The Oregon Employment Department’s failure to implement Frances Online has meant Oregonians are without critical jobless benefits for weeks and sometimes months. Now a group of House and Senate Republicans has sent a letter to Governor Kotek urging her administration, in coordination with the Oregon Employment Department, to layout a detailed plan of action – beyond the normal increases to staffing – complete with aggressive increases in agency performance targets at set deadlines, as well as how the agency will achieve them.

“Oregonians pay into unemployment. These are their dollars, and it should be unacceptable to us that a state agency would even have a three-week target of delaying those dollars getting into the hands of those who need them, let alone the several months some are forced to wait,” said Representative Jami Cate (R-Lebanon).

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“As inflation continues to send prices soaring, struggling families on unemployment have been left in the lurch by their state government. This is unacceptable. The administration must correct these delays immediately so that people dependent on these resources to survive can get them,” said Representative Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River).

The letter reads as follows:

Dear Governor Kotek,

In the digital age, government agencies have increasingly relied on online platforms to improve the efficient delivery of services to citizens, making the continued challenges of the Oregon Employment Department (OED) to implement Frances Online a source of stark frustration to Oregonians. Frances Online was billed as an opportunity to streamline unemployment claims, enhance user experience, reduce processing times, and minimize errors. The unfortunate reality is that the OED is continuing to fail our citizens when they need these funds the most.

To many of us in the Legislature, it seems as though state agencies continue to grow and multiply. Time and again, agency failures are met with increased budgets and additional FTE. While the expansion of government services can be necessary to meet peoples’ needs in times of crisis, the lack of identifying the catalysts for breakdowns in efficiency and instilling the accountability necessary to get agencies back on track, raises serious doubts about how citizens’ hard-earned dollars are being spent – as is the case with the Employment Department.

Oregonians deserve assurance that their contributions to a state-run program meant to sustain them during a period of job loss will do just that. But today, federal data shows nearly a third of unemployed residents are forced to wait at least three weeks to get their jobless benefits paid. This staggering figure indicates a steep decline in timely payments, which is a troubling downward trend that began a year ago. In extreme cases, our offices have heard from constituents that have waited several months since filing claims to receive payments.

The Oregon Employment Department's failure to process claims in a timely manner has profound and immediate impacts on the financial hardship of workers across the state as they face economic uncertainty due to periods of job loss. Even the OED’s stated goal of processing claims in three weeks puts citizens at an increased risk of utility shutoffs, food insecurity, and houselessness. With soaring inflation and housing costs, too many Oregonians are forced to live paycheck to paycheck and disrupting that tenuous balance by delaying their benefit claims by even three weeks can be too much for them to bear while supporting their families. We see this in our inboxes from constituents every single day.

These processing failures also extend beyond individual hardships. Public trust in our government institutions is essential for fostering cooperation and civic engagement. The failure to deliver on promises of an efficient service provision erodes this trust, casting doubt on the OED's competence and accountability. In a time of increasing state agency turmoil, it is critically important that OED, in coordination with the Governor’s office, face these issues head-on—taking fast and effective steps to correct them.

We implore you to prioritize restoring the public’s trust in the OED by publicly releasing a detailed plan of action—beyond the normal increases to staffing—complete with aggressive increases in agency performance targets at set deadlines, as well as how the agency will achieve them. The backlog of cases at the department must be cleared, and a better strategy for communicating with claimants implemented. Oregonians need to see a shift in ethos in our state agencies, with a restoration of putting customer service first from every level of leadership. Citizens need to see true transparency in delivering results of equitable access to unemployment benefits, and an upholding of the OED’s mandate of supporting Oregon’s workforce.

We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter of improving such a vital state agency and look forward to your response.

The letter was signed by the Republicans leaders of both the House and Senate.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2024-05-14 20:39:41

Last Update: 2024-05-14 20:59:07

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek's approval rating is the lowest at 45% among governors. Is it deserved?

