
On this day, February 11, 1999 the New Carissa cargo ship which ran aground a week earlier on the Oregon Coast near Coos Bay was set on fire with explosives to burn off some 400,000 gallons of fuel oil to prevent its spillage.
Post an Event
Celebrate Presidents Day |
Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm |
Come celebrate Presidents day!
Sunday February 16th (day prior to Presidents day)
2562 S Santiam Hwy, Lebanon OR
(Between Grocery Outlet and Schmizza)
1:30 PM starts flag wave, movie starts approx. 2:30 PM
Flag wave weather permitting. dress warm.
Watch the Reagan movie and enjoy some snacks.
$5 donation recommended.
|
Linn County Conservative Alliance
2562 S Santiam Hwy, Lebanon, OR 97355.
between Grocery Outlet and Schmizza. |

Let Kids Be Kids |
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm |
Empower parents, protect kids, and reclaim our schools. Parents have a responsibility to stand up for their children and their futures. Keynote speaker, Fox News Host Rachel Campos-Duffy. music by Kurt Van Meter. Tickets director@parentsrightsineducation.org |
NW Event Center, Hillsboro, OR |

Friends of Gap Road Town Hall |
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm |
Guest Speakers: Jim Johnson a career in land use and water management, and David Neal a Linn County farm owner exporter and owner of a land water management business. |
Harrisburg High School Multi Purpose Room
400 S 9th St |
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How to move Oregon Public Education from “Debased-Research” to “Research-Based”
In 2023, Jeff Myers, Save Oregon Schools, teamed up with Dr. Bruce Gilley, Professor of Political Science at Portland State University, to do a comprehensive review and fact-checking of the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) research report on high-school graduation requirements, publishing two articles covering fraudulent research in ODE’s
2016 Chronic Absenteeism Statewide Plan and the
2021 Ethnic Studies Advisory Group Report.
They found a surprising disinterest among elected officials in harm to students. Meeting with Representative Courtney Neron, Chair of the House Education Committee, resulted in no action, which troubled Myers considering her background as an Oregon teacher for many years.
Myers said, “It shouldn’t take new legislation to ensure our state agencies produce and share factual research, but this glaring 'loophole' demands a solution. We also need to establish clear jurisdiction and a reliable process for reporting cases of fraud. Over the past 12 to 15 months, I’ve been repeatedly redirected, with every agency and office claiming it’s someone else’s responsibility to address these issues. This broken system needs repair, and it’s become evident that new legislation is the way forward.”
This week legislators held Legislative Days in preparation for the 2025 session. Meyers was focused on one critical issue: tackling the root cause of our struggling public education system—research fraud. What we’re being told the problems are is a conflict between the narrative versus reality.
The current narrative from school district leaders, teachers’ unions, and our elected officials is that we’re dealing with a funding problem. They regularly use phrases like “fully funding education”, yet we’ve been steadily and significantly throwing more money into our school system for years.
Adjusted for inflation, Oregon has increased the spending per student by over 46% from 1999 to 2021.
Education-funding
Source: U.S. Public Education Dashboard, by Save Oregon Schools
After fluctuating in the first 14 years, you see a sharp, steady rise since 2013. Given the influx of money from the pandemic and Oregon’s Corporate Activity Tax, we likely will see the trend continue when the figures for 2022 and beyond are released. If you’re wondering how Oregon funding compares to other states, you can see for yourself in my U.S. Public Education Dashboard. For reference, Oregon per student spending is above California and the U.S. Average, but is below Washington.
So what are the results of this rising funding? Declining achievement for our students. Below is a snapshot from my Oregon Student Assessment Results dashboard, which uses data from the Oregon Department of Education on annual assessments.
Source: Oregon Student Assessment Results dashboard, by Save Oregon Schools
As you can plainly see in the dashboard, student achievement was on a slight downward trend until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which resulted in a significant drop across the board. As the
Oregonian reported earlier this year, Oregon was the only state that hadn’t shown any improvement in reading or math skills since the pandemic.
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Ensuring our public agencies produce factual research is not a partisan issue—it’s something everyone should agree that integrity in public research is essential. This is about holding our institutions accountable and restoring trust.
Myers puts forth a legislative concept and draft of his proposed “Public Research Integrity Act.”
Problem Statement
This proposed legislation addresses the growing concern over fraudulent research produced or disseminated by public officials in Oregon. Such research, which includes falsified data, manipulated conclusions, and omitted facts, undermines public trust, misguides policymaking, and diverts resources from critical state priorities.
By creating strict penalties and incentives for whistleblowers to report fraudulent practices, the law seeks to uphold the integrity of research used to inform public policy and governance. The legislation ensures accountability, transparency, and adherence to evidence-based standards, safeguarding the public from the harmful consequences of deceptive practices in government research and communications.
Proposed Solution
The proposed legislation, the "Public Research Integrity Act," establishes a comprehensive framework to combat fraudulent research by public officials in Oregon.
- Criminalizes the creation, dissemination, and approval of deceptive research or documentation, imposing penalties for violations, including classification as a Class A felony and permanent disqualification from public office.
- Introduces mechanisms for whistleblower protections and incentives, offering compensation to eligible individuals or organizations who report fraudulent activities.
