News Alerts :: Oregon Citizens Lobby

What’s with the time switch?

Posted on October 19, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

A short excerpt from Rep. Gomberg’s (D, HD-10) newsletter (10-19-21): Come November, Oregon will fall back to standard time as always. Why, you might be wondering, are we doing this again? Didn’t we change the law so we don’t ever have to go back to standard time? Well, we did! In 2019 I was pleased to support SB 320 which…

Undocumented workers can now receive second round of financial assistance

Posted on October 16, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Undocumented workers, who do not qualify for unemployment or stimulus checks, can apply for a second round of relief payments through the Oregon Worker Relief Fund. SALEM, Ore. — Throughout the pandemic, undocumented people have been ineligible for federal and state unemployment benefits and stimulus checks. In Oregon, the absence of that support led to the creation of the Oregon…

Republican legislator Bill Post, who moved to Nevada, resigns effective Nov. 30

Posted on October 13, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

After announcing in late September that he had moved to Nevada, Republican state Rep. Bill Post submitted his resignation Tuesday from his position as the House District 25 representative effective Nov. 30. “After further discussions with an elections attorney and talking it over with my wife, it appears that the best action I can take for my district and my…

Oregon governor race: New York Times columnist forms fundraising group

Posted on October 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist and author, is the latest person to take an official step into the wide-open 2022 race for governor of Oregon. Kristof filed Tuesday to create a campaign committee. Eight Democrats, counting Kristof, and 12 Republicans have established committees that enable them to raise money for the May 17, 2022, primary election. The candidacy filing…

Former Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno files suit to challenge Dems’ congressional redistricting map

Posted on October 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Clarno is one of four Republican plaintiffs in a suit alleging that Democrats’ plan amounts to illegal, blatant gerrymandering. Former Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno and three other Oregon Republicans have filed a challenge to new congressional districts recently passed by state lawmakers, arguing the plan amounts to blatant partisan gerrymandering that is unconstitutional and contrary to state law….

Redistricting Gerrymandering

Posted on September 22, 2021 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

Senate Republicans Comment on Redistricting Gerrymandering 5th consecutive session with restricted public access Oregon Senate Democrats rammed through partisan gerrymandered redistricting plans that will rig elections for the next decade. The Congressional Plan, by far the most egregious, creates 5 solidly Democratic districts. This would give Democrats control of 86% of Oregon’s congressional delegation, despite Oregonians never giving Democrats 86%…

The Leader of Oregon House Republicans Suggests They Could Walk Out Over Tina Kotek’s Redistricting Maneuver

Posted on September 22, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

“I think if you’re not going to keep your deal, you’re not going to keep it. This is just who she is.” With one week left until the deadline for redrawing Oregon’s congressional districts, and adding a new, sixth district, House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) is playing partisan hardball. And her Republican counterpart is crying foul. By Sept. 27, the…

Oregon Dems void power-sharing redistricting deal with GOP

Posted on September 22, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

(AP) — The Democratic speaker of the Oregon House on Monday rescinded a deal she made with Republicans to share power as lawmakers redraw political boundaries and add an additional U.S. House seat for the state. The now defunct agreement made earlier this year had drawn national attention because Democrats, who have overwhelming majorities in the Legislature, had agreed to…

Oregon Democrats Unveil Their Redistricting Proposal, Setting Up Partisan Clash In Salem

Posted on September 19, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Following hours of testimony and accusations of gerrymandering, the state’s majority party unveiled maps it says meet “the highest legal standards.” An analysis tool suggests the plan biased. Oregon Democrats will press forward next week with a plan that would likely give their party dominance over the state’s congressional landscape, potentially dooming one facet of a special legislative session before…

Brown calls special session for Oregon redistricting

Posted on September 11, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Gov. Kate Brown says the Oregon Legislature will return to the Capitol Sept. 20 for a special session to adopt new congressional and legislative district maps. The state Constitution does not allow the governor to limit the length of a special session, but Brown on Friday asked that lawmakers act “expeditiously.” The Statesman Journal reports the…

Alert: Redistricting Talking Points

Posted on September 8, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Important Newsletter from Senator Kim Thatcher (9-7-21); Dear Friends, The Senate Republican Caucus staff has been working all weekend to get something together to help you testify on the proposed redistricting plans. You will find links below for talking points for the hearings for Congressional Districts 1 – 4 and the overlapping House and Senate districts. We’re hoping to have…

Sandy mayor Stan Pulliam announces run for Oregon governor in 2022

Posted on September 8, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

SANDY, Ore. – Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam on Tuesday officially announced a run for the Republican ticket in Oregon’s upcoming 2022 race for governor. Pulliam initially announced an exploratory committee into possibly joining the race earlier this year. The mayor has been a vocal critic of some of the measures Oregon put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Pulliam urged…