John Horvick, senior vice president at DHM Research, told Capital Chatter that” Generally speaking, governors in Oregon haven’t been popular for a long time. There’s no big shifts, I think, in public sentiment around the governor. Tina Kotek inherited the societal residue of her fellow progressive Democrat, Gov. Kate Brown." Kotek may have better priorities in homelessness and housing, behavioral health and addiction, and early childhood and education, but Horvick said of Kotek’s work, “people aren’t seeing that translated into material conditions in their lives or changes in homelessness or housing affordability.”

If Kotek really inherited Governor Brown’s unpopularity, how did she get elected? Kotek was Speaker of the House for nine years and shares in Brown's criticism for not having a clear vision or being a strong leader. Kotek's staff has viewed her as micromanaging, and is said to show no real interest outside her priorities. That is evident according to the way she runs the State Land Board as a dictator. Even though nearly 100% of testimony was against the State Forestry Board managing the Elliott Forest, the request for more time for consideration was willfully ignored.

Kotek attempted to create a job for her First Spouse in the Governor’s Office, and ignored all the signs of opposition, until her staff resignations brought media criticisms. By then her pullback was too late to prevent scrutiny.

It was under Kotek's leadership that legislature passed Motor Voter, officially making Oregon a sanctuary state. She over road voters giving illegals drivers license, striped law enforcement of funding and weapons to control riots, and continues to ignore slave camps.

Protests and riots aren’t new in Oregon. Governor Brown allowed a cop hating campaign develop into defunding, and told enforcement to stand down. What is Kotek doing? There is an increased move towards censoring against election misinformation and hate crimes when it goes against her policies. However, hate censorship at PSU and U of O is going unchecked. A recent poll shows that Portland area voters overwhelmingly disapprove of how local governments are tackling crime. Activity continues as late as Saturday with an attempt to occupy another building at PSU. At U of O, students are joining the big campout not even knowing what they are protesting.

Shemia Fagan’s resignation also exposed over 20 elected politicians who took money from La Mota. Kotek received $68,365 in 2020 according to Willamette Weekly. It also came out that La Mote owners allegedly owes government agencies and vendors millions that was ignored under Kotek’s watch. Kotek knew about Fagan, so why wouldn’t she know about La Mota’s connection to cartels?

Kotek is also responsible for former Secretary of State Fagan contracting with foreign run KNOWiNK. It cost nearly $10 million to connect all Oregon Election Tabulators to an Intranet server Microsoft Azure, which allows anyone with a password to connect to it and change the election data. Oregon's elections are not safe because of this vulnerability. Kotek had to know the Gartner Report found this system inadequate to operate for the 2024 election for her to authorize Fagan to sign the contract. Voters need to ask why $10 million is being spent on a system that blocks the constitutional option to vote in-person.

The Governor Brown appointed Supreme Court isn’t placating to Kotek and ordered Terri Lee Brown released after Kotek illegally imprisoned her by revoking her commuted sentence. Brown’s release was revoked even after she had already finished her sentence when Kotek took action. She completed a five-year sentence for two counts of mail theft, serving the last eight months under post-prison supervision. The Oregon Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Kotek’s actions were unlawful since Brown had completed her sentence.

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Kotek’s advisory council floated possible massive tax increases in order to move Kotek’s agenda forward. They want people to be able to afford homes, so they recommended increasing income taxes, increase property taxes, double fuel taxes, and levy a sales tax. But increasing taxes will also reduces spendable income for housing.

Kotek’s advisory council is a-typical of why Oregon governors have not been popular for a long time. In order for Kotek to keep pace and excel where others haven’t, she has taken the same course. Oregonians see government as growing out of proportion to what government is meant to do.

Inheriting poor government policies isn’t a good excuse for low approval if the same strategy is continued. Until a governor is willing to cut and consolidate government, Oregonians seem set to continue to have low governor approval.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-13 11:39:37

Last Update: 2024-05-13 23:43:57

In recognition of National Missing Children’s Day, May 25, 2024, the Oregon State Police Missing Children/Adults Clearinghouse is holding an event at the north end of Capitol Mall Park in Salem. Oregon State Police (OSP) representatives and partner agencies will be on hand with activities and giveaways to provide resources for parents, guardians, and caregivers. The event is from 11 AM to 2 PM at Center Street NE between Winter and Capitol Streets.