- Ensures robust investigation processes led by the Oregon Department of Justice, with transparency in findings.
- Mandates the use of standardized definitions for research-related terms across agencies to enhance consistency and accountability.
This multi-faceted approach promotes transparency, deters misconduct, and reinforces public trust in government practices and policies.
Cost / Benefits
The proposed "Public Research Integrity Act" is expected to have minimal implementation costs, primarily associated with establishing a mechanism within the Oregon Department of Justice to receive and investigate complaints. These costs can be offset by fines collected from individuals or agencies found guilty of violating the Act, with a portion allocated to compensating whistleblowers to offset their costs for identifying the fraud and to reward them for providing a valuable service to all Oregonians.
The benefits, while challenging to quantify in monetary terms, are significant. By deterring fraudulent research, this legislation aims to reduce wasteful spending, prevent misguided policies, and ensure public funds are allocated based on accurate and reliable information. This will lead to more effective governance and better outcomes for Oregon’s citizens, particularly in areas like education, where fraudulent research has resulted in many harms against students and staff alike. The Act ultimately fosters public trust in government processes and reinforces the accountability of public officials to the people they serve.
Meyers’ draft legislation for “Public Research Integrity Act” can be viewed
here. He says: “What is at the root of our unique struggles in Oregon? Research fraud of course!”
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-12-14 14:01:30 | Last Update: 2024-12-14 23:42:35 |
“Public Research Integrity Act”
An Act Relating to Fraudulent Research by Public Officials; Creating a New Crime; and Prescribing Penalties
SECTION 1. Short Title
This Act shall be known and cited as the "Public Research Integrity Act."
SECTION 2. Findings and Purpose
The Legislative Assembly finds that:
- The integrity of research, reports, and guidance issued by public agencies and officials is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring effective governance.
- Fraudulent research undermines legislative priorities, deceives stakeholders, and erodes public confidence.
- To protect the public and uphold transparent government, it is necessary to establish strict penalties for public officials who knowingly engage in fraudulent research practices.
The purpose of this Act is to create criminal penalties for any Oregon public official who knowingly creates, participates in the creation of, or disseminates fraudulent research in official reports, guidance, or documents intended to inform public policy, agency action, or legislative mandates.
SECTION 3. Definitions
As used in this Act:
- "Public official" means any person elected or appointed to any office, position, or employment within the state government, including but not limited to state agencies, departments, commissions, boards, and authorities, as well as employees of local government entities.
- "Fraudulent research" means any research report, analysis, study, guidance document, agency plan, or other official documentation or communication that:
a. Is intended to mislead or deceive others by containing material misrepresentations, falsified data, or intentionally manipulated conclusions.
b. Omits relevant facts or data with the intent to mislead.
c. Is created or disseminated with the knowledge that it does not accurately represent the evidence or information required to address legislative priorities or agency responsibilities.
SECTION 4. Prohibited Conduct
- It shall be unlawful for any public official to:
a. Knowingly create, authorize, or contribute to the creation of fraudulent research as defined in Section 3(2) in response to:
i. Reports or analyses requested by legislation or by a legislative committee.
ii. Agency plans or documents aimed at addressing priorities or requirements set by the legislature.
iii. Guidance documents intended for agency staff, local agencies, or the public.
b. Participate in, or knowingly approve, the dissemination of such fraudulent research or documentation.
SECTION 5. Criminal Penalties
- Any public official who violates Section 4 of this Act shall be guilty of a Class A felony.
- Upon conviction, the official shall be subject to penalties provided for a Class A felony under Oregon law, including but not limited to imprisonment, fines, and a permanent ban from holding any public office within the State of Oregon.
SECTION 6. Additional Remedies and Enforcement
- Any agency or individual directly affected by fraudulent research may seek an injunction or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the dissemination or reliance on such research.
- Nothing in this Act shall preclude additional administrative penalties or civil remedies as permitted under Oregon law.
SECTION 7. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, or clause of this Act is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this Act, which shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 8. Effective Date
This Act takes effect on [date], and applies to all actions of public officials occurring on or after that date.
SECTION 9. Reporting and Investigation
- Reporting Allegations:
Complaints or tips regarding violations of this Act shall be submitted directly to the Oregon Department of Justice.
- Investigation Authority:
The Department of Justice shall conduct preliminary assessments of complaints to determine if a violation may have occurred.
If the complaint is substantiated, the Department of Justice shall initiate a formal investigation and may involve other relevant agencies as needed.
- Confidentiality and Whistleblower Protection:
The identity of individuals reporting suspected violations shall be kept confidential, and any person providing information or testimony shall be protected from retaliation.
- Public Disclosure of Findings:
Upon completion of an investigation, findings shall be reported to the public unless confidentiality is required by law.
SECTION 10. Standard Definitions for Consistent Use by State Agencies
To ensure clarity and consistency in government research practices, the following terms are defined and shall be applied uniformly across all public records, research reports, agency plans, guidance documents, and official communications by state agencies and public officials:
- Research-Based:
Definition: Refers to practices, programs, interventions, or educational strategies that are directly founded on or derived from scientific research or evidence, establishing a direct link between research findings and the approach.
Example: A "research-based" teaching method is developed based on educational psychology studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.
