“We need to make smart choices now to avoid more difficult decisions down the road”
The latest revenue forecast reveals that Oregon's economic situation remains precarious, with stagnant growth, persistent inflation, and rising costs posing ongoing challenges for the state. Despite modest revenue increases, the forecast underscores the need for cautious budgeting and prudent spending as the state faces significant economic uncertainty.
“This forecast is another clear warning that we must exercise fiscal restraint,” said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). “Oregon families are already feeling the squeeze from high costs, and it's imperative that we don't add to their burden by overspending.”
The forecast, while showing slight improvements in revenue projections, highlights the continued pressure from inflation and the impact of rising costs on state finances. Senate Republicans caution against relying on these modest gains to justify increased spending, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing essential services, and addressing the long-term financial health of the state.
“Now is not the time to get complacent,” added Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale), who sits on the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. “We need to focus on sustainable budgeting practices that protect Oregonians from the uncertainty of the future. Our priority should be ensuring that we have the resources to support critical needs without overburdening taxpayers.”
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Senate Republicans also reiterated their call for a comprehensive review of state spending to identify areas where efficiencies can be found. With the state facing ongoing challenges, they argue that now is the time to reassess priorities and make tough decisions to ensure Oregon's economic stability.
“Every dollar spent must be scrutinized to ensure it's serving the best interests of Oregonians,” Bonham added. “We need to make smart choices now to avoid more difficult decisions down the road.”
In response to the August revenue forecast, House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) offered the following remarks.
“This forecast shows that government and government-adjacent bureaucracies are expanding while private industries struggle to keep up. Meanwhile, inflation remains higher than national averages. Many in the current majority will call for new taxes next session, which will make these problems worse. The legislature should resist the push for new taxes both to ease the cost burden for families and to unleash Oregon’s private sector potential,” said Leader Helfrich.
The year 2021 was pivotal in Oregon when voters lost control over maintaining voter rolls. The Oregon legislature passed HB 2681 to suspend cleaning voter rolls, sponsored by Representative Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis), running for Attorney General. No one will be taken off the active voter rolls even if their address is wrong or they have not voted for any period of time.
The bloating of voter rolls will increasingly cost taxpayers a lot more to send out ballots to addresses that are no longer accurate for that voter. A Rasmussen Poll from a national telephone and online survey found that 75% of likely U.S. voters believe voters should be required to show photo identification such as a driver’s license before being allowed to vote. Only 21% are opposed to such a requirement.
Eight states have enacted voter ID laws since the 2020 election, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures: Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Wyoming. The US Supreme Court recently added Arizona to the list allowing them to reinstate proof of American citizenship for voter registration.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced last week that since signing Senate Bill 1 into law in 2021, Texas has removed over one million people from the state’s voter rolls, including people who moved out-of-state, are deceased, and are noncitizens. That removal process has been, and will continue to be, ongoing.
While other states are working towards election integrity, Oregon is making it easier for illegal voting by a self-certification of citizenship, and never cleaning voter rolls. Oregon’s Secretary of State was notified earlier this year in a “pre-suit” to come into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
In 2018, the Supreme Court confirmed that removals are mandatory in Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Inst., 138 S. Ct. 1833, 1841-42 (2018).
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Oregon has approximately one-fifth the registered votes that Texas has, and comparing their results, Oregon could see removal of 1,300 noncitizens, 1,200 voters with felony convictions, 91,400 deceased people, 92,600 unresponsive suspended voters, 26,800 confirming they have moved, 13,000 failing to respond to notice, 3,800 requests to cancel their registration, for a total of 230,000 potential removals. Texas further strengthened the law by increasing the penalty for illegal voting, including voting by noncitizens, to a second-degree felony.
In contrast, Oregon passed HB 4133 (2022) allowing the last 4 digits of Social Security number for online voter registration, and HB 2107 (2023) that expanded Oregon’s Automatic Voter Registration system to the Oregon Health Plan to register users of that system to be automatically registered as voter.
