Oregon House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) and Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) have called on Gov. Tina Kotek to remove Cass McLeod-Skinner from her position as director for the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners over her amplification of comments supporting the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

McLeod-Skinner reposted a social media post that expressed disappointment that the shooter had not succeeded in murdering the former president and current Republican nominee for President of the United States.

In a letter to Governor Kotek, Helfrich and Bonham said the following:

“Political violence has no place in American politics. Certainly, those who believe that it does should not be in positions of authority in Oregon state government. With her amplification of pro-assassination messages, Cass McLeod-Skinner has demonstrated that she is unfit for the position she holds with the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Gov. Kotek rightly denounced violence in the aftermath of the shooting, and now she has an opportunity to put her words into action by removing McLeod-Skinner from her position to signal that such dangerous rhetoric is unacceptable.”

According to the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners website, Cass McLeod-Skinner has been the Executive Director for the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners since 2014. Cass came to the OBCE with a background in public health and public service, having held positions as General Counsel and Health Equity Officer for Trillium Community Health Plan and Chair of the Board of Commissioners for Oregon’s Liquor Control Commission. Her spouse is Jamie McLeod-Skinner who lost to Janelle Bynum in a race for the current Democratic nomination for Oregon's 5th Congressional District.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-07-17 15:31:05

Last Update: 2024-07-17 16:28:41

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing its final environmental impact statement analyzing proposed barred owl management alternatives to protect northern and California spotted owls in Washington, Oregon and California from invasive barred owls. The Service’s preferred alternative is the implementation of a proposed Barred Owl Management Strategy, which would result in the annual removal of less than one-half of 1% of the current North American barred owl population.

According to USFW, Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining due to competition with invasive barred owls and habitat loss. California spotted owls, which are proposed for ESA listing, face a similar risk as barred owl populations continue to move south into their range.

“Barred owl management is not about one owl versus another,” said Service Oregon Office state supervisor Kessina Lee. “Without actively managing barred owls, northern spotted owls will likely go extinct in all or the majority of their range, despite decades of collaborative conservation efforts.”

If the proposed strategy is adopted and fully implemented, lethal removal of barred owls by trained professionals would occur in less than half of the areas where spotted and invasive barred owls co-exist within the northern spotted owl’s range; and would limit their invasion into the California spotted owl’s range. Public hunting of barred owls is not allowed under the proposed strategy and lead ammunition will not be used for any lethal removal actions.

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“Barred owl removal, like all invasive species management, is not something the Service takes lightly,” said Lee. “The Service has a legal responsibility to do all it can to prevent the extinction of the federally listed northern spotted owl and support its recovery, while also addressing significant threats to California spotted owls.”

Barred owls are native to eastern North America but started moving west of the Mississippi River at the beginning of the 20th century. This expansion was likely due to human-induced changes in the Great Plains and northern boreal forest. As a result, barred owls now surpass northern spotted owls in numbers across most of California, Oregon, and Washington.



If the proposed strategy is adopted, the Service would receive a permit under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service could then designate interested Tribes, federal and state agencies, companies, or specific landowners to implement barred owl management on their lands if actions are consistent with the strategy, conditions of the permit, and state laws and policies. Those who implement the strategy will be accountable for annual monitoring and reporting.

The final EIS and proposed strategy reflect the input received throughout the scoping and public comment process, as well as feedback from cooperating agencies and Tribes. The Service expects to announce a final record of decision on the proposed strategy at least 30 days after the formal publication of the final EIS in the Federal Register.

More information is available on the Service’s barred owl management website, including the draft and final EIS, proposed strategy and frequently asked questions. The final EIS will be available in the coming days in the Federal Register and at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2022-0074.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-07-16 09:59:55

Last Update: 2024-07-16 20:32:53

In response to the attempted assassination of President Trump today in Pennsylvania, House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) offered the following statement.

“Our prayers are with President Trump. Democrats not only need to denounce this despicable act of violence, they must also consider how their over-the-top partisan rhetoric about fake "threats to democracy" have contributed to this,” said Helfrich. “We settle disputes in this country with our votes, not violence.”

Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) also issued a statement.