Order of Process: Conduct research ? Develop lessons ? Implement in classrooms.
- Research-Supported:
Definition: Indicates that there is empirical evidence or scientific studies supporting the effectiveness of a particular approach, practice, or intervention. This does not imply direct development from research but that existing research validates the approach's use.
Example: A "research-supported" program is created independently but validated by studies showing its effectiveness in meeting educational goals.
Order of Process: Create lessons ? Validate through research ? Implement in classrooms.
- Research-Aligned:
Definition: Refers to programs or practices that generally align with principles or strategies recommended by relevant research. This term does not imply a direct evidence base or specific empirical support for the program itself.
Example: A "research-aligned" curriculum incorporates strategies research suggests are effective, even if the curriculum itself has not been the subject of specific studies.
Order of Process: Review untested research ? Develop lessons ? Implement in classrooms (with students as the initial subjects).
These definitions shall be utilized in all communications and documentation related to educational programs, practices, and interventions to maintain transparency, uphold standards, and ensure a shared understanding across all public agencies in Oregon.
Additional Components for Further Consideration
This section highlights supplementary ideas that should be considered when drafting the full legislative bill. While the core legislative concept is kept straightforward, these components provide valuable detail to address potential gaps, enhance transparency, and mitigate risks.
- Appeals Process: Establish a mechanism for reporters to appeal if they believe the Oregon Department of Justice has failed to meet required timelines, issued an incorrect ruling, or mishandled the process. This ensures an additional layer of accountability and fairness.
- Justification for Financial Incentives: Include a detailed rationale for financial incentives. Reviewing and validating research is often time-intensive, requiring meticulous verification of information from potentially hundreds of citations in a single report. Financial incentives offset these costs, encouraging individuals and organizations to undertake this vital work.
- Penalties for False Reports: Introduce penalties for submitting false reports of research fraud, particularly when done maliciously or with the intent to disrupt legitimate research. These penalties could include fines or compensation to the authors of the research for costs incurred in defending their work.
- Public Reporting of Fraud Investigations: Require the Oregon Department of Justice to maintain a publicly accessible database of research fraud reports. This should include the date of the report, the research in question, examples of the alleged fraud, the agency's status on the investigation, and the final outcome. Reporters should have the option to remain anonymous or have their name/organization listed publicly.
- Expedited Review for Related Reports: Establish a process for expedited review when fraudulent research is identified in reports that share similarities with others issued by public bodies across the country. Reporters could link their findings to previously identified fraudulent reports to streamline the review and investigation process.
Examples of Research Fraud
These are just two examples of research fraud in Oregon. These articles identify the instances of fraud, primarily by the Oregon Department of Education, and how they have led to misguided programs, practices, and content that are causing issues in our public schools today.
- Unveiling Oregon Department of Education's ontroversial Methods: A Deep Dive into Research Flaws and Lack of Oversight
In September 2022, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) delivered a research report on high-school graduation requirements to the legislature in response to Senate Bill 744 (2021)
ODE’s report misrepresented evidence, made unsubstantiated claims, and contained plagiarism
When the legislature didn’t take immediate action on their report, ODE bypassed them and went to the State Board of Education in late 2023 to implement some of their misguided recommendations
This report continues to influence legislation and policy decisions and has not yet been retracted
- Another "F" Grade for the Oregon Department of Education - Fact-Check Finds 2016 Chronic Absenteeism Plan is Biased and Flawed
This December 2016 “Chronic Absenteeism Statewide Plan” and its related research report were created in response to House Bill 4002 (2016)
Like the previous example, there were many falsehoods, biased statements, and fraudulent representations of research
Chronic absenteeism has continued to get worse in schools around the state, which is no surprise given the plan was not research-based but instead manipulated by its authors to implement radical, unproven programs and practices
--Donna Bleiler
Post Date: 2024-12-14 14:00:00 | Last Update: 2024-12-15 17:20:27 |
Non-citizens’ registrations go unresolved
In the House Rules Committee’s hearing on election integrity, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s testified that many Oregonians experienced issues in receiving the ballots on time or at all this election cycle.
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan state, “I want to encourage the Secretary of State to continue to press the United State Postal Service to deliver answers and solutions for the Oregonians who experienced delays in receiving their ballots, or didn’t receive them at all.
“However, today’s testimony from the Secretary of State’s office did nothing to give Oregonians confidence that the errors that allowed non-citizens to register to vote in Oregon have been fully identified and corrected.
“Automatic voter registration must remain suspended until we can confidently tell Oregonians that only eligible voters are registered through our automatic voter registration system, safeguards have been implemented to verify citizenship at the point of registration, and that regular audits will be performed in perpetuity to remove ineligible voters from the voter rolls.
Janice Dysinger, election expert and founder of Faithful Elections, agrees. "Vote by Mail misses 4 out of 100 people automatically to start with for mailing problems. Every election there are people looking for their ballots to come on election day. I hear from them and direct them to their clerk. Often they become disenfranchised voters.
"Our voter rolls include dead and inactive voters as no-one has removed these voters per recent Oregon law changes. Now we learned, as we suspected, that non citizens are on our voter rolls. So Oregon elections are being decided by non citizens, dead voters, people who have moved and the people who vote those ballots.