Guest Column: The injustice of forced union dues

Posted on September 7, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

America’s working men and women have faced unprecedented challenges over the course of the pandemic, and on Labor Day, we shouldn’t only be remembering their dedication but redoubling our efforts to protect their individual rights in the workplace. That means there is work to do in Oregon, because it is one of the 23 states lacking a “right-to-work” law. In…

Oregon lawmakers to hear from public on redrawing congressional districts

Posted on September 5, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon is set to get an additional congressional seat, but right now, we don’t know where that new district will be. The legislature has to make a decision by the end of the month. KATU News spoke with Representatives Andrea Salinas (D) of Lake Oswego and Shelly Boshart Davis (R) of Albany on Saturday about how this…

Labor Day kicks off the 2022 election season in Oregon

Posted on September 5, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Ready or not, Oregon, the 2022 election season is here. Labor Day weekend of odd-numbered years is the traditional kickoff of serious campaign activity aimed at the ballot voters will mark in 14 months. If anything, 2021 has a running start. The busy summer needs a primer to catch up on what’s happened and what’s coming up that will have…

Oregon State troopers, firefighters suing Gov. Brown over vaccine mandate

Posted on September 4, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

SALEM, OR (KPTV) – A group of Oregon State Troopers and firefighters is suing Gov. Kate Brown over the vaccine mandate for state employees. The Fraternal Order of Police, a firefighters group in Klamath Falls, and nine Oregon State Police are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Brown and the state of Oregon are named as defendants. The lawsuit claims the…

News Release: inherent conflict of interest after Oregon Legislature releases first drafts of district maps

Posted on September 4, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2021 MEDIA CONTACT Norman Turrill (503) 807-4863 People Not Politicians highlights inherent conflict of interest after Oregon Legislature releases first drafts of district maps PORTLAND—People Not Politicians released the following statement today (Sep 3) after the Oregon House and Senate Redistricting Committees released their first legislative and congressional district map drafts. “There is no amount…

Miller: Brown’s dam-busting lawsuit is bad for clean energy

Posted on September 3, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Kurt Miller is executive director of Northwest RiverPartners. He argues a state lawsuit would hurt clean energy plans A few years ago, I attended a meeting where then-Secretary of State Kate Brown was the featured speaker. I didn’t know much about Brown, but I came away impressed with her knowledge on different policy issues as she took questions from the…

Oregon House Speaker Kotek announces run for governor

Posted on September 3, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

PORTLAND — Tina Kotek, the Speaker of the Oregon House, announced Thursday (Aug 26, ’21) she is running for governor. Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat like Kotek, cannot run for re-election in 2022 due to term limits. Kotek, a Portland lawmaker, has led the state House since 2013. “Oregonians are living through a devastating pandemic, the intensifying impacts of climate…

New Redistricting Public Hearing Schedule – All Virtual Meetings

Posted on September 3, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

The new schedule for the September Redistricting Public Hearings can be found below. Meetings will be held virtually and organized to hear from residents of each current congressional district. Oregonians can participate by signing up for video or phone testimony, uploading written testimony, or by submitting a map for consideration by September 7. If you are unsure of which congressional district you live…

Fighting Back for Our Students

Posted on August 25, 2021 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

Building Back Basics in Education “I do a lot of public record’s requests to see what the district is doing” Jeanette Schade is becoming a national recognized name for what she is doing to restore the Oregon education system. Her journey started when she ran for Beaverton School Board, but as soon as she started campaigning against critical race theory…

Letter to the editor: Oregonians can stop gun lockup bill

Posted on August 25, 2021 by BJ | 3 Comments

Should Oregon’s government require you to lock up your guns in your own home? If you say no, you can — with one simple action — help keep it from doing so. Last spring, Senate Bill 554 was passed by Oregon’s Democrat-supermajority legislature and signed by Gov. Kate Brown. If enacted, the bill will require you to keep your guns…

Malheur County sheriff calls out governor, won’t enforce mandates and will challenge new ones

Posted on August 25, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Brian Wolfe, Malheur County sheriff, opposes state mandates for masks and vaccines in a letter to Gov. Kate Brown. Wolfe said individuals should look out for their own health. “It’s not the government’s job to protect our health,” he wrote. VALE – Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe has written a letter rejecting Gov. Kate Brown’s mask and vaccination mandates as…

Editorial: The Legislature is eyeing your property taxes

Posted on August 24, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Heads up, homeowners. For Oregon reformers, you are next. A legislative committee is meeting this week to look at property taxes. Will you end up paying less? Or more? We don’t know exactly what ideas the committee will consider. But it’s not hard to guess, because legislators bring some ideas up repeatedly. The big one is: Reset on sale. Property…

Local Control: Sheriff to Gov. Brown: ‘The people of Columbia County want our county back’

Posted on August 23, 2021 by BJ | 2 Comments

Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley has posted a letter to Gov. Kate Brown on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Facebook page stating he will not enforce the state’s latest COVID-19 health and safety requirements. The following is Pixley’s letter to Gov. Brown. “I write to you today on behalf of the citizens of Columbia County in hopes of opening a dialogue….