“Today, we should all be reminded that violence has absolutely no place in our political discourse. It threatens our country and the principles upon which it was built. This violent attack is not just an assault on one individual but on our collective values. This moment transcends political affiliations and ideologies,” said Leader Bonham.

Bonham called for bipartisan unity in the face of such threats, urging all Oregonians to come together in condemnation of this act. “Let us honor our commitment to preserving the integrity of our republic and ensure it remains a beacon of freedom and justice for all. As Americans, we must stand united against any form of violence or intimidation.”

“We extend our prayers to President Trump and his loved ones during this difficult time. We also offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives in this heinous attack.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-07-13 15:59:16

Last Update: 2024-07-13 17:36:04

Effective July 15, Oregon Senator Elizabeth Steiner is ending her time as one of the Ways and Means Co-Chairs to focus on campaigning for Oregon State Treasurer. She has served as co-chair since 2019. Steiner is using her time on the committee as reason to vote for her for Oregon's Treasurer.

The Joint Ways and Means Committee is responsible to appropriate and passing all budget related items in the Oregon Legislature. Steiner claims to be "Oregon's chief budget writer" as the Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. She says her job has been to decide the funding for each of the components for agencies and any other state expenditures with the constitutional requirement to have a balanced budget. This includes passing agency budgets, policy bills that have a money component, and capital construction projects that utilize bonds.

Dr. Elizabeth Steiner identifies her candidacy for State Treasurer, “as a physician, a mom, and one of Oregon’s chief budget writers, I’ve seen firsthand how investing in preventive care, saving for education, and balancing a budget can make all the difference for hard-working families.”

Steiner is a Democrat from Northwest Portland who was first appointed to the Oregon Senate in late 2011. If elected Oregon State Treasurer, she would be the first woman in history to hold the office.

KGW interviewed Steiner about investments and the agenda to block fossil fuel investments. "This is one of those 'truth lies in between' questions," Steiner offered. "Which is to say, I strongly support making Oregon and the whole world cleaner and greener and cooler and reversing the impact of climate change. That means helping companies that are big polluters move toward cleaner technology. One of the ways you do that is to use your power as a shareholder — and the treasury is a big shareholder in a lot of these companies — to push them to make these green investments. And there are plenty of examples nationwide of investors pushing brown companies to move towards green technologies."

When asked if that's more effective than disinvesting, Steiner responded, "Yeah. Here's the problem. If you invest solely in green companies, they don't have a lot of room to cut their emissions. But if you invest in brown companies and push them to move toward clean technology, even a relatively small reduction in their emissions makes a big difference in the world. And so I think we need to think about that. It's also hard if — as treasury does for the pension fund — you invest in index funds, for example, and you don't get to pick every stock that's in there. You don't get to say, 'Well, I'll only invest in this fund if you pull out all the fossil fuel investments.'"

Her reference to “brown” companies refers to high-emitting companies. Research by Yale concludes that the sustainable investing practice of divesting high-emitting companies (referred to as “brown” firms) in favor of low-emitting companies (referred to as “green” firms) is counterproductive to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Despite Steiner's campaign philosophy, she was a sponsor of HB 4083, which requires the State Treasurer to stop investing moneys in companies that deal in thermal coal. It directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to make efforts to eliminate certain investments in thermal coal companies, except if it is transitioning to clean energy. The council may adopt rules to reflect guidelines of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regarding necessary decreases in greenhouse gas emissions. This allows the State Treasurer to politicize investments and go outside the legislative authority to establish rules, which now may be in violation of the Supreme Court Chevron decision.

Steiner says she wants to build a stronger Oregon, which she views as investing in the health of our families, kids, and communities. “Over 30 years of experience as a doctor has given me a deep understanding of how agencies can better work together in our state government to improve the health of Oregonians, offer students a great education, and ensure our communities, families, and economy can thrive.”