It didn’t stop there, SB 166 claims to protect voter privacy, but it prevents observers from getting the ballot images to discover fraud and assist in cleaning voter rolls. This bill could make the cast vote record cost up to $700,000 in some counties. The ballot is a public document for rule of the people.
Improvements are aimed at protecting agricultural workers and their families from potential hazards
Oregon OSHA is proposing significant changes to its safety and health rules for housing that employers provide to workers, most often in agricultural settings. The proposed rule changes are part of a comprehensive package of program enhancements aimed at protecting agricultural workers and their families and boosting employer compliance.
The division's agricultural labor housing (ALH) rule proposal is going through the public hearing and comment process before it is adopted. The proposed rules address the potential hazards in employer-provided housing. Oregon OSHA regulates such facilities from the perspective of workplace safety and health.
The rule proposal is part of a comprehensive set of reforms on how the division addresses ALH. Those reforms, which are in addition to the rule proposal, would be incorporated as part of the budget and other administrative processes. Altogether, the reform package includes:
Rule changes that would substantially raise the protective standards for indoor and outdoor facilities that employers must include when they provide housing.
Technical assistance to support the Oregon Department of Agriculture in providing $5 million in grant funds to growers for existing on-farm housing compliance with the rule change, and additional funding for infrastructure improvements once the existing grant funding is exhausted.
Development of a new, annual self-certification requirement for employers that would be pursued through a budget proposal during the 2025 legislative session. If approved, it would complement future enhancements to the registration system by including more detailed information about each location's amenities.
Establishment of a new seasonal ALH surveyor program to increase Oregon OSHA's ability to evaluate conditions at housing locations. The surveyor program would deploy seven seasonal surveyors to evaluate site conditions, attempt to gain compliance, and refer a site to Oregon OSHA's enforcement program if needed.
Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA commented: “Our comprehensive approach to ALH reflects the fact that this rule proposal must be accompanied by additional, program-level steps to bolster the safety and health of who we know are among our most vulnerable workers and families. And with all of these proposed changes, we are focusing on increasing protective measures while maintaining a stable operating environment for employers."
Andrew Stolfi, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, of which Oregon OSHA is a division states: “Worker protection is at the core of our mission. We know that we cannot achieve our mission simply by issuing regulations, which is why we are proposing a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to protecting some of our most vulnerable workers. We look forward to receiving public comment on these proposals."
Public hearings on the ALH rule proposal will follow a public comment period, which may be submitted by email at OSHA.rulemaking@dcbs.oregon.gov. The deadline for submitting comments and the public hearing schedule will be posted online on Oregon OSHA's proposed rule and the agricultural labor housing webpages.
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The proposal's language – available for review online in more detail – includes delayed effective dates for certain provisions, recognizing the need for time to prepare for the changes. The table shows the proposal broken down by category and year of implementation:
Registration deadline is January 2025 to remove exception that housing provided for nonfood crops were not required to register, submit water testing results, and require sites in Initial registration to have no hazardous conditions.
Facility Grounds proposed exterior/walkway lighting by January 2025 and remove livestock care exception by 2026.
Laundry proposed tubs, trays and laundry machines and separate cleaning for contaminated clothes by 2026.
Water testing results in language of occupants, and add arsenic and nitrates to well water testing frequency implemented by 2025. By 2026 require water pressure to be at least 20 psi.
Bathing facilities with locking shower stalls by 2026, and private changing rooms by 2027.
Toilets to include solid doors and handwashing with paper towels by 2025. Facilities must have 200 feet and provide 1:10 ratio for each gender
Kitchens need protected food storage by 2025, and gas vented burners by 2026, and enclosed kitchens with plumbed sinks with hot and cold water by 2027.
Housing must have mattresses with cleanable covers, and add safety measures including reporting diseases by 2025. Heating and cooling and electrical outlets in sleeping areas, and lockable storage by 2026. By 2027, provide at least 50 square feet per bed in sleeping rooms with bunk beds.
