The Liftoff: Kotek's bad poll numbers
PLUS: Our "Way-Too-Early" Guide for mayoral candidates; how much former governors make from PERS; big congressional fundraising numbers; ODOT Director weighs in on tolling; and more!
Welcome back to The Liftoff!
Happy Monday! It’s time for another The Liftoff.
This week, our paid subscribers can read our “Way-Too-Early” Guide of potential candidates for Portland Mayor. It’s a fun look at who might be Portland’s next mayor—including some wild cards. If you’re on this list (or even if you’re not) and you have an announcement to make, let us know!
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1. Kotek’s first 100 days; bad poll numbers; and other Gov’s office news
Governor Tina Kotek’s First 100 Days: “At a press conference marking her 100th day in office, Kotek doubled down on calls for the Legislature to divert hundreds of millions of dollars intended for the state’s savings account to instead pay for affordable housing, literacy programs and behavioral health,” writes Julia Shumway of the Capital Chronicle. But, in a separate news conference, budget co-chair Sen. Elizabeth Steiner (D-Portland) stressed the importance of keeping strong reserves to prepare for a pending recession.
Here’s the Governor’s full press release on her first 100 days. “Our 100-day sprint has laid the foundation to improve the lives of all Oregonians,” she said.
Governor Kotek has the lowest approval ratings of any U.S. Governor. Only 42% of Oregonians approved of Kotek’s job performance, according to a poll by Morning Consult.
Just one day before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, the state announced it has secured a 3-year supply of the abortion drug Mifepristone. As we reported last week, at first, OHA said “no” to stockpiling the drug. By Thursday, just as the Supreme Court decision loomed, Governor Kotek announced that she had “ordered and secured a three-year supply of the abortion drug mifepristone for Oregon,” reported The Statesman Journal.
Low pensions, and low pay, for Oregon’s governors. Oregon pays its governor just $98,600, which the Council of State Governments says is less than all but Arizona, Colorado and Maine, and 51% less than the national average, writes Willamette Week. Former governors are collecting shockingly small pension payments: John Kitzhaber collects about $47,000 per year, and Barbara Roberts collects about $37,000.
As we reported on last week, Gov. Kotek rejected Portland, Gresham, and Multnomah County’s application for their share of $200 million in emergency funding for homelessness, saying it was incomplete and lacked detail.” That got local officials’ attention; they submitted a revised application on April 13 that included specifics about how they would rehouse 275 families and create another 140 shelter beds,” reports Willamette Week.
2. A “Way-Too-Early Guide” of who might run for Portland mayor
It is way too early to predict who the next mayor of Portland will be. But it is not too early for some fun, somewhat-unserious speculation about potential candidates!
Here is a rundown of some of the top 25 Portland leaders who may run for mayor in 2024.
As a thank you to our supporters, this piece is available only to paid subscribers. If you’d like to read it, upgrade your subscription!
3. How a Pro-Gun Group Stopped Oregon’s Measure 114
Monte Bowen is the Pacific Regional Director for Gun Owners of America (GOA), an influential gun-rights organization based in Washington, D.C., with a presence across the country. Monte served in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience with the criminal justice system, firearm training, and police tactics. He joins us to talk about GOA's lawsuit that effectively halted Measure 114 after it was passed by Oregon voters via ballot measure in 2022. We also dive into other topics such as school safety, handgun bans, background checks, and open carry laws and rules.
Want the other side of the debate as well? Check out our episode with Moms Demand Action’s Hilary Uhlig.
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. News from the Legislature and Oregon’s Congressional Delegation
Salem lawmakers are close to hiring a legislative equity officer to address workplace harassment and retaliation complaints at the state Capitol — a position that has proven hard to fill and has been vacant for nearly two years, writes the Associated Press.
Legislative Democrats hope to send big issues to Oregon voters: Oregon voters may decide in November 2024 whether the Oregon Constitution should protect abortion, reproductive and gender-affirming health care. The proposal would also remove 20-year-old language, now unenforceable under current federal court rulings, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, writes Peter Wong.
Big Haul: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is not messing around when it comes to re-election. She has raised $635,559 in the first three months of 2023, according to federal filings. That’s more than double the $300,816 raised by Rep. Andrea Salinas, the first-term Democrat representing the 6th District, who posted the next-highest sum among Oregon’s congressional delegation, reports The Oregonian. Rep. Val Hoyle raised $274,258.
Oregon’s two Republicans in Congress stake out positions on debt ceiling—and it might get tricky! Gary Warner of the Oregon Capital Bureau has a good primer:
U.S. Rep. Chavez-DeRemer (R-Happy Valley) issued a statement Wednesday that she is reviewing the proposed legislation by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
U.S. Rep. Bentz (R-Ontario), Oregon's other Republican in Congress, declined comment on the proposal.
6. Tolling, alcohol taxes, and other controversial issues in state government
From Willamette Week: The state’s new payroll system “failed to complete the automatic deduction of union dues from some members’ paychecks.” The mistake could cost the state over $100,000.
The Oregon Department of Revenue’s computer system went down due to “a vendor internet service outage”…on Tax Day. Extensions are available.
Kris Strickler, the director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, penned an op-ed in Pamplin explaining ODOT’s support for a tolling program, writing: “Tolling can be a reliable funding source we need to make ongoing transportation improvements. And it has the benefit of reducing congestion at the same time as it raises revenue.”
From the Oregon Capitol Chronicle: “A month after lawmakers killed a bill that would have raised beer and wine taxes, state officials are considering increasing a tax on hard liquor.” This time, it’s not legislators—it’s the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
7. News Roundup: Crime drops, another drought emergency, and Eugene’s natural gas fight
Gov. Kotek declared a drought emergency in Harney and Wasco counties.
These mark the fifth and sixth drought emergencies this year.
Commuter ferry in Portland? Oregon Business wrote about the “Frog Ferry” trying to establish a public commuter ferry between Vancouver and Oregon City.
The Washington Post looks at the fight in Eugene, where the natural gas industry plans to spend millions to defeat the city’s ban on gas in newly built homes. If it succeeds, the industry may take the fight to other U.S. cities and counties.
Portland’s flagship REI location in the Pearl will close due to theft and break-ins. The company has only one location in Portland, so this is a major blow to the area. The news even made the New York Post.
From Willamette Week: “The IRS Last Year Filed $4 Million in Tax Liens Against Staffing Company Controlled by La Mota Owners. That brings the total amount in tax liens issued against the founders of the cannabis chain they control to over $7 million since 2019.”
Thank you for reading!
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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.