Gov. Brown turns blind eye against these victims

Posted on August 23, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Why is Kate Brown turning a blind eye toward human trafficking in her own state? Officials from Josephine County put her on notice about the criminal activity this week…and some of those reps were from the Governor’s own political party. Commissioner Herman Baertschiger came on my talk show yesterday to explain what police found in his county just days ago….

Oregon’s 2021 Energy Regulations Are Already Hurting Consumers

Posted on August 23, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Did you just have an order for a desktop computer or gaming system canceled by Dell? You have Oregon elected officials to thank for that. Dell recently stated that it will cancel all orders of certain energy-intensive computer systems to Oregon and five other states due to local energy regulations. For example, the below notification is displayed when shopping for…

Redistricting Opportunity

Posted on August 21, 2021 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

How Would You Draw Redistricting? Oregonians have watched from afar as the Senate and House Redistricting Committees, chaired by Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) and Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego) held meetings. Next step is public hearing around the state to begin September 8 in Bend. But, before those meeting start, Oregonians have an opportunity to show their creativity and submit their…

Curry Co. Commissioners pass resolution to not enforce state covid related mandates

Posted on August 18, 2021 by BJ | 2 Comments

CURRY COUNTY, Ore — Curry County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution earlier this month, stating that it would not enforce any state covid-19 related mandates. The commissioners unanimously passed the resolution during a weekly public meeting on August 4th. The order applies to any future closures of schools or businesses due to covid. In the letter to Governor Kate…

Union County sheriff publishes letter encouraging citizens to ‘stand up’ in this ‘free country’

Posted on August 18, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

LA GRANDE — Frustration. That is the theme echoing throughout Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen’s personal letter to Gov. Kate Brown regarding the recent statewide mask mandate for public schools. Bowen listed his reasons for concern and called for local control on decision making in a letter sent to Brown on Friday, Aug. 13, and posted on social media. “I…

Portlanders want to see change in form of government, elections

Posted on July 19, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland’s charter commission is moving forward after initial public comments from the community. The independent commission held a public information session last month featuring various organizations and Portland residents speaking up about what they would like to see reviewed within the charter. The two-hour meeting discussed topics such as electoral reform, possibly changing the city’s form…

WHEN THE POLICE GO AWAY, THE CRIMINALS WILL PLAY

Posted on July 19, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Portland is on its way to having more than three shootings per day. Last year amid nationwide protests, Portlanders were among some of the loudest voices shouting, “Defund the Police.” Last summer, Mayor Ted Wheeler disbanded the city’s Gun Violence Reduction team, claiming that the team excessively targeted black people. What do we have to show for it? As expected,…

Another Spotted Owl?

Posted on July 19, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Prepare for more crack-downs on logging… Oregon approves petition to reclassify marbled murrelet as endangered The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approved Friday, July 10, a petition filed by five conservation groups to give marbled murrelets more protection by reclassifying them from threatened to endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The 4-3 decision comes two years after an Oregon…

Dems blast Dems for arrogant and suicidal moves as 2022 redistricting starts

Posted on July 18, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

A pandemic political deal and feuding Democrats have made for a noisy start to the makeover of Oregon’s congressional maps in time for the 2022 election. What was supposed to be a solo slam dunk has turned into a three-way high speed slam dance. Not just Democrats vs. Republicans, but Democrats vs. Democrats. “It’s just inexplicable and arrogant,” U.S. Rep….

Recall effort against Sen. Findley gets official signal to collect signatures

Posted on July 17, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

A recall effort against Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, has been officially approved to begin circulating petitions, the Secretary of State said Thursday. The Findley recall was approved to circulate petitions on July 7. Proponents now have until 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, to submit at least 8,289 valid signatures. “Each petition signer must be an active registered voter in…

Next Kim Thatcher discusses vaccine verification, Mike Nearman and more

Posted on July 17, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

State Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keiser, felt that there were flashes of good policy making at the recently concluded Oregon legislative session. But the Wilsonville representative, who is a member of the minority party, wished bipartisanship had been more prevalent. “That’s my favorite part of legislating,” she said. “I wish it would happen more often.” Thatcher brought forward a few notable…

Findley and Owens discuss the legislative session

Posted on July 14, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

As the legislative session wrapped up, state Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, held a virtual town hall and had a lot to discuss. One of the items at the top of the list for both lawmakers was the drought. Findley said one of the most significant “side effects” of drought are the wildfires. He touted wil…

Gov’t shows they don’t need your vote

Posted on July 13, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

You might be under the impression that we live in a country governed by the people’s representatives. Think again. More than 20 percent of Oregon’s House reps were APPOINTED to their positions by elites in government. Yes, they had to run for RE-election to their spots. But the power of incumbency is such that once you’re in, anyone running against…

Oregon Lawmakers Finally Found a Way to Halt Carbon Emissions—and Not a Moment Too Soon