As of May 8, there remains 11 missing children in Oregon in 2024. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children lists 61 Oregon children still actively missing. It is often thought that abductions is a metro problem. However, only 4 of the 11 were in Portland.

The event will include informational booths from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Safe Oregon, OSP’s Missing Children/Adults Clearinghouse, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue. Attendees can pick up free identification and DNA kits, visit with a police search and rescue K-9, and tour OSP’s new command vehicle.

Julie Willard, OSP’s Missing Children/Adults Clearinghouse coordinator, said, “National Missing Children’s Day is an opportunity to remember the thousands of children who go missing each year. We work to educate parents about how to keep their kids safe, and we teach children about the “4 Rules for Personal Safety” that they can learn about on Kid Smartz."

Kid Smartz is a child safety program that educates and empowers grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors. Please visit the Kid Smartz website for more information.

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25, 1983, the first National Missing Children’s Day in memory of Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who disappeared from a New York City street corner on May 25, 1979. Etan’s killer was convicted in February 2017, but the case remains active because his body has never been recovered. National Missing Children's Day is dedicated to encourage parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority. The commemoration serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families.

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AMBER Alerts is one way to get a rapid response. The AMBER Plan is a voluntary, cooperative partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to send a rapid alert to the public when a child has been abducted and it is believed that the child's life is in grave danger. The program was created in 1996 in response to public outrage when 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas.

AMBER stands for America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response. The AMBER Alert system has had a significant impact in recovering missing children. According to the statistics, as of December 31, 2023, 1,200 children were successfully recovered through the AMBER Alert system, and 180 children were rescued due to wireless emergency alerts. Additionally, a 2021 study found that Amber Alerts were often successful in familial abduction cases, but less effective in cases where a child was abducted by a stranger. OSP hopes awareness will help with prevention, and that’s the purpose of this event.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-09 22:14:44

Last Update: 2024-05-09 23:03:08

Oregon Republican candidate Monique DeSpain has been reported for criticizing Rep. Val Hoyle for stating the southern border must be open. DeSpain is running against Amy Ryan Courser and Jeff Kubler in the Republican Primary for the Fourth Congressional District. The winner will face Val Hoyle in the General Election. DeSpain is making public safety a top priority. She states, "No common sense person can deny we have a crisis at our borders that will not be controlled if we do not secure our border. Our open border is both a serious national security threat to our survival as a country and an intentional humanitarian crisis of profound suffering for hundreds of thousands."

She has garnered the support of key law enforcement endorsements, making her the only candidate in the race to receive endorsements from law enforcement officials.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support from retired and current law enforcement from every corner of our District, representing 478 years of service,” said DeSpain.

“Public safety is the number one responsibility of our government. Today, too many career politicians have abandoned this sober responsibility in favor of radically transforming our criminal justice system to one where law enforcement is defunded, criminals are rewarded, and crime victims are left abused and forgotten. Citizens are seeing their neighborhoods overwhelmed by crime, homelessness, and drug trafficking,” added DeSpain. “Every day, we read headlines of record drug busts of enough fentanyl to kill millions right here in our 4th District. We hear of devastated families mourning personal loss. Their loss is one of the 100 thousand overdose deaths a year. We see homeless encampments consuming parks and neighborhoods right here in our district. And we hear reports that hundreds of known terrorists have entered our country”

“As a retired Air Force Colonel and lawyer, I know what fighting for our country and and our communities looks like. I'm running for Congress to reverse the policies damaging our communities and harming people, and to restore the livability we all deserve. I will be a Member of Congress who prioritizes public safety and fights crime, starting with a secure, controlled border. Our law enforcement and our communities in the 4th District need reinforcements in Washington, D.C.,” said DeSpain. “In Congress, I will ensure our law enforcement has the authority and resources they need to keep us safe.”