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Dysinger says we should do more than monitor for non-citizens. "Our voter rolls change every election. They are an exploited plot to control the outcome. It all takes place in the dark. Oregonians need to take back their elections and return to the precinct, vote in person with ID on paper ballots that are counted in that precinct that day. Absent voters need to apply each election with proof of ID as military and real Oregonians should do. Machines make our elections a farce as recent court cases show. Count the vote under 'Sunshine laws' that requires, out in the open under televised video surveillance where all can see the count.
"Precincts should be small enough to count votes in one day. More precincts is the solution to counting and posting results to the elections office that same day. No one should be allowed to turn in their ballot late. Election day should be a holiday for voting. Real elections take effort. Oregon did it for 145 years when it was a trusted process, and Oregon can do it again," Dysinger concludes.
Rep. Drazan says: “As elected leaders we have a duty to strengthen our election system, provide transparency for Oregonians, and ensure the continued trust in our elections.” Will she be a leader to pass solutions?
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-12-14 12:37:18 | Last Update: 2024-12-14 23:42:06 |
Governor Tina Kotek has announced that she will appoint Jeffrey D. Auxier to the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Auxier fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Amy Baggio. In an announcement of her appointment, Governor Kotek indicated that Auxier received the most votes in the November 2024 general election and that "the appointment reflects the will of the voters in Multnomah County." The appointment is effective immediately.
Article V, Section 16 of the Oregon Constitution says that "[W]hen at any time a vacancy occurs...in the office of judge of any court, the governor shall fill such vacancy by appointment"

In this case, an election did precede the appointment, but it need not, and in nearly all cases, judges resign partway through a term and -- as provided in the Oregon Constitution -- the replacement appointment is made by the Governor. Nearly all Oregon Governors are from the west side of the state, and an even higher percentage from the Willamette Valley. Since 2014, Oregon Governors (Brown, Kotek) have hailed from the Portland metro area. This has a disruptive effect on the regional ties judges have to their communities in other parts of the state.
Jeffrey Auxier's left-leaning credentials are unquestionable. He was a member of
OHSU Gun Violence Review Commission.
In an interview with the
Oregonian Editorial Board prior to the November 2024 elections, Auxier said:
In July of this year, I served as the lead prosecutor in State v. Rahnique Jackson, a murder case in which a man was stabbed to death for defending his transgender friend. The case lacked meaningful surveillance footage or forensic evidence, and relied heavily on eyewitness testimony. I biked around Portland to meet my witnesses after they got off work at bars and restaurants. Connecting with Portlanders of varying gender identities and racial backgrounds who wanted to help their community and honor Colin’s life deepened my connection to the city and strengthened the case.
This
case was rigorously and publicly prosecuted by then-Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt.
Again, from the same interview,
As district attorney of Columbia County, I made several decisions that were not always politically popular but they were the right thing to do. Following my appointment as DA in 2017, I inherited the case of State v. Daniel Butts, in which the defendant was charged with murdering the chief of police in Rainier. Many members of the community wanted me to pursue the death penalty in that case, but after working closely with law enforcement and the family of the victim, I gained their support to pursue a life sentence, which better accounted for the defendant’s mental illness.
--Staff ReportsPost Date: 2024-12-04 14:38:57 | Last Update: 2024-12-04 15:28:23 |
Governor designated $2.1 billion for housing and homelessness
Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek released her
2025-2027 recommended budget entitled “Building on Progress”.
Governor Kotek says she continues to consult with the Governor’s Racial Justice Council, and these conversations have helped inform her approach to decision making. She states: “My approach to being your Governor will always be grounded in truth, pragmatism, and a relentless pursuit of equitable outcomes for all Oregonians. The December revenue forecast projects stability for Oregon, and I am pleased to share that my budget does not lay off people or cut services, and instead strategically deepens our commitment to building progress on Oregonians’ top priorities while remaining disciplined when it comes to new programs. I fundamentally believe the Legislature needs to pass budgets for the next two years that build on the progress we have achieved together.”
Governor Kotek made housing and homelessness a top priority in 2023-24, and continues down that path.
The Homelessness budget includes infrastructure to stabilize partnerships. Her 2025-2027 budget shows resolve toward continuing a progressive plan committing more than $700 million, including:
- $217.9 million to maintain Oregon’s statewide system of shelters. The Oregonians who are still spending the night on our streets are relying on statewide support and we cannot afford to allow our progress to stall.
- $188.2 million to maintain current efforts to transition Oregonians out of homelessness and into housing. The Oregon Rehousing Initiative gets Oregon families into safe, stable housing, and keeps them there.
- $173.2 million to maintain services to prevent Oregonians from becoming homeless in the first place. The most cost effective strategy to combat our homelessness crisis is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.
The failed Housing Program she says takes persistence, and her 2025-2027 recommended budget continues to focus on increasing Oregon’s housing supply in every part of the state by committing more than $1.4 billion including:
- $880 million new bond authority to build more affordable housing and homeownership pathways. The recommended budget reflects a dogged commitment to meet the state’s housing production goals and includes $780 million to build affordable rental homes and $100.9 million for new homeownership units.
- $100 million to establish a new housing infrastructure program. These new funds will establish a new housing infrastructure program to fund water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure linked to new housing development to unlock thousands of new affordable and market rate rental and homeownership units.