Posted on July 8, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

The bill requires the state’s electrical grid to rely on renewable energy. [One would think this would put an instant stop to removing the RENEWABLE ENERGY hydroelectric dams in Klamath River, but is that even mentioned? No, of course not.] On the first of three days of 110-degree temperatures that shattered records and killed at least 107 people in Oregon,…

Governor Kate Brown Directs State Agencies to Conserve Water in Drought

Posted on July 8, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Gov Brown, who’s backing the removal of four Klamath Dams, now issues an executive order for most state agencies to conserve water due to drought conditions. How long before she issues one like this for everyone else in Oregon? ***** SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order Wednesday directing [most] state agencies to stop watering…

Call Governor to stop 17% tax hike

Posted on July 7, 2021 by BJ | 3 Comments

SB 139 the controversial 17% small business tax hike has faced bipartisan opposition as seven Democrat lawmakers voted against it and all Republican lawmakers voted against it helping to make the tax one of the most unpopular bills of the 2021 Legislature. If SB 139 passes, Oregon would be among the few places in America with the audacity to raise…

Marquis: Don’t change rules on prison inmate voting rights

Posted on July 6, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

This last, painful session of the Oregon Legislature was difficult for many reasons. The building was utterly off limits to everyone but legislators and their staff, meaning there was no ability to “lobby” legislators or staff, and the actual hearings were remote, meaning there was none of the usual interchange, conversation and rarely even any questions. The result has been…

2ND AMENDMENT PETITION TO REPEAL SB 554

Posted on July 6, 2021 by BJ | 4 Comments

I hear it everywhere I go. People approach me and express their frustration with Oregon’s political direction. Then they ask me, “What can I do?” This year the Oregon Legislature passed SB 554 — yet another gun control bill. I could go into all the details of what this bill does, but to sum it up, SB 554 erodes your…

Talk to the Mask

Posted on July 5, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

In the year plus of going around the merry-go-round about masks with this, that, and the other experts weighing in, some conclude Occam’s Razor applies appropriately to the mask question. The simplest explanation may be the most accurate explanation. Mask boxes and packages made in Communist Party China warn consumers masks are not for viruses. Some directly read “…not for…

The Oregon Wizard of Oz

Posted on July 5, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Businesses always had the power… Some Oregon businesses remained open throughout 2020-2021 by taking their rights of due process without taking OSHA or Oregon governor Kate “The Wizard of Oz” Brown to court. Throughout Brown’s many television appearance edicts that violated the Oregon emergency law, ORS 401.165(5), she acted as though Oregonians would obey her words. Some Oregon businesses kept…

Dirty Voter Rolls

Posted on July 4, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Janice Dysinger, President of Oregonians for Fair Elections, is a member of the newly formed Clean Voter Rolls Petition Committee that has filed Referendum 302 which would veto HB 2681, introduced by Representative Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis). Their website, CleanVoterRolls.com, provides a printable petition and explains why a referendum is needed: Oregon voter rolls will become dirty and bloated if we…

From the editor’s desk: Ballot initiative would have grave implications

Posted on July 4, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

It’s not on the ballot yet, and wouldn’t be until next November (2022). But if the current Initiative Petition 13 gets to voters and passes in 2022, it would radically change how animals can be handled statewide — and ruin many livelihoods in the process. However, in reading the text, it needs to be looked at as one thing and…

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon introduces bill to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence

Posted on July 2, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D) has joined with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to introduce a bill intended to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence. The bill is partly named after Nicolette Elias, a 46-year-old Portland woman fatally shot by her ex- husband Ian Martin Elias in her Southwest Portland home in 2014. A court had granted her restraining orders…

DONOR PRIVACY RULING DEFENDS AGAINST OREGON POLITICAL HARASSMENT

Posted on July 2, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Donor privacy began during the 1950s when government tried to force the NAACP to disclose its donors so they could be harassed. The US Supreme Court defended them then, and the US Supreme Court defends them again today in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta. The NAACP along with other liberal liberal and conservative groups (ACLU, PBS Reno, CATO, US Chamber, etc.)…

Out-of-state lawmakers come to Oregon, criticize Portland’s handling of violence

Posted on July 2, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Two U.S. lawmakers called out local leaders for not doing enough to stop the violence in Portland. U.S. Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Southwest Washington, and John Katko, R-New York, held a joint news conference Thursday to highlight the rising crime in the Portland area. They say defunding the police is a big part of the problem. “When you take money…

Public Hearings on Redistricting coming in September

Posted on July 2, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

On Wednesday, June 16, the Senate and House Redistricting Committees held their final meetings of the 2021 regular legislative session. The committee chairs and staff discussed the work of the committees during session as well as plans for the committees once the final U.S. Census data arrives in August. To watch a recording of the hearing follow this link. Tentative…

Laws prevent statewide fireworks bans in Oregon

Posted on July 1, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Governors in both Oregon and Washington do not have the power to ban fireworks for the entire state, so it’s left up to city and county agencies. With tinder-dry conditions in the Pacific Northwest, many Oregon and Washington fire agencies have temporarily banned the use of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The patchwork bans have left some…

Sampling of what the legislators did in the 2021 Session.