“Monique brings the passion, experience, and sensibility needed to solve complex challenges. I noticed that she asks the right questions, relentlessly pursues the answers, and brings a fresh perspective that is often sorely lacking in the halls of government,” said Representative Ed Diehl.

Crime Victims United President Steve Doell said, “Monique DeSpain is the kind of fighter for public safety, law enforcement, and crime victims that we need in Washington, D.C. With Monique serving the 4th District in Congress, we can turn the tide and restore the rule of law, bring back safe neighborhoods, and once again see crime victims protected as they deserve to be.”

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The following is a list of Monique DeSpain’s public safety endorsements:

• Doug Marteeny - Linn County District Attorney
• John Kilcullen - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, not Retired
• Mike Bedacht - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Detective, not Retired
• Ron Ridings - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant, not Retired
• Ben Sunderland - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Captain, Retired
• David Walp - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Retired
• Larry Schrenk - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant, Retired
• Byron Trapp - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff, Retired
• Joni Mogstad - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant, Retired
• Todd Farmer - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Retired
• Jerry Smith - Springfield Police Dept. Chief of Police, Retired
• Bill DeForest - Springfield Police Dept. Chief of Police, Retired
• Bruce Cummings - Springfield Police Dept., Retired
• Scott Thomas - Eugene Police Dept., Retired
• Sam Kamkar - Eugene Police Dept. Captain and Oregon State Police, Retired
• Bill Childers - Eugene Police Dept., Retired
• Gary Olson - Eugene Police Dept. Detective, Retired
• Mike Grover - Cottage Grove Police Dept., Retired
• Ken Matlack - Morrow County Sheriff, Retired

In addition, Monique has received letters of support from:

• Gabe Fabrizio - Coos County Sheriff
• John Ward - Curry County Sheriff
• Michelle Duncan - Linn County Sheriff

Monique DeSpain is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, mother of twin boys, and public policy advocate who resides in Eugene, Oregon. She is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District in a bid to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle in 2024 and bring about a safer, more prosperous Oregon. Go to her campaign website to see her full campaign.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-05-08 16:32:30

Last Update: 2024-05-08 17:14:42

State Representative E. Werner Reschke will appear before the House Committee on Conduct to defend himself for remarks he made during an interview with a Christian broadcaster. A conduct report, produced by an independent investigator outlines the facts upon which the complaint is based.

It is the policy of the Legislature to keep the name of the person making the complaint anonymous, and it is not known if the person making the complaint is an employee of the legislature. Freedom From Religion Foundation President Annie Laurie Gaylor has sent a letter to Representative Reschke asking that he apologize or resign.

At issue is remarks Reschke made to former Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert who is host of Save The Nation with Jason Rapert

Jason Rapert: Tell people about why you think it’s important that Christians should be involved in government and voting and be a part of the authority in our country. What drew you as a Christian to do it and what would you tell those people that are listening today?

Rep. Reschke: What drew me to it was primarily looking at our history and the men and women who were part of that history in building this nation. Whether it’s George Washington, whether it was Madison, whether it was Abraham Lincoln, whether it was Ronald Reagan, who was the first president I got to vote for. I think, you know, you just go back through history and you look at men and the struggles

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that they faced and the faith that they had and those are the type of people that you want in government making tough decisions during tough times. You don’t want a materialist, you don’t want an atheist, you don’t want a Muslim, you don’t want, you want somebody who understands what truth is and understands the nature of man, the nature of government and the nature of God.

Jason Rapert: Yea

Rep. Reschke: If you don’t understand those things, you’re going to get things wrong and in Oregon that’s a classic example, we have a lot of people who are godless, unfortunately, leading the way and it’s the blind leading the blind.

Jason Rapert: Yea

The Committee will meet on Monday, May 13 at 13:30 PM. The meeting will be held virtually and will be open to the public on the OLIS website. Testimony will only be taken from invited persons.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-05-07 13:27:08

Last Update: 2024-05-07 14:34:31

A week after Oregon's Governor Kotek joined 52 other Governors of states and territories sent the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, strong opposition to a legislative proposal that disregarded gubernatorial authority over the National Guard, the Oregon National Guard held a pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event. Approximately 2,000 Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade, headquartered in Clackamas, are scheduled to deploy to Kosovo, Egypt; the Horn of Africa; and Syria starting summer through next spring.