Oregon OSHA's announcement of the package of reforms follows a challenging multi-year, comprehensive review of its existing ALH requirements that included using a rulemaking advisory committee. The division garnered input from growers, agricultural associations, housing operators, and employee representative groups. For more information, go to osha.oregon.gov.
Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers deploy to the Kosovo Force Mission
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek led a Mobilization Ceremony for the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Salem Armory. The Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers will be deploying to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) Mission. The 41st IBCT will be returning to the U.S European Command as part of a 28-country alliance to maintain a safe and secure environment across the region.
During the ceremony, members of the 41st IBCT were honored as they prepared for their deployment, which is part of KFOR’s 34th rotation. Established to end the Kosovo War, KFOR was authorized to deploy an international peacekeeping force to Kosovo, a mission crucial for maintaining regional security and stability. The brigade’s support will include security forces, logisticians, medical professionals, intelligence analysts, and a command team. In keeping with the National Security Strategy, the 41st IBCT KFOR mission will provide stability, safety and security, as part of a NATO international peacekeeping force.
“I am honored to be with you to mark the deployment of the 41st to support the United States European Command’s Kosovo Force Mission,” Governor Kotek said. “Whether the mission is to protect democracy and peace abroad or protect Oregonians from wildfire here at home, the Oregon National Guard’s Citizen-Soldiers are ‘always ready, always there.’ Serving as your Commander-in-Chief is one of the honors of my lifetime.”
As Governor, Kotek is the Commander-in-Chief of the Oregon National Guard when it is activated for state emergencies or domestic purposes. However, when the Oregon National Guard is deployed overseas, the Commander-in-Chief is the United States Commander-in-Chief, which typically is the President. Must has been said who the Oregon National Guard will report to, but according to military law, it won't be the Biden Administration.
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Col. Peter Helzer, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, spoke about the deployment’s significance before the ceremony. “The 41st IBCT brings a robust set of capabilities to support the people of Kosovo. From security to medical and logistical support, Oregonians will contribute to the stability and security of the region as part of the NATO effort.”
The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team continues its long legacy of service, tracing its lineage back to the 41st Infantry Division that served in World War I and performed the longest overseas service of any division in the U.S., in the Pacific during World War II.
To view the ceremony visit the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Facebook page.
“Oregon is in Trouble, D.C. Politicians are to Blame”
Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District Candidate Monique DeSpain announced the launch of her second TV ad spot of her campaign targeting general election voters. The ad is running on broadcast and cable TV, OTT/disconnected cable, and Digital platforms.
“Oregon is in trouble, and voters know things have gotten worse. The career politician currently representing them, Val Hoyle, has ignored their top concerns and has rubber-stamped the disastrous policies making our communities unaffordable and unsafe while she dodges federal investigations into her pay-to-play scandal,” said DeSpain.
“I’m not a career politician, and I will be an independent voice who will bring bold new leadership to Congress,” added DeSpain. “I served our country for 30 years in the Air Force, and I’m ready to serve again to fight for the common sense solutions the people of Oregon’s 4th District need and deserve.”
In late July, DeSpain was named to the National Republican Congressional Committee Young Guns Program, which recognizes a handful of the strongest Republican challenger campaigns in the country. This past May, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee moved Val Hoyle to its “frontline” list of vulnerable incumbents, a powerful sign of Hoyle’s weakness versus the strong challenge being offered by GOP nominee DeSpain. DeSpain has challenged Hoyle to six debates in six counties in the 4th District, to which Hoyle has so far failed to agree. Two weeks ago, DeSpain launched her first TV ad highlighting voters from all walks of life who have had enough of career politicians.
“The net effect of HB 2005 is to criminalize the core aspects of the self-manufacture of firearms”
Alawsuit has been filed in Federal Court to overturn a recent firearms restriction. In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 2005 which bans many home made firearms and firearm parts. The suit names current Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and current Superintendent of the Oregon State Police Casey Codding as defendants. The plaintiffs in the suit are Dallin Montgomery, Nick Holdway, Kevin Walters, Oregon Firearms Federation, and Firearms Policy Coalition. All three individual plaintiffs have concealed carry licenses and own firearms described in the bill.