Posted on June 30, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Excerpt from Rep. Fahey’s (D-HD-14) 6-29-21 newsletter on the some of the bills that passed and failed in the 2020-21 session: Housing and Shelter P Shelter siting and funding (HB 2004, HB 2006, HB 5042) Breaking down barriers to siting homeless shelters; funding for navigation centers and Project Turnkey. P Affordable housing siting (SB 8, HB 2008) Breaking down barriers…

U.S. Sen. Merkley Announces Affordable Housing Bill

Posted on June 30, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Affordable housing would increase across Oregon and the nation, under a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley Tuesday (6-29-21). Named the Affordable HOME Act, it would lower housing costs, reduce chronic homelessness, address discriminatory housing policies, and support emergency housing, if enacted. The bill would provide assistance to renters and homeowners by investing in programs geared toward bridging gaps…

Lawmakers Gamble with Education

Posted on June 29, 2021 by dbleiler | 2 Comments

[Oregonians for Liberty in Education] Oregon’s Education Gamble: Lawmakers Say Students No Longer Need Essential Skills Over the last year, Oregonians have been learning lots about what lawmakers believe is “essential.” Essential workers. Essential services. Essential travel. We have been told that pandemic-related changes are “not forever–just for now.” But 2020 school shutdowns and “Reimagine Oregon” agendas influencing lawmakers have…

CONTROVERSIAL TIMBER TAX, FARM OVERTIME BILLS DIE

Posted on June 29, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Two of the Oregon Legislative Session’s most contentious bills died in Committee as the Oregon Capitol closed their 2021 Session this weekend. Farm overtime: House Bill 2358 would have required Ag employers to pay farm workers overtime if they worked more than 40 hours in a week. This bill received many long hearings and headlines during the year but failed to…

Interim, Redistricting and Capitol Seismic Upgrades

Posted on June 28, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

From Rep. Rick Lewis’s (R, HD-18) 6-26-21 newsletter: In the interim, between now and the next session there is a great deal of work to do. Legislators have been asked to reserve the week of September 20 for a possible special session on redistricting. Redistricting is the process of redrawing legislative and congressional district lines following the decennial U.S. Census. The…

BILL PASSES LIMITING TOOLS POLICE CAN USE IN RIOT

Posted on June 28, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Among the final bills to pass in the final hours of the 2021 Session was HB 2928-B which restricts what law enforcement can use during a riot. The summary reads, “Regulates use of chemical incapacitants, kinetic impact projectiles, and sound devices by law enforcement. Prohibits the use of chemical incapacitants and kinetic impact projectiles for purposes of crowd control unless use of force…

‘Sine Die’: The highlights of Oregon’s historic 2021 legislative session

Posted on June 27, 2021 by BJ | 3 Comments

The Oregon Legislature wrapped up Saturday, (6-26-21) marking the end of an eventful session that included high profile legislation, a resignation and the first expulsion of a legislator in state history. The session, which began Jan. 21 after a two-day delay from concerns about possible attacks from right-wing extremists, saw lawmakers take up bills addressing pandemic relief, wildfire relief, police…

Lawmakers pass bill to make illegal immigrants eligible for Medicaid

Posted on June 27, 2021 by BJ | 2 Comments

Oregon’s State Senate on Saturday (6-26-21) passed a bill that would make illegal immigrants in the state eligible for Medicaid-funded medical services — sending the legislation to Democratic Gov. Kate Brown for signature. The bill, HB 335, expands eligibility to adults who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid-funded state medical assistance program but are excluded due to their immigration status. It passed…

GOV. BROWN EMERGENCY POWERS EXTENDED UNTIL DEC. 2021

Posted on June 27, 2021 by BJ | 2 Comments

Gov. Kate Brown recently announced plans to finally reopen Oregon on June 30, including rolling back mask mandates and social distancing measures. However, kids will still be wearing masks in school. This change to the COVID-19 statewide measures does not mean an end to Gov. Brown’s emergency powers. In her latest executive order, Gov. Brown is rolling back some COVID-19 restrictions, but…

Pandemic restrictions will be lifted statewide by Wednesday, 6-30-21

Posted on June 26, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon will lift pandemic limits in place for over a year no later than next week, Gov. Kate Brown said Friday. “When Oregon reaches 70% or by Wednesday, June 30, we will lift the safety programs we have relied on and open our economy,” Brown said . When the deadline passes or the goal is met, the county-by-county risk level…

Oregon Legislature set to adjourn without refunding $300 million in taxes generated by stimulus checks