Steiner's goals for budgeting is often confused with understanding investment options and assessing risks. As Treasurer, there is a fiduciary responsibility to invest in the best interest of Oregonians for sustainable growth, and not political goals. The voter will decide between Steiner and Senator Brian Boquist, the Republican candidate.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-12 07:13:00

Last Update: 2024-07-10 14:01:02

Republican candidate Monique DeSpain reacted to Val Hoyle’s vote opposing HR 8281, which would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections, effectively prohibiting non-citizens, particularly millions of illegal migrants, from being able to vote in federal elections this November.

“Yesterday, Val Hoyle voted against the bipartisan, commonsense HR 8281 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections,” stated DeSpain. “Most Americans assume this isn’t even possible. However, with more than ten million illegal migrants that Val says we need moving across our borders and flooding into states lacking adequate safeguards against non-citizens registering to vote, this bill would eliminate this possibility and ensure voters can have faith in our elections to which they are entitled.”

Earlier this year, Val Hoyle went to El Paso, TX, and praised open borders while lecturing her constituents who asked her, “Why don’t you just shut down the border?” explaining that “We need to have movement through the border and how much we need the workforce.” Seven weeks later, Texas National Guard Troops at an El Paso, TX checkpoint were overrun and assaulted by foreign military-aged males forcing their way into our country. In another bid to manipulate and distort our election system, Hoyle a href='https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2024/roll193.xml'>voted in early May against HR 7109, the Equal Representation Act, which would have identified the massive influx of millions and millions of illegal migrants entering the U.S. during the Biden Administration while conducting the next U.S. Census and would have prohibited including illegal migrants to distort the next congressional district reapportionment by benefiting sanctuary cities and states. A few weeks ago, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee moved Val Hoyle to its “frontline” list of vulnerable incumbents.

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“As if Val’s numerous shocking votes in favor of open borders that are enabling unlimited illegal immigration, human smuggling, fentanyl trafficking, and terrorist infiltration weren’t enough, today’s vote has exposed her plan to flood ballot boxes with illegal votes to reelect vulnerable incumbents like herself,” said DeSpain. “Now that her party bosses have put her on the list of incumbents most in jeopardy of defeat in 2024, she may actually need untraceable voting by illegal immigrants to salvage her reelection chances.”

“Once again, Congresswoman Hoyle has offered no explanation for her horrendous voting record. That’s why I have challenged her to six debates in six counties in the 4th District so voters can hear directly from both of us what we stand for and why their current member of Congress has voted repeatedly against their interests,” said DeSpain. “Perhaps Val knows that if voters get to hear a real debate, they will vote to retire her this November and deploy me to Congress so she never gets the chance to inflict fundamental damage to our democracy.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2024-07-11 20:33:53

Last Update: 2024-07-11 20:50:44

The United States has dropped out of the top 10 in the global competitiveness rankings for the first time, according to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking. The ranking, which is based on a variety of factors including economic performance, government policies, and business environment, has been released annually since 1989.

Biden Economics has been experiencing a decline in competitiveness over the past few years, due to various factors such as:

• Social cohesion - increasing polarization and a lack of social cohesion, which can make it difficult for the country to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Adaptability and agility - slow to adapt to changes in the global economy and has been slow to respond to emerging challenges.
• Government and business efficiency - slow-moving legislative process and inefficient government bureaucracy, which can make it difficult for businesses to operate effectively.

The decline in competitiveness has significant implications for states. How the U.S. addresses the underlying issues and take steps to improve its competitiveness will affect Oregon significantly. As the U.S. declines in competitiveness, it leads to loss of state’s influence in global markets with a reduced ability for Oregon to sustain its international trade policies. Lack of competitiveness most likely will lead to economic stagnation that reduces the ability to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

BRICS was started because of economic sanctions, which has resulted in a forced marriage of Russia to China, Oregon’s largest export partner, with sales in 2021 totaling $10.6 billion, a third of all the state’s exports is with China. A decline in competitiveness will make it more difficult for businesses to compete with countries that are more competitive and have a more favorable business environment.

Economic sanctions on Russia has accelerated the demise of the dollar. Recently, the U.S. Treasury slapped an economic sanction on companies and financial institutions that do business with Russia. Poking at the bear when he has nuclear ships off the coast of Miami could be dangers. Biden put a pinch on imports of natural resources, aluminum, gas needed for manufacturing, and fertilizer needed for crops that are all imported from Russia, which directly affects Oregon's economy.

