The Liftoff: Kotek makes waves on bridge replacement and gambling
PLUS: Youth activist confronts Oregon legislator; Wyden lashes out against judge; tension rises (then falls) in Salem; the death of an Oregon politics legend; new Kotek appointments; and more!
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1. Kotek makes waves, lengthy floor sessions, and more news from Salem
Tensions ran high last week in the Oregon legislature as votes on “guns, rent control, and gender affirming care” crept closer, according to OPB. It began with Republicans demanding that some bills be read in full before final passage, which created lengthy floor sessions and a plan to call lawmakers in on Saturday. It was an emotional week, with partisan tensions finally starting to thaw by end of the week.
In the House, Democrats cancelled committee meetings early in the week, planning to hold floor votes instead and clear the log jam of many dozens of bills. But, by Wednesday afternoon, the stalemate had ended with Republicans agreeing to suspend bill readings, and Democrats agreeing to schedule a vote on the gun bill (HB 2005) several weeks out, in early May. OPB’s Dirk VanderHart has a run-down of the “flurry of delay tactics” and, finally, the compromise.
The gun debate was filled with emotionally charged moments with lawmakers on different sides of the issue near tears, writes the Associated Press’s Andrew Selsky.
Governor Kotek outlined where the first $80 million in homelessness funds will go, and the results were surprising. On Monday Kotek told Portland and Multnomah County to “get their stuff together” in order to receive more funds.
One big winner? Lane County, which will get only a little less than populous Multnomah. Breakdown by county:
Multnomah: $18.2 million to rehouse 275 households and create 138 shelter beds
Lane: $15.5 million to rehouse 247 households and create 230 shelter beds
Central Oregon: $13.9 million to rehouse 161 households and create 111 shelter beds
Marion and Polk: $10.4 million to rehouse 158 households and create 79 shelter beds
Jackson: $8.8 million to rehouse 133 households and create 67 shelter beds
Washington: $8.0 million to rehouse 121 households and create 61 shelter beds
Clackamas: $4.4 million to rehouse 130 households
Gov. Kotek signed on Wednesday the CHIPS Act, which could give Oregon chipmakers $210 million in taxpayer support and will give her “temporary but nonetheless extraordinary authority to designate rural lands for industrial development,” writes the Oregonian’s business reporter Mike Rogoway.
State transportation officials on Thursday urged the legislature to approve $1 billion in funds to replace the I-5 bridge. But, by Friday Gov. Kotek told reporters during a tour of Polk County that “she believes the aging bridge needs to be replaced, but she balked at the proposed source of those funds,” writes the Capitol Chronicle.
Kotek also released a statement telling Oregon’s federally recognized tribes that she opposes any expansion of gambling in Oregon.
Kotek also released a new list of executive appointments. Here are a few highlights (some are reappointments):
Carina Miller to the Columbia River Gorge Commission
Former Rep. Greg Macpherson to the Oregon State University Board of Trustees
Connie Seeley to the University of Oregon Board of Trustees
This week, fallout from Willamette Week’s eyebrow-raising story about La Mota founders and Democratic donors Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell: “The same day WW published its story, the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries formally terminated a half-million-dollar grant awarded to a brand-new nonprofit co-founded by Cazares, and asked for the money back.”
Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro), who co-chairs the Joint Transportation Committee, was confronted in the Capitol by a youth climate activist over proposed freeway projects and concerns about the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). At the end of the 3-minute confrontation, Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) approaches to escort McLain away. Read the transcript or watch the video at BikePortland.
2. Oregon’s role in dueling court orders over abortion medication
The national debate over medication abortion runs through Oregon. Oregon has taken a lead in pushing back on red-state judicial rulings that could end the use of one of the prescription drugs (Mifepristone) used for abortion or miscarriage.
Of note: According to state data, 4,246 medication abortions were administered in Oregon in 2021, representing about 60 percent of total abortions. So, a federal ban on the drug would have a huge impact in Oregon.
As Peter Wong reported, Attorney General Rosenblum and Senator Wyden lashed out at the rulings.
Senator Wyden told KATU in a telephone interview that President Biden and the FDA should ignore the Texas judge’s ruling.
In the meantime, Oregon is NOT stocking up on abortion prescription pills. “Unlike other Democratic-led states, the Oregon Health Authority said the state has not started stockpiling abortion pills,” reports KOIN.