Posted on June 26, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregonians won’t get a refund on $300 million in personal income taxes generated by federal stimulus payments, as the Legislature is set to conclude its 2021 regular session on Friday or early Saturday without addressing the issue. Early in the session, both Democrats and Republicans had expressed support for resolving the thorny situation and returning the money to roughly 900,000 Oregon…

Timber tax bill is finally dead

Posted on June 26, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Good News! The House’s radical rewrite of the timber tax (HB 2379) died in conference committee. The base timber tax, which funds programs in the Dept of Forestry and at the OSU forestry school has been repealed because of the House’s insistence. President Courtney explained the mess on the Senate floor. The timber tax was part of a plan to…

Bill aims to make public service more viable for low-and-moderate income Oregonians

Posted on June 25, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon lawmakers have approved a bill that’s meant to make state boards and commissions more racially and economically representative of the state’s population. House Bill 2992 would significantly bump up the per diem paid to people with modest incomes who serve on about 250 public panels. The members of these bodies are appointed by the governor and help advise and carry out…

Lawmakers approve creation of new office to support immigrants and refugees

Posted on June 25, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement will advocate for Oregon’s newest residents, seek to connect people to resources and programs helping to reduce social, economic and health disparities. With strong bipartisan support in both chambers, Oregon lawmakers have approved the creation of a new government office underneath Gov. Kate Brown that will advocate on behalf of immigrants and refugees, as…

Election-day postmarked ballots will count in Oregon

Posted on June 25, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon, the first state to conduct all elections by mail, would join the ranks of states accepting ballots postmarked by election day under a bill that is headed to Gov. Kate Brown. House Bill 3291 was approved by the Oregon Senate without amendment on a 16-13 vote Thursday, June 24. The key vote was cast by Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield,…

Gov’t pays bonus to NOT work, then taxes shops for NOT hiring

Posted on June 24, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Government has used our tax dollars to create one of the biggest labor shortages in recent memory and is now on the verge of taxing the victims, small businesses owners, for not hiring. As you know, recent Federal $1,200 month bonuses (above unemployment payouts) created a situation where people made more staying home than working. So bad it was that…

$195M wildfire bill advances in Oregon Legislature

Posted on June 24, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

A $195 million wildfire bill passed out of the Ways and Means committee Tuesday (June 22, 2021) on a party-line vote and now heads to floor votes in the House and Senate amid criticism by some lawmakers that it will hurt rural Oregonians. Backers of Senate Bill 762 are calling it one of the most important pieces of legislation being…

Lawmakers try again to introduce bill that would repay Oregonians for tax on stimulus

Posted on June 23, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

UPDATE (6-28-21): this bill was passed! Creates refundable income tax credit to adjust for effect on federal income subtraction of recovery rebates allowed to personal income taxpayers. Provides for credit to be claimed on personal income tax return for 2021 tax year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. Provides that…

HB 3413 will block Mike Nearman from being reseated

Posted on June 21, 2021 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

Introduced today, June 21, on the House floor, is HB 3413. Democrats are trying to interfere with how Republicans will fill the seat left vacant after they expelled Mike Nearman. Mike is being considered to be reappointed to refill his seat in District 23. Added to ORS 171.051 is: A person who has previously been expelled from the Legislative Assembly…

Legislation would pin recycling reform costs on Oregon businesses

Posted on June 19, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Manufacturers of packaging, paper products and food service-ware may have to help pay for recycling programs in Oregon. Senate Bill 582, known as the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, secured a majority vote in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Friday (June 18, 2021) morning. The bill relies on producers to cover the costs for an improved recycling…

Oregon Democrats: guarantee farmworker overtime with public money

Posted on June 19, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon Democrats’ last-ditch effort to guarantee overtime pay for farmworkers could see the state pick up the tab for small farms. House Bill 2358 is the most recent piece of legislation that would mandate overtime pay for farmworkers after 40 hours in a workweek at one-and-a-half times regular wage. It would include farmworkers who work by piece-rate or hourly. In effect,…

Oregon Senate passes MASSIVE small business tax during pandemic

Posted on June 16, 2021 by BJ | 2 Comments

On Monday June 14th, The Oregon Senate Finance and Revenue Committee debated and voted to pass SB 139 which raises tax rates on family owned small businesses. It raises the tax rate for pass through entities like LLCs and partnerships. This tax only hits these type of family owned businesses while C-corporations and publicly traded corporations will not be taxed…

One more step before controversial Oregon bill becomes law, banning ‘love letters’ during home sales

Posted on June 16, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

BEYOND RIDICULOUS*!!!! There is just one more step before a controversial bill, that could change the way many people buy homes, becomes law. If signed by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, House Bill 2550 will ban the practice of ‘love letters’ during a home sale (emphasis added). The measure is to help avoid buyer selection based on race, sex, or religion…

Abortion Extremists in Oregon Senate Vote for Infanticide

Posted on June 15, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

A majority of the Oregon Senate voted down SB 586, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. The vote was 18-11 in opposition to a bill that would have required medical care to be given to a baby that survives a failed abortion procedure. CDC data from 2003 to 2014 reveals at least 143 babies survived an abortion but were left to die…