The chart is also an indication that forcing U.S. Employers to hire based on a DEI agenda rather than the quality of work is eroding in moral decay. Economist Dr. Elliott says, “Of course we aren’t going to be in the top 10 with that theology. I call it a theology because this DEI mantra is a religion to them… We are celebrating being the opposite of God in this country and that isn’t good for the economy… Biden is dedollarizing America by his policies.”

The housing market is suffering from supply and demand destroying the balance, and projected to be worst than it has ever been. Rentals are going up, caused by banks undercapitalized by 55 trillion for each Goldman Sacs and Chase with two others close behind. Hedge fund managers are selling off faster than during covid, wages are down, unemployment is up, taxes are up, interest rates and cost of borrowing is up that puts housing in a squeeze. Governor Kotek's housing goals may be a lost cause if banks aren't able to make loans, coupled with the need to import lumber due to the restrictions on harvesting by the Oregon State Land Board.

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If Biden continues pushing the Democrat agenda, we can expect Putin to retaliate. This isn’t a Biden’s agenda, he is simply the current face being used. It doesn’t matter who is president, if they are a Democrat, the policies won’t change. Democrat states follow the same agenda. Oregon's leadership is in step with Democrat policies and repeatedly uses Oregon as a testing ground for some of these radicle ideas.

In 2019, Oregonians held in opposition to cap and trade when legislative bill HB 2020 was proposed. In a last minute effort, Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) proposed sweeping amendments as the most vocal cap-and-trade skeptic. Johnson was removed as co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee in a power play to vote the bill out of committee. After passing the House, the Senate walked out to prevent a vote. The bill died, but not cap-and-trade. Governor Brown circumvented the legislative process with Executive Order 20-04, which was directed at state agencies but contained much broader provisions sharply curbing greenhouse gas emissions that exceeded the bill. It opened the door to further legislation and rules on emission standards that is now a step towards eliminating natural gas in SB 98, and regulation of hydropower impacting water usage for small farms in SB 85.

Even though Oregonians have defeated a sales tax nine times, it may have cost less than all the hidden sales taxes and fees that have been passed piece-by-piece, including gas tax, cell phone tax, grocery bag fees, lodging taxes, corporate access Tax (CAT), carbon credit markups, to name a few. As one of the highest taxed states, Ernst & Young found that Oregon’s state and local business tax burden has increased by 45% since 2019. Oregon's regulatory environment contributes to losing it's reputation for being business friendly and lead to a 2.0% reduction in new business filings last year. Oregon's recovery depends on voters, and the need to break from current policies.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-10 10:46:34

Last Update: 2024-07-10 13:47:37

Alex Baumhardt writes in Oregon Capital Chronicle, “More than three dozen Congressional Democrats, led by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, are hoping to help revive a landmark lawsuit against the U.S. government by 21 young Americans – including 11 Oregonians – over continued federal support for fossil fuel production and a failure to urgently mitigate the worst effects of climate change, violating the plaintiffs’ right to a livable environment.”

Juliana v. United States, named after Julia Olson, Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel at Our Children's Trust, is now the longest running suit first filed in the U.S. District Court in Eugene nearly 10 years ago. At the time, the youth behind the suit were between eight- and 18-years old. Olson filed a request in the Ninth Circuit to rehear the case, followed by the backing of Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, filing an “amicus brief” or “friend of the court brief” urging the court to grant it. The filing included 39 other signers including Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and Oregon Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Val Hoyle, according to the Chronicle.

Fossil fuel companies, the U.S. Department of Justice, former President Donald Trump and Republican states attorneys general have filed court documents against the Juliana case. It was deemed effectively dead in May, when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice to dismiss the case.

It seems like the intent is to get the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Olson argued the decision to dismiss was hasty and wrongly denied oral arguments by the plaintiffs rather than issuing an opinion, effectively denying the plaintiffs their right to an appeal. The Ninth Circuit held that ordering the federal government to adopt “a comprehensive scheme to decrease fossil fuel emissions and combat climate change” would exceed a federal court’s remedial authority set in Article III.