According to the complaint, "The net effect of HB 2005 is to criminalize the core aspects of the self-manufacture of firearms."
The complaint goes on to describe the history of home made firearms. "Throughout American history, people have been free to personally manufacture, construct, and/or assemble arms for lawful purposes, including self-defense in the home. In defiance of this historical tradition, Oregon’s Bans completely and categorically prohibit individuals not prohibited from exercising their Second Amendment protected
rights from possessing, acquiring, and self-manufacturing firearms that are of types, functions, and designs, and are themselves, commonly owned and possessed firearms—self-made firearms that do not bear a manufacturer’s serial number, as well as the component parts used to build such arms—by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes."
As the bill was making its way through the legislature, Oregon House Republicans pledged to support legal action against HB 2005. According to Oregon Firearms Federation Director Kevin Starrett "Oregon’s House Republicans pulled a “bait and switch” and extorted money from their members with a false promise of funding a lawsuit against the bill they helped pass. Since then they have pretended it never happened and just don’t want to talk about it." OFF is asking for donations to help defray the costs of legal action.
The complaint summarizes the reasoning behind the suit. "Because Plaintiffs’ proposed course of conduct is covered by the Second Amendment’s plain text, it the Constitution “presumptively protects” their conduct. It is thus the State’s burden to “affirmatively prove that its firearms regulation is part of the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.” (“[W]e are not obliged to sift the historical materials for evidence to sustain New York’s statute. That is respondents’ burden.”). Oregon cannot meet this burden. There is no well-established and representative historical tradition of banning the self-manufacture of arms that are in common use for lawful purposes or banning the self-manufacture of such arms.
“You’ll be paying more with higher prices on everything”
Oregon Representative E Warner Reschke (R-Crater Lake) answers: “What is Measure 118?”
“Measure 118 will be one of several ballot measures on your ballot this November. Put simply, Measure 118 is a tax, another tax. Whenever a new tax is introduced into Oregon’s economy, it means you will pay more for the things you buy, period.
“Measure 118 tries to fool you by claiming you’ll get a check from the government. “Pass 118 and get money,” is the pitch. Sounds great, right? But Measure 118 is the classic bait & switch. As my Dad used to say, “There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone always pays.” In this case, that is you — you’ll be paying more with higher prices on everything."
How Measure 118 Works
“Measure 118 is like going to your favorite cafe to buy a coffee for $5. Pass Ballot Measure 118 and you could get money back from the government, but now the coffee’s price will increase and could be $8, or higher. But it won’t just be coffee’s price going up — everything will go up! What’s worse is Measure 118 is not just a tax, but a tax on a tax!
“Measure 118 will tax businesses on their gross revenue, not their profits. That means you won’t be taxed directly, but indirectly through higher prices everywhere. When your gas station, your utilities, your grocery store, your coffee shop, your home improvement store, your doctor’s office, your delivery service (Door Dash, Amazon, Fed Ex, UPS, etc), your bank, your cell phone service, your home and auto insurance, your beer or wine, your prescriptions and your fast food restaurant all have their taxes go up, they pass that cost along to you. Furthermore, if they use electricity or fuel to keep the lights and get supplies to their location, those additional costs will also get passed along to you.
“This tax is called a gross receipts tax; it is the worst kind of tax for businesses because even if the business is losing money, it will incur these new tax costs directly or indirectly — and pass them along to you.
“Gross receipts taxes discourage businesses from coming to Oregon, for start-ups to find their footing and for current businesses to expand. That means fewer jobs in Oregon; that means less opportunities for Oregonians. That’s why both Democrat and Republican lawmakers are opposed to Measure 118.
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“As Oregonians try to recover from high inflation, Measure 118 will breathe new life into further increasing prices on nearly everything you buy. Don’t Be Fooled. Oregonians Don’t Deserve Higher Prices!”