Rent, fires, taxes and energy vie for votes as Oregon Legislature nears quitting time

Posted on June 15, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

The Legislature issued an eviction order to itself on Monday, saying it had to wrap up its work and get out of the Capitol in under two weeks. The official session calendar given to lawmakers says Friday is the target date to go home. With fatigued lawmakers and staff eyeing the exits, the buzz that the House and Senate were…

Oregon lawmakers pass bill placing limits on release of jail booking photos

Posted on June 15, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

A bill was passed by Oregon lawmakers Wednesday (June 9th, 21) that would change how jail booking photos are released. House Bill 3273 was passed by Democrats in the Oregon Senate and would place restrictions on the release of the images. There are, of course, exceptions. Under the bill, law enforcement can release booking photos under these specified circumstances: directly…

Super majority Blocks TAX RELIEF; and Legislation to End Covid Emergency

Posted on June 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

June 9th, Senate Republicans moved to debate a measure that would have repealed taxes on basic necessities. Under current law, prescription drugs, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and baby formula are taxed under the corporate activities tax. Senate Bill 521, a Republican proposal, would exempt these items from taxation. Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) made a motion to withdraw SB 521 from…

Sen. Boquist: Vaccine data, crime excuses, campaign finance, more

Posted on June 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Highlights, excerpts from Sen. Boquist newsletter The establishment legislature is racing to pass higher budgets along with end run bills against citizens then flee the closed Oregon State Capitol. Follow bills on OLIS, and in Joint Ways and Means – a 5000 series bill is a budge bill. This past week, I voted against most of the state budget bills, some containing…

Homeless camping on public lands to be allowed.

Posted on June 13, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon communities, counties, now must re-write their laws by July 1, 2023 to accommodate homeless camping on public lands. (HB 3115) As reported by multiple sources, Oregon governments now must allow individuals to sit, lie, sleep, keep warm and dry on public lands. The bill requires local and county governments to modify their laws and ordinances to be in line…

Legislature Passes Bill That Makes It Harder for Police to Hide Their Identities During Protests

Posted on June 13, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Portland police officers who cover their name badges during protests will now be more easily identifiable, following the Oregon Legislature’s June 7 passage of House Bill 3355. The bill, sponsored by the Judiciary Committee at the request of Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene), dictates identification requirements for law enforcement assigned to “crowd management” events in cities with a population over 60,000….

Controversial Passenger Vehicle Tax Moves to Ways and Means

Posted on June 4, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Last week (May 25th), the Joint Tax Committee moved HB 2342 out of committee to Ways & Means. Adopting the -9 amendments, the bill caused multiple members of the committee to express concerns. The bill has a 3/5ths requirement to pass both floors – i.e., if signed into law, will implement a new tax. The proposed tax and fee structure…

Interstate 5 Bridge

Posted on May 21, 2021 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

The Joint Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge will hold a joint meeting May 25, 2021, at 6pm with the Washington State Legislature’s Joint Legislative Action Committee to discuss the construction of a new Interstate 5 Bridge. To view a live stream of the meeting: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/JI5B/Overview Public Hearing Updates from Oregon and Washington legislators on the 2021 Legislative Sessions Updates…

No Protection for Stimulus Checks

Posted on May 17, 2021 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

Tax Day Forces Oregonians to Cough Up Part of Their Stimulus Checks Democrats hold hostage a bill to return it to them [Senator Dick Anderson Press Release] SALEM, Ore. – Today marks the deadline for Oregonians to file their income taxes. This year, money that was meant to give people relief during the depths of the pandemic will now end…

HB 3057 Passes enabling Medical Passports

Posted on May 17, 2021 by dbleiler | 9 Comments

HB 3057 passed both houses authorizing Oregon Health Authority to disclose individually identifiable information related to COVID-19 to certain persons and under certain circumstances. Sunsets June 30, 2022. Declares emergency, effective on passage. Senator Boquist provided a Vote Explanation stating: “HB 3057 is an Oregon Health Authority end run on HIPAA confidential patient health information very likely in violation of…

Taxation In Arrears

Posted on May 7, 2021 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

HB 2457 is scheduled for a work session on May 10 in the House Committee on Revenue. This bill is generally a housekeeping bill to update connection date to the federal Internal Revenue Code and other provisions of federal tax law. However, Representative Pham is trying to pull a fast on in the -1 amendment. This amendment requires addition to…

Breese-Iverson introduces bill to ensure full in-person school reopenings this fall

Posted on May 7, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

UPDATE: This bill was blocked by Democrats. It would require public schools to provide full-time, in-person classroom instruction for the 2021-22 school year. SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, introduced a bicameral, bipartisan bill Thursday (May 6, 2021) that would ensure access to full, in-person instruction Oregon students for the 2021-2022 school year. House Bill 3399 would…