Harvard Law Review suggests that Juliana, filed by Our Children’s Trust, is attempting to go where other environmental cases have failed by drawing on common law tort theories. The Juliana case contends the Constitution guarantees an unenumerated fundamental right to a “stable climate system.” They argued that the United States had “continued to permit, authorize, and subsidize fossil fuel extraction . . . [and] consumption” despite these activities’ contributions to global warming. This choice, it continued, had “infringed on” the Trust’s “constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property.”

Judge Hurwitz of the Ninth Circuit wrote, “To have standing under Article III, a plaintiff must have (1) a concrete and particularized injury that (2) is caused by . . . challenged conduct and (3) is likely redressable by a favorable judicial decision . . .Thus, the Trust’s standing turned on redressability: “whether the plaintiffs’ claimed injuries [were] redressable by an Article III court.” The judges found “such relief . . . beyond [its] constitutional power.”

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The amicus brief argues, “Since youth cannot vote, they depend upon each branch of government to act in their best interests when exercising authority. Sadly, at this time, each branch is betraying the intergenerational trust bestowed upon them for ‘our Posterity’ in the face of the climate crisis.” It seems that lawmakers have a vested interest in using children to further their political agenda.

The CDC defines child abuse and neglect as Adverse Childhood Experiences, which can dramatically impact a person’s life experience and health. To use children to front an agenda that isn’t feasible can only be identified as cruel. Studies show that around 30% of Oregon’s carbon drifts in from China, the largest emitter releasing 11.4 billion metric tons of carbon emissions in 2022. Their misguided direction is looming as pitiful when it could have been productive. What if they would have sued to stop chemtrails, which Tennessee has now done and residence are reporting good health benefits. What if they would have sued to stop poisonous fluoride additives to the water system, which is taking hold in some jurisdictions.

What have these children learned from this exercise? How to capitalize on your fears. Money is limitless if you can tie into a cause whether good or bad. Consequences don’t matter. That constitutional right means not having any fears. One thing they still seem to not understand is that the courts are limited in its power to create law.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-07 07:43:44

Last Update: 2024-07-05 20:11:33

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide extreme heat emergency in preparation for high temperatures, both day and night, forecasted through Tuesday. Temperatures across Oregon are expected to reach near record-breaking levels, with the Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, and parts of Southern Oregon expected to hit temperatures in the triple digits. The heat risk levels and what they mean for individuals can be found on the National Weather Service’s Heat Risk map.

“Extreme weather events are now the new normal for Oregon. Right now, state and local governments are on a path to strengthen our preparedness and response, not only this year but for the years to come,” Governor Kotek said. Oregonians are watching whether that will mean some modification in energy goal to meet the higher level of consumption.

Oregonians are encouraged to conserve energy and reduce consumption to the extent possible to avoid power disruptions and reduce the strain on our energy grid, such as avoiding the use of major appliances during peak morning and evening energy demand periods. In addition, high heat can also be a catalyst for wildfires, so Oregonians are encouraged to practice extreme caution and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

“The need for emergency declarations should decrease over time if we continue on this path – including ensuring more Oregonians have air conditioning in the summer months and heat in the winter months, that our electrical grid is modern and resilient, that communities have public spaces and green places that provide relief, and where families have a plan to stay safe and help others to do the same in severe weather."

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has activated the state Emergency Coordination Center in response to the heatwave. Multiple partners including the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Human Services office of Resilience and Emergency Management, the Oregon State Medical Examiner, the Oregon Public Utility Commission and the American Red Cross are working with local and tribal emergency managers as they prepare to open cooling centers. State agencies are providing support and resources where requested. The state Emergency Coordination Center will meet throughout the heatwave to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

State, local and tribal agencies continue to respond to requests for emergency cooling shelters, transportation assistance, distribution of life-sustaining supplies including water and medical services. The extreme heat will also put a significant strain on Oregon’s energy grid and critical infrastructure, posing a risk to utility outages and equipment and transportation disruptions.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) will coordinate access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, mitigate, or recover from conditions caused by this emergency. The agency will also coordinate all essential protective measures in support of identified disaster areas to protect lives, property, and the environment.