- $57.6 million to continue efforts for supporting first-time home buyers and Oregonians looking to buy an affordable home. Homeownership is out of reach for many working families, keeping Oregonians from building wealth over the long term. This investment supports homeownership development and homebuyer assistance.
Not all agree with Governor Kotek’s proposal. Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) criticized Governor Kotek’s proposed budget for lacking a bold vision to address Oregon’s worsening housing crisis, highlighting her administration’s failure to meet its own housing production goals.

“When Governor Kotek took office, she set an ambitious goal of building 36,000 housing units per year to address Oregon’s severe housing shortage. Yet, the latest report shows that only 18,000 units were built in 2023—less than half of her target and even fewer than the 20,000 units built in 2022,” said Bonham. “This failure reflects the shortcomings of the policies she continues to champion.”
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“Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, housing policies have been largely driven by
bureaucracy and ideology, prioritizing government-subsidized projects over real solutions to increase supply, reduce costs, and empower working families. Her new budget doubles down on the same failed strategies that have left Oregonians behind. It's time for a new vision—one that focuses on affordability, homeownership, and economic opportunity for all,” added Bonham.
Senate Republicans are committed to delivering a housing policy that works for every Oregonian. This means focusing on increasing housing supply across the spectrum, reducing regulatory burdens that drive up costs, and addressing the skyrocketing energy prices that make it harder to build and maintain homes.
“Oregonians don’t need more empty promises or half-measures. They need real solutions to bring housing within reach. Senate Republicans will continue to fight for policies that deliver the American Dream for Oregonians,” concluded Bonham.
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-12-03 17:01:20 | Last Update: 2024-12-03 19:13:12 |
“It is clear Governor Kotek’s priority is to protect the status quo”
Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek released her
2025-2027 recommended budget entitled “Building on Progress”.
Governor Kotek says she continues to consult with the Governor’s Racial Justice Council, and these conversations have helped inform her approach to decision making. She states: “My approach to being your Governor will always be grounded in truth, pragmatism, and a relentless pursuit of equitable outcomes for all Oregonians.” Voters could ask how her council, her biggest influence, represents “all” Oregonians.
She touts that her “budget does not lay off people or cut services, and instead strategically deepens her commitment to building progress on Oregonians’ top priorities while remaining disciplined when it comes to new programs.” As Oregonians deal with inflation, growing government isn’t even on Santa’s wish list. “I fundamentally believe the Legislature needs to pass budgets for the next two years that build on the progress we have achieved together.” The majority of Oregonians are scratching their heads to list what she has accomplished.
Governor Kotek made housing and homelessness a top priority in 2023-24, and continues down that path dedicating $700 million for homelessness after the 2023 legislature recriminalized drug laws. It took a 210 percent increase in fentanyl-related deaths for the legislature to correct a failed policy that increased homelessness. Kotek is also asking for $1.4 billion for housing supply after the prior attempt failed in accountability. (
See companion article on homelessness and housing funding.)
Funding for Behavioral Health includes aligning treatment capacity with workforce capacity to close gaps in services. Since day one, Governor Kotek has been working to make her vision for Oregon’s behavioral health system possible: access to care no matter where you live or what you can afford. The 2025-2027 Governor’s Recommended Budget focuses on building treatment capacity and supporting a strong behavioral health workforce by committing more than $330 million, including:
- $90 million in General Fund backfill of ARPA investments for capacity building. The Governor’s budget includes a $90 million investment towards capacity building for adult mental health services, substance use disorder residential treatment, and withdrawal management.
- $50 million General Fund backfill from ARPA to strengthen workforce investments. Governor Kotek is focused on increasing the supply and distribution of a diverse and culturally responsive behavioral health workforce by investing $25.7 million in behavioral health education and training programs, wrap-around supports for students, and tuition assistance and scholarships, and investing $24.3 million in graduate stipends, loan repayment, and peer and manager support for the community mental health workforce.
- $40 million to continue deflection services through the Criminal Justice Commission. The funding supports deflection coordinators, peers and counselors who give individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity to avoid legal consequences and to seek treatment instead.
Governor Kotek’s vision for her Children and Youth funding is to invest for a stronger, healthier future. Building on her education initiative work, she is advancing a multipronged approach to supporting Oregon’s children and youth for a better future in Oregon by committing more than $835 million, including:
- $600 million increase to strengthen the State School Fund Current Service Level (CSL) for a total of $11.36 billion. The Governor is recommending a three-pronged approach to adjusting funding for the State School Fund to move the needle on student outcomes and provide more accurate and predictable funding for K-12 public education across Oregon, along with adjusting the calculation to account for the recent PERS rate increase.
- $205.5 million to provide additional targeted funding to help more students get on track for success. By recommending $127 million to maintain and strengthen previous early literacy investments and $78.5 million to expand and make ongoing investments in summer learning programs, Oregon’s students will get more help to overcome pandemic learning loss.
- $25 million for youth behavioral health investments. Governor Kotek is recommending new investments in targeted residential and community-based behavioral health and substance use disorder capacity, expansion of mental health services, prevention services for school-based health centers, and funding to expand youth suicide prevention work.