The Governors objected to a one-time transfer of 14 National Guard units to the Space Force moving 1,000 Guardsmen from six states, excluding Oregon. The Governors said it is imperative they retain the authority and even proposed that states have their own military space forces, which Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall rejected and didn’t understand the fuse over a few hundred people in a handful of states. Two governors didn’t participate, Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Texas’ Greg Abbott.

"Oregon National Guard members proudly serve the communities they live in during state emergencies and also serve the nation in defense of our interests overseas," said Oregon Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold at the Yellow Ribbon event. "That's what makes us the Service of Choice."

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program connects National Guard members with resources throughout the deployment cycle through events for service members and their loved ones.

"Deployments are difficult for everyone, especially in the Guard since we don't have a base with all the resources and all our families in one place," said Col. Peter Helzer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He also noted the challenge of completing an intensive Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana, right before mobilizing. "That exercise will be key in ensuring we are ready for any challenge we may face while deployed."

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Oregon National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment scout sniper section in Ashland sent a three-member team to the Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championship. Sgt. Trahern Fox, Sgt. Kevin Martin, and Spc. John Adamson were first-time competitors at the National Guard’s most prestigious and grueling rifle and pistol marksmanship event. Their fourth member had a family emergency that prevented the team’s chances at the championship, but the three Oregonians were undeterred in their goal of personal growth.

When finalized, their scores would memorialize new shooting milestones with rifles and pistols. But the trio’s greatest prize was incalculable – fortified skills to elevate their scout sniper section’s operational lethality.

While disappointed to lose their fourth shooter, the Oregonians focused on the invaluable skills they’d absorbed. The Marksmanship Training Center’s rifle and pistol experience will burn bright when passed from Camp Robinson’s ranges to their scout sniper section’s training.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-05-07 10:56:18

Last Update: 2024-05-07 01:29:18

Vice-chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Housing Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) and Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) attended a ceremonial signing for a bipartisan housing package which came out of the 2024 Legislative Session: SB 1530, SB 1537, SB 1564, and HB 4134. The bills aim to boost housing production, fund critical infrastructure in communities across the state, develop an innovative revolving loan fund, and address workforce housing levels. The signing took place at the site of the Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland.

“We know Oregon is grappling with a severe housing crisis that affects individuals, families, and entire communities across the state. Because of it, many of my constituents experience skyrocketing rents and an acute shortage of inexpensive housing options every day. We must quickly build out of this crisis by unleashing builders, land, and resources for infrastructure. I am pleased with the bipartisan package we were able to pass earlier this year to begin increasing housing production, but my hope is that it remains a top priority for the Legislature in sessions to come,” said Senator Anderson.

“Rural Oregon faces unique challenges such as limited job opportunities, outmigration of young residents, and insufficient housing options. We have to get serious about expanding housing production so these communities can attract and retain a workforce, stimulate economic growth by supporting local businesses and services, and ensure families and individuals have safe and inexpensive housing options close to their workplaces,” said Representative Breese-Iverson. “From this housing package, I will be glad to see dollars flow to rural Oregon so communities with aging and at-capacity infrastructure can allow for growth.”

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One of the key priorities for Senate Republicans is boosting housing production by embracing bold solutions rather than the failed policies that have handcuffed cities, overregulated builders, and stifled development for decades.

for some, this package is a case of a government created problem which begs a government solution. Celeste Walker of Grants Pass who provided testimony to the Senate Committee On Housing and Development said, "At the very least, [the bill summary] is referring to Oregon’s Climate Friendly Areas (also known as 15 minute cities) of which I am opposed to, as should everyone. SB 1530 allots $15 million to this project. This is a way to corral people into a very small area and thus eventually control every aspect of our lives. Look up the city of Grants Pass 71 page report on Climate Friendly Areas. Be wary when they say "We're from the government and we're here to help"! It’s a hard no!