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If you believe you are being subjected to excessive prices for bottled water or other essential consumer goods, or lodging due to this emergency, you are encouraged to report violations to the Oregon Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Services, which has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.

The Oregon Health Authority is also encouraging people to take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion as advisories predicting triple-digit temperatures are in effect through the weekend and early next week. Oregonians can find more information about local cooling centers from 211. Information about how to keep your animal safe in the heat can be found here.

Sign up for OR-alert and get lifesaving alerts and instructions during emergencies to help you and others stay safe in Oregon.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-05 19:11:00

Last Update: 2024-07-05 20:01:46

The Manulife Investment Management fund purchased 55,000 acres of timberland in Oregon’s Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties, stretching from Reedsport in the north to Gold Beach in the south. This acquisition is part of the company’s efforts to expand its presence in the region and provide sustainable working forests and farmlands.

The company already manages over 660,000 acres of working forest in Oregon, making it Oregon’s second-largest manager of private timberland. Out done only by Weyerhaeuser, which owns more than 1.5 million acres of western Oregon’s 6.5 million acres of private forestland. Manulife Forest Management Inc. will oversee the daily operations of the coastal range properties, with about 7,200 acres in Douglas County, located near Reedsport. The 55,000 acres of forests in Southwest Oregon will allow greater access for recreation, and investments in harvest carbon offsets.

The investment objective of Manulife’s strategy is to provide investors with an opportunity to invest in timberlands which will be managed to create carbon credits through enhanced sustainable forest management practices which is designed to add to the stored carbon in the forest. The fund intends to earn competitive returns for investors by selling carbon credits, charging for recreation use, and limited timber harvests to capture potential climate benefits.

The Fund is not registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and only sold to “qualified purchasers.” The Fund seeks to include investors from other than the U.S. such as the EU that want to invest in forest carbon credits or offsets.

The carbon credit market operates like a hidden tax that drives up the costs for companies that can’t reduce their unavoidable emissions and have to buy offsetting credits so they can operate, and so elite investors get a high rate of return. This racket is spreading as a worldwide investment option funded by consumers. Manulife wants their offsetting credits to represent actual changes in managing timber harvesting. However, offsetting credit does nothing to reduce emissions, and if sold outside of Oregon, it's a direct steel from consumers to fund investors.

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"The acquisition is part of the company’s efforts to manage sustainable working forests and farmlands, providing both economic and ecological benefits. From the 55,000 acres, approximately 85% of it will be harvested over the next 40-50 years. The other 15% is in regulatory and voluntary set-asides primarily buffers on streams and other features to protect water and conserve wildlife habitat," according to Jeff DeRoss, Manulife Forest Management Manager for Western Oregon.

As of October 2023, Manulife Investment Management’s $11.3 billion timberland investment portfolio spans 5.4 million acres in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Brazil. One hundred percent of its portfolio is certified as sustainable by independent third-party forest certification standards.

The College of Forestry at OSU plans to harvest 60 acres near Cronemiller Lake in the McDonald-Dunn Forest called the Woodpecker Harvest, but is being challenged by Corvallis residents. The harvest is on hold for review of the 2005 plan to challenge the classification of old-growth as 160 years and older.

In the meantime, public forests are under continuous attack from conservationist and environmentalist. The Elliott State Forest, about 82,500 acres, also near Reedsport, is back in the hands of the State Lands Commission trying to push through a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that will reduce harvesting to unmanageable levels.

The most impact to the forest industry remains the Endangered Species Act and the development of HCP. State Forester Cal Mukumoto recommended supporting the HCP draft to the Board of Forestry. Opposition groups are making a case for some revisions to revitalize the timber industry for the support of rural communities. The state still expects to finalize the HCP by the end of the year, then get federal input in 2025.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-05 01:53:30

Last Update: 2024-07-04 23:00:56

July 4th - the day of the Declaration of Independence. Remember, ‘taxation without representation’ was a cry then that may apply today as well. Nobody then would have dreamed of carbon taxes by executive order, but they did foresee taxation without representation. What grassroots and patriotism looked like in 1776:

• Five legislative signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
• Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
• Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

The Boston Tea Party and the Coercive Acts galvanized the colonists, leading to the First Continental Congress in 1774. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxation and tyranny, and it helped to formulate a larger movement of the colonists in their fight for independence that culminated in the Declaration of Independence.