"The Department of Transportation is asking for an additional $1.7 billion per year. The Governor’s budget leaves a massive hole that will likely be filled with new taxes. It’s time for the legislature to live within its means and prioritize essential services—just as every Oregonian is forced to do in this struggling economy.”

“Oregonians are sending a clear message that they want a state where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to succeed. House Democrats will protect what makes Oregon special and show that this state is for everyone. We take this responsibility seriously,” said Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D-Tigard, Metzger, S. Beaverton). “In the 2025 session, we will improve the lives of all Oregonians with a focus on affordability, making government work, and keeping Oregonians safe. It’s time to get to work delivering results for working people and protecting Oregonians’ basic rights and freedoms.”
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In response to Governor Tina Kotek’s 2025 budget proposal, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) stated: "Budgets express priorities and it is clear Governor Kotek's priority is to protect the status quo. This budget has no new ideas and no new vision. What was put forward today is more of the same from Governor Kotek. The Governor proposed a budget that is unsustainable without implementing substantial new taxes, that Oregonians cannot afford and do not support.
“Whether it’s schools, addiction, roads or public safety, under Governor Kotek’s leadership, this budget means Oregonians can expect to pay more, but get less,” Drazen concludes.
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-12-03 12:03:17 | Last Update: 2024-12-03 19:12:24 |
Governor seeks existing available funds to finish paying bills for historic fire season before the end of the year
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced that she is using her constitutional authority to call a special session of the Oregon Legislature, to begin on Thursday, December 12, for lawmakers to appropriate funds to pay for the historic 2024 wildfire season. A record 1.9 million acres burned this wildfire season, far exceeding the state’s 10-year average of 640,000 acres per season and incurring costs upwards of $350 million. While over half of the costs will eventually be covered by disaster relief funds from the federal government, the state needs to pay its bills as expeditiously as possible.
“The unprecedented 2024 wildfire season required all of us to work together to protect life, land, and property, and that spirit of cooperation must continue in order to meet our fiscal responsibilities,” said Governor Kotek. “I am grateful to legislative leaders for coming to consensus that our best course of action is to ensure the state’s fire season costs are addressed and bills paid by the end of the calendar year.”
The Governor is asking the Legislature to release a combined total of $218 million to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to address all costs for the season assumed to date. This includes meeting the state’s financial obligations to small, medium, and large contractors who worked tirelessly to protect and support Oregonians for more than five months.
“Fighting wildfires of the magnitude we saw this season required a tremendous level of resources that even wildfire experts couldn’t foresee,” said House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene & Veneta). “Now, as we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, we need to make good on our commitments and pay our bills so that the contractors who fought fires in Oregon can be made whole. Convening now will enable us to do so, and to chart a bipartisan path forward to address our state’s most pressing needs.”
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Wildfires this season destroyed at least 42 homes and 132 other structures, and caused severe disruptions and damage to transportation facilities, utility infrastructure, and natural resource economies. In July, Governor Kotek declared a State of Emergency in response to the threat of wildfire and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act a state record 17 times to mobilize structural firefighting resources coordinated by OSFM to local communities and thousands of wildland firefighting personnel and resources coordinated by ODF.
Oregonians are perplexed over the number of acres burned. If 86% of wildfires are man caused, why are the blaming climate change? How many of those man made fires were prescribed burns? The National Forest Service intents to repeat prescribed burns every five years. The trees that survived the 2021 prescribed burns are now dead hit by current wildfires that had the potential of two billion board feet of timber harvest.
According to ODF, the state’s share of 2024 fire season net cost is $123 million. Net costs are gross costs minus reimbursements from federal or other state agencies. The September 2024 emergency funds provided for 2024 net costs was $40 million, leaving $83 million. ODF intended to request the $83 million from the December Emergency Board, which is the remaining portion of the state’s share (net) of wildfire costs for the 2024 fire season. The gross cost will eventually be reimbursed by sources such as FEMA and USFS, but ODF has to carry that debt and pay those bills in the meantime. After the most expensive fire season in Oregon’s history, it’s clear that ODF needs financial help to make it until federal funds are received for reimbursements.
Will Governor Kotek enforce a 2010 administrative rule mandating that ODF harvest enough timber from state forests to fulfill its obligations to manage the forests. As chief of the Land Board, her decision to advance HCP, cutting production by over 50% is putting a bigger burden on taxpayers to cover wildfire costs, and having total disregard for rule of law.
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-11-26 17:39:28 | Last Update: 2024-11-26 19:15:37 |
2024 election has Senate Republicans in a superminority position
The 2024 election has left Oregon Senate Republicans in a superminority position. With Republicans taking control of the White House, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate, there’s a concern that the Oregon Democrat Majority may pursue an increasingly extreme agenda. The Senate Republicans Caucus released their priorities for the 2025 legislative session advancing common-sense policies, and safeguard the interests of Oregonians. They state, “we’re prepared to stand firm, and… ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this new political landscape.”
The areas they want to prioritize that will impact Oregonians the most are:
- Strong Economy
- A Safer State
- A Better Future for Oregon’s Children
- A More Accountable Government
The Oregon Senate Republican Caucus is focused on practical solutions that make life better for all Oregonians. Whether it’s improving public safety, making life more affordable, or supporting good jobs and schools, they are committed to building a safer, stronger, and more affordable Oregon for everyone. They aren’t just focusing on the problems, they are asking for input to make a real difference in people's lives.
