliation with them exists. However, “Oregon Gun Rights” is a website address, not a company or organization. So exactly who or what “endorsed” Goodwin?

Goodwin is running for the seat that will be open due to Art Robinson being denied reelection for standing up for principles that caused Senators to walk out in 2023. Senator Robinson has been a committed defender of Second Amendment rights, and son Noah, who has worked beside Art throughout his tenure in the Senate, has filed to run for Senate District 2. Goodwin’s challenge to reach gun owners seems to be to eliminate any lost votes over gun issues.

Starrett points out that the reason Art Robinson is being denied to run for reelection, the House Republicans could have walked out and killed HB 2005 along with HB 2002 and saved our kids at no risk to their status, but they refused. By showing up for the vote was a vote for the bill because they knew it would pass even if they voted no.

Goodwin even posed on the Capitol steps with other Oregon Republicans with a giant fake check for a social media photo about a lawsuit they never filed and will no longer discuss. All of this stretches what her mailer claims and puts in question her claim of being a “friend of gun owners” or a “strong defender of the Second Amendment.”

Currently Goodwin is involved in a controversy regarding whether she actually lives in the Senate District whose seat she is seeking. The group of Josephine County voters dropped their lawsuit, but will refile if Goodwin wins the primary.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-04-21 16:00:59

Last Update: 2024-04-21 16:01:23

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek hosted a signing ceremony for House Bill 4082, which legislators passed and the Governor signed this year to provide $30 million in state funding for summer learning opportunities across Oregon. Parents and taxpayers have a right to question what they can expect.

In 2016, voters passed Measure 99 establishing the “Outdoor School Education Fund” sourced from state lottery proceeds to support outdoor school programs. The fund supports outdoor school programs, focusing on the environment, natural resources, economic development, and related careers.

In 2021, Governor Brown announced $250 million federal funds for a Summer Learning and Child Care Package to address the education gap they experienced from the pandemic.

In 2022, the Biden administration made summer learning a top strategy for school districts. Oregon received $680 million through the Coronavirus Local Recovery Fund from the $1.1 billion total received from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The Future Ed analysis found that summer learning and afterschool programs make up nearly a quarter of the academic recovery investments. President Biden instructed schools to use the $122 billion in ARP funds to provide high-quality tutoring, summer learning and enrichment, and afterschool programs that are proven pathways to helping students make up for lost learning time and succeed in school and in life.

HB 4082 adds another $30 million to summer programs that, so far, haven’t produced academic results. The funding means an estimated 48,000 students out of 574,799 students across Oregon will benefit from this summer learning program.

The bill also creates a workgroup to develop recommendations for sustainable long-term funding for summer. What about developing a program with accountability that produces results? What better use for the lottery funds already approved?

Governor Kotek said, “Our goals must be student-centered to reduce opportunity gaps for historically underserved students and raise the bar on outcomes for all students. And we have to help families know their children have a safe, welcoming place to learn during the summer months and after school.”

“In Oregon, summer is another season for learning,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education. “This summer, students should grab their notebooks, pens, curiosity and hiking shoes and get ready for a summer of learning and adventure. Summer learning is not summer school. In Oregon, it's a season of creative thinking, problem solving and engaging, hands-on learning.”

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Additionally, Governor Kotek gave an update on the commitment she made to address core issues that educators have raised about the funding necessary to improve outcomes for students across Oregon. Governor Kotek said her office and the Oregon Department of Education are working on:

• Updating the calculation of current service level for the State School Fund, starting with a series of roundtable discussions about education funding and learning outcomes;
• Reviewing the definition of education accountability;
• Strengthening financial transparency so that district budget information is more accessible and easier to understand for the public; and
• Developing long-term approaches for summer and afterschool learning and early literacy.

“Our basic approach to funding K-12 education is more than 30 years old,” Governor Kotek said. “It’s time to review and update.” Is she trying to get ahead of the school choice popularity? Parents and taxpayers want to see results and funding isn't the issue.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-04-19 22:38:37

Last Update: 2024-04-19 23:03:00