By Thursday, a federal judge in Washington issued an order clarifying that he intends to preserve full access to the abortion drug in Oregon, Washington and 16 other states, regardless of conflicting rulings, reports Amelia Templeton of OPB.
3. Jules Bailey on the future of Portland and why the bottle bill still matters
Jules Bailey is a former Oregon State Representative and former Multnomah County Commissioner. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC). Bailey ran for Portland Mayor in 2016 and remains a civic leader through his role at OBRC, as board chair for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, and as a board member for the Portland Business Alliance.
In this episode, we talk about why he ran for office and his time in the legislature (and some of his colleagues at the time, including Arnie Roblan and Peter Buckley). We cover his stint as a Commissioner (including the challenges/limitations of that role) and why he decided to run for Mayor of Portland in 2016 against Ted Wheeler. We ask Bailey what he thinks about the state of Portland today and get his thoughts on Portland's new form of government. Finally, we cover Bailey's work today with OBRC. We talk about the origin of Oregon's innovative, nation-leading bottle bill, how it's changed over time, and why it still matters today.
For more information about OBRC, check out their website: https://obrc.com/
4. Sponsored Message from Harrang Long P.C.: Harrang Long’s Appellate Practice
This message is from our sponsor, Harrang Long P.C.
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5. The Oregon Way: the state worker crisis and the farm bill
We’re getting back into the swing of it with The Way (kudos to our incredible editors Mark Hester and Kristina Edmunson). This week we have a piece from SEUI Local 503 leaders Melissa Unger and Mike Powers (which has already been read over 1,000 times) and regular contributor Mark Hester. Have thoughts? Let others know in the comments!
6. The end of the “open air fentanyl market” and other Portland news
Portland finally clears “open air fentanyl market”. Here’s The Oregonian’s account of the early morning raid.
Meanwhile, the former head of the Portland police union who was fired and then reinstated Brian Hunzeker has resigned. This follows reporting from WW that Hunzeker was also employed as a Clark County sheriff’s deputy.
Competing for Kindergarteners? Willamette Week has a fascinating story about Portland Public Schools (which has experienced a 7.5% decline in enrollment) competing to enroll kindergarteners.
Of note: “Portland’s K-12 schools are losing students at more than double the rate of the rest of the country and at one and a half times the rate of Oregon schools as a whole.”
Barry Pack, who was director of the Oregon Lottery under Gov. Brown from 2016 to 2023, is now working on special projects for Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.
Damian Lillard told ESPN that if the Blazers can’t make a major move this summer, a “conversation” about his future should take place.
7. News Roundup: RIP Bill Bradbury
Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury died Friday. Bradbury served in the role from 1999—2009, leading efforts to drastically increase voter turn out. Previously he served in the Oregon Legislature, including as Senate President.
The EPA has funded a new center at the University of Oregon to research wildfire smoke, reports KLCC.
From the Capitol Chronicle: “Lobbying email from Oregon secretary of state’s office raises eyebrows in Salem”
The Oregon Global Warming Commission released a report saying that Oregon needs to be more aggressive to reach the greenhouse-gas emissions target it was supposed to achieve by 2020.
Grant County residents resist the “Greater Idaho” movement. In a meeting last week, a group of residents expressed opposition to the movement, which has gained national attention recently. People cited “Idaho’s lower minimum wage, fewer benefits and less access to health care,” writes the Blue Mountain Eagle.
“Clackamas County Republicans dispute Chair Tootie Smith’s claim that she couldn’t have been censured for her vote to purchase a transitional housing facility, a vote which she reversed on March 22 under pressure from the Republican Party,” writes The Clackamas Review.
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About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the state representative for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard, Metzger, and South Beaverton) and a member of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. In his day job, he works as an administrator for a public school district. Previously, he worked as a legislative aide for former Reps. Margaret Doherty and Val Hoyle. He also co-hosts The Oregon Bridge podcast. In the newsletter and podcast, he speaks only for himself.
Alex Titus is a small business owner and consultant to businesses, nonprofits, and associations. Previously, he served as an Advisor in the Trump Administration and as a Policy Advisor to President Trump’s Super PAC. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News, The Hill, RealClearPolitics, and other publications.
Kristina Edmunson has been everything from press assistant for Governor Kulongoski, media advance associate for Vice President Joe Biden, and communications director for Attorney General Rosenblum. Born and raised in Eugene, she has been involved in some of the biggest and most controversial policy and legal decisions in Oregon over the last decade. She speaks only for herself in her contributions to The Liftoff.