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December 10-12 are Legislative Days where committees hold informational hearings on potential legislation, review updates on past bills, and hear reports from state agencies.
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-11-26 17:30:46 | Last Update: 2024-11-26 19:28:39 |
Two teachers arrested for sexual abuse
School Board elections could not come soon enough for St. Helens parents. Following the arrests of two teachers on sexual abuse charges, the St. Helens School District has placed its superintendent, Scot Stockwell, and high school principal, Katy Wagner, on paid administrative leave. The district has also accepted the resignation of its school board chair, Ryan Scholl.
On November 12, 2024, the St. Helens Police Department arrested Eric Stearns, a 46-year-old choir teacher at St. Helens High School facing seven counts of second-degree sex abuse and one count of third-degree sex abuse involving six students, according to police. Mark Collins, a 64-year-old former math teacher, arrested on two counts of second-degree sex abuse and one count of attempted second-degree sex abuse. The allegations against Collins involve three students, police said. The arrests came after a two-month investigation.
Parents and students are protesting and want to know why the board didn’t take action in 2019 when they were informed of abuse allegations against Stearns, and didn’t notify authorities.
- November 12, 2024: Stearns and Collins were arrested on sexual abuse charges.
- November 14, 2024: Principal Katy Wagner was placed on administrative leave.
- November 15, 2024: School Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned.
- November 16, 2024: Superintendent Scot Stockwell was placed on paid administrative leave.
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Eric Stearns has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing six students between 2015 and January 2024. Mark Collins has pleaded not guilty on sex abuse involving three minors between 2017 and 2023. The district is also being investigated for not forwarding the report to law enforcement.
Moving forward, the district has stated its goal is to ensure a safe and positive learning environment, with clear steps to address the concerns of students, families, and community members. St. Helens School Board appointed an acting superintendent to address the rapidly escalating crisis.
--Donna BleilerPost Date: 2024-11-26 16:10:08 | Last Update: 2024-11-26 19:29:10 |
Oregon follows California on 100% ban on new diesel vehicles
In November 2021, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) adopted the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT), following in the footsteps of the California Air Resource Board’s rules that limit the kinds of vehicles Oregonians can purchase. The first phase of those new regulations takes effect January 1, 2025.
Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) sent a letter to EQC asking for a delay in the implementation of the ACT rules that will lead to the ban of heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Oregon. This includes RVs, heavy duty pickup trucks like Ford F-250 and -350, utility vehicles, tow trucks, and semi-trucks. The rules require medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers to sell zero-emission vehicles (ZEV)
as a certain percentage of new vehicle sales, beginning with the 2025 model year. RV, pickup truck, and
semi-truck manufacturers must increase their zero-emission new truck sales in Oregon year-over-year
based on the truck’s size. The ban begins in 2025, requiring between 7-11% (depending on Class size) of
sales to be ZEV, and increases in percentage to 100% by 2036.
The letter says in part:
“Given the lack of technological advancements and infrastructure necessary to support this transition, I believe that the implementation of these rules, while well-intentioned, will actually slow the
reduction of emissions from the transportation sector while harming local industries and
communities who rely on trucks to keep Oregon’s economy moving.”
Due partly to the lack of technological advancement, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Maine have
since backed off their commitment to adopt the California standards. Colorado, Maryland, and Rhode
Island have also delayed implementation. Federal law allows states that choose to adopt CARB
regulations to modify implementation dates, but the substance of the regulations must be identical to
California’s.
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“Oregon’s climate change policies need to get back in touch with reality,” Representative Boshart Davis said. “A 100% ban on new diesel pickups, RV’s and semi-trucks by 2036
should alarm everyone. Without immediate action from the EQC, countless everyday Oregonians who
rely on essential equipment to make a living will find themselves unable to purchase that equipment.
Without action, these regulations will do irreparable harm to Oregon businesses and working people. I
urge the EQC to take immediate action and delay these rules.”
You can read the entire letter
here.
The EQC is scheduled to meet on November 21 about potential paths forward regarding the ACT rules. There are new inventive energy systems being develop that will soon revolutionize vehicles that should cause a delay in all restrictions of use of fuels whether for vehicles or energy.
See the agenda here.
--Donna Bleiler
Post Date: 2024-11-15 02:18:46 | Last Update: 2024-11-15 00:10:35 |
Monique DeSpain Thanks Supporters in Statement on Final Oregon District 4 Election Returns
The final District 4 election results are in and Oregon Fourth Congressional District will return Val Hoyle to Washington D.C. to represent an average of 706,917 residents in Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Lane, Benton, Linn and a portion of Douglas County.
Challenging Hoyle was Monique DeSpain, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, mother of twin boys, and public policy advocate who resides in Eugene, Oregon. She has been the Republican nominee for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, running to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle in 2024 to bring about a safer, more prosperous Oregon. She issued the following statement and challenge to Hoyle:
“I am immensely proud of our campaign that led the public debate on the top issues voters care about. We shed a bright light on the truth about the disastrous policies and corrupt conduct of the elected official who has been representing us these past two years,” noted DeSpain.