Hoyle Signs Old Growth Pledge, Ignores Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce and Prevent Annual Wildfires
As dozens of wildfires burn, smoke spreads, and emergencies are declared, fourth District Candidate for Congress Monique DeSpain criticized incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle’s leadership failure to deliver wildfire prevention after nearly two years in Congress. Oregon's fourth Congressional District contains Eugene and the Southern Oregon Coast region.
“Another year brings us another season of choking on smoke from wildfires. Everyone supports doing more to fight these fires, but voters in the Fourth District have had enough of the excuses for failing to diminish and end these annual wildfire emergencies, which are both predictable and preventable,” stated DeSpain. “In a district that is 85% forestland, of which half of it is federally-managed and
where so many of these fires burn out of control every year, our current federal representative, Congresswoman Val Hoyle, hasn’t led in delivering the urgent, proactive, transformative solutions that we need. I will.”
HR 8790 Fix Our Forests Act is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation designed to restore forest health, increase resiliency to catastrophic wildfires, and protect communities by expediting environmental analyses, reducing frivolous lawsuits, and increasing the pace and scale of forest
restoration projects. The Act presents desperately needed solutions that would expedite progress under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on
National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, and for
other purposes.
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“I am at heart an environmentalist who values our state's beautiful natural ecosystems and its abundant resources. I know that what is happening now, and for the last several years, is not good for the environment nor for any of us living creatures who live in or near our forests. The truth is; either we act now to harvest the timber and underbrush, which serves as a powerful fuel load for
these wildfires, or we breathe the timber later as wildfire smoke every year. We must act now to improve overall forest health, which would have the added positive benefit of producing revenue for our local economies and communities that are desperate for law enforcement, school funding, and other basic community resources. This is why I will work with anyone from any party starting on Day
One by supporting bipartisan bills like H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act,” added DeSpain.
“As a retired Air Force Colonel, a fighter for crime victims, and the mother of twin sons, I won’t wait 19 months into my term of office to make wildfire prevention through active forest co-management a priority,” added DeSpain. “Career politicians like Val Hoyle have given us the forest policies we have
now that have led to these annual wildfire disasters. She’s even doubled down on failure by signing a pledge to extreme special interest groups vowing to block better forest management policies on more Oregon federal land. I will be an independent voice for our 4th District who will focus on delivering concrete results using proven, effective solutions. Deploy me to Congress, and let's make it happen.”
This past May, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee moved Val Hoyle to its “Frontline” list of vulnerable incumbents, a powerful sign of Hoyle’s weakness versus the strong challenge being offered by GOP nominee DeSpain. Last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee named Monique DeSpain to their Young Guns Program, recognizing her campaign as one of the best in the country and making OR-04 a key flip opportunity for national Republicans. DeSpain has challenged Hoyle to six debates in six counties in the 4th District, to which Hoyle has so far failed to
agree.
Oregon's U.S. District 5 covers Linn County, most of Clackamas County, Deschutes County, and parts of Multnomah and Marion Counties. Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) is being challenged by Janelle Bynum (D), Sonja Feintech (L), Kurt Hauth (C) and Andrea Thorn Townsend (PG) for the Fifth District spot.
Chavez-DeRemer has accomplished a lot in her first term in Congress. Currently she is focused on obtaining more Federal resources for Oregon firefighters. But, now she has surprised Oregonians by joining a handful of House Republicans supporting Biden’s $370 billion Green New Deal bill, because it brings tax dollars to their districts. Perhaps her constituents will see the benefit.
Chavez-DeRemer signed onto a letter to Speaker Johnson with 17 other House Republicans asking him not to repeal the energy tax credits that are part of the Green New Deal. They argue that eliminating the credits would jeopardize the investments they've made because of the bill's promised payments.
Steve Forbes’ team commented, “Sorry. Private companies are not entitled to billions of dollars of taxpayer money for worthless projects. And members of Congress have a duty to protect the public purse – not raid it.”
Chavez-DeRemer, former mayor of Happy Valley and first Republican congresswoman to represent Oregon, was named a 2024 Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation. The recognition is given to lawmakers who work to advance policies that help create a vibrant and healthy retail sector. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, and contributes over $27 billion in Oregon’s economy. Chavez-DeRemer is a cosponsor of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act to protect retailers from this criminal activity, which has cost $720,000 for every $1 billion in sales.