9 Tax Threats Coming out of the State Capitol

Posted on May 4, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Tax Increase Notice: These are the most active and debated tax bills in the 2021 Legislature #1. Quarter Billion Dollar Homeowner Tax, Marriage Penalty — SB 852 eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction (the nation’s most-used tax incentive) for higher income earners, eliminates the deduction for all owners of a second home, and ends up unfairly taxing some married couples…

Oregon To Get 6th Seat In Congress

Posted on April 27, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Following a decade of robust population growth, Oregon will receive a new congressional seat for the first time in 40 years, the U.S. Census Bureau announced on Monday (April 26, 2021). According to the 2020 census, the state’s resident population was 4,237,256 as of April 1, 2020. That’s a 10.6% increase over the 3,831,074 that officials calculated a decade before….

Capitol update: Guns, taxes, teacher sex abuse, voter purges…

Posted on April 26, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

PASSED THE HOUSE (HB 3389, SB 649, HB 2681, HB 2508) HB 3389 helps businesses avoid the tax trap caused when the pandemic’s jobless explosion resulted in triggering higher unemployment benefits to pay for the fund’s losses. HB 3389 adjusts how unemployment rates are calculated and allows businesses to defer up to 100% of some of their obligations. SB 649…

House panel ponders linking firearms storage, narrower ban

Posted on April 22, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Legislation that combines proposed requirements for firearms locks and safe storage with a narrower ban on firearms in public buildings is gaining political momentum in the Oregon House. The House Rules Committee heard a proposal to combine elements of two bills, one awaiting a vote of the full House and a second that has already passed the Senate. If it…

Vaccine Passport

Posted on April 13, 2021 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

Tore Says Oregon Peeps Tore Says Oregon Peeps, inspired by a Cleveland radio host of Tore Says, they are following Tore Maras exposing deep state activities. What is getting a lot of attention with the Tore Says Oregon Peeps is “vaccine passports.” New York is the first state to formally launch a “vaccine passport” program called “Excelsior Pass.” It allows…

Oregon House scheduled to vote this week on gun storage mandate.

Posted on April 13, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

Oregon House lawmakers could vote as soon as Monday (April 12) on a proposal to require gun owners to safely store their weapons and report any firearms that are lost or stolen. [OCL Editor’s update; this bill’s reading has been changed to April 19th, 2021. Emails can be sent to the committee members listed at the end of this article]…

IMPORTANT: Redistricting hearings this week!

Posted on April 8, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

from PEOPLE Not Politicians… Friends, We have an opportunity to make our voice heard this week! This Saturday, April 10, the Oregon Legislature’s Special Committee on Redistricting is holding THREE public hearings for comment on mapping Oregon’s new district lines. This is a critical time to speak up! Share how you feel about this process and what you believe should…

Testify on OSHA Budget HB 5510

Posted on April 5, 2021 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

TESTIFYING ON BUDGET BILLS Testimony Opportunity for Agency Performance Department of Consumer and Business Services (OSHA) Monday April 12, 2021 at 8:00 am Link to submit testimony, written or oral (for oral testimony, you must register first): https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/JWMTR/2021-04-12-08-00/Agenda Note: OSHA is a part of DCBS Likely Committee Allies: Senator Bill Hansell, Representatives Jack Zika, Gary Leif Likely Committee Foes: Senator…

Tax Hell Week: income tax, property tax, bed tax

Posted on March 31, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

This is one of those tax mania weeks in the Oregon Legislature. Income Tax Increase (HB 3328): Yesterday, hearings were held on HB 3328 which creates an income tax increase to fund wildlife programs. This follows the Portland-area model of creating a flood of micro-income tax increases to pay for government bloat: • Portland $50 Art Program Income Tax •…

Rental Legislative Update – March 2021

Posted on March 25, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

The flood gates opened this year with a tidal wave of bills targeting the rental industry. After many hearings, work groups and discussions with legislators here is where we sit on the most important bills. Thank you to all those who volunteered to write their legislators and/or testify to the committees. It truly made a difference. HB 2484 – This…

List of bad timber bills

Posted on March 24, 2021 by BJ | 0 Comments

Oregon’s forest sector and agriculture industry are under attack… AGAIN! A handful of BAD bills have been dropped and are gaining traction. We can’t afford to stand by and watch our way of life be misrepresented and misunderstood. It is our duty to make our voices heard and tell Salem the truth about our collective reality! Bill Summaries HB 2674-1…

Undoing concealed carry among 4 gun bills up for hearing, vote

Posted on March 24, 2021 by BJ | 1 Comments

These are four bills that have drawn incredible attention in the Capitol: HB 2543 is up for a hearing in House Judiciary on Tuesday March 30. This bill removes the deadline of government to process firearm transfers. The fear is that someone who is having their life threatened may have to wait days (weeks? months?) before government green light the…

Support OCL – FOR the People, BY the People

Join the Team!

Recent Comments