As with the Boston Tea Party, it seems the ‘prized’ tea is being thrown overboard, but does Oregon have an Independence Day coming?

The Oregonian reported that Oregon’s exports dropped by more than $6 billion last year, an astonishing 20% plunge that wiped out two years of historic gains. Even though 2023 saw a decrease, Oregon goods exports were $27.7 billion, it was an increase of 49 percent ($9.3 billion) from its export level in 2012. So why the decrease? “Consumers are pulling back. You see that translated into the export numbers, for sure,” said Damon Runberg, economist with Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. Then how can Oregon’s revenue forecast for government spending be up if consumer spending is down?

Runberg says there is reason to be optimistic with the development of Oregon’s semiconductor industry. Intel is planning a multibillion-dollar expansion along with other chip companies also set to expand. But, will Oregon voters crush this industry with a proposed 3% gross receipts tax if IP 17 passes in November?

An indication the consumers are pulling back, the Oregonian reports that Nike shares fell 20% as the latest sign of severe turbulence at Oregon’s biggest company. Nike claims it has anticipated a drop in annual sales, thanks to competition from newer competitors, are now worrying investors. Nike stock had its worst day on record losing $28 billion. With a 20% drop in Oregon exports, and Nike losing $28 billion, just what does Oregon’s government revenue forecast interpretation by Democrat politicians mean by Oregonians are doing better than ever? Nike is projecting they will regain the market lose by 2030 based on the past 10 years of the stock’s average growth record. But should a state rely on a high risk forecast?

Oregon is also hit by the Biden Administration banning exports by an Oregon freight-forwarder, USGoBuy, as a warning shot to the industry. The Wall Street Journal reports that an Oregon freight-forwarder was hit with an export ban in what officials said was a warning to companies to heed restrictions on the shipment of sensitive technologies to countries the U.S. considers threats to national security. USGoBuy is placed under a three-year export ban after an audit turned up 176 violations to a settlement over riflescopes the company shipped to China and the emirates.

It isn't just exports dragging Oregon's economy down. The Biden administration has announced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) that are carbon-reducing and net zero, as part of a broader effort to protect US manufacturers and jobs. This move is intended to prevent a flood of low-cost, heavily subsidized EVs from China from entering the US market. The tariff is expected to increase the cost of Chinese-made EVs in the US market, making U.S. EVs more competitive with foreign-made EVs. Have they not read that several major automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Tesla, have announced plans to scale back or delay their EV production goals?

How will this affect Oregon? Tariffs are usually retaliatory and China is by far Oregon’s largest export partner, with sales in 2021 totaling $10.6 billion, a third of all the state’s exports.

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Senator Brian Boquist (R-Polk and Treasurer candidate) stated, "As young Oregon voters look at government inflation they know whom to blame. Young Oregonians know why they cannot afford a house. Young Oregonians know the definition of indentured servitude. If there is a November election, and if there is not a major change, then the economy will drive the Millennial Revelation into high speed collision with the debt ridden failing government police state and corporate oligarchs. This is a recipe for change none of us should want, let alone would a State Senator like myself even survive, as all of present government officials will be swept away, if history is a lesson."

America is still on its First Republic. On July 7th, the Fifth Republic of France will hold elections. Revisionists have repeated “Democracy” so many times that America is being pulled away from its Republic. Will millennials and younger voters bring us back to our first love or form the Second American Republic?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-07-04 08:46:41

Last Update: 2024-07-04 19:51:17

The 142nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland, Ore., will conduct Independence Day flyovers for ceremonies and parades at locations throughout Oregon.