Chavez-DeRemer also introduced the Tolling Transparency Act and the No Tolls on Oregon Roads Act. The bill, HR 4820, passed the House in November but was unfinished business at the close of the session.
Chavez-DeRemer’s biggest contender with like principles is likely to be Sonja Feintech, the Libertarian candidate serving as the party’s Public Policy Council Secretary. Feintech is a mother, farmer, business owner and butcher. She has been labeled as a “fighting warhawk” as the former Political Action Director of FreeOregon, and is out to end the warfare state. The fight isn’t new to her. She stood against COVID tyranny and has fought against oppressive government policies.
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State Representative Janelle Bynum, Democratic candidate, has been dubbed by the New York Times as a “Democrat who could make history — and help her party win back the House.” She is an electrical engineer, small business owner, and state legislator and mom, and is running to become the first Black person to ever represent Oregon on the federal level. As a state representative, Bynum has been a vocal supporter of police reform and of liberalizing drug laws, which is turning against her in Oregon’s re-criminalizing drugs.
Pacific Power announced it is lowering its rate increase request for 2025 from 17.9% to 11.9% overall. For residential customers, that’s a drop from 21.6% to 14.9%. This is a significant reduction relative to the original rate requested in February, and an overall reduction in the company’s rate increase request from $322.3 million to $214.5 million.
The overall proposed average rate increase for residential customers of 14.9% using 950 kilowatt-hours per month would see a $21.49 increase on their monthly power bill. This is closer aligned to Portland General Electric (PGE) request for a 10.9% rate increase.
PacifiCorp states, “Like all utilities in the West, we are managing significantly higher insurance costs due to increased wildfire risk and activity in the region. We have also increased our own insurance coverage to ensure we can continue responsibly managing our energy system for our customers.”
All utilities were affected on April 24, 2023 when a jury verdict found PacifiCorp liable for damages for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers during a windstorm over Labor Day weekend, despite warnings from top fire officials, and for its power lines being responsible for multiple blazes. That fire killed nine people, burned more than 1,875 square miles and destroyed upward of 5,000 homes and other structures leaving billions of dollars in damages. The case highlights the legal and financial risks utilities take if they fail to take proper precautions in a hotter, drier climate.
After the verdicts were handed down, PacifiCorp filed a request with Oregon’s public utility commission asking to potentially defer the costs linked to the lawsuit. The jury awarded around $90 million to 17 homeowners named as plaintiffs in the case, and damages for a broader class that included about 2,500 properties, totaling nearly $180 million.
In its filing, PacifiCorp said the application would enable it “to preserve its ability to seek recovery in the future” in case potential future class-action damages “impact the financial stability of the company.” Such a move “would result in higher costs to customers.” They are building hundreds of miles of new lines to improve resiliency to mitigate wildfire risks. Wildfire mitigation includes vegetation management, removing dead trees around lines, and forecasting weather disruptions.
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The Oregon’s Citizens’ Utility Board sees the rate hikes as massive investments in infrastructure and creating a slush fund for potential wildfire payouts in the future. The board wants PUC to cap rate increases at 7% plus the rate of inflation, or 10% annually, whichever is lower.
No matter how you look at it, rate payers are assuming the cost of a well-meaning jury that forced infrastructure improvements. Government policies are also leading to economic struggles for countless Oregonians who are forced to keep up with inflation while their sources of income do not. While utilities are forced to incorporate expensive wind and solar energy, and even though Vice President Harris has declared she is for fracking, Oregon still wants to ban the cheapest energy. Natural gas has dropped to the lowest price in 20 years, which is also needed to produce electricity. And, Oregon still hasn’t addressed what Casper, Wyoming, is now facing with 870 windmill blades in their landfill that are indestructible and non-recyclable.
Oregon House Republican Caucus sent a letter to US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday, Aug. 2, in support of a federal disaster declaration to offset certain agriculture losses and damages from wildfires.