“Despite being outspent 3 to 1 and inundated with more than $1 million of ads telling baldfaced lies, our campaign message of restoring public safety, securing our border, stopping fentanyl, ending homelessness, bringing back an affordable, prosperous economy, preventing wildfires, and ensuring a transparent and accountable government clearly resonated with voters and forced my opponent to run ads paying lip service to them - issues she made no mention of in her voter pamphlet statement or during her previous years representing Oregonians.”
“With nearly 157,610 or 30% of the 526,538 eligible 4th District voters not casting ballots in this election, there were still too many voters who chose to remain silent when it mattered the most. To bring about the change we seek, these voters must awaken and participate in the political process that dictates the direction of Oregon and our nation.”
“Bottom line: this election is not the end, but just the beginning of holding Val Hoyle accountable for delivering bipartisan results she has promised. I challenge her to actually vote to secure our border, to stop fentanyl from entering Oregon and killing our people, to prevent wildfires rather than fund fires, to end, not just fund, homelessness, to deliver infrastructure with $2.3B of funding to the Coos Bay Port, and to kill the reviled BOEM windfarms threatening our coastal communities,” said DeSpain. “And, all of us will be watching with great interest how the U.S. Department of Justice proceeds with their current investigation of Val Hoyle’s pay-to-play scheme to strong-arm the illegal BOLI grant of over $500,000 for La Mota’s nonprofit Endeavor.”
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“In the coming weeks and months, I will be exploring various opportunities to continue to make a difference on the key issues that we care about, those issues which I have fought to address during my campaign. Our district and our nation are worth it.”
DeSpain fought for bold, effective solutions to the problems that really matter to the people of this District. “Though we didn’t achieve our goal to replace our corrupt incumbent career politician by deploying me to Congress, my outstanding team and I want to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the voters, volunteers, and contributors from all parties and parts of the District for their hard work, generosity in time and resources, and constant moral support and prayers. I am honored to have raised your voices. Thank you.”
She can be contacted via Communications Director, Kevin Hoar, at kevinghoar@gmail.com or call 503-866-3264.
--Staff ReportsPost Date: 2024-11-15 01:01:01 | Last Update: 2024-11-15 00:09:53 |
“By agreeing to an external audit, Democrats have conceded that something is systemically wrong”
Initial DMV release of its
After Action Report, which identified additional errors in its processes resulted in 302 individuals being registered to vote who did not provide proof of their eligibility. In response, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade directed county elections officials to inactivate all 302 voter registrations.
Secretary Griffin-Valade also joined Governor Tina Kotek calling for an independent, external audit of the Motor Votor system.
Secretary Griffin-Valade stated, “The DMV’s After Action Report raises serious concerns about this important part of our voter registration system. The first step in restoring the public’s trust in Motor Voter is a transparent review by a neutral third party operating under strict government auditing standards.”
The investigation by DMV increased the number to 1,259 in September. Two days after the election DMV says they have found 56 more non-citizens who were added to the voter rolls making the total 1,617 since the error was discovered.
According to the
After Action Report:
The system was configured to use a drop-down menu of document choices, where the default choices included U.S. passport (as opposed to any other kind of passport) and U.S. birth certificate (as opposed to any other kind of birth certificate). This configuration did not separate documents that prove U.S. citizenship from those that do not and did not take into proper account the need to minimize
potential for human error when accurate input for OMV purposes should have been paramount. Front-line staff were not adequately trained on the importance of accuracy in this part of a transaction and why it was critical for the reliability of OMV to take the time to get it right every time.
Secretary Griffin-Valade instructed the Oregon Elections Division to take steps to increase its oversight of the Motor Voter system. DMV hired a new Motor Voter oversight position to ensure automatic voter registration policies and procedures are reviewed, updated and followed with regular data checks. Additionally, she directed corrective action to be taken to protect the integrity of the 2024 election. County clerks were to inactivate all ineligible voter registrations and issue “due process” letters providing them with the opportunity to reregister if they can confirm their eligibility. In a second layer of security, ensure that any ballots returned from this group are not counted without first verifying eligibility to ensure the error does not impact the 2024 election.
Do we know these individuals’ citizenship status?
No. We simply know that they did not present the necessary documentation supporting their eligibility when they interacted with the DMV.
Did any of these individuals vote? And if so, what will be done with them?
The Oregon Elections Division will work with the 36 county election officers to determine if
there are any individuals with a vote history and follow the same process used with the
previous data sent over by the DMV in September.
Counties will be instructed to flag these ballots in the election management system. If any ballots are returned, they will be removed from the vote tallying process. The voter will be given an opportunity to demonstrate that they are eligible, but if that doesn’t happen the votes will not be counted.
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“Both the Secretary of State’s office and the Department of Motor Vehicles assured voters there were no more issues to be found, but again they were wrong. They also assured voters nothing would impact the 2024 election; how are voters to be sure they are not wrong about that also?” said Representative Anna Scharf (R-Amity). “What is clear is that there are major flaws in the Motor Voter system. Yes, we should have an independent audit, but there should also be an investigation performed into possible violations of the law”
--Staff ReportsPost Date: 2024-11-11 12:42:59 | Last Update: 2024-11-11 17:28:30 |
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