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-05-06 19:14:12

Last Update: 2024-05-06 19:35:26

Sixteen Oregon Republican legislators and candidates visited Yuma, Arizona, at the border and meet with Arizona lawmakers in Phoenix. They were invited in response to lawmakers sending a letter to Texas Governor Abbott earlier this year supporting his stance against the Biden administration over Abbot closing the border. The letter led to connections in Arizona and the invitation. They participated in a tour of the border in Yuma led by Jonathan Lines, a Yuma County supervisor and former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

Hannah Howell, executive director of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, and Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, Oliver Muggli, coordinated their comments panning the visit as a campaign stunt. “Oregonians expect their elected officials to be focused on our people in our state, not playing MAGA politics a thousand miles away. This is a cheap election-year stunt that does nothing except show how deeply out-of-touch Republican politicians are with Oregon priorities.” They point to “rising prices and safety and homelessness”, of which all are directly related to the border crisis.

Representative Court Boice (R-Gold Beach) ties the border crisis with consequences to our quality of life in Oregon. “The cartels are in control of our borders, that’s a fact. Criminals, human trafficking, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and please may we never forget the child trafficking. Not all, but many very bad people are invading from 157 countries – individuals with unhindered access to our country. The impact on our kids, our medical, our law enforcement, our education and our communities is staggering!”

In 2006, the Occupy Wall Street riots gave way to organized groups like Antifa, BLM, BAMN and sleep camps that Democrat leadership allowed, and even welcomed. In 2019, the Democrat legislature majority defied Oregon voters and gave illegals drivers license. Then in 2022 they passed SB 1510 stripping law enforcement of funds and weapons to control riots. That was after the Kerby, Oregon, slave camp was busted with 250 slaves forcing the legislature to acknowledge that Oregon has slave camps run by cartels. They were convinced to allocate $21 million that went towards busting eight slave camps in one county. Democrats show no interest in replenishing this fund to continue fighting cartels.

Governor Kate Brown took unvetted refugees from the Middle East, and many ended up in Sheridan state prison. Then she shut down two state prisons and released 1,000 more violent offenders on our streets.

Illegals have poured into the state through open borders exploiting them for fentanyl mules and sex trafficking and many are gathered into slave camps. Housing in motels was opened at taxpayer expense while Oregonians lost homes during the pandemic. In 2022, Democrats gave free medical care to anyone in the world coming to Oregon.

In 2023, former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan exposed La Mota's giving to 20 elected politicians and is still being researched as a cartel front. Senator Wyden gave Oregon Democrat Party FTX money that went unreported.

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Boice said he learned a great deal from this 2-day trip. "We saw more than substantial evidence that the Joe Biden 'Open Borders' is allowing the most pervasive and invasive criminals and cartels to enter our country and state unchallenged, which is accelerating the drug, human, sex and child trafficking problems. It’s heartbreaking. Certainly the trip was worthwhile in planning and preparing Oregon legislation and critical work toward security and enforcement for the 2025 Full Session."

Boice states, “There simply is no question that there are currently some very, very bad people coming here that hate us and want to do incredible harm to us and everything we love. The power and ruthlessness of the cartels cannot be overstated! It is absurd for all political parties not to come together at least on this!”

No one denies that Oregon has seen a crime explosion from open borders. The fact that law enforcement have to wear masks to protect their identity at the border or may end up dead or their families kidnapped and tortured should be a wakeup sign for Oregonians that leadership is putting us at risk with policies that give free access to Oregon benefits, and are doing very little to secure our safety.

Those visiting the border included: Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, Sen. Fred Girod, R-Silverton, Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, Rep. Court Boice, R-Gold Beach, Rep. Virgle Osborne, R-Roseburg, Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Coos Bay, Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, Rep. Christine Goodwin, R-Canyonville, Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, Bruce Starr, Senate candidate from Dundee, Michael Summers, Senate candidate from Redmond, Keri Lopez, House candidate from Redmond.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-06 10:21:26

Last Update: 2024-05-06 17:27:53

The situation at Portland State University (PSU) is part of a larger national movement of protests and occupations at universities across the United States, sparked by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the university’s ties to companies with connections to Israel. The protests began on Thursday, April 25, 2024, and continues spreading into Portland. Protesters occupied the university’s Millar Library fleeing after Portland police surrounded the building leaving behind graffiti on walls and furniture and a supply of make-shift weaponry.