The letter supports a request by Governor Tina Kotek to designate the event a disaster, thereby unlocking emergency funds through conservation, hay and grazing, and livestock assistance programs. The letter also supports the governor’s request to expand grazing on federal lands and improve access to weed-free forage. More than a million acres have burned in Oregon, more than any other state.
All areas statewide are already eligible to apply for hazard mitigation assistance. Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties are currently eligible for the Individual Assistance (IA) program, providing grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs. Survivors can register for disaster assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362, or using the FEMA app.
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Stay informed by calling 211 or visiting wildfire.oregon.gov, which includes the latest information and resources available to those affected by wildfires.
Fueled by failure of two unmanaged homeless camps and lack of attention to taxpayers’ concerns
The unofficial results of a special election held July 30, recalled three Cottage Grove City Councilors, Mike Fleck, Chalice Savage and Alex Dreher. The results are the second attempt by political action committee, Save The Grove, to conduct a recall election.
The group members claim the targeted councilors were not acting in the public’s best interest. The failure of the two unmanaged homeless camps and a perceived lack of attention to taxpayers’ concerns fueled two efforts in the past eight months to recall Cottage Grove city councilors.
Cottage Grove 912 Vice-Chair Chris Wagner commented, "The recall process was used because council actions led to an intolerable homeless situation here in the city where the homeless population exploded leading to a drastic increase in crime and worsening living conditions for residents who live near the new unmanaged camps the city set up. Resident concerns about their situation were ignored by councilors,
who refused to take action to correct the situation or even acknowledge that there was a problem.
"The recall was also based on dubious spending actions the council took, chief one being to spend around $70,000 on a process to hire a new city manager when we already had a capable and willing person on city staff ready to step into the position."
Mike Fleck expressed his disappointment. “The recall process is supposed to be used to remove elected officials that have done something wrong, not for political reasons. That’s what the regular elections are for.” To 27-percent of voters, it was more than political.
Alex Dreher defended her position stating. "The real disappointment is the division this has caused in the community. The chaos of the recall lost us $2 million in homeless services that St. Vincent de Paul was going to bring to our city. If you really want to move people out of homelessness, and prevent people from coming here because we have entirely unmanaged camps, $2 million and some structured programs goes a long way. I am concerned that we will be denied other grants and state money because our own community basically turned this down.
Wagner responded, “This recall process has been active since February 2024 following a failed recall attempt in the fall of 2023. It was ongoing when St. Vincent entered the scene so they were not blind-sided by the recall. It may be added that whatever millions of dollars St Vincent might get to run a homeless shelter in Cottage Grove are going to St. Vincent, not to the residents of Cottage Grove or the city. There is also no guarantee that St. Vincent would not try to import more homeless to Cottage Grove if they felt their shelter had "extra capacity" available.”
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According to the City’s charter, a council vacancy is filled by the three remaining councilors and mayor. The appointee must be a resident of the same ward as the predecessor, unless the predecessor was a Councilor-At-Large. The appointees’ term of office will run to the next general election (Nov 5), at which time a candidate will be elected to serve the remaining term.
Councilor Jon Stinnett remarked, “This recall is not going to save our town because our town does not need saving. Our town needs to come together and bring all available resources and ideas together to find a solution. It’s been the way this community has addressed problems for well over a century. Cottage Grove always rises to meet its challenges.”
rights from possessing, acquiring, and self-manufacturing firearms that are of types, functions, and designs, and are themselves, commonly owned and possessed firearms—self-made firearms that do not bear a manufacturer’s serial number, as well as the component parts used to build such arms—by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes."
Widely recognized as a vulnerable Democrat in her reelection campaign, Congresswoman Hoyle has announced that she is skipping the Democratic National Convention later in August in order to remain in Oregon because “Wildfires are getting worse out here and working this is her priority right now.” This statement falls in stark contrast to her signing of an Old Growth Pledge in support of the Biden Administration's plan to further limit the removal of dead trees on federal lands.