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,300 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to conduct flyovers at the following community locations at, or around, the designated times on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

• 10:35 a.m. Corbett, Ore.
• 10:39 a.m. Ridgefield, Wash.
• 10:43 a.m. Clatskanie, Ore.
• 10:47 a.m. Warrenton, Ore.
• 10:50 a.m. Manzanita, Ore.
• 10:51 a.m. Rockaway Beach, Ore.
• 10:55 a.m. Neskowin, Ore.
• 11:00 a.m. Turner, Ore.
• 11:01 a.m. Salem, Ore.
• 11:03 a.m. Mt. Angel, Ore.
• 11:05 a.m. St. Paul, Ore.
• 11:08 a.m. Lake Oswego, Ore.
• 11:09 a.m. Happy Valley, Ore.
• 11:12 a.m. Molalla, Ore.
• 11:14 a.m. Mill City, Ore.
• 11:26 a.m. Condon, Ore.
• 11:34 a.m. The Dalles, Ore.

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All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

The Oregon Air National Guard has been an integral part of the nation's air defense since 1941.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-07-02 11:43:06

Last Update: 2024-07-03 18:10:07

The U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, a decision that some say stands as a victory for the rule of law and the well-being of our communities. This decision recognizes the critical need for local governments to manage public spaces effectively, ensuring safety and order for all citizens.

The Court's ruling supports the City of Grants Pass's right to enforce ordinances that prevent public spaces from becoming unsafe and unsanitary. By upholding these regulations, the Court has validated the efforts of municipalities to protect their communities while safeguarding the safety and dignity of people experiencing homelessness.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, in a recent KGW interview, emphasized the need for legislative action: “Unless the legislature decides to revisit the law that HB 3115 enacted, no one in Portland is going to see sweeping policy changes after the Supreme Court issues its decision.”

HB 3115 (2021) was a reactionary piece of legislation by Democrats in response to a misguided court opinion by the Ninth Circuit. This law has suffocated local jurisdictions' efforts to keep their communities safe. It is essential that the Legislature acts promptly to ensure state laws align with the Supreme Court's decision, allowing for sensible, community-focused solutions that maintain public safety and health without infringing on individual rights.

“Despite the Supreme Court’s common sense ruling, Democrats’ 'Right to Camp' law will continue to hamper local governments' ability to address homelessness effectively,” said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). “The Legislature should immediately provide clarity to our local governments as they work to reduce homelessness in their communities by taking action on HB 3115. This time, cities and counties that are most affected should be at the table, leading the discussions on what is best for their local jurisdictions. We stand ready to pass legislation that balances the interests of all residents – whether they are in a home or seeking shelter, utilizing both compassion and pragmatism to ensure our public spaces are safe, clean, and accessible for everyone.”

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It doesn’t seem to matter that our sidewalks and parks are crowded with homeless tents. Democrats passed HB 3115 along partisan lines, and Democrat leaders continue to defend their right to litter our cities. The Supreme Court ruling did not address the housing and homelessness crisis, but limits the state in mandating how communities deal with their homeless.

Senator Kayse Jama (D - Portland), chair of the Senate Housing and Development Committee, and Representative Pam Marsh (D - Ashland), chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee, statement on how this decision will impact housing policy in Oregon: “Our goal remains making sure every Oregonian has access to safe, affordable housing so no one has to resort to sleeping on the streets. Homelessness will be solved by building more housing, supporting shelters and programs to get people on the path out of homelessness.

Jama continues, "Local jurisdictions have a duty to maintain livability for everyone in their communities – and, there needs to be a reasonable balance between those concerns and the reality that too many Oregonians don’t have anywhere safe to sleep. Today's Supreme Court ruling does nothing to solve the housing and homelessness crisis in Oregon. The legislature remains focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, increasing the housing supply, and funding programs that help get people on a path out of houselessness.”

The Oregon legislature passed the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package earlier this year, which made a $376 investment in expanding affordable housing and support for shelters. They enacted policies to distribute the $2 billion housing package passed in 2023. All that investment may have eliminated a few homeless encampments by building pod villages and subsidizing housing for the hundreds of homeless individuals. The pod villages are intended to provide temporary housing for the homeless that would otherwise occupy encampments. However, the placement of the pod villages in family neighborhoods, concerns local residents citing potential safety issues and disruptions to the community.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-06-29 21:02:06

Last Update: 2024-06-30 13:39:45