The protesters are demanding that PSU take action to support the Palestinian cause, including releasing a statement condemning the violence in Gaza, cutting ties with Boeing having connections to Israel, and including Palestine in the university’s ethnic studies requirements. They have also demanded that the university drop charges against students who have been arrested during the protests.

The university responded to demands by offering to provide financial support for anti-racist efforts and adding Palestinian works to the university’s Race and Ethnic Studies requirements. They also temporarily cut ties with Boeing. However, it appears the protestors aren't paid to negotiate. The Soros activists are being paid $2400 to cause chaos, and surveys show only 20% are students. In downtown Portland, they have set off fireworks, windows were broken and property was spray-painted during a march on Wednesday, according to Portland Police Bureau. On Thursday, 15 police cars were set on fire at the Bureau's training facility.

PSU cancelled classes for a few days but has reopened, except for the library. The Portland Police Bureau was called in to assist with the de-escalation, and at least 12 people have been arrested. However, those in the library were allowed to leave peaceably.

Campus students, even those sympathizing with the cause, are asking them all to leave. One student said, "There is so much destruction on the campus and in the library, all students will have to pay for it." Cutting Boeing donations is also not beneficial to students.

Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement in response to criminal activity in Portland:

”I fully condemn the criminal actions taken Thursday morning that resulted in the burning of 15 Portland Police Bureau cars, endangering first responders and the surrounding community. I have absolutely no tolerance for discriminatory harassment, violence, or property damage. This includes the acts of vandalism seen this week at the Portland State University library and against nearby businesses. These actions are in direct opposition to Oregon values and threaten working people, families, businesses, and our community as a whole. The Oregon State Police have launched a response on the outer perimeter of Portland State University. The state is prepared to exercise the full extent of the law.”

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Cause hungry Pro-Palestinian protesters have spread to the University of Oregon, and Lewis & Clark College. The popup camp outside of Knight Library at U of O has grown to 100 tents and is a mixed bag. Several groups that include Students Justice for Palestine, Jewish Voices for Peace, Grads for Palestine, and Young Democratic Socialists of America organized the camp, and seem to be on a "peace" mission organizing activities for the squatters. The protesters also want to see statements and actions from the U of O to affirm the safety of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and Jewish students. Although, they do demand an end to businesses supporting ties with Israel.

In response to a letter from Portland State University (PSU) President revealing failed negotiations to end the occupation of the University library, Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) issued the following statement.

“PSU’s president hasn’t learned the biggest lesson from the past few years: you can’t appease the mob. It only encourages more chaos in the future,” said Helfrich. “These students and outsiders chose to commit crimes. We need decisive action now; let law enforcement do their jobs and end the occupation of the library. People who intimidate others and deface public property need to be held accountable.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-03 16:01:08

Last Update: 2024-05-03 13:34:24

The Oregon Open Learning team at the Oregon Department of Education includes those involved in the effort to support Oregon educators with learning about, adopting and implementing generative AI related tools and lessons into their instruction.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are an ideal way to build, access, revise, curate and implement new AI-related learning opportunities for both educators and their students. They have started the Oregon Artificial Intelligence group that already has over 80 AI-related resources for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Since AI is here to stay, it's going to be important for our schools to teach students how to use it safely, responsibly and effectively. They provided a test run asking both Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT:

Explain why you think (1) it's important for K12 classroom educators to learn about and teach about the use of generative AI tools with their students, (2) what are the most important skills specific to generative AI teachers should have and (3) what important safeguards teachers should teach to their students when using generative AI tools themselves. Use a conversational tone so someone without a deep understanding of AI can easily comprehend your output and keep it to fewer than 200 words.

Copilots response:
Sure thing! Here’s the lowdown:

1. Why it’s key: Think of generative AI as a new member of the classroom. It’s a tool that can help with learning, creating, and even thinking in new ways. For teachers, knowing about AI is like having a superpower—they can guide students to use this power wisely and creatively.
2. Top skills for teachers:

   • AI Savvy: They should know how AI works and what it can do.

   • Ethical Compass: Teachers need to navigate the tricky waters of AI ethics, importantly understanding privacy and fairness.

   • Learning Mindset: AI’s always changing, so staying curious and up-to-date is a must. Student safeguards:

   • Critical Lens: Students should learn to look at AI’s answers with a bit of skepticism and do their own fact-checking.

   • Privacy First: They need to know what info to keep to themselves when chatting with AI.

   • Bias Detective: Understanding that AI might not always be neutral helps students use it more thoughtfully.
   In short, AI’s a big deal, and getting the hang of it now is like getting a head start in a race. Teachers can pass the baton of knowledge and caution to their students, prepping them for a tech-smart future.

ChatGPT (3.5) response:
Sure! So, here's the scoop!

1. It's crucial for K12 teachers to dive into generative AI with their students because it's shaping our world big time! Think about it: from chatbots to creative writing assistants, these tools are everywhere. Teaching kids about them helps them understand the tech they'll be encountering throughout their lives.
2. When it comes to skills, teachers using generative AI need to be rock stars at explaining complex concepts in simple terms. They should also be wizards at guiding students to think critically about the ethical and social impacts of AI.
3. Safety first, always! Teachers should make sure students know to use these tools responsibly. That means understanding things like plagiarism and the importance of fact-checking. Plus, they should stress the importance of not sharing personal info with AI systems.

In a nutshell, diving into generative AI isn't just about staying ahead in tech—it's about empowering students to navigate a world where AI plays a big role while also staying safe and savvy.

One of the featured open educational resources is a video on Ethics of AI Bias for classroom use, which delves into the human problems brought out by issues in artificial intelligence, specifically with respect to bias. It is set in a college classroom of five students taking a deep dive into making AI unbiased. They somewhat conclude that AI overrides choice when not used appropriately, and possibly without knowing it. “Those that build and therefore control AI, will build AI systems for their own benefit… All systems of AI are biased in some dimension no matter what you do.”

Interestingly, their answer to an unbiased AI is capitalism, which they call transparency so consumers can buy well-developed systems that are unbiased, and the market weeds out the bad actors. However, that may be shifting the bias according to the purchaser’s point of view.

Let’s face it, AI has been around from the beginning of the Internet, sorting and directing our searches to what influences us with a bent toward corporate thinking. It confirms our thinking and drives the left and right further apart until “unite” became the campaign that set up sides, which separates even more. Then they introduce Serie and her siblings. She collected all your favorites and what will influence you. Now Google wants to take it to the next level by incorporating all it learned about you into AI to think for you as your brain substitute, making us hybrids, boiling you like a frog in a pot, never knowing what is happening.

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Michael Rectenwald, Ph D, wrote the Great Reset and the Struggle for Liberty; and Google Archipelago, The Digital Gulag and the Simulation of Freedom. He is running for U.S. President for the Libertarian Party, not to win, but to expose where freedom has gone. He says wokeness is a totalitarian idea on how to control the whole being. Government is the source of most problems – housing, education, economy. They are creating their reality for you. AI will be creating our “lived” experience. He says, "with AI in the hands of the state, it’s a recipe for total and complete totalitarian rule", and writes how AI is going to displace people’s cognitive functions. "We are outsourcing our brain functions to AI so much so that we won’t have the executive functions as people did in the past. If the brain isn’t exercised, it will atrophy like any other muscle."

Browsers are becoming more transparent identifying information generated by AI, but it still takes the human brain to identify errors and biases. If AI stimulates thinking to assess and determine what is right as truth and what is wrong with the wrong, then students can advance their thinking.

Parent and teacher info on AI tools are available at Oregon Open Learning.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-05-02 13:04:53

Last Update: 2024-05-02 15:59:57

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